Wednesday, April 02, 2008

terrible, horrible, no good, VERY bad day

Let's start at the end of the story for once. Shall we? Everyone seems to be okay. Hunter, our puppy, has a new home.




After school on Tuesday, I picked up Jay and his friend Connor and drove home for an afternoon play date. Connor has been to our home at least a dozen times. He is a well behaved boy and his mother is a good friend of mine. We swap boys regularly.



The boys eagerly ran upstairs to Jay's room while I entertained Fifi and Lola and made lunch for the gang. The boys, head over heels in love with the puppy, smothered him with attention. Giggle. Giggle. Growl. Growl. I yelled upstairs, reminding them, that angry puppies bite and to give him some space.



All four children ate their lunch together and soon moved onto their yogurt dessert. It was 1pm and Fifi was rubbing the yogurt across her eyes and massaging it into her scalp. It was evident that she needed a nap.



I prepared her bottle and ushered the gang downstairs to our playroom, the furthest room located from Fifi's nursery. A mere five minutes later I heard Hunter, our puppy, barking and growling. Again.


Growl. Growl. Giggle.



Giggle.


I entered the basement guestroom and saw all three children on top of the bed armed with light sabers, foam swords, and plastic guns. Weapons in our house is an entire separate blog post.


The children were taunting the puppy with their weapons of mass destruction. Waving them feverishly at the puppy. "Mommy gives you rules to keep you safe. He WILL bite someone." I threatened them. Connor looked at me un-phased and proclaimed, "He already bit me!" He revealed the wound on his arm. It WAS rather a large bite. One that had actually drawn blood. I examined it and talked to him and locked up the puppy. Still shocked that Hunter actually bit a human I talked to Connor some more. He insisted that it was not a problem, I exhaled a tiny bit, and we went outside, climbed some trees and waited for his ride.


Ten minutes passed and Connor's father arrived to pick him up. He exited his brand new sexy Audi dressed in his courtroom bests threads. I explained what had happened and his handsome father, in his most compassionate lawyer voice, replied "Well, that will teach him not to taunt dogs." I exhaled a tiny bit more.


Fifi woke up from her nap and I sat the kids down to talk to them. I explained, again for the billionth time, that puppies are like babies and bite. We practiced "teaching Hunter who is boss" by flipping him on his back and staring him down to prove power. We talked.


This SHOULD have been the end of the story.


But no. Oh no. Not in the OHmommy world of classy chaos.

No.

Grab a seat my friends.
Why must my life be so uber chaotic?
Why?

Hunter bit Jay equally as powerful as he did for Connor. Although, this time, no one was taunting the puppy. Jay lovingly tried to pick him up to cuddle and the stupid animal bit him across his neck. The neck I so lovingly kiss each day. The neck that I linger in and smell each night. The neck of my first born child.


Without sounding like a raving lunatic I will spare you the conversation I had with my husband. He canceled his last two patients and came home. We found Hunter a new home.


The End.
Perhaps the outcome would have been different if we named the puppy LOVER and I blogged at CLASSY PEACE. Perhaps. But this was the story of a HUNTER on CLASSY CHAOS. Go figure.

83classy comments:

McMommy said...

Oh NO! That is terrible! McMommy is prescribing YOU a glass of wine tonight. Your nerves need it after a day like today.

Someone Being Me said...

Oh no, yeah it sounds like the puppy needed to find a home with no children or maybe older children. I hope maybe you can find a more kid friendly puppy if you ever do decide to get another one. I recommend pugs they never bite. Play nibbles but no biting.

Mom said...

Oh that is horrible! I agree get a glass of wine put your feet up and relax. How are the kidos taking the swift exit of Hunter?

Mamarazzi said...

we had to find a new home for our puppy too. unfortunatly i was not ready to puppy train and take the risks of having to pay for some ones nose to be replaced...she was just too agressive. i miss her. but i know i didi the right thing.

so did you.

Kat said...

Oh no! Sassy puppy!!! That is a very bad day. I'm so sorry.
I think you have just convinced me not to get a puppy until the boys are all much older. :)

.jimaie.marie. said...

oh my! chaotic day indeed! wow, bad puppy, how are your kids handling it? I definitely think you made the best decision, even if it was a sad one :(

You definitely deserve the aforementioned glass of wine, try and relax tonight OHmommy!

