Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Sam

Yesterday we had to put our 1 1/2 yearold dog Sam to sleep. Poor little Sammy had been viciously attacked by two other dogs in the early morning hours last Wednesday. Rob rushed him to the vet where he received excellent care for 5 days. His wounds were too grave and infection set in. We had to make the difficult decision yesterday to let him go in peace and not drag out his suffering any longer.

We rescued Sam from a litter of 13 puppies. His breed was undetermined. A little lab, a little boxer, a little this and that. He was riddled with worms and had to have two rounds of dewormer. As a puppy he loved to chew and jump and be a general nuisance. He never stayed at home, but would wander down the road to play with the neighbor's dog. He and Mack were always together. Lying together, rough-housing, playing hide-and-seek. So much so that Rob complained that we had wasted money having him neutered since he obviously wasn't interested in girls.

It was so hard to tell J.T. about Sam's death. He got this big bright-eyed, I'm-trying-so-hard-not-to-cry look on his face. Then it just all came out. We all cried together. The hardest thing to accept is that these dogs have attacked and killed before and the owners did nothing about it. We have called animal control and they have set a trap in an attempt to capture the culprits. We believe that the dog owners have already moved their dogs though.

More bad news. I have discovered we don't have a single picture of Sammy! I don't know how that happened. I hate that I don't have anything for the kids to remember him by. Perhaps we'll hang on to his collar.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's so horrific. It's hard enough when a young animal dies, but to be attacked is just terrible. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

In Australia if a dog attacks a person or other animal then they're automatically put down. It's very rare for this not to happen. The council ranger comes and collects the dog/s and it's up to the owner to go to court to save them if they're so inclined. Fortunately most people are just as traumatised as the victims and have no problem with their dog being put down. A shame that the people in your case seem like ignorant rednecks.

With regard to the photo, maybe a family member has one of Sammy with you all. It wouldn't hurt to ask around...

Aunty Evil said...

I am so sorry this has happened. Like Frogdancer said, it is terrible that it happens at any time, but particularly worse when it was a horrifying attack. It could so easily have been avoided if those bastards had kept their vicious dogs in check.

I had a cat that was taken by a dog once, so I know the upset the image in your head causes. I am so sorry Melinda.

Fairlie - www.feetonforeignlands.com said...

Oh, Melinda, this is just terrible. Dogs that attack need to be dealt with immediately. I hope Animal Control are able to do something about it.

I'm so sad for you and your family, losing a loved pet in this way is a shocking thing to go through.

crafty said...

How distressing for you all, it's just so awful.

Stomper Girl said...

That is so, so sad. The image of your poor brave boy brought tears to my eyes.

I really hate irresponsible dog ownership like that of Sammy's attackers. Some people don't deserve pets.

M said...

Oh no, that's terrible Melinda.

If it helps, when our cat, Minka, died KB covered a shoe box and put the cat's collar, and bits and pieces in it. It really helped her come to terms with Minka's death because she could hold the box when she felt upset.

Mary said...

Melinda - exactly the same thing happened to our little terrier last year and I am so sorry for you and the Rob and the kids. Animals have a way of burrowing into your heart so it is very hard to lose them.

Yes I guess hanging on to the collar is the best you can do.

Anonymous said...

Terrible, terrible news.

Vicious dogs are always a product of their owners and their upbringing. I'mso sorry that this has happened to your family.

Anonymous said...

oh, that's just so so sad. I'm sorry honey.

Melinda said...

Thank you all so much for your sweet thoughts. And M, that is a lovely idea!! We think these dogs should be put down as well. I don't think there is any "fixing" such violent animals.

Danielle said...

Sending loves to all of you, it is just so unfair sometimes isn't it!

Wish there was more I could say, too sad.

Dxxxxx

Anonymous said...

Melinda, I'm so very sorry. That's an awful awful thing. I still have my dog's collar tag in my jewellery box. Are any of your friends or relatives likely to have a photo of him, maybe in the background of a shot of the kids or something?

Precious Pink Pumps said...

So sorry this has happened - must have been so shocking and upsetting after the attack.
I think you can create lots of very meaningful rituals around the loss of an animal - try planting a tree, that is "Sammy's tree" and asking J.T and Abby to draw pictures of how they remember Sam and ask them a few qestions eg. what was your fav thing to do with Sam, do you remmber anything Sam did that made you laugh etc...and keep them all in a scrapbook/diary. That's as good as a photo. It's the things they say that you cannot capture in a photo and it's how THEY saw him anyway....xxx

caramaena said...

I'm so sorry for your loss Melinda. *hugs* to you all.

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