Three strikes, bite, draw blood, you are out.
1. Bit a girlfriend, totally unprovoked.
2. Bit Archer on the face. Was going to have her put down there and then, but was talked out of it by his parents.
3. Bit a woman outside Animates after her groom back at the end of March.
3 strikes. 3 times that should have NEVER happened.
Not to forget the many, many times she had nipped people and the kids, rushed strangers on the street, and generally been a very naughty girl.
We tried Behaviour Modification, under the guidance of an Animal Behaviour Expert.
We tried locking her in the garage whenever the kids/visitors were here. Not fair on either dog.
We tried EVERYTHING we could to de-sensitise her to strangers.
After she bit the woman on the footpath in March, I took her to the Vets. One way trip.
There was no way we could re-home her. I talked to the Vet about that option, and she assured me I was making the ONLY decision that was right.
Tallulah was a hyper sensitive, over protective (of me), dominant dog.
I did the only thing I could in the circumstances.
I felt GUILTY as hell that I'd allowed her to get away with biting TWICE already, when she bit for the 3rd time, I had to do what I did.
I knew that by talking about this I was opening myself up to all the trolls and haters out there... and I have dreaded doing this post for that reason.
If you have anything to say about this, please TRY to be kind. This was NOT an easy decision for Stew and I ... we LOVED Tallulah. We knew that at the end of the day we did the right thing for everyone.
It took a long time to feel 'right' about what I had to do ... I still feel dreadful though.
Oh and before someone says it... I don't think Tallulah would have had a happy life being locked up inside, or in the garage, kept away from family and friends forever. Not trusted to go for walks, to the groomers, and so on. She was getting worse with her behaviour, not better.
COCO: She's shown no signs of missing her sister. In fact, she seems happier. Tallulah used to terrorise her, dominate her, bite her, steal her food and generally cause her to slink around the house trying to keep away from her most of the time. Sad.
So there ya go. That's the story of Tallulah. That's why she is no longer with us.
If you are inclined to be horrible in comments, I will simply delete them ASAP. OK? Unless you are/have been, in the exact same position, you have NO IDEA how it feels.
ONWARD...
I mentioned last night that I'd started knitting. Well... I had to go out first thing this morning and get MORE wool... cos OMG, giant knitting takes a lot of wool.
AND it's a massive arm workout knitting with huge needles. But, I'm making some progress:
I'm expecting a flying visit from Sharon from Taupo mid-afternoon. She's en route back from Auckland to Taupo. It's always nice to see her.
Well... Sharon duly arrived and got to show off her new (to her), car... lucky girl. Very swish looking car.
The house smells so yum! I've got crumbed lamb chops cooking in mint sauce in the oven, with onions and potatoes thrown in with them.
Mixed veges on the side... drooling already.
It's certainly chilling down now! And pitch black. Isn't it the shortest day today? Not sure... but it has to been soon!
Just had a call from our son Steve, he misses us. Awwww. So, they are coming down for a visit this weekend. I shall look forward to that.
Signing off now... busy time of the day. Getting dinner ready and so on.
P.S.: Thank you for all the lovely, supportive comments today.
Hugs Ma xx #2
ReplyDeleteI know you loved her and did everything you could but in the end there was only 1 thing left. As you say, completely isolating her from everything & everyone would be a miserable life for her. ❤️
ReplyDeleteAs hard as it was, you absolutely did the right thing Chris. You don't owe anyone explanations either, it's your life, so don't feel guilty, your decision was not made easily, and you did love her so much.
ReplyDeleteI feel for you having to make such a decision it is not easy. I have been in the same situation and there is only one answer to be fair on everyone. You did the right thing. A very big hug from a golden oldie in Wales UK. I love reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteI have absolutely no idea why anyone in their right mind would comment in a negative way Chris. In my opinion, more dogs problem dogs should be sorted - many years ago I married a man (less said about that marriage the better) and he owned a large dog which became increasingly aggressive. We tried all sorts of behavioural training etc after it bit my daughter, then my friend when she came to visit and it lunged at children and it was like having a tiger in the yard... never knowing when it would attack. There was a little boy next door who was not afraid of dogs and would climb the fence. My biggest worry was that he would climb over and get savaged.
ReplyDeleteEnd of story, we had him put down. A big, healthy dog yes but we simply could not risk him attacking a child. You did the right thing. Don't ever let anyone say or think otherwise.
We had the same problem with neighbour's children hanging over the back fence and pretty much annoying Tallulah. We put a tree right by the fence to try and stop the kids getting too close to Tallulah, which seemed to work thank goodness. But it was always there, that fear she would bite them.
DeleteYou 100% did the right thing! Such a hard decision but at the end of the day, people aggressive dogs are not safe to be around. Love to you and your family!!
ReplyDelete~Nicole in CA
You did the right thing been there done that. Just talking about it here on your blog was a very courageous move. Don't second guess yourself like I did for months. hug from very hot Cali.
ReplyDeleteCaledonia
So so very sad, but so very very necessary. You definitely have my support and I can't imagine anyone feeling otherwise.
ReplyDeleteYou did the only thing and the RIGHT thing. Tallulah couldn't have been happy living like that either! As someone who was attacked by a small dog as I walked through a park and ended up with 30 stitches on my legs from the knees down I thank you for being a responsible dog owner. I was 27 when that happened and could knock the dog away from me with my bag but it still bit and bit. The owner had no lead for it and couldn't get it off me. Now if I could end up with that many stitches as an adult who knew how to get an animal off me, what chance would a little child have had?
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about the haters. They didn't have to see their grandson bitten on the face. Fuck them.
