Upsetting Morning!!

Gail · Big Cheese

Upsetting Morning!!

tootsmazza · Enlightened One

Gail...I'm so sorry to hear what's happened, it must have been terrifying for you and the kids. I can't offer any advice I'm afraid, I'll leave that to the GAL experts, but I'll keep my fingers crossed the situation can be sorted out.
Give Neo a hug from me.
Marie

Jennifer · Big Cheese

Poor Neo, where did you get Chess from coz he's not a GAL dog is he?

Did the place you got him from not tell you what he was like with other dogs? Its maybe just a bad combination if he's dominant and with another male dog. Is he neutered?

It must be hard as he'll still be unsettled with coming into a new house (especially if he's never been in one before), and it's obviously upset the balance adding a new dog into the pack. You obviously dont want to see your own dogs upset either in their own house. It must be very stressful for you and the dogs. I hope the kids were not too traumatised by whats happened.

Good luck in sorting it out whatever you decide is best for you and the dogs. Give Neo a big kiss and a hug from millie

Gail · Big Cheese

Hi Jennifer, Thanks for your concern, Chess is the stronger one of the two but i would not describe him as particularly dominant, he is clumsy and likes to barge in on everything, particularly cuddles but not what you would call aggressive. He came from a foster home where he had been living with other dogs although i think they were all female and he is neutered. think the biggest issue has been that he wants to cuddle up with him and Neo is having none of it!!!! In the first few days if he got too close Neo would give a little growl and Chess would back off but lately Chess is reacting to it instead of backing down and Neo definately coming off worst.

i actually feel sick every time i look at Neo and realise just how hurt he is, he can't even manage to get up the stairs now so he must be stiffening up. Dave did say that a younger male might be the best addition to Neo and sally but as Chess has been ok with other dogs i hoped all would be fine and to be honest they got on extremely well when they were first introduced. Probably has a lot to do with Chess begining to test the boundaries but i have seperated them for the moment because Neo couldn't take much more today.

Chess really is an sdorable big lump, very affectionate and loves everyone although very bouncy outside when he sees other dogs so i have not done too much socialising of him yet because i was trying to build up trust and some basic commands with him first because he is so big and powerful, i needed to be sure i was completely in control first.

ps i love your new avatar

-- Edited by Gail at 15:35, 2006-12-27

max · Enlightened One

How very upsetting for you and your family, I hope Neo recovers well after recieving such horrific wounds,poor boy. My worry would be letting them near each other again as you do not want a repeat of what has happened and what if the children were caught in the middle. I would suggest that you give Souixse or Dave a call and a I am sure they would give you some valuable advice in how to solve this problem.

Hope it all works out and things settle down, big hugs to all your dogs and good luck. Nora

Indiana · Guru

Really, really sorry to hear this. Hopefully, you'll get the right advice and things will work out for the best. Send our get well wishes to Neo.

Alexis, Indiana and Tigerlily x

Gail · Big Cheese

Nora that is exactly what is worrying me, the kids being caught in the middle, although obviously i don't want to see any of the dogs hurt either. I am hoping that was a dominance battle and it is now over with but i will keep them apart today and tomorrow until Neo has had a chance to recover a little then i will probably introduce them again with both Muzzled. I think i am just worrying that they are ok again for a little while and this happens again when i am least expecting it.

Thanks everyone for your good wishes for Neo. x

Teresa · Enlightened One

Gail, poor you and poor Neo. what a worrying time this is for you. I can't give you any advice either but am thinking of you and your gang and praying that all works out well in the end xxx

definitely have a word with Siouxsie and Dave for some good advice.

Gail · Big Cheese

Siouxsie, just wanted to say thanks again for all your advice and support. I will be following every suggestion to the letter and will speak to you soon......

You can always rely on GAL and the forum for good advice and a friendly supportive ear

Isla · Enlightened One

Hi Gail.

I've just caught up with this and hope you are getting things sorted. Your poor boy - what a horrible thing to happen. I've been lucky with the two girls. Millie can be a bit of a drama queen but tends not to exert herself too much. Tigger has been stapled after Millie nipped her nastily when they were romping about. I know how horrible it is for something that trivial so can just about imagine how you are feeling.

Give Neo a big hug from us in Dunoon and I hope he's better soon.

Keep us posted on the progress and we'll keep our fingers (and paws) crossed.

Calatria · Master

What a rotten shame, Gail. I'm sure the experts here can help you. Fingers crossed it all gets sorted quickly and nobody else (human or canine) gets hurt.

hugahound · Master

Poor Neo. As Chess is settling in sounds like he is pushing Neo to see where it can get him. Maybe even a clash. I'm sure GAL will help you with this situation.

