Maybe it's because these days it's not uncommon to eat turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and green beans any time of the year, when you have a taste for it, but I'm in no mood for THANKSGIVING.
A few days ago I felt up for it, but now I want to stay home with my dog.
What happened to change my mind or my mood?
My dog, a small dog, was attacked while we were on an early morning walk by a big black dog, a dog unleashed.
As we approached the usual cross over from cement to wood chips, an area my dog gets stickies on from time to time and so goes cautiously on, I noticed the dogs were looking at each other and appeared stalled. I attributed my dog's caution to wanting to survey the area and go slow over it, so I continued and she followed. Suddenly the big black dog was upon her and since she was leashed she couldn't get away. She tried to duck as he growled and tried to chew up her snout and head. I was screaming out loud! The owner of the black dog called him off to no avail. I pushed the big black dog away, fearless in the moment, which was a little crazy. He went for another round at her. Finally he pulled her away. This big black dog had hatred in its eyes.
"There's a leash law in this town and a $1200 fine for having your dog off leash for starters, " I said. Your dog wanted to maul my dog and kill her. She's small and timid. She doesn't defend herself. She has a hard time imagining anyone - any dog - wouldn't like her."
The man seemed quiet and maybe remorseful.
I checked for wounds and blood and miraculously saw none. I like to think that the big black dog got mostly her long hair in its mouth.
No I didn't get his ID etc. I don't know him or where he lives. (Only later by description did I realize that this may be the man who the neighborhood is looking for, a man with a big dog that never bends to pick up his dog's shit!)
I picked up my dog and walked her about 30 feet and then set her back down to walk home. At home I put her under the bed covers with me. She seemed OK. I hoped what they say is true, that a dog is forgetful, but within the hour she had thrown up on the carpet. It was nerves - trauma. Her little body holds this memory.
I had to leave her for the day.
Later, after talking to a friend who has three dogs smaller than mine, I decided to take her advice and feed my dog baby food incase her stomach was upset. Indeed it was. For a week she'd ignored the wheatgrass I have planted on the doorstep in a pot. Now she was avid to eat the wheatgrass. She ate only half a jar of the beef baby food puree and then snuggled right next to me in bed.
It's my turn to try and cry out the inner hysteria I felt when unthinkingly trying to rescue her from attack. I've been on the verge of tears since, angry, and scared.
What if she had been mauled and this owner had run off and instead of having her next to me she was DEAD? What if I'd had to put her asleep?
So I am THANKFUL that I have my dog alive and well.
