We set out as we always do, after we had dinner and
Jack had been put to bed, just Bailey and I out for our nightly stroll.
Jack had been put to bed, just Bailey and I out for our nightly stroll.
We walked the same route we always take, Bailey
walking along beside me sniffing every plot of grass and telephone pole we
passed.
walking along beside me sniffing every plot of grass and telephone pole we
passed.
And I didn’t rush him or force him to move along,
it was our time together.
it was our time together.
It was time for me to clear my head after days
that seemed to be growing longer and longer. It was the most peaceful time of
the day.
that seemed to be growing longer and longer. It was the most peaceful time of
the day.
And I was grateful for these long summer nights
and the mild evenings; grateful for my puppy, this time and even for the
circumstances that had landed me in my hometown for the summer. Things could be
worse and our time here would soon be a distant memory. Yes, things were going
to be OK.
and the mild evenings; grateful for my puppy, this time and even for the
circumstances that had landed me in my hometown for the summer. Things could be
worse and our time here would soon be a distant memory. Yes, things were going
to be OK.
And I believed all of this as we rounded the
corner and headed home. I walked up our driveway and thought of what I was
going to do next. John and I had talked of taking a walk and I thought just
maybe we would stop for a drink.
corner and headed home. I walked up our driveway and thought of what I was
going to do next. John and I had talked of taking a walk and I thought just
maybe we would stop for a drink.
Then Bailey let out a shriek and I thought maybe
I had stepped on his paw or his tail had gotten caught on something.
I had stepped on his paw or his tail had gotten caught on something.
And I was wrong.
Because when I turned around I saw my neighbors
Rottweiler had snuck up behind us and bit Bailey.
Rottweiler had snuck up behind us and bit Bailey.
I screamed for the dog to go home, and when he
wouldn’t let go, when he didn’t budge. I grabbed his collar and did what the
helpless do, I screamed for help.
wouldn’t let go, when he didn’t budge. I grabbed his collar and did what the
helpless do, I screamed for help.
With every pull of his collar the Rottweilers turned and attacked Bailey again. And despite all my pulling and yanking and
screaming the Rottweiler would not budge.
screaming the Rottweiler would not budge.
In those moments that felt like hours, I thought
this was it for Bailey. That he would die in the driveway of a home that he
loved. I thought that my nearly 6 years with him wasn’t long enough.
this was it for Bailey. That he would die in the driveway of a home that he
loved. I thought that my nearly 6 years with him wasn’t long enough.
And then the neighbor came and took his dog back,
muttering, “she doesn’t like small dogs”, as if this made it OK. As if it made
me feel any less scared or frightened or shaken by the previous moments events.
As if it made it OK that Bailey had been bit.
muttering, “she doesn’t like small dogs”, as if this made it OK. As if it made
me feel any less scared or frightened or shaken by the previous moments events.
As if it made it OK that Bailey had been bit.
John came and scooped up Bailey and I was
relieved to see that it wasn’t as bad as it seemed.
relieved to see that it wasn’t as bad as it seemed.
Bailey had a puncture wound and a deep scratch on
his tail. He was badly shaken and scared, as was I. My hands were red and shaking from holding Bailey’s leash.
his tail. He was badly shaken and scared, as was I. My hands were red and shaking from holding Bailey’s leash.
Apologies were made and Bailey was taken to the
Vet.
Vet.
But 4 days later he still isn’t himself and
neither am I.
neither am I.
All things aside, no matter the breed or the size
of your dog if you love them keep them on a leash for their safety and for the
safety of other dogs.
of your dog if you love them keep them on a leash for their safety and for the
safety of other dogs.
How scary! I was holding my breath reading this and hoping that Bailey would be okay. Thank goodness it wasn't as bad as it could've been. I don't understand why people don't fence or leash their dogs…especially when they know they don't "like little dogs". Are you kidding me? The owners should be put on a leash!! I hope you and Bailey continue to heal and that this fades from your memory soon.
Thank you so much for your concern. It's been almost a month now since the incident and we are both doing better.
OH gosh, this makes me so angry.
We had an incident similar to this in our neighborhood recently and it just broke my heart. I'm so glad your Bailey is okay and I hope that neighbor learned their lesson and will keep their dog in check!!
I am so sorry that you had a similar incident in your neighborhood, it makes me so angry to hear that it happened to someone else.
Oh so sorry to hear this – that's just awful!
Glad Bailey is okay.
Thank you for your concern we are both doing much better.
This is so terrible. AND exactly like something we're going through right now. Next door neighbors have a rott who's often off the leash. WE have a maltese/bichon mix who's always on the leash. And two times that dog's scooped up our dog in its mouth after running onto OUR property to get her. Infuriating. I'm so sorry this happened to you.
Oh your story is so similar to mine, it makes me so angry that this is happening to you too. I hope your neighbor learns to leash their dog.
Glad to know Bailey is ok, but the response of the rottweiler owner upset me. I don't understand why some people don't put a leash on their dog, it couldve very well been a small child that he bit.
Hugs to poor Bailey.
Mandi
Thanks for the hugs : ) The neighbors response was upsetting to us too.
We had the exact same experience. My dogs are small. 15 pounds. The brute wasn't. It took two teenage boys to pull him back. It was an awful experience. Fortunately, my little guy is okay. But we are all still scarred.
Glad he's okay.
I am so sorry that you had to go through the same thing. It is so scary and I totally know the feeling of still being scared. I'm glad your little guy is ok.