So, I’ve been a little sad for a couple of days, and maybe no one wants to hear why, but, I ned to get it out… Our dog Blu – I have written about her before and posted pics.
A couple of weeks ago we ordered lunch from a delivery place. My husband went to the back gate, where all our deliveries come since the drive and parking is back there, to answer the bell. He opened the gate and to his surprise Blu jumped out from behind him and nipped the kid delivering the food on the knee! My husband grabbed her and got her back, the kid said he was fine and showed my husband that the skin wasn’t broken, she had only gotten his jeans – my husband apologized and that was that. Except – no…his father called a few days later and said he had to take his son to the Dr. to be seen about the bite, I told him the skin wasn’t broken and he said he was still going to take him.
So, when the father took the kid to the Dr., he reported the bite to animal control, they came out and said they had to take Blu to quarantine her for 10 days! Wow! So, we did and of course we paid to get her back over $200, that we didn’t have! She cried and talked and whined all the way home! She was sooo happy to be home. We talked about why she would do that and finally we thought about the fact that any mail or UPS, etc delivery people throw the packages for us over the back gate when they hear her barking, and I have seen her out there barking and cowering looking from afar at a package laying just inside the gate. To her all she ever knew was when people she didn’t know came to the gate and she barked – they threw something at her. So, I think (I’m no Dog Whisperer LOL) she associated people she didn’t know on the other side of the gate with having stuff thrown at her. At least I would hope so, because she never showed any signs of aggression before that. 
Well, 2 days ago my son was walking her and she pulled the leash out of his hand and ran to a car where a lady was getting out and Blu was sniffing her arm and my son ran up and grabbed the leash to pull her back and Blu clamped down on her arm, she had a coat on, but Blu’s teeth went thru and broke the skin. So, the lady went to the Dr. and Animal Control was called and they came out and took Blu for a 10 day quarantine, again, my husband explained to our son that we couldn’t afford to get her out again, so he signed her over to them and she left.
It still makes me cry, she has a great personality and is very sweet. I don’t know why she clamped down on the lady’s arm, we think maybe Blu was just grabbing hold of the lady so Blu didn’t have to go right then when my son was pulling her leash. Again, I hope that’s why because we have kids and teens and people in and out of here all the time, they don’t even knock, they come in the doors and gate all the time and Blu has never done anything but jump up and lick them! She has never been aggressive towards anyone coming in here, in fact loud noises and people scare her, she will hide around a corner, never confronting anyone. We’ve had her since she was a puppy, she is just over a year old…I’m sure Animal Control will put her down, they will say she is dangerous…it breaks my heart.
So, I’m sad…Goodbye, my sweet Blu!
Sarah M. says
I’m so sorry 🙁 Mom & Sydney lost Levi too. He ran away after 2 days at the new house, and never came back.
Dian says
Oh Sarah,
I’m so sorry for Sydney! Tell her I am sorry for her!
Thanks,
Dian
.-= Dian´s last blog ..A Sad Goodbye! =-.
Michelle P. says
That breaks my heart. I don’t know if this is the situation, but sometimes when a dog has a health issue in their heads they forget how to act. We had a dog that had a brain tumor. One day he was fine and the next day he snapped and bit my brother. We did the same thing you did. The quarentine and the bonding him out and then we took him to the vet and they said he had a brain tumor and that is why he bit my brother. The brain tumor was causing him pain and made him aggressive. Still my heart is broken over this. Well if yall decide you want another dog I have a full blood Yellow Lab who needs more attention. Just let me know..
Dian says
Michelle,
Thanks for the encouragement. Yellow labs are great, but, due to Blu’s hairy-ness…I think we will opt for a short haired dog next time.
That is so sweet of you!
Thanks so much!
Dian
.-= Dian´s last blog ..A Sad Goodbye! =-.
Bonnie says
This is such a sad situation that should have never happened. In your own words all she knew was people on the other side of the gate throw things at her, what breaks my heart is both the fact that your son must feel horrible since he was walking her and probably moreso since he is feeling like this could partially be his fault.
