Horrible scene, just need to vent

[Newer than I d like to be]

Just devasting! Many condolences. If you want to read further in this memo I'll relate a shocking story from log ago that clinched my resolve to make a painful decision about whats best for a maimed animal regardless of my emotions. It's tough reading, you may just want to pass its a make you cringe thing. In a memoir a daughter wrote that her mother was cooking on a woodstove and purposefully brought a solid burner (best I recall being past the half century marker) to red hot. Suddenly their pet canary whooshed by, landing on the burner. As it shrieked the mother instantly turned the burner plate dropping the bird into the flaming coals. The mother looked at her daughter saying something akin to "never let something suffer for your own purposes. Her own purpose presumably was to nurse the pet and keep it living tho without functioning legs. You did your very best at that moment. In the adreneline rush of the moment you missed your mark by just the tiniest margin. A bit of a miss, while excruciating and the very last thing any of us would want, you were acting out of a love that your pet felt and relished every single day. I feel for you.

 

[Wendy'sChicksRock]

Im so sorry..

how is your DD? That had to be tough, geeze Im wishing I had words to make ya feel better..

 

[weesy68]

She's crying in the next room right now. We are seriously considering getting rid of the dog, I don't want her to ever see something like this again. She misses the chicken, it was our oldest and friendlist, but she's also fighting the idea of losing her puppy. After seeing the chicken's horrible bloody neck all I could think was that could have been my kid's hand. This dog could grow to be sixty or so pounds, and I'm not sure I'm willing to take the chance. He's only been with us for two weeks, and I know if we re-home him that now is the time to do it, while he's still very adoptable. I know we can train him, but my mother's instinct is telling me to protect my kids first. I feel awful for her that she witnessed her chicken in such horrible shape, it's a tough age and I don't want her becoming scared of dogs. I'm torn. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[dawg53]

It's a tough decision you're going to have to make. Once a dog gets that first taste of chicken and the thrill of the chase...all bets are off that the other chickens will be safe. It always seems it's the friendliest or favorite hen that gets the short end of the stick too. I sorry for your loss and I wish you the best.

 

[maizey]

good for you for having the guts to do what was necessary, that wasn't easy. My hat is off to you. Don't make any decisions about the dog while youre still emotional. Its hard on kids loosing puppies... my 13 year old still talks about one we had to rehome almost 5 years ago. Talk things over with the fam when you all recover your nerves.

 

[serendipityfarm]

Just my 2 cents, and by all means, take it or leave it with no hard feelings.
The dog was doing what was natural. Probably didn't intend to hurt the chicken but more to play with it. Unfortunately size mismatch and the tendency of chickens towards frailty do not lend themselves toward favoring the chicken.
The dog is young, and probably has many, many things to learn. My dog is over 60 pounds and has learned the phrase "No chicky". Any time she seems overly interested in them, all she needs now is a reminder.
I would advise teaching the puppy the "Leave It" command, and not to allow free access to the chickens for a very long time! A good trainer may be able to help you with your specific dog's personality as far as what the best approach would be.
Whatever you choose to do, best of luck to you and your daughter.