Done with Dog Blog

Sorry, folks, that was a false alarm on the dog. Tonight our niece and nephew were visiting, and on a well-supervised attempt at petting, Bella nipped Sarah's arm. No blood, but a little scrape of skin and a big scare for that four-year-old. I feel perfectly awful, and that doesn't even scratch the surface. We are so lucky to have adopted her from a very loving shelter and they are kind enough to take her back. She's gone already. And I miss her. Again, not scratching the surface of how I feel.

But I can't dismiss teeth on children. Even if it was just a scratch, even if we pushed her too hard to accept something she wasn't ready for, a dog can't lead with her mouth and live to tell the tale, at least not live in our house that way. Clarifying here--she will not be euthanized, she'll be fostered until she can find a home to take her. But I need a dog I can trust. I'm so spoiled by Abby. She was a challenge in her day, but nothing in comparison with that Bella. I still believe Bella will be a great dog for someone with no kids or maybe older kids and no old dog that's antisocial and kinda hates her. I wish I could have been the one, the family, to help her succeed in being a great dog. My heart hurts because it's filled with love and a desire to do the right thing for a good animal. I just can't make that love mix with teeth on skin, that's oil and water and it will never emulsify, stay homogenized (or whatever, I know I'm babbling. But it's my blog, dammit.)

Anybody's up for a slightly pushy, beautiful German Shepherd, let me know, I'll put you in touch with the shelter that's fostering her. Wish us luck in our grief and our search for a new dog.