maggie doodlebop

May 21, 2008 · 7 comments

I am an amazing multitasker.  I can do a ton of things at once and do them well.  I grasp concepts of things easily (unless it’s mathematics) and I have a lot of common sense.  But, I’m also unrelentingly emotional about some things.   This whole situation with Maggie, for instance.  It has made me unable to multi-task. Unable to get simple things accomplished.  Unable to stop thinking about giving her up vs. possible rehabilitation/training.

I want to keep her.  But I want her to be a good dog. Well-behaved, doesn’t bite, doesn’t bark at the same people whom we welcome into our home over and over, doesn’t bark at the same lady and her dogs that walk by, without fail, twice every single day.  I want her to be my companion, fabulous with my kids, trustworthy and smart.  I want her to come when I call and not jump or be obnoxious.  I want her to stay off the counters and not eat wipes.  I want to watch her splash in the water and run around like an idiot in the rain because she is a water dog.

What I don’t want is the threat, the mere idea, of her biting either a stranger or one of my kids, or anyone, for that matter.  I want to know that when someone comes to the house and we tell her it’s ok that she will stop barking and growling and trust us.

I want her to be the reincarnation of my old dog.  She’s not. She’s very intelligent, but not a good listener.  She has to be muzzled at the vet.  She barks when she sees people while she is in the car.  She always wants to be right in your face, and she likes to nibble ears.  At first I thought this was just an odd thing, but now I wonder if the risk of her biting was right in front of us all along.

She is a breed known for being protective and intelligence and hunting ability.  Her breed is one that is ‘not for everyone’ due to these same qualities.  Perhaps it’s not so much that she’s not the breed for us, but that we’re not the family for her.

I feel like I’ve failed her.  It has taken me a long time to really love her, as the dorkdog was mine and she really started out as Mike’s.  And Matt has started to show an interest in her as well.  But the reasons to keep her are completely outweighed by the fear of her biting someone else and really hurting them.

We’re making arrangements for her to go to the breeder this week for a couple of weeks.  They have offered to evaluate her – they were shocked when we told them she bit a child. It’s entirely possible that we won’t be bringing her back home.  I’ve cried a lot of tears over this dog. This beautiful brown dog with hazel eyes and an extra licky tongue.  This dog we call dumb and doofus; Maggie-doodle, Doodlebop, Mag-EH!, mags, maggsy, magsta-rahna, magster, magstar.  This dog that I finally let into my heart.

{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

anniem May 21, 2008 at 3:08 pm

Oh, that is so hard. Dogs become part of the family.-Except they don’t talk back and really, truly love unconditionally. Worrying about the safety of your kids is scary though. I am crossing my fingers that Maggie just needs a hardcore doggy boot camp and you’ll get her back.

Reply

J.J. May 21, 2008 at 8:38 pm

We were in the same situation about a year ago. We had to give back a French Bulldog, known for being great with kids, because she became too protective of Mackenzie. The final straw…she attacked my nephew for doing absolutely nothing. It was hard, but I was free of the worry of her hurting or traumatizing a child. I feel for you…

Reply

Shine May 21, 2008 at 9:56 pm

I am so so so sorry you have to go through this. It is such a tough situation. I’ve not been through quite the same thing, my cat issue was different, but the emotions and the having to decide what to do weighing on you is so difficult and I know how you feel. Please call if you need to talk, I’m here for you!

Reply

alejna May 21, 2008 at 10:05 pm

That does sound hard, the idea that you might need to give her up so soon after becoming attached. But biting is scary, especially when little ones are involved. I hope that the breeders can help give you some answers.

Reply

flutter May 22, 2008 at 2:40 am

You haven’t failed her, babe

Reply

above average joe May 22, 2008 at 12:36 pm

Hope everything works out at the breeder.

Reply

Michelle May 22, 2008 at 12:52 pm

I am so sorry. It’s such a struggle. The whole love enough to let go thing seems way too apropo (sp?). As you know we too went through loving a crazy dog that seemed to equally drive us crazy and melt our hearts. The decision isn’t easy and you’re smart to let a prof. make an assessment. As you know we finally found our Annie a good home, close by, and we still visit her. We still love her and miss her terribly, but I have been grateful too that she’s in a happy home and peace has been restored to ours. I know none of this is making you feel any better and yet that was my goal. Just want you to know that I soooo feel for you.

Reply

Cancel reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: