angry and shaken

We live in a gated community here with about 60 homes. It's pet friendly and kids are always out on their bikes. We were walking the kids this afternoon on leash as always and as we were doing our 5th lap a new neighbour had left their door wide open. Out came their boxer and JRT. We kept lose leashes and Roxy and Vinny, Boxer and JRT greeted appropriately. I said loudly "go inside!" so that the owner could come out and get her loose dogs. Without a single bit of body language warning (and believe me I was watching carefully) the boxer sprung for Rox. I screamed for the owner. My OH screamed for the owner...and still the boxer was going for Rox. I managed to hold Vin back who was watching closely (and Vin is mega strong so I am super grateful for two things: their new harnesses which make handling easier and Vin's awesome calm temperament which meant he listened to me). The OH was trying to pull the dogs apart, but he was also worried the boxer would go for him. And then my worst fear: Roxy grabbed onto the boxer's ear.

And only THEN did the owner come out and what did she do? Stood back repeating "I'm sorry" as opposed to trying to get her boxer. After us screaming at her (yes, screaming won't help but adrenalin etc had kicked in) she took it gently by the collar and stood their saying "it's too strong, I can't handle it." I must've given her a death stare as she daren't let go after that. My OH then told her builder who was standing their just watching to run and get water. He came back and then gingerly asked if he may throw the water (queue dramatic steam from my ears and a whole bunch of choice words). I was thinking at the time that Rox is strong-willed and I didn't know if it would work.

Thankfully the water broke their concentration and the OH swooped Rox up to get her home. She didn't put up a fight at all and totally relaxed into his arms). And then...the JRT followed us all the way home with the woman peeping from behind her door "whispering" for it to come back. My OH had blood dripping down his arm and leg and Roxy had some on her nose.

Got the kids in and you know what Rox did? Wagged her tail and followed her daddy all over the place with her rope to play. Cleaned her up and thankfully she has come away with a few superficial scratches (remember those snazzy harnesses they got last week? So grateful for them as they have puncture marks which means they protected Roxy from a worse outcome). Cleaned the OH up and the other dog hadn't punctured skin but his hand is very bruised and swollen from it trying (ummm, despite him telling the woman her dog was biting him and her standing there watching).

Gave the kids a coconut to play with and had extra special and extra long play sessions in the garden this evening. We didn't molly cuddle straight after though, as I know you're not supposed to. Pity they don't teach you at puppy school how to handle a dog that surprises your from behind!

Both our throats are raw from shouting; our legs are weak and my OH's hand is in agony. The woman did call to apologise and offer to pay any costs incurred after I had sent her a choice email about irresponsible ownership and letting her dogs bolt out into an area where kids ride about every day and families walk. Her excuse... her kitchen is being renovated and her door doesn't shut properly................ enough said  

Oh.. My.. God... Seriously?! That was her excuse for endangering the lives of other dogs, neighbours and children?! As well as being responsible for injuries to Roxy and your OH?! Stupid woman! If she can't handle her dog, she shouldn't have one!

And kitchen renovation is not an excuse! She should have put up a makeshift baby gate, at the very least, or shut the dogs in another area of the house!

I hope you, your OH and Roxy are okay

Thanks so much Eleanor. Yes, her email:

"As you know, we have been renovating with contractors in and out of our house for nearly eight weeks now, which has not been easy, but luckily without incident till today....explain to you that the contractor had left the door open and that I had no idea at the time that it was open. "

I still can't believe it. Roxy is awesome - she has such an amazing temperament that I swear she thinks we came rushing home to play! MY OH's hand is not looking great and he is in pain

The nerve of her... She shouldn't be blaming the contractor. Even if he did leave the door open, she is responsible for her dogs as their owner. She should have made sure that they didn't have access to a door where people were going in and out.

I hope his hand feels better soon. Maybe he should go do the doctors to get anti-inflammatories or painkillers.

Agreed, I'm trying to get the stubborn mule to agree to a doctor's appointment in the morning  

Men, eh? Never admit defeat! Good luck with trying to convince him!

RoxysMum wrote:Agreed, I'm trying to get the stubborn mule to agree to a doctor's appointment in the morning  

Tell him from us that he must! Not saying it'll happen, but what if the other owner decides you have to pay for any injuries to her dog, and that Roxy was to blame?

