Tough Decision

[wheezie23]

This is very hard for me to type. Yesterday was such a wonderful day with Bailey. She was opening up more and more, playing tug of way and fetch. I even used the Mars Coat King on her and cleaned up her coat. She looks like a little cairn now. Last night she growled just a little at my husband, but after a time out was fine. She even sat next to him on the couch with me. She loves my boys. Adores them. She wags her tail when they come into the room and when they come near her, she can't wait to kiss them and lick their hands.

This morning, my daughter's friend came over to pick her up for school. As soon as Bailey saw him she started with the watchdog barking, front feet splayed, head down, hackles up. She was able to reach him and bit his leg. Now I am shouting "NO!" and trying to get her but she's running side to side. I pull the leash in and went to pick her up. That's when she bit me on the hand. Not only did she bite my hand, she held on to it until she was in the crate. That's about all I can handle, folks. She broke the skin in two places. I've got to call the vet and see what needs to be done. It seems that her shots were due in October.

I am bringing her back to Cindy today. The thing is that I can't adopt her out to anyone knowing she's going to bite. Even under the best circumstances, she's proven that she will still turn to aggression. I don't think her future looks very good, and that's killing me. I know I have done what I could, but I still feel like I'm failing her. And of course, old feelings about Zoe are surfacing too. My heart is breaking. I don't know how the rescue groups deal with this every day.

Thela

[grillywarren]

Thela,

As I read your post, my heart is breaking for you and Bailey. You are right..

you have done everything you could. I am so sorry that it didn't work out. I can only

imagine how much you wanted it to work. Please be well and take care.

Fondly,

Ellie

[CarCarDawn]

Hi Thela - - I am so sorry for the heartache you are dealing with - - you gave it a good run - - these dogs take a lot of patience and retraining and - - - still - - - the results are questionable. You have to do - - - what you have to do - - - take care and let us know how you are!

[bradl]

I believe there's a time and place for everything and cliche though it is, that every dog has its day. You gave it a go and were smart enough to test the situation first, and smart enough to recognize that your house and this time are not right for this particular combination. I suspect each of you will be better off in the end. As hard as it can be, clarity and reason need to stand above emotion at times. Sorry it didn't work out as hoped.

[MikeC]

Thela,

I am so sorry that it did not work out with Bailey. I know that you gave it your all and PLEASE, do not feel like you failed her! Sometimes even our best efforts are just not enough, and thinking about the welfare of your family and those who visit your home should indeed be your first priority. As Brad so stated, this was just not the right fit for either you are Bailey. I am thinking about you and sending good thoughts your way.

MikeC

[CathyAnn]

(((Hugs))), Thela.

Cathy

[kayharley]

I think you are doing the correct thing. How would you feel down the road if you kept Bailey and she really hurt someone.....maybe one of your children or their friends. What if she bit them on the face and caused permanent injury? Sorry, I love my Cairns and would do anything for them but there is a limit to what I would tolerate. Not knowing when Bailey's aggression will surface would probably be in your mind forever if you kept her.

Please don't feel torn or guilty or upset. She is not Zoe. Another Cairn will come into your life and have the temperment and disposition that most of them do.

If any emotion has to come to play in this situation, it should be anger at Bailey's last owners who were probably the cause of this.

Hang in there!

Sandy

[wheezie23]

Well, after talking with my vet and Bailey's breeder, Cindy, we decided to go ahead and have her put down. Since her body needs to be tested for rabies here in this parish, I took her to my vet. I wanted to be the one to be with her since she has become attached to me. I took her on a long walk with Rocky, Scruffy and Tucker before we went. I hope she's playing with her sister, Zoe, at the Rainbow Bridge right now.

I am sad, but I don't think I could've done anything differently to change the outcome. Had I known she was a biter, I certainly would not have brought her here. I do feel some sense of gladness that she had three pretty good days with a family that loved her and cared for her. She could've spent them at the pound.

Thank you all for your kind words and support through this emotional journey. I couldn't have made it without you.

Thela

[MikeC]

God Bless you Thela. My heart goes out to you, my dear. I believe that Bailey and Zoe ARE together again, happy and content, God's little angels

MikeC

[Carolinasmom]

Oh Thela, I am so sorry! Hugs to you and your family!

Marsha

[grillywarren]

Thela, I am so sorry for the pain you have gone through. I know

you did the right thing and just remember those happy times with

Bailey.

Ellie

[CathyAnn]

Thela...I have tears in my eyes as I write this. So, I can only imagine your pain.

Hubby and I discussed this over lunch and without me voicing my opinion, he felt there was only one thing you could do......

Even knowing you did the right thing, I am sure it is must have been hard.....

(((Hugs))) Bless you for giving her a chance.....I am sure that Bailey is with her sister, Zoe at the Rainbow Bridge, too.

Cathy

[Scully'sMom]

Oh Thela, I'm so very sorry. Words just can't even express it. I just keeping that Bailey went to the Rainbow Bridge feeling loved and Zoe has to be so happy to have her little sis with her. You did everything humanly possible and I know that Bailey felt that.

I wish I could take your pain away.

[Guest posting as: webstar]

Thela, I just want to add my sympathy. I also pray that the rabies test is negative.

Molly's Gram

[Eliz222]

(((((((((HUGS, Thela))))))))))))

I'm so sorry to hear what happened. I think you did everything you could for this little dog and your family. I believe she is chasing squirrels with Zoe right now!

[toomanypaws]

I want to offer you my deepest sympathy for what you have gone through. You are a very brave person to have acted out of the love in your heart first to bring Bailey home and give her a chance at a happy life, and also to be brave and strong enough to know that you did what you had to do. My heart aches for you as I know that was a painful decision. You also couldn't take the chance of who else Bailey might bite and your boys could have been next. Just know, you made the right decision and you have alot of us from the cairn forum falling asleep w/ your heavy heart tonight.