Also known as: Clare-bear, Clarinet, Clairvoyant, Fatty, Little Girl. I don't know where to start. I've been crying all day.
Claire came to us after her former owners split up and moved. She was primarily kept down in a basement without much human contact. She was incredibly intelligent and was doing well with us until recently. We gave her a loving home and never treated her like the way she had always been treated. For the last 2 months, Claire became aggressive. Not only with Maximus, but with Jesse and I and with Jacqueline. I contacted a few animal behavior specialists and they said re-homing her was the only option. Then one day, she snapped at Max and bit Jesse. We kept her out of contact from Max, but she grew more and more aggressive.
Yesterday, Claire was a very different dog. Every morning, I would take her and Jackie outside to play fetch. After a few throws, Claire dropped the ball and attacked Jacqueline. It wasn't a typical fight. Within seconds, she pinned Jackie to the ground and had a hold of her throat. Jackie stopped fighting back and went completely limp. I grabbed the "fetch it" thrower and after a few seconds, tripped Claire and she let go of Jackie and attacked my foot. I screamed and I was certain she killed Jackie because she hadn't gotten up. Claire backed off my foot and stood there, head down, snarling and teeth showing until I picked up Jack and went in the house. Jackie was wheezing, had blood gushing out of her throat and couldn't walk.
Frantically, I called the vet. After talking to her numerous times throughout the morning, I accepted that Claire needed to be put down. I contacted another veterinarian and she said the same thing. She understood because of what happened with her Jack Russell. I called another specialist in the area and she also agreed. She had gone through the same thing. Re-homing Claire wasn't an option anymore. And Claire wasn't Claire anymore. I've never seen that look on a dog before. I was completely devastated.
I can't write much about the actual experience. I went alone. It was emotionally terrifying and the saddest experience of my life. My little canine girl died in my arms. The vet told me that after Claire had passed, she let Jackie see her as a form of closure. Jackie sniffed her and looked up at the vet and then laid down next to Claire. I left with just one dog.
The vet told me that Jacqueline would have died if Claire went on for just one more second.
At 2am, I woke up to the sound of Claire jumping on our bed. I don't believe in spirits or anything like that, but I do know that somehow she was there. The vet called this morning and informed me that Claire was suffering from seizures and hypothyroidism and it was a matter of time before she lost it completely and attacked unprovoked. The seizures are caused from inbreeding. She assured me again, that I made the best decision for her. I know I did, but it's just so sad to think that she was only 3 years old and she wasn't happy or living the life she was meant to live. After I hung up, the doorbell rang and their was a bouquet of flowers from the staff at the veterinary hospital saying they were sorry about our loss.
I can't write anymore.
Claire came to us after her former owners split up and moved. She was primarily kept down in a basement without much human contact. She was incredibly intelligent and was doing well with us until recently. We gave her a loving home and never treated her like the way she had always been treated. For the last 2 months, Claire became aggressive. Not only with Maximus, but with Jesse and I and with Jacqueline. I contacted a few animal behavior specialists and they said re-homing her was the only option. Then one day, she snapped at Max and bit Jesse. We kept her out of contact from Max, but she grew more and more aggressive.
Yesterday, Claire was a very different dog. Every morning, I would take her and Jackie outside to play fetch. After a few throws, Claire dropped the ball and attacked Jacqueline. It wasn't a typical fight. Within seconds, she pinned Jackie to the ground and had a hold of her throat. Jackie stopped fighting back and went completely limp. I grabbed the "fetch it" thrower and after a few seconds, tripped Claire and she let go of Jackie and attacked my foot. I screamed and I was certain she killed Jackie because she hadn't gotten up. Claire backed off my foot and stood there, head down, snarling and teeth showing until I picked up Jack and went in the house. Jackie was wheezing, had blood gushing out of her throat and couldn't walk.
Frantically, I called the vet. After talking to her numerous times throughout the morning, I accepted that Claire needed to be put down. I contacted another veterinarian and she said the same thing. She understood because of what happened with her Jack Russell. I called another specialist in the area and she also agreed. She had gone through the same thing. Re-homing Claire wasn't an option anymore. And Claire wasn't Claire anymore. I've never seen that look on a dog before. I was completely devastated.
I can't write much about the actual experience. I went alone. It was emotionally terrifying and the saddest experience of my life. My little canine girl died in my arms. The vet told me that after Claire had passed, she let Jackie see her as a form of closure. Jackie sniffed her and looked up at the vet and then laid down next to Claire. I left with just one dog.
The vet told me that Jacqueline would have died if Claire went on for just one more second.
At 2am, I woke up to the sound of Claire jumping on our bed. I don't believe in spirits or anything like that, but I do know that somehow she was there. The vet called this morning and informed me that Claire was suffering from seizures and hypothyroidism and it was a matter of time before she lost it completely and attacked unprovoked. The seizures are caused from inbreeding. She assured me again, that I made the best decision for her. I know I did, but it's just so sad to think that she was only 3 years old and she wasn't happy or living the life she was meant to live. After I hung up, the doorbell rang and their was a bouquet of flowers from the staff at the veterinary hospital saying they were sorry about our loss.
I can't write anymore.
3 comments:
I am soooo sorry you had to go through that. I truly do understand how you feel. Our dogs are just like our kids and I don't know what I would do without them...regardless if they are a pain in the ass occasionally. But again I'm so sorry. I hope the days get easier for you and just know I'm thinking about ya. :)
This is so horrible!! I can't even imagine almost losing both dogs in one day. I hope you guys can think of the good times you had with her. Love you
I am sorry I haven't been reading blogs lately and just saw this. I am so sorry. We had to put our dog down in November and it was just devastating. I am sorry you had to go through that.
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