An Explanation, and a Plea for Forgiveness...

[lbaker]

Don't worry about it A66. I have the same thoughts but right now I just don't see what good it will do (after the sad fact) to dwell on just who was the aggressor, or "who struck first". I would love to take a one dog only in. Hardly possible when I have six of my own, and five cats. Fortunatly for me they all get along (although there were some turf battles for awhile). I sincerely hope no one will slam you for speaking your mind. I certainly won't.

[Cincy'sMom]

Originally posted by lbaker
I sincerely hope no one will slam you for speaking your mind. I certainly won't.

Me either

It is so hard to know what is the right decision and the "what ifs" of every possibilty. Obviously Charlie and Arthur living together would not work. It would be nice to think Arthur could have had a chance somewhere else. But then there is the possibly he would get away and hurt another dog or a child, and then there is the guilt knowing you could have prevented it. He obviuosly wanted to get to Charlie bad enough to get over that 5 ft wall.

I hate thinking of any dog being put down for any reason. But since we couldn't all be there is witness the attacks, we have to trust JC did what her heart told her was the right thing.

Anna, I totally understand your being defensive toward Rotties. I am the same way with dalmatians. I have had people tell me so many times how bad dals are with kids, and I look at my two (mixes) and how much they love kids, I just want to tell these pople they are nuts!

[lute]

OH,i'm so sorry heinz57_79! i don't think your a bad dog mom at all! i think you did what was best. Arther could have really hurt another dog, or you. it must be very stressful time. i'll kee you and charlie in my prayers.

please keep in mind you did what was best and may have prevented something worse.

[Tina]

I'm also sorry about Arthur.

But I have to agree with Anna's post sorry.

[RobiLee]

I have the same thoughts and feelings as Anna. I am not judging you. I was not there. This is just so hard to understand and I wish something else could have been done. My heart breaks for Arthur

[shais_mom]

Originally posted by lbaker
I sincerely hope no one will slam you for speaking your mind. I certainly won't.

Me also - especially when I have the same thoughts. But you don't need us to forgive you tho, I don't think. You have enough to deal with on your own.
gentle hugs to you're crew.

[Karen]

No one will slam anyone else for speaking his or her heart. We know that Rotties are great dogs, and that JC still has her Rottie girl to help her through this hard time.

Each one of us should hug (okay in my case, Hoppy's too small to hug, but ...) our pets and be glad they are okay.

We can all move forward from here, and be grateful to be part of a community that understands that animals are very special, and we all love them in our own ways.

[Kfamr]

I'm glad someone said it.

I agree with Anna completely and fully.
I'll never fathom why this sweetheart was put to death so young.


And I guess that's all i'll say.

[Amber]

I have to agree with Anna too...

[RottiMommy49]

I have done a lot of reading and soul searching since Arthur was put down. I have read every post several times. I have very mixed feelings about everything that has happened. Our first rotti was Nikita, we got her from the local shelter, she was roughly 2 years old at that time. Nikita hated other animals. She would try so hard to pull me on leash to get to another dog, it was embarrasing and going to the vets was worse when the waiting room was full. About 1 week after we adopted her I took her to a pet store. At this time I didn't know she was animal aggressive. The girl that worked there also had a rotti. She saw Nikita try to go after another dog that came in the store as well as a big stuffed dog that was sitting near the cash. Nikita tried so hard to kill that stuffed dog. The girl working abruptly told me that my dog should be destryed due to her aggression. I of course said I think not. She told me that if my dog ever went after hers she would kill my dog, that Nikita was not a good dog and i had better take her to the shelter and put her to sleep. At this point my blood pressure was rising quickly...this girl was getting on my nerves, she was one of those opinionated no it alls. I stopped going there!!
Now I knew we had a problem with our girl and we took every precaution to make sure she would never hurt anyones dog. She was an awesome rotti who loved us, our grandchildren, all people so very much. We knew as long as we had her we would not be able to get a second dog or any other animals but that was okay because we loved her so much and everything else about her was perfect. Had she been aggressive to my grandchildren or people my decision may have been different. Or I would have crated her when need be. She was our baby and the love of my life along with my kids, grandkids and hubby. She was family. Well we had her almost 6 years and during that time she never touched another animal. We just made sure she couldn't. I made sure I had complete control over her on walks because to let anything bad happen would have meant losing my baby. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I likely would not have had Arthur put down but would have tried other things like crating him until I could get profesional help with the aggression, working with him using positive training, or at worse finding a home without other dogs or dogs similar to the type he was aggressive towards. My dogs don't like small dogs but are great with other large breeds. Kiki will not accept another female in the house except for my sons dog. Knowing these things we just work with any issues as best as we can because no way in he** would I put either of my babies down. I guess my only real problem with Arthur being put to sleep is that maybe there was a different way to solve the existing problem. it's too late after the fact. I'm trying to not judge because I feel that is up to God not me. But I do have my own feelings and have expressed them.
I'm fairly new here and feel like an outsider still as so many of you have been together for such a long time. I don't want to offend anyone or make enemies here. I enjoy being a part of PT and hope to be here a long time making new friends. It's tough being a newbie in a tight group of people and I thank everyone who has made me feel welcomed here. I guess that's about all I have to say.

