Post by jen2008 on Feb 27, 2008 20:17:22 GMT -5
And hello.
My husband and I have seven dogs... yes, seven. All but one are rescued mutts, ranging in age from a once abused geriatric old man to a six-ish month old pup.
October 2006 we took in two brothers as babies; their family had an unspayed lab/GSD (great family dog, such a sweetie) and the neighbors dog had literally bent the poles of the metal fence to get at her. Daddy dog is an imported, well-bred pitt... friendly as can be with those he knows.
Anywho, I was a bit nervous but the people had raised the puppies well and were terified they'd be put down. The shepherd marked pup chose me and he is possibly the best dog I have ever owned. Mellow, gentle, and playful as can be.
His brother, though... God help me. He is small animal aggressive (has killed a possum and a feral cat) and since we have indoor cats, he lives outdoors. I spend at least an hour per day out with them and their labrador buddy, tossing a ball, ruffling ears, y'know. The usual.
Well, he is becoming dog aggressive. A week or two ago, he had one of our other dogs down by the throat (poor guy went into shock, luckily Archer did not break skin). He is submissive to humans.
Tonight he went after the old dog, and when I tossed a bucket of water on him, stopped. Usually a firm "Archer!" stops him, but not tonight. As I checked over the old boy, he turned on our lab and grabbed his throat and shook while the lab cried on the ground. Bowie, his mellow brother, is very much Archer's follower and kind of halfheartedly took part. You get the picture.
Well, I am pregnant and just cannot deal with this anymore. I was out front when I heard the commotion of Archer hurting the old dog, and went running back; tried to open the gate and the combination of wrenching our stupidly constructed gate and running on my out of socket hip sent me sprawling in our concrete drive. Ouch. I kind fo caught myself, so baby is fine, just man... not fun.
Right now, I am just DONE with him. He is hurting the others and I will not have it... also, I am having alot of pregnancy related pains and racing out to stop him is putting alot of strain on me. I have never given up a pet in my life, and with his issues I don't think it would be responsible to rehome him; besides, who would want him? DH is very against the idea of putting him down, but I just can't do this anymore; yet, I am the one home so I have to deal with him. Too, Bowie adores his littermate and will be a bit lost without him. What do I do here?
I am also afraid that, though Archer would never hurt a person, he may not see my baby as a person, rather as a small animal, KWIM? I mean, it's small, makes squeaky noises, doesn't talk or walk... I love our dogs to bits, but the idea that he may hurt my baby has me scared. DH does not see that possibility at all, but what do you people think?
For the record, all the others are well-adjusted, happy dogs and get along well. It's just Archer...
My husband and I have seven dogs... yes, seven. All but one are rescued mutts, ranging in age from a once abused geriatric old man to a six-ish month old pup.
October 2006 we took in two brothers as babies; their family had an unspayed lab/GSD (great family dog, such a sweetie) and the neighbors dog had literally bent the poles of the metal fence to get at her. Daddy dog is an imported, well-bred pitt... friendly as can be with those he knows.
Anywho, I was a bit nervous but the people had raised the puppies well and were terified they'd be put down. The shepherd marked pup chose me and he is possibly the best dog I have ever owned. Mellow, gentle, and playful as can be.
His brother, though... God help me. He is small animal aggressive (has killed a possum and a feral cat) and since we have indoor cats, he lives outdoors. I spend at least an hour per day out with them and their labrador buddy, tossing a ball, ruffling ears, y'know. The usual.
Well, he is becoming dog aggressive. A week or two ago, he had one of our other dogs down by the throat (poor guy went into shock, luckily Archer did not break skin). He is submissive to humans.
Tonight he went after the old dog, and when I tossed a bucket of water on him, stopped. Usually a firm "Archer!" stops him, but not tonight. As I checked over the old boy, he turned on our lab and grabbed his throat and shook while the lab cried on the ground. Bowie, his mellow brother, is very much Archer's follower and kind of halfheartedly took part. You get the picture.
Well, I am pregnant and just cannot deal with this anymore. I was out front when I heard the commotion of Archer hurting the old dog, and went running back; tried to open the gate and the combination of wrenching our stupidly constructed gate and running on my out of socket hip sent me sprawling in our concrete drive. Ouch. I kind fo caught myself, so baby is fine, just man... not fun.
Right now, I am just DONE with him. He is hurting the others and I will not have it... also, I am having alot of pregnancy related pains and racing out to stop him is putting alot of strain on me. I have never given up a pet in my life, and with his issues I don't think it would be responsible to rehome him; besides, who would want him? DH is very against the idea of putting him down, but I just can't do this anymore; yet, I am the one home so I have to deal with him. Too, Bowie adores his littermate and will be a bit lost without him. What do I do here?
I am also afraid that, though Archer would never hurt a person, he may not see my baby as a person, rather as a small animal, KWIM? I mean, it's small, makes squeaky noises, doesn't talk or walk... I love our dogs to bits, but the idea that he may hurt my baby has me scared. DH does not see that possibility at all, but what do you people think?
For the record, all the others are well-adjusted, happy dogs and get along well. It's just Archer...