I've been putting this one off for a few days. To tell the truth, I've lost sleep over it, which sort of surprises me. I'll start with the story that kicked it all off.
First I'll start by saying the only pet that we've ever had that was something I wanted was Gina the prairie dog. Other than that I've never been asked, or listened to, when it comes to what animal picks up residence around here....so it was with Rosie the Rottweiler....
She was brought to the house by Arick during the time he was staying and going to school down here. I put up a fight, and as usual, I was the only one that noticed. Short version of this part is that Arick headed back north, Rosie stayed here.
I liked Rosie just fine. She was a great watch dog but had shown some aggression towards a kid once prompting me to spend a fortune in money and time erecting a fence. The problem then was that she was strong enough to get through it, so then I enlisted dads help to electrify that fence...fixed that problem. We had a small house dog that ended up dead that I think Rosie probably killed, but I'm not sure about that. She had bit my buddy Al, but I think she was just doing her job at the time....NOBODY that didn't belong come in the back yard with my stuff without me being there. She did listen to any order I gave and acted immediately if I told her to do something....which is why she lasted as long as she did.
I knew when it was obvious that we were moving back to town that there would be a problem, and I stated so. Of course once again, I was the only one paying attention....
And I sure didn't think the problems would arise so soon...
The first night at the new house she broke out once. The next morning she woke me up early barking. I was mad enough then to kick the shit out of her.
That evening Deb was at the fence warning the neighbor kids to stay away from the fence, and apologizing for the barking that morning. Somehow Deb's useless house dog got into the back yard with them and Rosie decided she was a snack. At that point Deb intervened and pretty much got her hand mangled for her trouble....the pictures tell the story. I can only say that I wish we had still been in the country at that moment so I could have popped her right then and there while I was in a rage....instead I got to take a thirty minute ride to the country to do what had to be done. That thirty minutes made things very hard for me at the trips end. I think it also made it hard to quit thinking about it several times a day every since. I've shot men and not felt as bad afterwards...of course, they were shooting at me.
Who I blame:
Me for even having her in town in the first place.
Deb for not listening when I said it wasn't going to work.
Cocoa the idiot biscuit eater for going back there knowing the Rosie wanted to eat her.
I can't blame Rosie, though she had to pay for it. We all knew how she was, and what she was capable of. We put her in the position to do something like this.
I'm sorry Rosie, I did like you.
5 comments:
That makes me feel really bad; sorry you had to do it. The older Cliff gets, the harder it is for him to shoot dogs.
Arick still insists on getting those man-eater type dogs, then being unable to find a place for them. I love his dog Dixie, but he asked us once if he could keep her here, and the answer had to be "no". I don't want a pit-bull attack on my conscience.
I am sorry this had to happen. We had to put one down a few years ago. He bit me and that was the end. And yep there were a few dead smaller animals and one provoked attack on a child(wanted to bite the kid myself! AND the mama!)
I am so sorry you had to put your dog down. Sometimes I think we need to listen to others, it can save a lot of heartache and headache. Like you, my husband tempers me when I get overexcited about something, whether it be getting and animal (which has been the case) or something else. I have been popping in on your journal for a while now from time to time. I am an avid reader of your moms journal, matter of fact her and Fern were the ones that got me started having my own. I see you have moved to my old stomping grounds. I have family in Columbus. I was born and raised there til I was 16. My parents and their parents were born there, lot of history for me there. I guess you have seen how it may be a big city area, but the pace is still slow...lol. I tell Ian its like going back in time when I go back there.
Dang it, I can't keep away from this entry. It brings Mandy's death back to me, with all those horrible feelings. I guess it's good to acknowledge them, but it isn't fun.
I am so sorry...I know this was difficult. You are a good man Jim...don't forget that!
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