Every so often something happens in your life, an accident, that changes your life forever. Things will never be the same. Be it caused by human error, equipment failure, stress, complacency, it does not matter because the outcome would be the same and in life there really isnt any do-overs. Ive told students time and time again that it only takes once. Dogs are dogs no matter how well trained and there are certain precautions that should always be taken, ESPECIALLY if your dogs have any history of aggression. Today, a combination of human error and a mounting to do list combined in a way that did not allow any second chances. Several years ago we adopted a dog named Liberty. She was a neglect case and no one at the shelter or any of their resources could help her. We took her in as a foster failure and she has been with us ever since . . .except for a short trial run as a service dog that did not work out. Liberty has always been special. She is a mix of working dog breeds and has always had a screw loose as a result of her months of neglect followed by months in the shelter only in a kennel. She has never particularly cared for other dogs, but has learned to tolerate them in my presence and is not left alone with other dogs. This morning I forgot to put the snap lock on the kennel latch which is always done as an extra precaution to keep dogs from popping open their kennel door. It appears that Trooper opened the kennel and Liberty was let loose in the yard with several other dogs who were outside together playing while I was in and out of the kennel building cleaning. The dogs that were in the yard are dog friendly and get along well. They have group playtime everyday together while I am cleaning kennels. Somehow while I was in the kennel building cleaning a fight broke out. I did not hear anything because of the ac in the building. I walked back outside and everything was calm but I saw Trooper loose . . .then Liberty and immediately knew something was wrong. I was right and my worst nightmare had taken place. I put the dogs back in their respective kennels and crates, but it was too late for Bella. She was already gone. Jax was bloody and had several punctures. It didnt look too serious but he was breathing fast and heavily and I could tell he was going into shock. I rushed him to a nearby vet, but he didnt make it . . .taking his last few breaths just 2 traffic lights from the vets office. There was nothing they could do . . .and despite breaking several traffic laws along the way I just was not fast enough. So today I am broken hearted. Today was the just once I have told everyone about. Today was the day when humam error overcame . . .my human error . . .my blunder . . .my accident. Since I was not there at the moment I could not stop it . . .I could not prevent it . . And it is not known for certain who started it or finished it although I do have pretty serious inclinations as to what went down. So now all I can say is run free Bella and Jax . . .dive far Bunny . . .bounce freely Superdog. I am sorry that I failed you. I am sorry that I am human. I am sorry that I couldnt do more. I am just SORRY. May you meet brother Cash in Heaven and romp and play till I can tell you that you are good dogs again.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 22:34:48 +0000
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