Unknown said...

Oh no! Poor Jay!! You definitely did the right thing, not that you doubted that!! It sounds like Hunter needed a home with no kids.
I just had a glass of wine dedicated to you, I think you need to have one now!
I'm so sorry you had such a day! I hope tomorrow gets so much better!

Unknown said...

Too bad about the puppy. But biting is never acceptable. On the other hand, teasing by kids is always chancy whan a puppy is involved. Puppy gets to thinking that that behaviour is acceptable. Bingo.

amanda said...

oh no friend!! sooo sorry to hear about your horrible no good very bad day!!

i think finding the puppy a new home was a great choice...maybe you should look into fish??

and until then, enjoy that glass of wine - u deserve it!

MommyTime said...

I'm so sorry. It can be very hard with puppies, and you are right that they have to know the parameters... but some individual dogs are just not good with kids, and you did the right thing to make a change.

It might be a good idea, though, if you are thinking of another puppy at some point, to let the kids get a little older first. Pups can get very overwhelmed by the confusion of kids, and that can make them lash out. I hope everyone is okay!

Wendi said...

Oh no! That is horrible. Poor Connor. Poor Jay. Poor OHMommy family.

I am glad you didn't name your dog LOVER and the blog CLASSY PEACE. It would not be nearly as entertaining!

Rachel said...

Oh my gosh!! That is so scary.
Glad that Conner's dad was so laid back about the whole situation, but yep.. that doggy needed a new home.
Poor momma, poor J, poor family!
Yikes!!!
I am so sorry for what you've dealt with.

Kristen said...

Well, I think it is official that you win the bad day award! Is there one of those??

So sorry to hear about Conner, Jay, and the whole deal that you and Mr OHmommy had to deal with.

I am thinking that an online purchase of a new pair of stilettos is more than called for. Hang in there, and hoping tomorrow is significantly better.

AutoSysGene said...

I'm sorry to hear this, for the boys, the puppy and you!

I hope that you get to relax tonight and that the new home works well for the little puppy!!

tricki_nicki said...

NO way. You have to go and look at the title of my blog post today. Seriously weird.

And BAD DOG!! I'm sad that you don't get to keep your darling puppy but that's just no good. I second the pug idea. They're so good.

Lisa said...

Oh my!!! How horrible!
You did the right thing. Hunter needs a new home.

I hope Jay is alright. Give his neck a couple of extra smooches tonight...and you an extra glass of wine....

Anonymous said...

Oh, how terribly sad. Heart breaking. But, you DID do the right thing. Obviously the puppy will not be good around kids. And, what a relief the lawyer didn't go into lawyer mode. But, your son...poor guy. I hope you guys recover soon.

carrie said...

My biggest complaint about our puppy?

The way the kids "play" with him. We had a big event a few weeks ago where feet were wagged in his face from the top of the play structure in the backyard. He was taunted. He was teased. He bit Wyatt's pants and ripped them all the way down his leg! Crying happened. Puppy locked up. Lecture about how to play with a puppy was given, sternly.

It's been okay since then, but seriously, if everyone is not on the same page with the puppy-rearing, it can be disasterous! We bought a training DVD and watched it as a family and I've done nothing but remind them constantly since then.

I can't wait for this phase to pass . . .so I can enjoy my dog. And we can all live together peacefully.

And wow, sorry for the ramble . . . kudos to you for finding him a more appropriate home so quickly! You move fast! :) Hope the neck is okay.

Gourmama said...

What a day! I understand ...

krissy said...

I think Hunter would be great with a family with older kids.

I have 2 large labs and they are super sweet dogs to kids. Never, ever have they bite anyone. If they did, I would pull out the shock collar and electricute them!!!

Tomorrow will be better! Have some wine!

Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING said...

That is why I don't have pets and why I am afraid of dogs of all sizes. Seriously. it is a problem.

KEEP BELIEVING

Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING said...

to clarify, meaning I have a problem. not that pets are necessarily a problem. unless they are small puppies named Hunter in Classy Chaos' house, apparently. Oh nevermind.

KEEP BELIEVING

Momisodes said...

Oh no! That is awful! Chaos indeed. I'm glad Connor's dad was cool about it. So sorry this happened and glad you found him a new home.

Anonymous said...

MOTHER OF PEARL that sucks!!!

