A tiny triumph

neveranymoney

As I type, the dirty deed is being done. I spent the morning quietly packing his wee toys, treats and what not into a bag. He knew something was up and I had a major wobble.

I stood in my Jammie's putting a wash on the line with the tears streaming off my face and my husband said I had to stop torturing myself, we can do no more and I wasn't to back track out of it, he was taking scampers and we have recieved very clear warning signals and would be irresponsible to ignore them.

Someone posted about scampers signals being visual and that is completely true, the behaviourist and I both agree that his growl, the best early warning signal has been previously punished out of him and this the danger. A stranger or another child would not be able to see that scampers goes seemingly from 0-60 and I think it was Elsien said, if a family member was telling me all this, what would I suggest?

I am in my mother in laws with the kids, my daughter knows what is happening but I haven't told my son. My daughter asked could she keep his tags.

Scampers, I will miss calling you scampanonis, scamperdiddily, or just asking what my wee manzers is up to. I will miss the sound of your wee nails on the floor and when you are excited, you can't find purchase on the laminate floor and can't get anywhere when you try to run and look like scooby do. I will miss you keeping my legs warm at night and believe it or not, your 6:30am wake up call and my painful knee will always remind me of the time I illicitly let ourselves into the deserted football pitches so you could get a good run without any stressers. I will miss the camaraderie you get from other 'doggy' people and even though i don't have anything more to contribute here, I have enjoyed following other peoples animal antics and am glad the world still has lovely people in it.

Person_one

I'm so sorry it came to this NAM.

You know that you did everything you could though, you didn't give up until there was really no other choice.

I hope that Scampers finds an expert new owner and that you and your family can find your dog soon and can enjoy your happy memories of Scampers without letting the bad memories overshadow them.

I would recommend a smaller, more personal rescue next time, ideally one that has the dogs assessed in foster homes before rehoming them.

meritaten

NAM I cant help thinking that YOU and YOUR family has possibly given Scampers the foundation blocks that another person can build on. it hurts more than a bereavement right now doesn't it? NAM, there was nothing lacking in you or your commitment to Scampers. It was like a bad marriage and at the end of the day it was best for ALL concerned to end it.
My condolences hun - sending you a big hug! I do hope this hasn't put you off owning a pet - there is some poor dog or cat out there desperate for the sheer amount of love and commitment you can give to them.
Don't disappear on us - please keep posting and let us know how you are all getting on!

catkins

Oh Nam, I am so sorry. I know you will be feeling so sad and guilty now but you have done the right thing. You could never risk one of your children being hurt.

I am sure Scampers will find the right home for him, a home with no children and you and your family have started him on the right path for his future life. You showed him that not all humans are horrible and what a loving home is.

You won't forget your boy but maybe in the future, as Meritaten has said you might find it possible to have another dog or a cat. You sound such a lovely family and, as you know, there are so many animals desperate for a loving home.

Take care of yourself and your family and please do post at least occasionally to let us know how you are all getting on - we really do care

joansgirl

NAM, I'm so, so sorry. My heart is breaking for you. You did all you could, nobody can say otherwise. Keep posting/reading. Even if you haven't got an animal your input will still be appreciated, you have experience.

Best of luck:grouphug:

Wellyboots6

So sorry NAM. Noone could have asked you to do any more for the little lad, and you have started him off in the right direction

neveranymoney

Well, we are home. Today is a day that the sooner it's over, the better.

My mother in law knew before the kids and I arrived what had happened, my husband rang and told her. She has had dogs on and off all her life and and was. Very sympathetic and knew I would be a bit weepy.

I kept it together as much as I could, I was in someone else's living room with the kids so didn't want everyone to witness a complete meltdown and I actually texted across the room to my daughter telling her what was happening, how did she feel (she is a very deep, in affectionate creature but scampers was a great thing for her, she religiously lifted his poos, petted him and very often he sat on her bed while she did her homework) and that I was worried about telling her wee bro.

My husband texted me about 2:30 to say it was done and was so sad. I replied it was truly awful, I felt so sorry that he had to deal with it alone and he replied he was in the car park still and could hear scampers barking and had to get away. This has tormented me, I think I will go round the bend thinking of him looking for us, he only barks in the morning here to say 'get up, where are you?' Or at other dogs, he must be petrified. I think the girl that my husband dealt with was very nice and noted down everything, the behaviourists views and she told my husband we were doing the right thing. I think this is the only thing that helped my husband.

