rwbeagles
Posted : 3/12/2009 11:00:28 AM
Dh is taking it hard, she is far more his dog, than mine and she made that pretty clear early on. It is more difficult for him to be okay with it because he works all day and really doesn't see a lot of what I am dealing with in regards to her behaviors and my worries for the kids. His feeling is I think that because she is a mainly outside dog things are fine. But she is older now...at age 10 1/2 where we NEED to be able to do things with, and to her, without being bitten...for her own comfort. And, the kids need to be able to be in their own home and yard and not be afraid of their dog...putting her into a crate led to me getting bitten and that leaves very few options for her now.
"I" am the one that has to tackle the grooming and vetting of her and I don't mind telling you all here she intimidates me a lot. Doesn't help the situation. She is just now and always has been in full control of what she will allow and not allow in her space. She's never growled in her life...not even as a pup...if she doesn't like something she just handles it. Snap or bite. When she was younger it was mainly a snap but now as she's aged it's more serious.
I know we could have done things very differently right at the beginning...but we didn't HAVE kids til she was almost 4...never spent much time around them, didn't even know we wanted any lol. We failed in a lot of ways...but we kept her comfortable and with the family for these 10+ years and did try to make her happy. I think she's been happy...because what seems to make her sigh and be happiest is sitting in the sun, alone on a good warm day with nothing and no one to mess with her. She tolerates Cleo..and I think likes her a bit. But the other dogs really set her off anymore these days. She put a good puncture into Shirleys underjaw not long back simply for walking up to her tail wagging to say hello.
I wish I could bring her in and put her on the couch but she just does NOT like my son...and things like they are, he is scared and it's only of her! I can't take that chance...not with him.
I appreciate the thoughts and kind words. It isn't easy...but it is the right thing to do. I know that fully. I am going to make up with her at the vet, and I am going to hold her, and we are going to part ways as friends.