Tough Decision

Oh Steph, I am SO sorry.  You have my number (and if you aren't on the phone to me at 5:00 I'm gonna be on the phone to YOU on my way home)!!  Yeah, I'm sitting here at my desk in tears for you.

Steph -- The problem is, you are well aware and YOU are considering that given this agression, re-homing this dog would be a huge risk.  I would **NOT** do it other than thru a certified Akita rescue.

Why?  Because in a fight of THIS magnitude it's never EVER just the dog at risk.  Because if a human had tried to intervene in a fight of THIS magnitude it can be the human who gets mauled as well.  Heaven forbid it might be a child or young person who intervenes without the strength or wisdom to intervene safely.

The advantage of talking to Akita rescue is that you are going to get GOOD wise counsel.  Because if THEY tell you not to re-home they're probably doing it out of experience borne of wisdom. 

Yes, plenty of dog-aggressive dogs are re-homed, but this is more than just potential agression on leash.  This would be a situation where the dog should never be out of an experience'd handler's control -- so the adopter has to be 100% certain THEY never have to kennel the dog where it won't be controlled.

NO ONE can sit here and give Steph grief.  Heaven forbid -- we have a thread running on here about a dog (what 27 pages now??) that was AT THE VET for routine "new dog" stuff and heartworm treatment.  ***AT THE VET*** and she got away and has been gone for weeks now.

What damage could a dog this dog-aggressive DO in that circumstance? 

No -- Steph is absolutely 100% COMPLETELY reasonable and right to consider what she's having to consider. 

There are times as a responsible guardian we have to come to that place where we realize that although a dog may be part of our heart and it may have a sweet and loving personality under the right circumstances -- that certain dogs (either because of breed disposition or history) may simply pose such a huge danger in the wrong hands that unless WE can guarantee 100% sure and certainly that the dog will be supervised 100%, then responsibility demands that we may need to euthanize simply because human lives could potentially be at risk.

No, she's not human-aggressive -- but in an attack of this nature, if a human got in the middle?  Wow. 

Steph -- how can I help?  You know David and I would help you any way we could. 

Steph, I am so sorry this happened.  You've got a tough decision, but ultimately, you know your dogs, have thought this through, and will pick the best option for everyone.  Mystic will forgive you - you've given her a good life.  (((Hugs)))

Steph, I was so sorry to read this.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Oh wow.  I'm so sorry that this happened.

I absolutely agree that she should ONLY be rehomed through an akita rescue and only to a very experience owner who understands what having her is going to involve.

It almost sounds to me like she's got a little kink in her "wiring" and can't help herself, and will never be right.  Perhaps the kindest and most humane thing to do IS to release her from that torment.

Hugs to you.  Let us know how we can help.

Steph - I feel so bad for you.  {{{HUGS}}}

TheDogHouseBCMPD

Everytime I see her I just want to throw my arms around her and bury my face in her fur. 

And, you should do that daily.  This is a tough decision, indeed.  But, deep down inside, you will know what is right.  I, too, hope that the Akita Rescue organization can offer advice and guidance.  I support your decision, whatever it may be.  Sometimes, we have to make exceptionally hard decisions.   {{{{hugs}}}}

    I'm so, so sorry and hope I never have to make a decision as difficult as this. I'll pray that the Akita Rescue can help place her; {{{{{hugs}}}}}

I am so sorry for your situation, you need to do what you feel is best in these circumstances, you have my support and thoughts

 Steph, I'm so sorry. What a scary thing to have to go through. I hope rescue can help. Whatever you decide, I support you. ((hugs))

Oh man, I'm so sorry this happened.  You're in my thoughts.  No one should have to make this decision.  I hope Blaze is feeling better!

Big hugs from me and some soft nudgies from the rockstar boy.

I'm so sorry to read this.  You know what is best for your dogs.  If that happened here I'd probably be doing the same thing.

Maybe an Akita rescue can help.  When I first started volunteering at the shelter, there was a purebred female Akita.  She was BY FAR the most popular and gorgeous dog there, tons of people came in wanting to adopt her, but she was VERY dog aggressive.  She had to be kept in a back corner cage so that dogs were not constantly passing her to be walked.  Surprisingly, the shelter kept her.  Besides the dog issue, she was a lovebug.  Only certain people were allowed to handle her, and she would not be released to anyone without Akita experience, no kids under teen age, and no other dogs.  She was eventually adopted to the right home.

Mystic sounds very much like Willow.  I think giving the Akita rescue a shot would be a great for her.  There were two times I had a chow rescue coming for Willow so there will be no judgements from us. 

I'm so sorry you're going through this ((((hugs))))

Oh no. My heart is ripping just reading your post. No matter the reason for putting a dog down, it is never easy. And I don't know anyone who does not feel responsible in some way or that they are letting their dog down.