I'm feeling so angry/guilty with myself...Other pet owners?

your dog is just a victim of circumstance, don't beat yourself up over it

Prayers for Messi and you and your family as well. I had a Doberman and even though their life expectancy isn't as high as other breeds, I managed to keep him alive for over 13 years. He was a runner. We finally got him neutered when he was 5 or 6 and it did help somewhat. I have three small dogs now and all are fixed but I too worry quite a bit.

he probably had the time of his life

the probably had the time of his life

With all of the homeless animals in the world, please reconsider the idea of breeding your dogs. Many people find the practice disgusting because it displaces dogs who weren't "designer" dogs. They are there to provide you with support and protection - not puppies worth hundreds of dollars. Please show your love for all dogs - not just the breed you own.

UPDATE:
Hello guys/gals:

I'm mobile so if this post makes no sense, please understand

I want to update you on Messi's situation. He was transferred to a surgeon/specialist a couple of hours from our home, so we've been in a hotel. He has surgery on his leg yesterday and is still in recovery with IVs, etc. We were able to visit when he came "to", he immediately recognized us and started wagging his tail...which is an encouraging sign!

The road to recovery when he gets released will be long but well worth it as he is a family member, and we love him so much

When things calm down a bit and we are settled, I intend to respond to all in more depth, but let me just tell you that your supportive posts, shared stories, positive thoughts, prayers and vibes have meant the world to me & my family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

reply to post by watchesfromwall


Thanks for the update, and that is very encouraging news!

reply to post by watchesfromwall


Great news, Good Boy Messi.... I imagine it will be quite challenging to get Messi to rest as long as he will need to heal......lol...I have a feeling he is going to want to run and play as soon as possible !

reply to post by watchesfromwall


I am so glad to hear that Messi is doing well I hope he is home with you and your family soon!

reply to post by watchesfromwall


So sorry your little one got hurt. It is heartbreaking, I know. I hope he is mending.

I do want to say though that it may not have been his hormones that got him in trouble. Many dogs are very energetic and smart; a combination that can be very dangerous. It is not enough to have a fenced yard for a high energy dog, they need to be exercised, played with and generally worn out at least once a day.

When anyone wants to purchase a dog then it is imperative that the prospective owners look at the energy needs of the breed they are considering. If you don't have the time to walk your dog, or at least go out and play fetch in the backyard, look for a couch potato breed instead.

reply to post by watchesfromwall


I am so glad to hear that your dog is through the surgery, and it sounds like he is coming along ok, if he is talk-wagging and recognizes you.
I totally agree with everyone who has said it probably was just his nature, not his hormones. Some dogs are just wanderers, and some of them want nothing more than to be right beside of us all the time. And even when you are doing everything right, you can lose a pet in a heartbeat.
My little Sheba Pom is a 5 lb fluff ball , and all she has done all her life is curl up on a Queenly pillow on the bed, or the couch, and never wanted to wander anywhere. Yet, last week, she was out in the back yard and was taken by a predator, and we have searched, and searched, and not even found a bit of white fur to show what happened to her. It was a warm day, the house door was open, and Sheba and Tootsie, the Queensland Heeler mix, had gone out in the yard, and we heard them barking. We went right out and called, but only Tootsie was there. We searched the nearby woods until dark, and then with flashlights. And out again first thing the next day. Sheba has just vanished, probably from a marauding coyote, or large owl or hawk.
So, sometimes, there is just nothing we can do , even when we have taken the normal precautions. Berating myself that I was not outside with her won't bring Little Sheba back, but I know to watch Chipper and Tootsie even closer than we did before.
You will be in my prayers, and I am hoping for a fast recovery for your little Furry Kid. And you might try a little electric wire along the bottom, and about one encounter may be enough to cure the wandering inclinations.

I'm so glad things are looking up for the whole family!! You obviously love this dog and would do anything for him. Please try not to feel guilty. You are doing your best. As a human, sometimes, that never seems good enough but after seeing over 7000 pages in Petfinder.org of just dogs that are being given a window of chance, after their human's gave them up, I have to say that you are clearly one of the good ones out there that know the dog is a family member and will do what is possible. Hang in there!!

I'm so glad to read that poor Messi got through surgery and is feeling better! What a great sign that he can wag his tail -- he's got some feeling and mobility. I hope he's up and galloping around real soon.

I think that neutering won't hurt him even at his age -- neutered animals tend to live longer, though, as someone pointed out, their behavior may not change much. I began making sure my animals were neutered after I walked into a research lab and found that they'd been getting unwanted cats and dogs from the local pounds and were using them in experiments and in dissection training. One of the cats in a brain research surgery was an animal I'd considered adopting two weeks previously.

In any case, huzzah for the good news!

Originally posted by MountainLaurel
Sending prayers for Messi...hopefully he'll be ok, maybe a limp....but dogs are amazing...and they adapt.