Cuddles to help Neo recover

Gail · Big Cheese

Hi everyone, just to let you all know that Neo is home from the vet. his injuries have all been stitched and i have to admit to shedding a couple of tears when i picked him up because he looks so miserable with him all the bald patches where he has ben shaved for the treatment

Biggest shock is his tail, the vet has left it shaved and open to the air to dry up the wound and he has repaired what damage he can but he has recommended that Neo has part of his tail amputated. A bit gutted by that but as long as it stops him being in pain then that is all that matters, will pray for a miracle recovery before his check up and hopefully it will heal itself.

He is now cuddled up on a bed next to the radiator looking extremely sorry for himself but laping up the extra hugs and kisses

have passed on all your kind wishes and he says a massive thank you........actually that's a lie, what he actually did was look bored and went back to sleep

Christine Young · GAL Newsletter Editor

Gail - I've just caught up with this thread too. What a shame for Neo and what a shock it must have been for you. I've got everything crossed hoping that things work out for you, Neo and Chess. Hope Neo recovers well - give him a big hug from us!

Christine

max · Enlightened One

Glad to hear that Neo is home and hopefully he will make a full recovery. I am sure that the advice you have received will be invaluble to help with the problem and harmony can be restored in your household, Good Luck and please let us no how things go for you all. Hugs to the puppies.

Nora

Santas Little Helper · Master

Big hugs to Neo - hope you are all recovering from the incident and things have settled down.

Gail · Big Cheese

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts but i'm afraid Chess returned to his foster home yesterday

Had a few more incidents and it was obvious that it was going to take some time to sort them out, but in the meantime the kids were getting really upset. Obviously there are things that i don't want to put on the forum but i think the right decision has been made. Chess is a fab dog who will make some lucky person a fabulous pet but he would probably be suited more to a home with just another female. With him not being a GAL dog i doubt if we will hear how he gets on but will let you all know if i do.

I will really miss him as he was such an affectionate, people dog who just loved cuddles but Neo and Sally have to come first. Neo was my first Grey and will always be my baby and Sally has been so special to me from the first day i met that timid little girl at the GALa who is now a noisy, mischievous adorable little madam who cuddles up to me in bed every night and licks my face to say goodnight

Thanks again to Siouxsie and Dave for all your help and advice, i could not have asked for more even if he had been one of your own. Thanks as well to all on the forum, will let you all know how Neo gets on with his op. x

Amanda · Master

Gail for what it's worth I think you made the right decision. Neo and Sally will be happier and Chess will find the ideal forever home now that the re homing group are aware of the problems you experienced.

Chin up and give your other 2 a big hug.

Ax

p.s The main thing I love about Gal is the fact not once have I been made to feel guilty about Blue not being a "Gal" dog advice has always been given freely and we've been made to feel so welcome at every event we have attended.

Calatria · Master

Gail, you made the decision not to risk further injury to Neo (or your children if they got caught in the crossfire) and I'm sure it was the right decision to make. You're probably right that Chess really needs to be top dog in his new home, so living with Neo just wasn't on.

Hope Neo's doing OK now, at least he won't be stressed out while he's recovering.

Teresa · Enlightened One

Gail. you have, without doubt, made the right decision for EVERYONE. don't beat yourself up about it - what will be, will be. well done for giving chess a chance, at least his problems are now a known thing and can be addresed.

also, don't give up on a third dog - it can work, honestly.

love from teresa and the gang, xx

yvonne · Master

Hi Gail. Its been a very difficult decision for you i'm sure. I do agree with everyone else and say you've definately made the right one. As well as not wanting to upset Sally and Neo you have to put your children first. Apart from the physical injury they could have sustained, you wouldn't have wanted them to start being scared of other greyhounds. I'm sure Chess will find a home thats suitable for him and i hope you get to find out how he's getting on.

max · Enlightened One

As everyone has said before me,you had to decide what was best for your family and dogs and also what was best for Chess.I am sure will get a home that suits him in time.

Bigs hugs to Neo and Sally and I am sure that if you still want a third dog he or she will find you. All the very best for the New Year and tell the kids HI! Nora

C_J · Master

Amanda wrote:

p.s The main thing I love about Gal is the fact not once have I been made to feel guilty about Blue not being a "Gal" dog advice has always been given freely and we've been made to feel so welcome at every event we have attended.

I'll second that Amanda, so true.

Gail, I am really sorry things didn't work out with Chess, I hope your not feeling too down about it all. It obviously was just not meant to be, you made the right decision. I hope Neo is ok, keep us updated.
Jane

Isla · Enlightened One

Gail, for what it's worth, I think you've reached the right decision. A hard decision, maybe, but I'm sure you will all rest easier for it.

I agree that the dogs already living in the house have to come first. That has always been my stipulation when introducing another dog. I made it quite clear, when I took on both Millie and Tigger, that if things weren't working out after a month, that they would be returned to GAL. Thankfully there were no major problems as I'm sure I'd have been heartbroken if either had had to go back. Much like I'm sure you're feeling now. However, Wills and then Milie both came first as do Neo and Sally.

Hope Neo recovers from his operation and injuries soon. I'm sure it will be all the quicker for not having stress at home.