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Post by rubylottie14 on Oct 12, 2014 15:46:12 GMT -5
Boaz I hope you are OK.
You and Ozzie are in my thoughts and you will be supported by the GRA family whatever your decision is.
Please do keep in touch.
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Post by rajandhisfamily on Oct 12, 2014 20:21:37 GMT -5
First of all, I'm so sorry you had to go through this upsetting circumstance. As stated above, it was an unfortunate accident. Animals, including pets have natural instincts. Your boy acted on instinct. He can't distinquish between a rabbit, a squirrel, a blowing bag in the wind, a lure, or in this case, a pet. Β He is still the same beloved pet you have loved for the last 2 years. Please do not put him down for acting on instinct. I wish you luck with your decision. My thoughts are with you and your pup!
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Post by Havencroft on Oct 13, 2014 9:43:26 GMT -5
Thank you everyone for all the wonderful support and great ideas here! It means a lot to know that other people have been through the same thing and made it work with their hounds. The hardest thing this week has been watching Ozzie- he has no idea he did something to upset me and is confused about why I'm being different with him. We took him out to our play group yesterday and I talked with other owners about their dogs, and about Ozzie. He was his usual cuddly self and I think this was the final nod I needed to make sure he's ok. I also had a great talk with a friend who has sighthounds (whippets) and she completely understood why I felt so weird. Her guys have done similar things- not with the same outcome, but still shockingly violent. After all this, I am left saddened but wiser for the experience. Ozzie was being an excellent hound- he chased his prey and was successful in killing it. The thing that bothered me was how he did it. I have come to understand that this is the price of owning trained killers. They are bred for this and there is nothing I can do to change that. I still love my Ozzie Wozzie and I can't bear to think I have this disconnect with him. I know that time will heal that and making sure that human error is never a factor again will go a long way to help. Hope this all makes sense
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Post by newtothis1 on Oct 13, 2014 20:07:33 GMT -5
I have just read this post and through all the responses. What an awful experience you have had, I can only imagine how you must have felt and still feel about it all. I know I am late in the advise but from all that I read you got great advise above. I will only add one thing and that is such a shock to see a dog for what they truly are. I know that sounds harsh, but I mean we all humanize them so much and call them our babies and cuddle bunnies etc.. but they are a dog and these guys are so close to what they were originally bred for, I think we sometimes forget the power and instinct they have.
I am sure that if Ozzie could change what he did to make you be back the way you were with him, he would . But he cannot undo it and as tragic as it is he is still the same dog you adored for the past two years, you just never saw those instincts come out. As you stated now that you know exactly what can happen, get him a muzzle and use it when he is out walking. After a while you and him will relax again. Each day will get a little better.
I think everyone here understands and is sending you so much support and you are definitely in peoples thoughts.
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ceedee
Junior Grey Lover
Posts: 187
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Post by ceedee on Nov 27, 2014 14:01:06 GMT -5
I understand how upsetting this is to you right now. I had a dachshund many years ago that entered the habitat of my kids' pet mice and ravaged them. It was sickening to me to clean up the mess and whenever I looked at the dog all I could see were the mutilated bodies of those little creatures. Shortly after that incident, she killed a pet rat that my son forgot to put back in its cage. I actually hated her after that and was looking to rehome her. The rest of the family was more forgiving, however, and we ended up keeping her. As time passed, I began to love her again, and when she developed a brain tumour later in life and had to be euthanized, I was devastated. I grieved for two years after her passing, and never got another dachsie because it would never have replaced "Gretel".
I read once that dogs are the most widely feared animals in the world. Dogs have been bred to kill animals, from small rodents to large wolves, bears, lions, deer, elk, and the list could go on from furred to feathered. As someone mentioned in a previous post, we have anthropomorphized our dogs, forgetting they still retain their basic instincts to kill.
My grey wears a muzzle in the back yard at all times after she killed several squirrels. I also carry a muzzle with me when we walk. Often people want their dogs to sniff her, so I muzzle her just in case. She particularly dislikes puppies. Even if they're not bouncing up and down and trying to jump on her, she senses their crazy energy and will give a warning bark to stay away.
Having said all that, I know it's hard for you to forgive right now. You will feel better in time.
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