I’ve had a few questions about what happened, and I don’t mind sharing, except for reasons I cannot go into, I have not name or describe a key player.
The bare bones story is that Ivan was triggered, reacted, and drew blood. He immediately withdrew, but the damage was done. Poor Ivan was easily startled. Like someone with PTSD. Ivan became startled when someone touched his paw. from behind [I THINK – the person, who I cannot identify] is not willing or able to give details] and it was so fast that I ca’t say for sure what I saw. I was walking through and only saw the kick at the back leg and a sudden roar. The person’s head was in his mouth. He immediately let go and was gentle again. I cannot say much about the physical injuries, but they are not life threatening. It was more terrifying than anything.
But after losing a paw to cruelty, Ivan certainly had rights to be sensitive. However, I have a seven year old, and what if she accidentaly stepped on his paw? As you know seven year olds aren’t the most careful people. For safety, I could not ask Ivan to live in a kennel or for us to tiptoe around him. Maybe the fall down the stairs hurt him worse, I dont know. But he could not get past his fears of injury. I had to make the decision for everyone’s safety, even Ivan’s. I refused to pass him along to another ‘rescue’.
Which led me to a terrifying thought: Teeth met bloodstream. Ivan was living in a barn before I adopted him. The foster mom provided no rabies documentation. What if ? He *had* started acting strangely. His sweet self who usually didn’t care about other dogs was lunging at them in the office suddenly. He was shaking his head in an odd way, like when they have an ear infection.
I consulted with the vet who told me there was a slim to none chance of Rabies. I had, after all, vaccinated him the week prior, to be on the safe side. But it could be too early to build up antibodies, right? And sometimes vax are not always effective anyhow! [Ever got the flu shot and gotten the flu anyhow?]
I tossed this idea in my head, horrified. Rabies is 100% fatal after a certain stage. Rarely do humans survive. I consulted with other dog experts and a nurse. The conclusion remained the same: extremely remote chance of rabies. Besides, Rabid dogs typically are hypdrophobic, and Ivan drank water. He was also past the quarantine stage from the point I had him, 10 days, so he would be displaying overt signs of rabies by day 12, like frothing, poor coordination, hydrophobia.
He had just been through too much. Hot weather, limping, a fall downstairs, and an unknown trigger. Poor boy.We didn’t deserve to live among you.
It is very hard dealing with a dog’s past especially with abuse cases. I believe my Chloe was abused/neglected before we adopted her at the age of 6months because she was terrified of other dogs, she had worms and was malnourished. While she still has ‘social’ issues with other dogs from time to time (a little growly/barky), she’s never hurt a dog or a human. If Chloe had and posed a danger to myself or my family, I would have to strongly consider an alternative.
I understand that as a mother you have to protect your family. It is unfortunate that Ivan had a terrible past and that you ultimately had to let him go. Keep writing, I have found it to be cathartic.
I definitely think you did what you had to do.
As Chloe’s mom said, I also find writing about our pups helps. Hope you are finding that too.
Jackie
Ivan was a sick boy and his mental state was not healthy.
You made the right decision please never doubt it. As one that has had to make the decision you did, I understand the guilt can way heavy. It’s good to deal with the emotions now about it all. Writing will help. I wished I had because the emotions reared up later.
Never, never let anyone make you feel guilty. It’s very sad but he felt loved by you and that is all that matters.
Once again, you are all very kind. Thank you for your support.
The foster mom called again today and left a message but I have not had the strength to listen to her messages after she practically accused me of making Ivan sick because he was doing “fine with her.”
I’m so sorry, I believe that you had to do what you had to do for the safety of your daughter.
I do question the person’s (who is nameless) intent. If it is the same person who grabbed his leg last time, that person may have an alterior motive. Maybe that person wanted Ivan to fail? Why would they do that knowing his history? Maybe they wanted him out of the way for whatever reason. It just makes no sense to behave in a way that puts a dog in physical jeapardy of falling down. Unless they hoped that he would react and therefore would no longer be around.
It is all water under the bridge now, but it makes me wonder. I just wouldn’t pick on a dog or “play” (loosely used) with a dog that way when they were struggling so much just to live.
In any case, I’m so glad that Ivan had you in his last moments in life. He got a chance to be loved and to know he was apart of your family. Bless you!
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you for your gentle thoughts.
I apologize that I cannot give specifics about the nameless person. I can say with a degree of certainty that it was just an awful, awful mistake. The screams, the panic, the blood….I have seen lots of bites, but I can say that this was the first time in my life I ever saw a human head in a massive dog’s mouth. From the top of the eye socket to the back of the scalp, like a cartoonish nightmare. I Thank the Powers That Be that Ivan retreated.
I don’t think anyone would predict a horrifying encounter like that.
However, I do think the nameless person is holding back on what prompted the attack. I’m 99% sure.