Piper was neglected and abused, force raped when she was a puppy and then most likely left for dead. She had no idea how to be with other dogs, so was most likely in a crate for her first year, while starved and beaten.
And we got past it all. She smiled, she ran around finally, and her tail wagged. She greeted everyone with kindness and kisses. She rolled in the grass like she had never felt it before.
She loved Finley from the start, licking his toes, sniffing his head…she would come over and look at us if he cried his days old cry,”help him” her eyes would say.
We were cautious because she was an abused and neglected rescue, but she took to him and we worried less and less. She lay with him and played with him. Taught him to crawl and chew on toys. They enjoyed the yard together. She wouldn’t let anyone else in the yard though.
In June, she heard dogs barking outside and she bulldozed him- he was in her path to the window. He was barely 11 months old and he was brought to Urgent Care and got 4 staples in his head because of her. It was an accident. She was excited..so we put up a gated area and decided no more playing on the ground if she is out, just in case.
This week, my husband was on a military trip and I was playing in the yard, we all filed in the house where I give the dog a treat and the kid gets a snack while I make dinner. Finley finished his snack and must have gone to see what she had. He was 6 feet from me, rounded the corner and I heard a growl and then screams instantly. Not knowing if he was just scared I ran over and he was bleeding all over the floor. I grabbed him, my keys and ran out the door to Urgent Care. They wrapped his head and sent me to the ER. 5 hours later Finley was getting 20+ stiches in his face and ear. I was numb, and just trying to help my baby, while also explaining to child services that this was an accident. Finley wouldn’t nurse, he cried for hours after he woke up. Finally around 1am he started to calm down and they started to talk about releasing us. When we got home Piper wagged her tail and greeted us at the door. It broke my heart because he said “Hiiii!” all excited, and she wanted to kiss him. We took her outside around 2am and it started to sink in that she wouldn’t be here much longer. It is so easy to say “she can’t stay” until you see her all excited to see you, and sweet and loving. After I put him to bed, I hugged her and cried. Finley woke up shortly after, crying, he probably rolled onto his face and I had to go say goodnight to Piper, not knowing what the next day was going to bring and care for my son all night as he cried on and off 4 hours before we started our new day.
Child services came over to assess me, see the house, check out the dog and Finley’s environment and re-hear the story. Then Animal Control called and came over to explain the Piper had to be quarantined in case she had rabies. A dog that had barely been out of my sight in 11 months (over two years really but we took a trip 11 months ago without her) was quarantined in case she had been ill with rabies, for the safety of my child. If we put her to sleep inside of 10 days, she “would be required to be beheaded for testing purposes”. I practically collapsed and sobbed…the animal control officer was apologetic but that was the rule apparently. So now I had to explain to child services why I was keeping her for at least 10 more days.
My husband has time to come home, I have time to say goodbye and Finley can still love and kiss her. But all this is happening with impending doom.
I sobbed all day. I cried so hard I got dizzy and almost passed out. I cuddled her and cried on the couch and kissed her and cried louder than I ever have. The kind of cry you see in movies. Devastation over a “pet”. I love this dog; I have such history with this dog. I love her and how much she loves me and trusts me and responds to me. I call her “my sweet poochie-poo”. I greet her every morning with the same greeting I use with Finley. “Good morning my sweetie” followed by head scratches and kisses, rather than cuddles and kisses. Every morning.
I know she is a menace. She was not our dream dog that we could take boating and to dog parks and on leisurely walks. Matt is severely allergic and has suffered for her. Her illnesses and anxiety has lead her and us down a different path; a path of patience, and trial and error, and frustration and forgiveness. She is afraid of everything; people, pets, statues, anything rod like, stairs, quick movements, water, loud noises, even quiet noises, cars...the list goes on. That doesn’t make it easy to function in this world. She didn’t have it easy and it wasn’t her fault. And now she will be put to sleep for being a dog. She was troubled from the start; she never had a fair chance. The only happiness I have is that we were able to save her from being killed the first time. She has had 2 years and one month of happiness and love and a full belly and a warm bed. She has had daily hugs and kisses and treats and exercise.
We took a nice long walk today. She loved it. We are going to spoil her for her last days. Should we be mad at her for our sons suffering? Probably. Would most people hate her, I don't know. I just love her and I know that she didn't mean it and she will be paying the price for my mistake of giving her a treat where she wasn't in a safe spot. |
UPDATE 11/8: Corresponding with Last Hope K9 about possible re-training and placement. I am very afraid to imagine what might happen to her, as well as deciding if that is really what is best for her, and others. I would hate for anything to happen to anyone else in the future. This is so not easy. I will be so lost without her. She makes me feel safe while my husband is away..she loves unconditionally, she has the best smile and rolls in the grass like it is the best thing in the world. I miss her already and she is laying at my feet =(
Update 11/10: We have discussed her options with Last Hope K9, and they are going to take custody of her and provide her the best chance of having a good life. They will foster her with no children or pets and hopefully with a dog trainer to assess her, and decide the possibility of re-homing her. I am told I will be kept updated as to her progress, or lack thereof. I am relieved to not be putting her to sleep, but I am nervous for her future and all I can do is hope she continues to be happy, and feel safe in her next environment.
UPDATE 11/19: We will be bringing Piper to Brian's Kennels in Quincy, MA for evaluation and training. We are sad that this is the chosen environment for our beloved house pet, a concrete jungle was not our hopes for her, but they will help build her confidence and work with her anxiety to try to help her feel more secure.
UPDATE 11/23: Our hearts broke as we dropped Piper off in a bare bones kennel. We have high hopes but we regret leaving her.
UPDATE: 12/4: Piper was FINALLY moved. She is now with a trainer at Urban Hound in Boston, MA. She is doing well.
UPDATE:1/12: Piper is up for adoption. Urban Hound has offered free training to her adopter too which is awesome. I am concerned with what will happen to her, if people will just see her picture and want her because she is cute and not know what they are doing or how much patience is needed. I hope that Last Hope will really be cautious not to send her to a nice young couple that may have baby in a couple years etc. It really should be mature childless adults who understand her quirks and realize that she needs to be supervised and protected around all children, just in case. *fingers and paws crossed*