I'm sorry. I'm glad that the bites were mostly superficial, but sorry that you had to go through it all.

*hands you the rest of her pear vodka & diet club soda (= summer in a cup)*

The 5 Bickies said...

oh my...glad the puppy has a new home. Hope the neck is healing...that looked awful!

Anonymous said...

Okay, since I'm number 26, I'll skip the doggy bite and just tell you how much I loved the visual of your daughter doing the "tired rub" thing. Sweet, and something all moms relate to. Thanks for taking the time to paint the picture :)

Danielle said...

At least you were smart enough to get rid of the puppy before any real damage. He was probably just over stimulated but you never know. Our dog trainer had horror stories of people hell bent on keeping problem dogs.

And I second McMommy. Have a glass of wine and call it a night, girlfriend.

Zoeyjane said...

oh, so sad. i'm sorry it didn't work out with hunter. i hope your boy (and his neck) are okay!

this is part of the reasoning i have against getting a puppy around these parts and why we had to get rid of our kitty!

Laski said...

Hunter crossed that line. There was no going back. You did what you had to do . . .

I'm sure it was a bummer, but you most definitely did what was best for all.

raising4boys said...

how sad...but I can feel your pain about him biting your child! Scary!!

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

I'm so sorry for everyone!

Beth Cotell said...

He was a cute puppy but you can't have a biter around your babies!!

You did the right thing.

Mama Smurf said...

Such a sad story! My Gracie doesn't bite....she just rapes big bird.

Mary said...

Ouch! Sorry your family had to go through this.

Puppies and little children don't mix. I have a little dog and I can't let him out of my sight when he's near Thomas or any other little kids. He's never done anything to make me nervous but I just don't trust him 100% around little kids. I don't think you ever can.
It was best that you found him a new home. Hopefully he doesn't bit anyone else! I hope your son's neck is better and that this won't make him afraid of dogs forever.

Amy said...

Oh my goodness. That is terrible. In my opinion, pets are like small children, they can NEVER be unattended. Whenever I "dog sit" for my sister's dog. I always have him in view, especially when he is around my children.

You shouldn't rethink this at all. You did the right thing. Especially if when he did it to another person's child too. I am very leary of sending my children to anyone else's home when their is a dog involved. One can never be too cautious.

Hope your family adjust okay to the new change.

P.S. Does you Jay's friend's Dad read your blog. I was just wondering if he knows how you described him with oh so much class!!! he he he

Anonymous said...

I'm not a regular commentor (or reader) of your blog, so I think I'll skip the "oh, you poor poor thing go get a glass of wine right now you poor darling" bit. I'm truly sorry your son got bit, but seriously - what did you expect? You pretty much let your kids taunt the puppy repeatedly, (Oh, I know you tried to calmly reason with them not to taunt the dog, but come on). Even though your son wasn't teasing the dog at the exact moment he bit him, be assured that the taunting WAS the reason he snapped like that.

Do the pets of the world a favor and don't get any others, ever. And I sincerely hope for the poor puppy's sake that "got a new home" isn't code for "got dropped off at the humane society".

Sorry, somebody had to say this.

-Allison Bradley

Sue said...

You made the right choice. (Of course, you knew that). That's just a shocker though. wow.

Unknown said...

I once had a daschund that was a biter. They sometimes can be aggressive little dogs - not all of them, because the other one I had was super nice.

I am glad everyone is ok, and I am glad you found a new home for Hunter.

XOXO

OHmommy said...

Dear Allison Bradley,


I was "expecting" one those remarks.

I write to document MY story. MY life. That is all. If you have nothing good to say. Don't say it at all.

We have another dog at home too. My children love animals and have NEVER taunted our animals. Ever. Anyone that knows us... knows that we are truly loving people that love and appreciate nature and animals.

This was the friend's doing. The friend has no animals at home. And I left them to put the baby to sleep. But I did not want to mention that... for it wouldn't be so classy to point fingers at someone.

Yes?

So. Follow my lead. Shall you? It is not classy to say mean things.

Mwah!
OHmommy

Unknown said...

ah so sorry. that's a hard choice to make, kathleen

Miss Lisa said...

I'd have done the very same thing!
Thank goodness I am extremely eye-swelling-shut allergic to puppies. Kitties and fish don't bite, as much ;)

Kelly said...

What a rotten day. That puppy was so cute too.

