Our hearts our broken

[3rdtimeinflorida]

Our 3 year old cockapoo has had tendencies every now and again to show signs of nervousness, anxiety and high levels of resource guarding which has appeared in signs of aggression. He can snap at other dogs and always seems like he is in high alert. We have tried behaviourists, figuring out his triggers and knowing how to handle him and not putting him in situations that he can’t handle. We have done all this because we love him so much and wanted to keep him with us for as long as possible. As a family of 2 ad and 2 teenagers he has been showered with love and affection and our world has revolved around him.
Now the hard part- On Sunday night he bit my son unprovoked on the leg badly which led us to call an ambulance. They have obviously had to call the police who turned up and said from what has happened we feel it is everyone’s best interests and our dogs that we sign him over to them and they will put him to sleep.
We were all shocked, upset and traumatised obviously in the moment and thought we were doing the best. (At no point could we have him back in the house), but now we are all absolutely devastated and heartbroken beyond words that he will be PTS without us there to hold him and cuddle him. The police have said please be assured that he is being well looked after but under no circumstances can we go and see him as it is unfair and upsetting for everyone involved including our dog. He will. be held and cared for as he is PTS.
We know he had his faults but he loved his walks and his orange ball, laid on the sofa cuddling (where he was at his most relaxed) and giving paw for treats. His recall was excellent but he just had that side to him.
We look around our house now and it is just empty. Reminders of him everywhere. We haven’t eaten or stopped crying for 24 hours.
We are grateful that our son’s injuries weren’t as bad as they could have been and we fully realise this situation could have been so much worse. But we are broken that it had come to this.
My husband cried this morning as he would usually have taken him out for his morning walk round the block.
I work part time and am dreading being in the house on my own as he was my little shadow.
Thank you so much if you are still reading this and not judging. Please be kind.

i feel sorry for your sadness op

but i feel a whole lot more sorry for your young son, taken to hospital in an ambulance with a serious puncture wound and now has stitches and potentially scarring

Thank you for being sympathetic where others have struggled. As I say to my kids in a world where you can be anything be kind x

Yes, I know, as do I. As I said to an earlier poster I have such conflicting emotions. I’m just trying to get through.

I do get what you're saying and I don't necessarily disagree with you, but this really isn't the time and the place to have that particular conversation

OP is grieving and going through all kinds of different emotions right now, it's simply not necessary to argue it out on her thread.

He is doing well thank you for asking. He has been laid with me on the sofa today talking through things and both of us having a good cry.
He even asked if the next dog we can get could it be a golden retriever, which I’m taking as a positive sign that he isn’t scared of dogs for the future. Obviously it is very early days and in no way shape or form are we even contemplating another dog at this stage.

Thank you for showing empathy x

What a difficult situation. I’m sorry your dog has been put to sleep. It’s awful no matter what the circumstances. I hope your son is doing ok. He will also be struggling.

I do think this is a warning, in the best intentions, of how badly out of control resource guarding and anxiety can get even in a small dog. Sometimes it’s breeding sometimes it’s training, sometimes its environment. But it’s all dangerous.

Tale care OP.

Not helpful esp if you read the whole post

I assume you are talking about me. My dog won’t be injuring anyone except me and I’m willing to take that chance to give her a chance of some normal life before I take her to put her to sleep. She is a damaged, abused, brain damaged ex puppy farm rescue who spent her short life giving birth to all the cute puppies that idiots keep buying without thinking about the bitches left behind. My choice and no one else is at risk from her. I have stepped up to help a creature who has known nothing but trauma. If I can give her some quality time ( which I am doing) under the supervision of my vet and behaviourist then I will and I won’t be judged for it.
How about keeping your opinion for another thread and not kicking the op when she is already down? There is more than one way of a person being hurt

Totally wrong. You know nothing of my situation and you couldn’t be further from the truth.

He even asked if the next dog we can get could it be a golden retriever

On the very day your poor dog was pts?

Already thinking about 'the next dog' on the same day your dog was PTS because of your own negligence is wild. Please don't ever get another animal.

Can people please stop being so unpleasant?

OP says herself that she won't be getting another dog for a long time, if ever.

Lord some people are nastier and vicious than a feral cat

Traumatic and heartbreaking.

I don’t know how old your teens are but if you had kept the dog with you I think there would’ve been social services involvement.

Some rescues will take on and rehome dogs who have bitten but not sure how fast this happens and it would’ve been traumatic for your teen or the dog. I think it would’ve been even more upsetting keeping the dog but having to arrange to pts and follow through when the vet could fit it in. I don’t think you had much of a choice and it sounds like it was over as fast as it could be. Try not to torture yourselves. You loved him.

I’m sorry for your loss, he was a lovely looking boy. 🌷I hope your son recovers and I hope it doesn’t put you or your teens off dogs forever. Not that there are ever any guarantees and

(Goldens / labs are very bitey and nippy to begin with, blood will likely be drawn which could be triggering for your son.) We all deal with grief differently you are all allowed to process it in your own way.

You are so true in what you are saying.
Thank you for showing empathy x

People grieve in different ways. He is a teenager. You don’t know the full context of the conversation.
But thank you

To be honest, I think this is somehow his way of maybe processing? He’s not callous or cruel.
Sorry if his thoughts offended you.

I know, this is literally my first thread on MN and the majority of people have had something intelligent, supportive and comforting to say. No wonder we love animals so much.

Thank you for showing empathy. We will not be making any decisions for a long, long time. We want to fully grieve for our dog, we don’t feel like we need to replace him and ultimately it will be the decision of our son as to what route we decide to go down x

Well done you for doing such a lovely thing.
We need more caring people in this world.
I am glad your dog has found some love x

This poor boy was bitten very badly by this dog

I don’t blame him for not looking to the future already.

The dog that was PTS caused him a very significant injury and an ambulance taking him to a&e

This boy was attacked by this dog
He may be left with a permanent reminder of this dog in the form of scarring

I'm sorry. We had a family dog pts in similar circumstances although she stayed with my grandparents and they took her to the vet.

I hope you are all doing okay and ds heals well.

Take care x

I’m so sorry. Thank you for kind words at this extremely difficult time x