[Tonya]

Just a thought...

Even dogs that are not human aggressive have severely injured their beloved humans in the midst of a dog fight. Yes, a person could try their best to keep the dog from other dogs, but what if?

I wasn't there. I don't know Arthur, her, or the situation. I am just speaking in general.

I know that when my RB Rosco attacked that boy, there were so many thoughts running through my head. I had been working with him for quite a while and he'd been attack free for over a year when that happened. He tore down a tree and a chain in order to get the boy. THANK GOD that I was able to rip Rosco off of the boy in time. He was hurt, but not badly.

But to see a dog want something so badly that he gets superhuman strength is a very frightening thing. My adrenaline was going so fast and my heart was so broken, it was hard to think.

Maybe I could have done more, maybe Rosco could have changed. But what if I'd given Rosco another chance, and it was on that borrowed time that he killed someone? He loved me, but he was obviously wired wrong, what if he suddenly turned on me?

I am sure that Heinz has the same guilty thoughts and "what ifs" running through her head. That is a hell of a decision to make. I don't think that anyone should judge her until they've been in her shoes.

Just another comment...

I know that most of us would not stand by while a huge rottweiler was attacking our beloved furbaby. We'd get into the fight to save our pet. We would be injured too. I know no matter how much I preach to my son, he as a child, couldn't stand back while his dog got mauled. He'd step in and be injured. Just because a dog is only dog aggressive doesn't mean he isn't a threat to humans.

[RottiMommy49]

I know that most of us would not stand by while a huge rottweiler was attacking our beloved furbaby. We'd get into the fight to save our pet. We would be injured too. I know no matter how much I preach to my son, he as a child, couldn't stand back while his dog got mauled. He'd step in and be injured. Just because a dog is only dog aggressive doesn't mean he isn't a threat to humans

I'm sure none of us would stand by and see one of our babies hurt by any animal or human for that matter.I also would do whatever had to be done to stop one of my dogs from hurting a person or an animal. I also feel that we are all at risk of one of our dogs turning on us or someone else at any time. There are no guarantees that because so far we have been lucky enough to have loving, non agressive babies that they can't suddenly lose it and attack us, another animal or person. This is the risk we take when we own animals of all sizes and breeds. Yes bigger dogs can do more harm than smaller dogs and I know that so I take all the necessary precautions, watch their body language and in doing so I feel I am doing all I can to protect myself, family, friends, other peoples animals, etc. I feel I am a responsible pet owner and am always with my dogs when they are outside. All dogs have alert modes and if you know what to look for hopefully you can stop something before it gets out of control. I never take for granted that my dogs would not be capable of killing me or someone, something else but I try to read all I can about animal behavior and how they view us and our actions as humans. I pray that I never have to make the tough decision that heinz57 had to make.

[flamepony12]

((((HUGS)))) I do believe you did the right thing. I'm very sorry that it had to be so tough, though. :`( I hope Charlie feels better soon. Play hard at the Rainbow Bridge, sweet Arthur. (((((((((HUGS)))))))))

[ChrisH]

Originally posted by Tonya
.. That is a hell of a decision to make. I don't think that anyone should judge her until they've been in her shoes.

Well said!

Rest in Peace Arthur.

[NoahsMommy]

I agree Tonya. I don't know of anyone, except you, who's been there.

JC, I'm so sorry for this tragedy. I can only imagine how painful a decision that was for you.

Please take care.