As Lynda says, anyone who thinks to say anything negative needs their head read. Your situation, your choice on how to keep people safe and you have done that and resolved it.
ReplyDeleteWow what a very explaitory blog today mum. But also very well said. Yes she will be missed... RIP tallulah
ReplyDeleteLittle dog, big problem and you absolutely made the right decision....I know it wasn't an easy one.
ReplyDeleteWhat choice did you have??? You did the right thing. Very very sad .
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about this. It couldn't have been an easy decision. I had the same problem with one of my dogs and also had a professional animal behaviorist and a trainer work with us. It took a long time, almost a year of monthly visits from them plus daily reinforcement from me and my family, but we conquered the problem. Until we were absolutely sure there would be no more biting, we put a cloth muzzle on her when outside of our home or when we had visitors or small children around. She was a small breed with a short nose, but we were able to find a muzzle online that fit great. Just a suggestion should you encounter the problem again like you did with Tallulah and Teddy.
ReplyDeleteCathy in the U.S.
You were lucky. We were not, and didn't have the money to keep getting the Animal Behaviorist out to work with her. Plus she, the Animal expert, hadn't show us she was reliable with follow ups.
DeleteI am not an animal- person at all but my heart goes out to you. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteYou did the right thing Chris, no explanation was needed.
ReplyDeleteMuzzling her wasnt the answer as it would have meant doing it 24/7
We bought at least three different types of muzzles, NON of them stayed on her face as she had virtually no snout to attach it to. Shih Tzu's have virtually no 'nose', except nostrils.
DeleteYea i remember the 'muzzles' saga not one of them fit right, they either fell off or she would take them off with her paws
DeleteA biting dog, even a small one, can kill a child. You did the right thing, so sorry you had to make that decision. Writing about the tough times can really help others too btw.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad but true you cannot reason with dogs or explain things to them so repeated and increasing biting left you and Stew no choice. My sympathy to all who loved Tallulah.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely the right decision, as you know I'd had to make that same decision just before you had to. If you can't trust s dog, it needs to go. xx You're braver than me, I still haven't posted about Ava. :(
ReplyDeleteI totally understand Chris, we made the same decision 10 yrs ago now, my boy bite my child on the face, not much damage, but it could have been.
ReplyDeleteWe could not take the chance again. It tore my heart out that fateful day, but I knew in my heart the right decision was made. I am the biggest animal lover but we can never know how an animal thinks, & when there is doubt you must make that call.
I can say Chris that the guilt does fade over time and please know that you did the right thing by both you and Tulluah xx
Hugs to you Chris, hard as it was you made the right decision xx
ReplyDeleteI was waiting for this post, and dreading it's arrival. I'm so glad you did the right thing. Don't worry, there'll always be people out there who have to put their two cents worth in because they're spiteful with nothing better to do. Anyone who knows you knows you would not have made this decision lightly. Hugs to you dear girl <3
ReplyDeleteHi I think you are very brave and made the right decision with the vets advice.
ReplyDeleteTake care
Peta
I too agree with your decision - wouldn't have been an easy one thats for sure. PS You are looking GREAT!!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs hugs. I totally understand and know it is the toughest decision. Hugs
ReplyDeleteHi Chris, you made my day I laughed and laughed when that picture came up with those huge knitting needles you really inspire me your always up for a challenge :) xxxx
ReplyDeleteRobyn from Aussie
Very very difficult thing for you to do Chris, but the right thing to do. My thiughts are with you. Love those big knitting needles!!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about Talulah - you did what you had to do (& in my opinion the right thing - but it's not about my opinion). ((((Hugs))))
ReplyDeleteBet your arms a getting a work out with those knitting needles!!!!
In obedience class I remember the instructor telling us not to let little dogs get away with bad behavior that you would never tolerate from a bigger dog. Like jumping, clawing, biting. It's easy to let it go with a small dog. But you have to think if biting people would not be tolerated by a large breed like a German Shepard, it is not okay for any dog. My parents had to put down a dog that went after our toddler. We simply could not risk it happening again. I understand. I know you truly tried everything with her. You absolutely did the right thing, as difficult as it was.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I double posted! I didn't realize it would leave a message. Oops.
DeleteNo one loves their dogs more than you do, you did what you had to do, must have been so hard for you. X
ReplyDeleteYou did what you had to do, sad that you had to relive it in this post, but you did the right thing absolutely xxx
ReplyDeleteChris, ou know best and I would never judge you. That knitting looks like a marathon. But your dinner sounds delicious. How much mint sauce do you use to cook the chops? Aww yumm.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry you were pushed to this place. I had a horse I loved beyond reason, but there was something seriously wrong inside his head. I kept excusing his dangerous behaviour, kept giving him chances. The day he nearly put me through a fence and then did his best to kill another horse on the property (and came close) I knew I had no choice but to send him to heaven. You did the most responsible thing you could. Don't reproach yourself.
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely to see you today and believe me ladies the needles aren't heavy but definately arm building worthy!!! Chris I have seen first hand the live and care you have for Coco and Tallulah. However sad as it is the only decision you had to make was the right one... And so very hard for you and Stew.
ReplyDelete❤️ I meant love and care x
DeleteChris, you did the right thing. I have no doubt it was a difficult decision to make with Tallulah but you did the right thing. You tried your best to change her dangerous behavior so don't feel guilty. Just imagine how bad you would feel if Tallulah bit and scarred one of your grandchildren. You wrote that she bit Archer on the face, I'm guessing there was no scar left behind. My aunt was bitten on the face by a dog when she was a child and those bite marks are still visible decades later and it has affected her life. She was so embarrassed by her scarring that she stayed indoors .... so, yes, you did the right thing my friend.
ReplyDelete