Get your retaliation in first!

Hope your oh's hand is a little less painful in the morning. 

Aww thank you Caryll, I'm passing the message on! The woman did offer to pay for any damage. There must've been puncture wounds on the boxer as the blood was neither Roxy's nor my OH's and I'm thankful I have it in writing via her email that she was at fault. But I know what you're saying!

I suggested we bill her with the alcohol bill needed to calm our nerves  In all seriousness I've just taken a painkiller as I think I pulled my neck and shoulders a bit in the commotion and have popped a few Rescue Remedies too. Just found a deepish scratch on Vinny so have cleaned that up

What is wrong with people?

I know accidents happen, but if you can't control a big dog, why get one?

Exactly, if you can't handle the dog you shouldn't have it. Rocky doesn't like Boxers anyway despite his name.

Has your OH been to the doctor yet ?? there may be damage done that you cannot see.

How awful for you all Lisa, people never cease to amaze me, and what a very shoddy excuse! Hugs to you all from me and Vinnie:(hug): 

Aww Lisa that's awful, stupid woman and her excuses I hope you, vin, rox & your OH heal quickly, and yes get him to seek medical attention.

Oh god what a horrible experience no wonder you are angry and shaken! I'm glad your all OK and no serious injuries  

Thank you everyone - there was certainly something funny about that boxer, Kathy so I'm on Rocky's side there. I wish I knew why people who can't handle dogs have them. I mean, Vinny for example is a big, strong boy, but thankfully with such a soft nature which I work hard to nurture and from day 1 have worked hard to make sure I can handle him from lose-lead walking to obedience. I think it comes down to the usual sad situation of people not caring enough to put time and effort in. This has made us paranoid about walking in the area now, but I know we need to get back out there today and keep going.

As for my OH, he leaves for work before I get up so I haven't had a look but his hand was pretty bruised. He says he broke that hand in his youth and it feels like it's triggered that pain. I'm hoping he will get home early so I can ambush him off to the doctors.

I haven't slept a wink and my upper body is in agony - think it must be from holding onto Vin (who did so well) and the tension. I feel very weepy today!! Roxy did run outside about 4 times last night to bark so she was a bit edgy. Right now though my babies are fast asleep cuddled at my feet.

Aww Lisa, I'm sure rox will settle down soon it just takes a little time, a for a well behaved vin no wonder your aching all over, perhaps an anti-inflammatory will help your aching muscles? & yes march your OH the vet..........I mean docs

Darcy-may wrote:Aww Lisa, I'm sure rox will settle down soon it just takes a little time, a (*)for a well behaved vin :Dno wonder your aching all over, perhaps an anti-inflammatory will help your aching muscles? & yes march your OH the vet..........I mean docs

 you know Hayley, our vets are so fantastic I might just take him there  He is saying this morning that he thinks he should have an xray done, so I may just win this one! The next thing will be convincing him to send that woman the bill.

I have my rescue remedy's at hand and will be off to get some anti-inflammatories this morning - perhaps with a bottle of wine for this evening.

Oh yes the vino will most definitly help

Update: took my OH to the doc yesterday, who gave him a tetinus and a once over. His hand is just a bit strained thankfully. He refuses to send the bill to the Boxer's owner and I think we should  

I popped rescue remedies all day yesterday and am still feeling a bit panicky. I did make us all get ready and go for a walk to pass that house. The kids were stars and even though we heard the Boxer, Roxy just sniffed the ground where it all happened and I plied her with treats to try to not associate the area with bad. Sadly though mine and the OH's nerves are still shaken so we only managed one lap and came inside to do agility, obedience and games in the garden until they were tired.

Vinny seemed to respect his sister a tiny bit more yesterday, or possibly was giving her a bit of room for rest! Today they're back to normal playing away happily  

Aww Im glad your OH hand is ok Lisa, seems like the kids are back to normal

Glad to hear you are all sort of getting back to normal there Lisa   

No harm in having a glass of vino or two to calm the nerves either, I'm sure anyone of us would do exactly the same  

What a horrible experience, but glad Vin and Roxy are doing okay! Hope you and your OH are not too shaken