A few days ago we took Chicago as we usually do to a local dog park. It’s really beautiful and we are impressed with the quality of fencing, how clean it is, and the fresh automatic dog bowls all over the park. Chicago has a ton of energy, so we are always looking for a place for her to run her brains out, so she is tired and not bored being in the motor home or on a leash. This park was perfect! We have always had her at our dog parks in Canada. I have NEVER once had an issue with our dogs being hurt deliberately… nor have I witnessed such an event with the exception of one a few years back. So dog parks are a good thing. They learn to socialize, they make play buddies and you get to meet a lot of wonderful dog owners.
Our experience with dog parks took at serious change here in Temecula.
As we had numerous times, we popped in the jeep and took Chicago out for her morning play time before it got too hot. She was having a blast. Running after Frisbee’s and balls. She has always been a very social dog. Her only boundary is her butt. She will give a little snarl if dog is too aggressive sniffing at her hind end. I mean, she greets dogs as dogs do, and she allows them to say hello in return. But she has a clear line on what she will accept and what she feels is intrusive to her space.
So along comes this pit bull, and not only is he huge, but he is wearing a huge spiked collar. That is a no no. We always inform people at parks that choke chains of any type are a no no, because when dogs play sometimes they get their teeth caught in the links and can chip a tooth. In this case everything happened so fast that I didn’t have time to address the owner about the choke with spikes that her dog was strutting around with.
Mr. Pit Bull comes up and says hello. But it’s not a very nice hello. Chicago tries to swing her back end away from him, but he is 40 lbs heavier and pins her with his leg and rams her in the backside. Naturally Chicago gave him a good growl, and before I knew what had happened I was in the middle of a very vicious dog attack on my little girl. I guess that little growl was an invitation for a rumble in the jungle!
I think I did what any owner would do in a situation like that. I started to beat on the pit bull… but he wasn’t backing down. I guess I finally nailed Chicago because she flattened out in total fear, and just as the Pit was on top of her to lunge at her throat, the owner was able to grab is collar and haul him off.
I was a trembling mess. I put the leash on Chicago and hauled her to the side and checked her out. She was stunned and shaking with with fear. Nothing like this had ever happened to her before, and I sure as heck had never hit her like I did. (I was aiming for the Pit, but when two dogs are tangled in a fight it’s hard to make sure you don’t get your own in the process).
I spoke as gently as I could to her and checked her from top to bottom. She looked OK. Doug was returning to the park by then, so I told him what had happened and we left. The Pit owner never even said sorry, nor did she remove her dog from the park. My adrenaline was too high to think straight. I should have called animal control or something. I just wanted out of there!
To make a long story short, I think it was the following day Doug noticed she had a chip on her lower front fang. So we booked her for a vet appointment. On top of that she was constantly at her tail…growling, barking, yelping and panting after over an hour and a half of being in a frenzy. Then of course we saw a lot more aggression towards Journey. She had not really taken well to her because she was still mourning Santana, and I think she felt the need to protect everything in the unit from this new intruder. We got ride of every blanket, toys and bed she and Santana had shared and bought everything new thinking this would help. It didn’t. She was down right miserable and I was at the point where we kept Journey away from her when they were inside.
So we ended up seeing Dr. Gill from Vail Ranch Veterinary Hospital in Temecula, California. It was not great news. He will sadly be performing a partial tail amputation and extraction of the canine tooth on March 23. It is a very serious amputation which will require two to three months of monitored recovery. It is actually more serious than the loss of a leg due to possible spinal complications if not taken care of properly. Chicago is in severe and constant pain with the damage to her tooth and tailbone. Now we understand the hostility towards Journey. The veterinarian, Dr. Gill from Vail Ranch Veterinary Hospital in Temecula, California, is a specialist. He will be performing the tail amputation and extraction of the canine tooth on March 23, 2018. It is a very serious amputation which will require two to three months of monitored recovery. It can actually be more serious than the loss of a leg due to possible spinal complications if not taken care of properly.
So there ya have it. Poor Happy Tail will not be so happy at the end of the month. Jess offered to take Journey back for a week when she has the surgery so Chicago can get some rest from a high strung puppy. That was very thoughtful!
On top of that, friends from face book wanted to help with the cost of the surgery, so Bonnie McGee Rentz took it upon herself to start a Go Fund Me account to raise money for the medical expenses. We are deeply moved by the out pouring of support and love so many have for us and for our little Chicago.
So thank you from the bottom of our hearts! We will keep you updated following her surgery. This has just not been a good year for Chicago!