My Ramsey was a fixed male Golden Retriever, he lived to be 16 yrs. old, and that dog escaped every chance he got to go run at the creek across the street, then he would come home all wet and muddy ! Even when he could barely drag around his back legs, that dog wanted to go to the creek!

Don't beat yourself up, I think fixed or not, many dogs like to explore, and they will at every opportunity if that's in thier nature. My sister had a dog that would never leave her side, UNLESS he saw someone playing frizbee...then there was no stopping him!

Messi is an exployer, and hopefully you both learned........please let us know how he is when you can.....

edit on 14-4-2013 by MountainLaurel because: (no reason given)

Sorry for the delayed response (& this applies to all who have participated in this thread), but between Messi's dr. Appts., and mine (almost 6 mos. preg.), as well as flooding in our area -- real life has taken precedence -- ((sigh)).

He is on a remarkable road to recovery-- is in an "e-collar" now because his wounds to his leg are really starting to heal.

I can relate to your comments in that there is a creek just beyond our fenced yard! Also, he won't normally leave my side unless someone else has a ball -- when I don't, and I now have to spell b-a-l-l out until he is out of his cast/bandages

Thanks so much for your anecdotes and support!

Originally posted by cody599
Positive vibes for Messi.

Don't blame yourself though.
I doubt having him neutered would have prevented him from going out for a stroll, my old Sha pei was always getting attacked until I had him neutered, after a few weeks when the musk or whatever it was had worn off he never got in anther fight again. Well apart from with rabbits.

Never bet on the rabbit

Cody

Thanks for the positive vibes...they are definitely working!

There are too many rabbits in our 'hood.

Your comments made me laugh because I immediately thought of that Monty? "Killer/wicked" rabbit movie

Originally posted by SinMaker
Dogs will be dogs. I'm not certain that him not being neutered has anything to do with him escaping. I have a 35 pound female that was spayed, but she just was hell bent on digging and running. I fixed it by putting an electric fence at a low level. Fixed the problem quickly. I no longer have the electric fence.....she learned her lesson and I have a pet that knows her boundaries. Hope your furry loved one gets better.

Great suggestion, thank you. We are thinking about the electric fence option around the other fence for when Messi gets well.

Originally posted by Druid42
reply to post by watchesfromwall

 

Don't beat yourself up too much. Life happens, and you have an opportunity to learn.

Btw, what kinda of doggie? I read, and didn't see the breed.....If husky, that's perfectly normal behavior, and nothing you can do. They are wanderers. Mine would sneak out, and roam, but never go more than two miles away before I'd get a phone call. (Yes, I made a special tag for him to wear on his harness, with his name on one side, and my phone number on the other. That came on handy many times!)

Special thoughts go out to you and yours while your loved one is in the hospital. BEST WISHES for a speedy recovery. Keep us posted.

Both dogs are Chesapeake Bay Retrievers -- quite a love for all things water-- just like me

The tag we have on Messi definitely helped after the fact. I was able to get a call from a distant neighbor while the others were out searching for him.

His recovery is going way better than I ever expected...I do appreciate your warm thoughts

Originally posted by caladonea
reply to post by watchesfromwall

 

It is Sunday morning and I got up about 1/2 hour ago; I just read your thread...and I said a big prayer for Messi.

I really believe that you are a good pet owner; and that you have been doing your best.

Messi is being watched over...

He will heal and be in good health again.

Prayers Are Working... .

God/good love you for taking the time.

reply to post by watchesfromwall


I am so glad! What wonderful news.!!!!

Originally posted by jaguarsky
reply to post by watchesfromwall

 

So sorry your little one got hurt. It is heartbreaking, I know. I hope he is mending.

I do want to say though that it may not have been his hormones that got him in trouble. Many dogs are very energetic and smart; a combination that can be very dangerous. It is not enough to have a fenced yard for a high energy dog, they need to be exercised, played with and generally worn out at least once a day.

When anyone wants to purchase a dog then it is imperative that the prospective owners look at the energy needs of the breed they are considering. If you don't have the time to walk your dog, or at least go out and play fetch in the backyard, look for a couch potato breed instead.

Oh, don't worry about Messi getting enough exercise. His original name was Chester (after his breed), then Chessy, and then evolved into Messi because my husband and sons love footsie (soccer), and Lionel Messi, the pro player, is one of their faves. He is a soccer dog and can literally play any position -- even defensive and goal-keeper.

When he was not doing that, he has 2 human boys, 8 & 5, & a girl pup to wear him out with tennis balls, basketballs, swims, and walks to wear him out , lol

I appreciate your well wishes, and am so happy he is healing...he just has this distinctive mating call/howling recently (before he escaped) which has me curious about his urges. Our spayed female gets a little snippy with him because he tries to "mount" her -- as well as some of the kids, too....(sigh) We are just so happy that he doesn't look like he's going to die or lose a leg, we'll just take it a day at a time...