R.I.P. my bestest friend Brody

[houghchrst]

neighbor man's pitbull got a hold of him and punctured a single hole through his carotid artery into his windpipe and he drowned in his own blood. It's my fault, I was outside waiting on CJ and they wanted out and usually if I go out like that they stay right by me. I turned to go in and called them and the neighbor dog barked and that was all it took, they darted after her, she was on a long tie out. by the time I got around the corner of the house she had Brody by the neck. When I yelled no, no, and ran, I can actually run if necessary I have discovered, the dog let go but I could tell brody was wounded. CJ finally came right at the end and we rushed Brody to the vet er but I know he was dead when I brought him in. He died in my arms on the way tot hte er clinic. Single puncture wound, very little blood, except in his mouth. Oh God, I'm sorry fo rthe gory details but I need to get it out. It was all my fault. My dogs ran into his yard while she was tied up.

CJ got into almost a fist fight with the old man. He called the police and they patched us through to the er clinic. He said he wants the dog put down, the man already told people that his dog didn't like little dogs and we have loose pets quite often in this neighborhood. I even gave the daughter our number and told her to call me when the dogs are out so I could make sure the boys are in. Everybody is usually good about other people's pets, this is a small neighborhood. The news of what happened has spread like wildfire last night, I don't think the man will be there much longer. The neighborhood told me over the summer theyre keeping an eye out on who rents, lol, theyre like a secret society. We know the owners and are friends with them they still stay in contact with everyone on FB and by phone. I am sure they know already.

I don't want another dog to die, it wasn't her fault and as soon as I yelled no a couple times she immediately backed off and looked at me. she obeyed and was fine around me. He was defending Dash. but Dash was too fast for her brody didnt have a chance. It was such a long lead. The dog should be fenced. Though so should mine. well they are but it isn't working, I have to go out to the back forty and run a bunch of line and probably have to order new collar. I am going to do that before we get some snow. I have to find the wire I think it is out there.

anyway, I am beating myself up, I should have at least checked but I have always seen her out with her owners on a lead. I didn't know they were letting her out like that. we are totally devastated. Jared even had to lock himself in his room after I checked on him he couldn't talk to anyone. Thats okay we ahve cried still crying. He is buried in the flower bed next to the patio witha cast iron big heart shaped flower hanger but I have a bird house hanging from it. anyway cj made that his tombstone. Will forget -me -nots grow in the shade? Im babbleing im soryy

[stillstANNding]

So sorry, Chrst, I know it hurts.

ANN

[funnylegs4]

I'm so sorry!

[jingle]

How horrible. How horribly sad. I'm so sorry (((Hugs)))

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Chris)))))) ~

I'm so very sorry you've lost your sweet Brody. Please don't blame yourself. You didn't know that your neighbor's dog was tied up in the yard, nor could you anticipate that your dogs would alter their normal behavior and run to the neighbor's dog. I'm sending you lots of extra hugs and prayers to heal your broken heart.

Forget me not grows best in shady areas:

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Love & Light,



Rose

[houghchrst]

Thank You guys for being here. Not doing so well today. That's okay because I am alone. Dash seems confused and has slept more than usual. He makes me cry I feel so bad for him

The girl from next door called me last night. Finally to see if there were any hard feelings. LOL your dog murdered mine! all I could say was that it was not really the dogs fault and that I couldn't talk. They are worried that charges will be pressed. I am calling animal control and the police tomorrow. I don't want the dog put down. He is to be registered as a dangerous animal with animal control. Move to a 6 foot fenced in area or get a big dog run if the dog is going to be outside. Otherwise turn the dog over to a rescue or shelter. the owners will make them move because of the dog most likely. I haven't messaged her yet. I am sure she has prolly been called. Lord there are kids and pets running all through this neighborhood

[houghchrst]

Well their dog has been confiscated for 10 days in quarantine by our Animal Control starting this last Thursday. The police have taken a report. I was told to call code enforcement for my area. I spoke with the owner of the house and she had no knowledge of dogs moving in. She is not happy and is looking for a way to break their lease. I still break down but it is abating. Little things remind me. CJ was bringing me home yesterday and I broke down on our street because it had been my first time out and the first thing I say when I get in the house is "hi my boys" as they bounce around me and Brody would bring me gifts.

He always found a present for whoever he was happy to see. No idea how he got it, the smallest piece of paper between his lips a big ole stuffed animal, a sock from who knows where. He always found something to bring you. When I am on the computer, which is set up on my dining room table, Brody would lay on a blanket on the dining room floor just to be by me. I haven't taken his food bowl off the floor, I can't even look at it. My good neighbors on the other side of me, we are friends, they have two little dogs that would run over and all four would play in my big ole yard. Just running and playing. Can't do that again until the bad dog moves. They keep checking up on me, and like me she can't even look at the bad neighbors house.