Im sorry if my text sounds harsh but working with a local rescue in my area its heartbreaking to see situations like this that could have been avoided with alittle training and work with a dog. What really upsets me is (yes i get it) $200 is alot of money in these times but when “we” choose to bring a dog into our home they are not disposible objects they become part of our family and they depend on us to care for them and protect us. If animal control did not make mention she would be put down after quarantine I would have found a way to come up with $200 if for nothing else “your son” and turned this into some kind of lesson.
might i suggest before you bring another dog into your life, evaluate what you could have done differently in this situation to avoid this tragic outcome. And remember there are alot of good dogs in rescues and shelters who are hoping for a family to love them.
Dian says
Bonnie,
I realized what the problem was with the gate while I was in bed after surgery, I have just been released to be on my feet but not walking outside. I was going to work with her and teach her about the gate. The situation was not that we didn’t want to pay another $200, it was impossible for us to pay another $200 at this point.
We have had many dogs over the years and this is the first one that has ever bitten anyone, however, that in itself would not have made us sign her over. I understand your stance, we have never looked at our dogs as disposable, this situation was more than unfortunate…
Dian
april labbee says
I am so sorry that you had to give her up. I have had pets before and they are not just animals they become part of your family. I will pray for your family and Blu. 🙁
Dian says
Thanks April,
We really love her and it’s very hard right now.
Thanks again,
Dian
Lisa says
So sorry you lost your pet. She looks like such a sweet dog. I’m sure it wasn’t her intention to hurt anyone.
Stacey Cummins says
I am new to this and almost passed this over but decided to read anyway. I am very sorry about your dog, she doesn’t derserve it. it sounds as if she was just having a bad couple of days and now you are losing your beloved pet. I am very sorry for your loss. Love in Christ, Stacey 😥 😥
Jen says
Dian,
I am so sorry about your Blu. My heart and prayers go out to you.
Jen
Dian says
Jen,
Thank you so much, your prayers are very much appreciated!
Dian
jj says
I was just searching for Target deals but wanted to respond to this post as I browsed your post. My husband had the sweetest great dane before we got married and what we can only assume was in a protective manner bit a child when in my prescence. The child was a very tough girl and although she needed some stiches on her arm the family did not want to report it. We decideed since we were marrying and I live in a neighborhood full of kids (some we knew were scared of dogs) that the best thing was to give up the dog to a rescue so they could find a better suited home. It still makes my husband sad today. I hope your family can move on and I know how you feel.
Dian says
JJ,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and respond. I appreciate your sharing your story with us. It makes us feel better knowing there are people who understand and are praying.
Thank you,
Dian
Melissa says
Im sorry to hear that. I had to put down my 1 year told (150 lb) dog when he did almost the same thing. It broke my heart. I had raised him and his brother since they were 4 weeks old. We had no choice but to put him down when he grabbed a pup and slung her around by her head, almost killing her. He had previously jumped at my husband and threatened him (growling and threatneing to bite) when my husband and I were wrestling. To this day I still dont know why he went from my 150 lb lap dog to a growling, aggressive dog in less than 2 weeks.
Dian says
Wow! Melissa, I am so sorry to hear that! It just breaks your heart! Blu was always so affectionate, if anyone raised their voice, she would slowly go over to them and slowly climb up in their lap and put her head on your shoulder, like she was trying to comfort you! She was so sweet!
Thank you for sharing your story with me, I am sorry about your sweet puppy, too!
Dian
Nikole says
I just wanted to say I’m sorry for you and your family. I had a dog (Sheba)I recently had to put down because she bit my mother, but she was older and the Vet said she had dementia and didn’t really know what she was doing. So I’m sure it’s even more heart breaking since she was so young! She looked very sweet in the pictures! I’ll send some good vibes your way.
Joann says
So sorry to hear about Blu. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We also had to turn over a dog years ago. Maggie was only 14 months old. She had come in from outside with a dead bird we don’t know if she hurt it or just found it. But once my husband saw her bring it in he said she had to go since we had an 8 month old daughter at the time and he was concerned she might hurt her. To me Maggie was the most gentlest dog in the world and I don’t believe she would of hurt anyone or anything. I know it doesn’t help but it gets easier over time, just remember the good times with Blu.