Anonymous said...

oh boy! so sorry. you can always borrow/have Chester if you need a kid friendly dog...starting May 14th would be fine! haha! How is Jay reacting to the loss of his puppy/?

Ashlee said...

Yuck, yuck, yuck! Our dog hasn't bitten anyone yet, but that's not to say it won't EVER happen. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Hope your little ones neck gets better. This will just give you an excuse to kiss his neck even MORE! :0)

Katie Ryan said...

I know you had some tough choices to make yesterday. You did exactly what a good mom should do. Now you can just move on and try not to worry.
Sorry about your sweetie's neck. I hope it gets better real fast.

Kash said...

You did the right thing. If you think you can't properly care for the puppy and train him at this time, it is right to give him to someone who can. That is indeed the humane reaction and what an animal lover would do. And your kids are always #1. Kudos to acting so appropriately right away and preventing other bites from happening as well as insuring that Hunter receives a good family.

Rhea said...

I agree Hunter had to go. So sad though!! Good thing Conner's parents were so cool about it. Whew. Even being a lawyer. lol (my hubby's a lawyer, so I can make these jokes!)

Lizzy in the Burbs said...

I'm sorry your son and his friend were bitten, hope they're both feeling better. I'm sure the kids (and you) are sad to see your puppy go, it's a very hard decision to make. You needed to do what was best for your family, and you are not obligated to justify that to anyone, OhMommy. *Hugs*

Lizzy

Anonymous said...

Sorry that is aful.We had one of those days yesterday.Glad the kids are alright.

Beth from the Funny Farm said...

Wow! That is a nasty looking scrape your boy has on his neck! A puppy shouldn't be biting like that... Good job on finding him a new home!

just jamie said...

Yikes. Fast thinking Mommy. Some would wait for the 10th bite.

Farewell Hunter.
Feel Better Jay.

Tara R. said...

So sorry Jay was bit. Puppies can be unpredictable at best.

Burgh Baby said...

I guess this means you won't be finding anybody under a table eating poop anymore. So sad!

Stephanie said...

Wow! Sounds like something that would happen to me! Glad he's ok and it wasn't too serious. It could have been worse! I guess my husband is right when he says any good animal is a dead one (or at least no where near us!)

Amy said...

First, I'm glad that your Conner's lawyer father is a very decent and smart individual who believes that his child's actions have natural consequences. (I also appreciate that he drives and Audi, I love mine!)

Second, you absolutely make the best decision. I grew up with dogs. One dog we had to get rid of because it bit my friend for no apparent reason. A dog that bites unprovoked cannot be trusted.

Third, ((Hugs))

Miss said...

Poor guy! ( The handsom boy, not the dog) Better to have said good bye now than later.

AEH said...

Oh that's horrible! I'm so sorry that happened! I feel bad for both you and the puppy! Small dogs don't usually like small children, but they can be just fine. I'm guessing he had just had too much taunting and got tired of it. He probably figured that any time your son was coming for him, it would be to taunt and so he preemptively bit him. Still - it was wrong and now he has to have a new home! Aww, this makes me sad.

Sorry the puppy thing didn't work out for you!!

haniaski said...

OMG.I gone call "bacia"!!!!!!!
OXOX

April said...

So sorry to hear it! I'm glad you were able to find a new home for the puppy so quickly...and glad we have a cat, too!

LunaNik said...

Wow. Who would imagine such a cute little pup is so nippy!

Yikes.

So long Hunter!

ConverseMomma said...

I would have done the same thing you did. Some dog breeds just don't fit with kids, other dogs, cats ect. I'm sure your little pup will do better elsewhere. Hope the babies are not too sad.
Hugs!

3 Peanuts said...

Oh I am so sorry! I know this was terrible for everyone involved. you did the right thing!!! We have a puppy (Scout) that I would LOVE to find a new home for because she is like a fourth child but she hasn't bit anyone thank God!

Kim

GoMommy said...

Oh sweet Jeesus! You have an infinite amount of resolve. I wouldv'e drop-kicked that mutt to the curb.
I know Hunter was protecting himself- they were chasing him with weapons after all, and he is a small dog-BUT, MY mommy mode would have swung into full on protect mode too if that little flea-bag drew blood from one of my babies!
I think you made a wise (and very level-headed) decision!

