Yesterday we had to take Cody back to the Humane Society. Now before anyone jumps and begins to lecture…he was taken back to the Humane Society to be picked up by a Border Collie rescue group. For the past month, Dan and I have been working on both Cody’s fear and aggression. The Humane Society’s animal behaviorist was a wealth of knowledge on what to do with Cody, etc. However, something horrible must have happened to Cody before he came to live with us. It makes me so sad to even begin to think about what it could be. I’ve mentioned before about how he was acting with Dan. No matter what we did, things just got worse and worse. Cody was baring his teeth at Dan, lunging at him, etc. Basically becoming very protective of me. I finally contacted the Humane Society again the other day because Cody tackled Bella and stood on her to get something out of her hand. It made me very nervous that if he could bare his teeth at Dan and lunge at him, what is going to stop him from turning on one of the kids? But at the same time, I did not want to take Cody back to where we got him if that meant he was going to be put to sleep. He was still a good dog, just a dog that had something absolutely horrible happen to him.
When I found out that he could go to the Border Collie rescue, I knew it was the right thing for him. Cody loves to be outside no matter the weather. It could be pouring down rain and he would be out there happy as a pig in mud. No matter how much I knew it was the right thing for him to go to that rescue, it still broke my heart. Cody was my dog. He was always by my side, very loving and affectionate with me, etc. But it was not what was best for my family. I told Dan that I didn’t know if I could get another dog from a Humane Society again because I would be so afraid of this happening, but I knew I wanted a dog. The short time we had Cody in our house, it was very nice for me. Not to mention, the kids liked having a dog as well. So Dan and I talked about breeds and I told him that I was thinking that someday, we should get a Golden Retriever.
So we take Cody in yesterday. He pulled and pulled on the leash to get back to me which sent me into hysterics. We’re talking full on crying, runny nose, puffy face, etc. While I knew I was doing what was right, it still hurt. The lady told us that because Cody was 5 months old when we got him and because we were working hard to keep him and communicating with their staff this whole time, we could either get a refund or pick a new dog out. I had my reservations about getting another dog there, but Dan and I walked around…mainly so I could calm down before going and picking up the kids.
As we are walking through the facility, we turn the last corner and in front of us is a room with 4 pure Golden Retriever puppies. My heart skipped a beat. I mean, let’s remember, I said that I wanted to get a Golden Retriever. I grabbed a worker and asked if I could see one of the puppies. After looking at several of the Golden’s…we chose one. She is a 9 week old pure Golden Retriever who is just the biggest sweetheart in the world. Instantly it was like a different environment in our house
So right now I am sitting with the cutest little puppy on my lap! Her name is Zoe. I will upload some pictures shortly.
AWE! Glad u got another dog, I’m terribly sorry about Cody though. HUGS
Looks like you made a wise decision for Cody. Glad you found another puppy too.
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It just breaks my heart that someone can treat animals that way. Iknow cody is in a better place and maybe with time and love and attention he can grow out of it. Traust me it canhappen. My scooby was an abused and neglected when we got him. He wouldnt go near my husband. Became very protective around me. and he started to gave seperation anxiety, But we continued to worj with him, only because we did not have a child involved. Now we have the biggest teddy bear you can have. He still is protective of me, still sleeps with me and I cant be behind a closed door, so yes I have to go the potty and take a bath with im watching me, that pervert..lol
I am thrilled that you gave another dog a chance! This is my passion and I love hearing of people who adopt and not go out and buy!!
First, Anonymous is a chicken shit idiot. I’ve got a couple of posts just for him/her over at Mama’s Other Side.
Second, I’m sorry about Cody. We had a similar issue with a 3 year old German Shepherd we got from a rescue. He just didn’t do well with small kids. He’s now in the perfect home for him and we got the perfect dog for us. It happens. At least you didn’t take him out into the woods and shoot him. I know people who would have made that choice. Kinda like someone should maybe do to Anonymous’s computer 🙂
P.S.
Do you think Anonymous is one of those crazy animal hoarders? I’m getting that vibe.
I would have gotten rid of the dog too so don’t feel bad. There comes a point when you have to choose between your family and the dog when they’re aggressive like that.
I had to get rid of a dog once because she’d been beaten and she was terrified of me for no reason. She wasn’t mean to us but she was very jumpy so I worried about my young son and my carpet just couldn’t take the nervous peeing, my house constantly smelled of urine when she lived with us.. it was so gross and I couldn’t have my son crawling around on top of pee near a jumpy dog.
aww, sorry about Cody..hopefully he’ll find another good home soon. But i’m glad to hear you got a new puppy!! Can’t wait to seep pics!
I know that feeling. It’s so hard to get rid of an animal. We had to get rid of our dog 2 months after adopting him….he bit our sonin the face. Thank god no damage done!
that is too bad about Cody but he will probably go to a farmer where he can be content outside. You did what was best. Congrats on the new puppy.
Oh I’m so sorry that things happened the way they did. I know how hard it is b/c we had a similar situation about 5 years ago. We had a Great Dane named Bociphus and he was awesome; everybody loved him. However, one day he bit my (then) 2 1/2 year old and we decided that since he was way bigger than he we had to get rid of him. I made the mistake (not knowing what the consequences would be) of telling the people at the doggy adoption place that he big my daughter and that’s why we had to get rid of him. They told me that since he bit they could not take him and we would have to take him to the Humane Society. I don’t know what ever happened to him, nor do I want to know; it would break my heart to find out something bad. But now we have a Chihuahua for the kids and she’s pretty good with them.
Everything happens for a reason. Maybe Cody was brought into your life to hold you off until you could get Zoe. And now some other family will get Cody and be great with him. Good luck with the new puppy and congrats!
That is so sad that your first experience was not so great. I have been there before with a shelter dog and you did the right thing. I stuck it out for 6 years of hell with a dog that I loved but could not trust with anyone or anything. It is so hard to make that decision.
I am so sorry, but i think you did the right thing. We adopted a pet FROM an abused animal network, going into it knowing she was abused before. Its been VERY VERY hard. We have taught her to be 90% less aggressive, but it took years of work from my DH. She spent 2 years under our bed in our bedroom, and then another 4 years in ONLY our bedroom and now she finally is out of our room and in the rest of the house.
SHe pulls her fur out still after 7 years (nervous habit). Its just a hard road
trisha
momdot
Andrea…it was my first experience with a dog (other than the ones I had growing up). I did have two cats before I was pregnant with my son that I had to get rid of about 6 months after he was born. A year and a half ago we decided to adopt two cats, but they kept peeing all over my house and laundry. Once we made sure there were no medical issues, we found a home for them as well. Peeing all over my house is not something I can deal with.
And you’re right. It was very hard to make that decision about Cody. I kept thinking it would work out but the behaviorist as the humane society was not very optimistic and finally told us about the Border Collie rescue option. That made me feel better than just sending him back to the humane society in hopes that he got adopted.
That must be hard Trisha watching your cat pull her fur out. That makes me so sad that this poor animal had something so horrible happen to her that she has to do that 🙁