A warning

[kimlovescats]

Cute and cuddly though your dogs may seem to you please remember that they are not "furkids", "furbabies" or children in furry suits. They are pack animals with an awesome prey drive which I had to witness yesterday. Brought home to me that I share my home with animals not cuddly toys and that they should be treated as such.

Sweetheart, could you tell us what happened so that we can understand completely what you are feeling. I hate to see this thread turn into yet another PT debate when you are obviously upset!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Those of you that know me also know that I wouldn't have posted this without a very good reason. My two dogs mauled a cat and there was nothing I could do to stop them - believe me, I did all I could and got bitten in the process.

There is no reason to feel sorry for my pets as I love my dogs as much as ever but I also respect them as animals not furry children and they will be treated as such from now on - the 3 hour walk I had with them today was one of the best we have had for a long time.

Someone said that not all dogs have a prey drive, this may be true but as an owner of two terriers I can only say "be vigilant and don't ever take for granted that your "furbaby" won't revert to its natural instinct one day".

Martin Clunes says in a trailer for his programme "never forget that you are sharing your home with a wolf"

[chocolatepuppy]

How awful Denise. We've lost a few critters here in our fence. Thankfully any cats got away even climbing the 6 ft wooden fence. If it runs, my dogs will chase it. Not sure if they want to kill or are just doing it for the thrill? At least while trying to save the critters, the dogs actions don't seem vicious. The critters are just smaller, therefore, get hurt or killed.

[Glacier]

I'm sorry you had to see that. I've always been grateful that I didn't see my dogs kill Dominique. Finding her little broken body was horrific enough!

The huskies insticts aren't nearly as well hidden as they are with some other breeds! I never leave the dogs unsupervised with my indoor cats(Dominique escaped the safe confines of the house somehow) and I have told all my neighbors that if their outdoor cats are dumb enough to come over here, what happens to them is not my fault. If my dogs go over there and get the cat, that is my fault, but not if the cat comes on my property. I have several dogs who will never meet Princess. She weighs about 25 pounds and for a couple of the dogs with extremely high prey drives, she would trigger them!

[kimlovescats]

Oh, Denise, that had to be horrific to watch! I am so very sorry!!! (((hugs)))

[Christmas_Hamster]

Sorry for what has happened.

I'm sorry I have no idea what to type, I'm just so frustrated. Of course it will happen if your dog has a high prey drive, you then you have to be vigilant. My dog will foremost be my best friend, then and only then an animal to look down upon. It doesn't mean that I don't ignore his needs, it means that I respect them like a good friend should.

[k9krazee]

Sorry you had to witness that. I have three terriers and know this all too well. They hunt and kill rabbits, possums, mice, raccoons and birds and it's never easy to see. It does make you realize that they aren't people in fur coats - they are animals and only doing what comes naturally to them.

[Taz_Zoee]

Oh Denise, I am so sorry you had to go through that. I have been reading this thread but wouldn't respond until we heard your story.
I understand what you are saying. You don't love your dogs any less but you are just saying to be careful. Never under estimate their abilities and natural instincts.

[caseysmom]

I'm sorry you went through that. I hope your okay. I figured you must have been through something pretty awful.