Unknown said...

u did the right thing!! no one better mess with your kiddos!!

i have also decided that with minus 1 animal in your home, you now have room for me to visit you the weekend of NATR. only one small glitch...my flight gets in at 10:00pm on friday night. i will rent a car or take a cab!!

kimmy said...

I would have done the same thing...sometimes animals can be so unpredictable and you just cannot take chances with your children!

Hope you have an uneventful evening!

Kimmy

MarĂ­a said...

Dauchshunds, especially the long haired variety are NOT good with children, as a generalization of the breed. I'm so sorry he did that to your babies!

Happy Days said...

I am aftraid of dogs myself. so sorry that happened! I guess you just can never trust them. Dogs and Kids!

Victoria said...

Oh, poor little neck! I'm so sorry to read this. ((hugs))

Eve Grey said...

Geez Louise,
I think I would have done the exact.same.thing. I feel sorry for the dog but children trump dog always.

Victoria said...

Ouch poor little guy. Dachsunds are nippy little beasts and he had obviously had enough. I hope your son (and his friend) heal up quickly.

Don Mills Diva said...

Oh I am so sorry for everyone. IT must be so hard - I am the biggest dog defender in the world but you had no choice - he had to go.

Tootsie Farklepants said...

As hard as it is you did the right thing. This puppy was not up for the chaos.

Anonymous said...

Jak pies raz ugryzie-bedzie to robil zawsze.Trzeba go oddac.dziadek

Anonymous said...

Oh no! I've had a couple of dachsunds and they can be VERY feisty (i.e. bite-y). I'm so sorry Hunter bit your baby! It definitely sounds like you did the right thing finding Hunter a quiet, child-less home as some dogs are just so much better that way.

That being said, next puppy you decide to get, get a yellow lab!!! Oh my God, Tucker is my first lab, and he is NO DOUBT the sweetest, most love-able LOVING muffin of a dog I've ever owned (and I've had many different types: german shepards, dobermans, beagles, dachsunds, rat terriers, jack russels, etc). I can not WAIT to have a baby cuz I know he will be the best dog ever...he loves kids and is so patient and gentle.

Rhea said...

I second what April (above me) said. Labs are the best! I have two boys, 11 and 6, and our lab is so sweet and loving. The 6 yr old climbs all over her and she is so patient with him. lol

That being said, we adopted our dog from a lab rescue organization and she was already 2 or 3 years old. Those dogs are sometimes the sweetest...happy to have a home.

Cecily R said...

Geesh, I'm so sorry!! I think you did the right thing, even though I know it was hard.

Melissa said...

oh so sad! We were really worried abotu buying a puppy with a baby on the way. But we were taught a trick to helping find a peacful patient dog. When you find a puppy you like roll him/her over on their back adn grab their paws. If they let you do this they are really patient and tolerant. If they scwerm then test the dog some more...but if they start to nibble you then they might not be right for grabby hand kids. Kids can't help to want to grab and play and some dog just don't like that.

We did that with our dog and he completly let us grab his paws and he was the most patience good natured loving dog ever!

Melissa said...

And sorry about your son. I hope he is okay

NerdyRedneck Rob said...

Is there suppossed to be a wound in that picture? Sorry, you know I love you but this farm boy is rolling his eyes here. Classic Venus and Mars stuff here today. :)

Karen said...

I'm so sorry! It's hard to have to do something like that, but you did the right thing. I'm glad that nobody was seriously hurt.

mamatulip said...

I'm so sorry, OHMommy.

When I was very, very young - VERY young, like not two - my parents' miniature poodle attacked me while I was sitting on my mom's lap, naked, as the bath water ran. Plumber (the dog) attacked me and bit my face. My mother had him put down the next day.

Because of that story, and another incident with another dog that occurred when I was a teenager, I have always been wary of dogs. I love them, grew up with them and plan to get one for my family when my kids are a bit older, but I am always wary of them. I am so, so sorry that you have lost your family pet - but you did the right thing.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry, ubava. :(

I will say that those littler dogs are a lot more high strung, and that big dogs mellow out more. If you ever are in the market, again, for a dog I would urge you to get a Lab. They are full of love. The puppy stage is "fun", but once they mellow they are great family dogs.

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

Man, a bummer on so many levels. I feel for you. I'm not a pet person, but my kids want a dog. They're just going to grow up pet-deprived.

 

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