Sammie is leaving my house

[FairyDogMother]

I was gone over the weekend and came home to find that Sammie had busted out of her crate and fought with Celia! Celia has a hurt eye and has to go to the vet tomorrow now.

I have done what I can for her and I'm done. I am not a trainer for the socially challenged and inept. This is the 4th time and 3rd dog she's managed to stick a canine tooth into and I'm done.
She's not had one inquiry since we took her in. She was an early on acquisition to my home, before I started voicing my opinions. I've told them all along that I would not feel comfortable adopting her out for fear something very bad would happen to someone's dog or cat. I don't want that, knowing it's so probable, hanging over my head. And that's if anyone ever was interested in her!
She is 7-8 years old now and just hates cats and most all dogs. No rhyme or reason who she dislikes. Only dogs she hasn't attacked or tried to is large young males, particularly black in primary color.

Before the week is over, she will go to one of 2 different homes of certified trainers and they will do what they can. If they cannot real her in, she may not have a chance for a happy tail.

We have pleaded through the rescue network constantly to help find a viable home or someone that is willing and capable of working her aggression out of her. No one wants an aggressive older problem child. On a good note, she's wonderful with people though but too rambunctious to be around kids that aren't old enough or strong enough when she's excited not to bump them and knock them over.

I told them from the jump I was not qualified to do anything with her other than get her healthy, walking nice on a leash, sit, wait and down. This is and has been accomplished for a very long time now. She does not listen when she's in attack mode.

I feel bad for her but I do not feel bad about this decision however it ends up. She has upset the apple cart in my house since day 3 of being here.

I hope they are able to help her for her sake. Very sad.

Meanwhile, if any of you know of anyone looking for an older female ACD with a black and tan shepherd colored coat, that loves people and hates most other critters, please let me know. Her photo is in my gallery.

[Jaïa]

I've been wondering...
What's an ACD? What do these words stand for?
Thanks!

[FairyDogMother]

Originally Posted by Jaïa

I've been wondering...
What's an ACD? What do these words stand for?
Thanks!

Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler dog. They are a very strong willed herder bred to herd cattle. Fearless and if not brought up nicely can be a handful older. She was left on her own basicly twice in her life alone in backyards. Well fed, chunky with a terrible coat from poor quality food.
Here's a link about them
http://animal.discovery.com/breedsel...ile.do?id=1010

[Dauxside]

T, I'm not trying to tell you your business; just commenting on what I would do.

Because she has aggression issues, no one will or can help, you can't place her and there is history of her aggression I'd say the kindest thing, rather than keep moving her about is to put her down.

I'm sorry, and I don't mean to be in your business or seem mean - hopefully you've gotten to know me well enough to know I'm not suggesting this out of hand.

Anything you do is of course supported, you've *proven* your mettle mutli-folds.

[Bclover92]

I'm so sorry, I hope someone can help her and if they cant at least she got a little while longer with you!

[FairyDogMother]

I really appreciate your comments and feedback. At this point I feel the kindest thing for her is to let her go peacefully. I really don't see a future outside of a box and I'm HUGE on quality of life.
Unfortunately, our director is die hard life for all no matter unless it's medical. To me, medical is both physical and mental health and Sammie is mentally off and we haven't been able to help her there in nearly a year. The physical part YES! She's probably never been healthier.
I'll let you know what transforms. And thank you! I thought I would be seen as heartless for thinking the way I am.
I think in rescue we have to know we can't save them all and know when to say enough. Our vet recommended pts last fall or end of summer as well so...

[jnc_mcguire]

I am sorry that it happened. But sometimes you have to do what is best for the rest of the gang.

[Bclover92]

It makes it a little easier though being that she is 7-8. That is young but not REALLy young. Even if shes healthy at least she had some good years!

I hope you can decide what to do!

[Dauxside]

Originally Posted by Teresa

I really appreciate your comments and feedback. At this point I feel the kindest thing for her is to let her go peacefully. I really don't see a future outside of a box and I'm HUGE on quality of life.

Exactly the point, what is the reason to rescue/save a dog that has no real hope in having the quality of life every dog deserves.

Originally Posted by Teresa

Unfortunately, our director is die hard life for all no matter unless it's medical. To me, medical is both physical and mental health and Sammie is mentally off and we haven't been able to help her there in nearly a year. The physical part YES! She's probably never been healthier.

Too bad your director doesn't really understand not only the concept of being a real (IMHO) rescue group and the quality of life for a dog.

For me, the hardest part in rescue is having to come to the decision that a dog is just *not* capable of being helped, be it bad breeding or environment, the damage inside it's head is so bad that it just can't be trusted.

I firmly maintain that a dog that is that aggressive (no workable trigger) is as unhappy in itself as it makes humans unhappy. (worded weird but my head's not functioning really well itself.)

Originally Posted by Teresa

I'll let you know what transforms. And thank you! I thought I would be seen as heartless for thinking the way I am.

OMG you silly wabbit! The hardest thing you do in rescue is make the decision on an unrehabable dog. That's not heartless - your heart breaks *every* time that decision is made. (((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))))) Silly girl, you have to do right by the dog and by your own home and the home of anyone who might have taken it.

Originally Posted by Teresa

I think in rescue we have to know we can't save them all and know when to say enough. Our vet recommended pts last fall or end of summer as well so...

Totally correct, so no beating of thyself up over it okay.

[Leslie]

"I thought I would be seen as heartless for thinking the way I am." Not at all! You've done what you can and then it's time to find someone (your mentioned a trainer) who might be able to help. But whichever way it goes, you have to know that you have done your best. My heart goes out to you. It's not easy to realize that sometimes you have to do what you have to do! Hugs and hang in there.