Tags
aggressive animals, bunny, dog foster, dog rescue, family, pets, rabbit, rescue
If you read my previous post regarding the fostering of dogs, you will remember that the larger dog was acting aggressively toward my pets.
It got worse. Much, much worse.
I begged to exchange dogs with someone who could better handle this dog. Nobody came forward to help, and I was basically shamed for asking for help. I was told I was inexperienced and that this dog had been fine previously (implying it was somehow my fault he was aggressive).
Finally after a heated online exchange the rescue owner told me I could bring him to her, 3 hours away. Of course it was followed with she could not help with driving. I said, “no problem, happy to drive him!”
I immediately started getting private messages indicating she couldn’t REALLY help.
By this point, I had enough. The dog had chewed a leash and tried to kill my rabbit, but she was able to hide.
There was no way this dog could stay. The next morning as we readied ourselves for our 6 hrs of driving we let the dog outside. First, I walked him several blocks, about 20 minutes or so to get some energy out.
When I came back with him, I leashed him on a long chain with his leash looped on the end for extra stretching room. I sat to enjoy a cup of coffee with my husband, the dog laying with his back to us.
All of a sudden…he was bolting acrossed the yard. He had chewed ANOTHER LEASH IN HALF! It happened in less than 5 minutes, and neither of us realized it. We thought he was basking in the morning sun.
My bunny was under our camper. Hidden. But seen by this dog. She was no longer safe, as the dog sprinted to the camper and squeezed under so fast I could barely process the situation. My husband and I both ran to save our bunny. My husband pulled the dog out, risking being bitten himself. I crawled under looking to find my rabbit. White puffs of fur were on the ground, and she was there, unmoving.
I picked up my completely limp rabbit, searching for life and injuries. She was alive, but clearly in shock. The shock alone could kill her. She had a small wound by her leg, but nothing was broken, and the wound wasn’t life threatening. The shock was though.
I held her for over an hour, soothing her, calming her. I still had a 6 hour drive (3 there, 3 back) to accomplish that day.
We left later than intended, based on caring for her. I felt awful leaving her, but I had gotten her to eat a few bites, and she was no longer feeling limp. She could move, although much slower and more deliberately, clearly feeling sore. I gated off a small area and left her shelter, food, and water. A smaller area so she wouldn’t move too much or too fast.
We dropped of the dogs, and made it home to find the bunny was still alive. Yay! I moved her indoors to make a better recovery and to keep a closer eye on her.
I will never bring in unknown animals again. No good deed goes unpunished. Truly.