We sent up all his toys, blanket and bed and all the treats and a near full bag of food. My husband came and collected us and on the road back home it severely hit me. As I have said before, there are lovely walks all around here and at one stage or another, we took scampers on them. I managed to drop a glass bowl of left over veg my mother in law had sent over and smash it everywhere in the car and that set me off a bit.

We pulled into the drive and I was literally holding my breath, my poor husband just looked drained and tired. We opened the back door and immediately my son noticed the large bag of food was missing and the inside doors were open and he asked where scampers was?

We told him that's why I was a bit upset but that the kennels would find him a better life - all blather IMO, who is going to take a dog that on paper has so many issues? My son was very grown up about it and hugged me and my daughter took herself upstairs and put his wee tags on a chain around her neck.

I feel bereft and almost driven mad at the thought of scampers alone. We would be settling down for the night and getting snuggled on the settee. WHY, WHY, WHY?

codemonkey

neveranymoney wrote: »

Well, we are home. Today is a day that the sooner it's over, the better.

My mother in law knew before the kids and I arrived what had happened, my husband rang and told her. She has had dogs on and off all her life and and was. Very sympathetic and knew I would be a bit weepy.

I kept it together as much as I could, I was in someone else's living room with the kids so didn't want everyone to witness a complete meltdown and I actually texted across the room to my daughter telling her what was happening, how did she feel (she is a very deep, in affectionate creature but scampers was a great thing for her, she religiously lifted his poos, petted him and very often he sat on her bed while she did her homework) and that I was worried about telling her wee bro.

My husband texted me about 2:30 to say it was done and was so sad. I replied it was truly awful, I felt so sorry that he had to deal with it alone and he replied he was in the car park still and could hear scampers barking and had to get away. This has tormented me, I think I will go round the bend thinking of him looking for us, he only barks in the morning here to say 'get up, where are you?' Or at other dogs, he must be petrified. I think the girl that my husband dealt with was very nice and noted down everything, the behaviourists views and she told my husband we were doing the right thing. I think this is the only thing that helped my husband.

We sent up all his toys, blanket and bed and all the treats and a near full bag of food. My husband came and collected us and on the road back home it severely hit me. As I have said before, there are lovely walks all around here and at one stage or another, we took scampers on them. I managed to drop a glass bowl of left over veg my mother in law had sent over and smash it everywhere in the car and that set me off a bit.

We pulled into the drive and I was literally holding my breath, my poor husband just looked drained and tired. We opened the back door and immediately my son noticed the large bag of food was missing and the inside doors were open and he asked where scampers was?

We told him that's why I was a bit upset but that the kennels would find him a better life - all blather IMO, who is going to take a dog that on paper has so many issues? My son was very grown up about it and hugged me and my daughter took herself upstairs and put his wee tags on a chain around her neck.

I feel bereft and almost driven mad at the thought of scampers alone. We would be settling down for the night and getting snuggled on the settee. WHY, WHY, WHY?

Oh NAM, I'm so sorry. Have a wee cry and let it all out.

Might not be much use to you now, but everytime I've been at a rescue place (and we went loads) I listened in to the other people while we were waiting, and there was someone in there looking for a difficult dog to rehabilitate. Usually it was because their previous dogs had been difficult and they were experienced dog owners and wanted to help another dog with issues. None of the dogs they took have been returned, so Scampers may find a new home sooner than you think.

Take care of yourself and your family and take some time to grieve for the loss of your friend.

neveranymoney

I have done the full on, loud, snotty crying and swing between it and well, feeling nothing. The gardens empty, who needed to have the blinds open anyway? The whole damn street can see in.

During the week a guy in a group I am in on Facebook was offering his 18 month old !!!!! 'free to a good home'. He no longer had time for her, she had been an indoor dog but 'cast too much' and had been put out outside. I want to kill him.

Person_one

There are definitely people who take on difficult and aggressive dogs deliberately. They are usually very experienced owners, even trainers and behaviourists themselves, and they know that they can give them a chance at a decent life even though it would be next to impossible for most ordinary owners like us. They get a real satisfaction from turning them round, so there is lots of hope for Scampers, don't despair.