Well, I'm not sure how many of you might rip me apart for this one but after reading I'd like to post anyways. Dozer was my pit rescue and Bruiser was our AB rescue. They both came with loving hearts and wonderful personalities. We were stationed in the Army in TX when a little boy was attacked by a pit so we went through a lot of heartache trying to keep our boys on post. My dh left the Army and we moved back in with mom and dad until he transferred to the CG. Our boys loved having room to roam finally and lots of wild turkeys to chase. Let me reitterate that they were both awesome with other dogs, loved people, and loved children. But people can be such as#holes. One night our boys were outside in their pen and dozer found a loose fence tie. He shouldered out of it and Bruiser followed. They started running around greeting the neighbors. One neighbor up the road, who I'll call Mr. Dickhead, was drunk and having a party. He didn't like "pitbulls" running around so he went inside and grabbed his garden shears. Evidently, our dogs started barking at him and he started swinging his shears. I'm sure he must have hit on of them but he says that they attacked him completely unprovoked. I know my boys and they wouldn't have done anything like that. Another guy came running out and hit Bruiser with his bat and Bruiser bit him. Our boys came running up and hid in the garage while Mr. Dickhead (drunk) started calling me names and cursing in front of my little girl. He showed me where they "attacked" him and it didn't even break skin. I figure Bruiser nipped him and took off. Cops were called and charges were threatened because the police were told that we let them roam free and that they were aggressive. I was so mad that I tried to run after the guy and my dad had to hold me back. I ended sitting with our boys in the garage for hours crying knowing what we were going to have to do.
The next day the officers called and we were told that we could put them to sleep and the matter would go away or we could be sued and brought before a judge. It felt like we were being pressured into euthansia especially since the officer knew Mr. Dickhead. We were also leaving for our duty station in two weeks so we felt like we were at a brick wall. We put them to sleep. It was the most horrible thing I have ever done. Most of you I'm sure hate me for even letting them escape in the first place and trust me I have the same self-hatred. I can't even look at pictures without freaking out. A piece of me died in that room that day. I feel so hollow and I sometimes just feel myself saying i'm sorry over and over again to them. I can't get over it. We though Lily would help the grief but I don't think I feel the same about her that I did about my boys. I hate looking back and knowing that we put staying out of court before them. We played God and now I don't think that pain will ever go away. So, I guess no matter what you might think of me for letting this happen please say a special prayer for Dozer and Bruiser. Hopefully they find the peace that I failed to give them in life. RIP my baby boys.
The next day the officers called and we were told that we could put them to sleep and the matter would go away or we could be sued and brought before a judge. It felt like we were being pressured into euthansia especially since the officer knew Mr. Dickhead. We were also leaving for our duty station in two weeks so we felt like we were at a brick wall. We put them to sleep. It was the most horrible thing I have ever done. Most of you I'm sure hate me for even letting them escape in the first place and trust me I have the same self-hatred. I can't even look at pictures without freaking out. A piece of me died in that room that day. I feel so hollow and I sometimes just feel myself saying i'm sorry over and over again to them. I can't get over it. We though Lily would help the grief but I don't think I feel the same about her that I did about my boys. I hate looking back and knowing that we put staying out of court before them. We played God and now I don't think that pain will ever go away. So, I guess no matter what you might think of me for letting this happen please say a special prayer for Dozer and Bruiser. Hopefully they find the peace that I failed to give them in life. RIP my baby boys.
