Pip on Apache Mesa, photo by Camila Motta
A few days ago, my dog Pip was attacked as he lay sleeping on my patio here in the mountains, bitten savagely in three places, most dangerously in his stomach; this much bigger yellow Lab mix rolled him in the dirt to get at him. Half-asleep, and never a fighter, Pip could hardly defend himself. Alerted by the snarling, I rushed out and the monster ran off.
Pip spent a day bring operated on and stitched up at our local vet. The bill was almost two thousand dollars. He’s wearing one of those horrible plastic cones and, seeming much changed, refuses to go in the car with me. For years, I’ve taken him in my car to my studio at the start of my work day.
An email alert to all my neighbors, about twenty, informed them of this disaster, and after much digging, I found the name of the owner of the dog and called her. She was very apologetic and offered to pay the vet bill, which I didn’t want.
“I only want to know this dog is contained.”
She promised that it is in her fenced yard and is only walked on a leash and muzzled, but I remain apprehensive, especially since the monster got out yesterday and caused another commotion with people and dogs, although thank God not me and Pip.
Now we move in to what we humans do when we are asked to take responsibility. A neighbor who offered to send an email around describing the attack backed off after another neighbor, the landlord of this dog owner, expressed doubts; of course he doesn’t want his tenant disturbed. The about face was rapid but not surprising. When rent money is involved, no one will fess up.
I called Animal Services and the sergeant explained that he can do nothing unless there is a second attack and then any restriction means going to court to make the case. Pip won’t survive a second attack.
A neighborhood meeting will probably produce only excuses. Doubtless this owner loves her dog. But is there more involved?
My studio is in the mountains, a semi-rural location where many owners feel they can let their dogs wander. In the case of a dog like Pip, it works, because he loves all people and dogs. But in the case of this monster?
I don’t know this owner, but she is a woman, and it occurs to me that she may keep this dog out of fear. Here in the Southwest, many people keep guard dogs out of an inchoate fear.
Of what?
Of whom?
Of the skinny man I saw this morning, digging a half-eaten sandwich out of a trash barrel and devouring it?
Or of old age, illness and death?
One of the issues we feminists have worked on for years is the issue of fear, often a major factor in women’s behavior and decisions. Of course some fear is reasonable, but a great deal of it, I believe, grows out of a belief in our own fragility—not based on any accurate reckoning but in the centuries-old assumption, as one of my friends recently stated, that we are “the weaker sex”—a phrase I haven’t heard in decades and hope never to hear again. I reminded her that it’s an assumption that undermines our vitality, our passion, our important place even in this unjust and destructive world.
When we face actual danger, like the women partisans who vigorously opposed the conquering fascists in northern Italy in 1945, we are tigers. When we imagine or exaggerate dangers at home, we are pussies. A shameful fact, and one we must all do our best to oppose.
Meanwhile Pip is wounded and afraid. I’m angry and afraid. The only solution seems to be to sell my studio and leave.
This yellow dog is going to rule the situation for many years.
That yellow dog will attack again. It needs to be put down before its next victim dies. I am a retired wildlife biologist and Animal Control Officer. Based on my many years of experience and having dealt with animals of this calibre I am 100% certain it will happen again.
I am so sorry for Pip and for you and its other victims. Some dogs, like some people, have an overwhelming need to dominate and crush. The yellow dog will not change.
Your blog today got me interested in the origin of the term “yellow dog,” so I went online and found, from the Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson:
“The term _yellow dog_ has been used in expressions of contempt since at least 1833, when it is first so recorded..”
(Past research has brought into my mind some doubt as to the height of Mr. Hendrickson’s standing as an etymologist.)
I think the owner of the dog should have paid the vet bill. I think more care would be paid to the dog’s behavior in the future. Actions with no consequences doesn’t work for anyone.
This is heartbreaking. Your ability, and willingness, to examine all sides of the issue, demonstrates what is lacking in most of our interactions these days. Even when you require the least of the “responsible” party, no one wants to assume responsibility. It literally leaves me stunned and shaking. I can imagine your feelings, but you still present the issue with equanimity. Sending what comfort can be sent in my thoughts.
Yes, I agree with these comments. The dog should be put down. What a nightmare.
Dear Sallie,
I am so very sorry for your sweet Pip and you! Yes, I totally agree with previous comments about the ‘Yellow dog’. An animal that has attacked for no reason is always going to repeat that action over and over again. You and Pip as you said will never be in the vicinity of that dog again, but God forbid some small child or another innocent beloved pet might be. Animal Control is going to receive another call soon I am sure. So sad when animal owners do not pay attention to these violent actions. They are the ones responsible — and yes, I tend to agree with the previous comment that the dog’s owner should have repaid you for the vet bill.
I hope that you and Pip recover soon.
I’m so sorry you have been confronted by an unreasonable person. I agree that the pet owner should pay the vet. bill. And I think people are right when they say that the dog will attack again. Your wondering if the owner has the dog as protection made me wonder if perhaps you and others of those with whom you have spoken, who see that the dog must be contained absolutely, might not sit down with the owner and talk with her in conversation, raising the issue of her need to feel safe where she lives??? Faced with a group and a group who comes in a friendly way, might she not be made to understand and change her way of dealing with her dog??? Or perhaps the town meeting might be held in a friendly setting, such as the local pub or bookstore, etc.???
At any rate, what happened to your loved pet-friend is terrible for both of you. I am so sorry to hear it. And sorry that you are left to deal with such an emotionally touchy situation. Not what we need at any age, but certainly not in our later years.
Hold your good friends close and best wishes to you.
I’m so sorry you have been confronted by an unreasonable person. I agree that the pet owner should pay the vet. bill. And I think people are right when they say that the dog will attack again. Your wondering if the owner has the dog as protection made me wonder if perhaps you and others of those with whom you have spoken, who see that the dog must be contained absolutely, might not sit down with the owner and talk with her in conversation, raising the issue of her need to feel safe where she lives??? Faced with a group and a group who comes in a friendly way, might she not be made to understand and change her way of dealing with her dog??? Or perhaps the town meeting might be held in a friendly setting, such as the local pub or bookstore, etc.???
At any rate, what happened to your loved pet-friend is terrible for both of you. I am so sorry to hear it. And sorry that you are left to deal with such an emotionally touchy situation. Not what we need at any age, but certainly not in our later years.
Hold your good friends close and best wishes to you.
No, you SHOULD not have to leave your place. Although I surely see why you think of that.
I walk my blue heeler mix in the Saint Louis Cemetery in Louisville’s Lower Highlands. Yesterday he chased a coyote who lives within the stone walled graveyard. And the coyote chased him back! There was back and forth with waiting. I was fearful, but then it occurred to me that the coyote, while wild, was lonely. Because we walk the same route regularly, their scents were familiar.
I hope that Pip has recovered physically and emotionally. And you, as well.☯️🌎🕊❤