Am I over reacting? To still be crying about it. I so blame myself. If I could go back I would have never let them out with me. It just occurred to me that that is the first time they have ever tied that dog out. My dogs are nosy and they would have noticed a long time ago. I think it is the daughter's dog and she was gone and the old man didn't want to stand out in the yard with the dog so he tied him up.

[houghchrst]

Went out to get the mail yesterday and lo and behold there is that dog on leash out with the old man. Out of habit I raised my hand to wave but it fell kind of flat and he beat feet into the house. So I'm thinking WTH! Animal control was supposed to quarantine the dog. Leaving me to believe that they were confiscating the dog for 10 days. So after leaving a few messages yesterday today someone actually answered. Animal control informs me that they don't take possession of the dog it is simply confined to the owners home. I asked about the dangerous animal labeling and she said call my area's Code enforcement. Again. So I call them and they tell me it is an animal control issue but I left a message with the actual code enforcer guy anyway. Called the police office and find out a detective hasn't been assigned yet so left a message for the officer I spoke with. I gave the home owner an update. Her entire family loved Brody even though he wasn't the friendliest til he got to know you and the girls sobbed. I got a sympathy card from my vet yesterday which left me in tears. I don't know how they found out. ER clinic must have let them know. I didn't realize what a hole his passing would leave in my heart. Out of grief I have been pet shopping. Looked at Dorky pups which is what he was. Considered fostering an old dog for a rescue. It's just grief shopping. Poor Dash sleeps a lot and has a bit of separation anxiety. Kripes I left for my MRI yesterday was in there for maybe a half an hour, ran out to the club, gone for maybe an hour and a half and when I got back he cried for ten minutes. Jared said he howls when I leave. Poor guy.

[dawnmn]

Chris, I'm so sorry about Brody. It's like losing a family member.

[houghchrst]

I just happened to read our local Flint Township News and see that there is a trustee meeting tonight to add two ordinance amendments and one of the amendments is regarding vicious animals. More than likely the animal will be put down. I don't want that. Now in the city limits it is different and they can be registered. I thought of going over and letting them know, it may help the owners get them out of there too. But I just can't face them. The police already know and I am afraid that the ball has already started rolling in that direction.

[houghchrst]

Well the police are doing nothing and have closed the case. Animal Control says it's my area's Code Enforcement, CE says it's a matter for one or the other. I went off on the code enforcement officer, through my tears, about who's job it was to enforce my area's codes. It's his job, they don't want to mess with it, he took my info and said he'd make some calls then call me back. That was Thursday, it is Saturday. I told him I didn't want to just let it go. Whose dog is it going to kill this spring, the Pomeranian from down the street that always get's loose. The terrier at the neighbor's, two small dogs that are friends come in my yard frequently to play with the boys and my boys would play in their yard. Not any more. They keep their dogs on leash even though they are trained to stay in their yard. As far as I can tell my neighbors have not left the dog out on tie-out since it happened. I see them walking the dog often.

I'm disgusted with all of them.

Please somebody tell me if I should press the issue or should I let it go. I cry everyday. It hurts to think of letting it go.

[jingle]

((( houghchrst ))) I wish I could think of one thing to say that would be comforting or would help.

[tic chick]

chris ,

i say, let it go.

nothing you do will bring brody back. you are holding onto anger and that isn't going to get you anywhere in the long run. dedicate your time to maybe doing a little garden memorial for brody (i think you mentioned that already), or a scrapbook...something that makes you smile or gives you peace. often, we hold onto anger to avoid dealing with the grief....think about it.

it just sucks.

((((hugs)))),
jeannie

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Chris)))))) ~

I agree with Jeannie. You have done all that you can do to pursue this legally, and it sounds like you've encountered a brick wall.

To prevent other dogs from being attacked by the pit bull, you should meet with your dog-owning neighbors (or send them an email or a note in their mailboxes) about what happened to Brody and urging them to be cautious with their dogs. Why is the Pomeranian always escaping and running free? Those owners need to fix that problem pronto, because even if the pit bull didn't attack the Pomeranian, a car could hit the dog.

You are grieving for Brody, and that will continue for awhile with intensity, then lessen as time goes on. Right now, you're still reliving the trauma. It is so painful and stressful to grieve, but it is a process we must go through to find healing and peace.

Try to focus your energy on doing something positive in Brody's memory to give you something to hold onto instead of your anger and hurt. Your sweet little Brody wouldn't want you to be in this much pain.

Sending healing energy your way ~

Love & Light,



Rose