Hi Everyone: Sophie and I are new to the Forum. Our Sophie is a Yellow Labrador who is just over 9 months old. She's so full of energy, curious, bratty, etc., but very smart. She likes to chase and bark at our black cat that doesn't back down from Sophie at all. Sophie brings the newspaper in every morning and picks up things that people have dropped in the house (of course for a cookie). We had to put our old lab (Amber) down last December as she was fighting spleen cancer for over a year, but in the end it took her precious life. We miss her greatly, but now it's Sophie's turn to be loved just as much and be a part of our family. Karen
Re: Sophie From one Karen to another - welcome to both you and Sopie to the forum! You will find it a friendly, informative and helpful place, I am sure. And we love to see photos... So once you have worked out how to post them, please let us see some!
Re: Sophie She's lovely. Hello from me too. Black Lab here - 3 years old and our first! She's called Lady and is great fun and pretty much joined at the hip wanting to be involved with what's going on.
Re: Sophie One of these golden puppies will be Sophie`s little sister (Maggie). edited to display image
Re: Sophie [quote author=Wrightlabs link=topic=808.msg4860#msg4860 date=1353282175] "http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag53/Dog_lover7/nov14.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"/></a> One of these golden puppies will be Sophie`s little sister (Maggie). [/quote]
Re: Sophie I'm so upset today. Sophie and I have been going to an Off-Leash dog park which she really enjoys playing with the other dogs. She gets so excited when we park the car and she sees the other dogs there. This morning I had gone at a different time. A couple of people were just leaving and it was us and another man with 3 little dogs. Sophie and I walked along a short trail around the park and came back to where we started. Sophie was a little ways ahead of me and from a distance I noticed some else had come to the park with 2 dogs. I couldn't make out the dogs but Sophie went running up to them like she usually does ready to play. By this time I realized they were Pittbulls. One of them started attacking her, myself and the man (with 3 little dogs) tried getting the dog off Sophie. But it was hard for him because he had to watch his dogs at the same time. The owner of the Pittbuls (a woman), couldn't control or even intervene to break her dog free from Sophie. Somehow Sophie managed to get away so her and I ran towards the gate to the parking lot. Once we got to the gate the 2nd Pittbull grabbed her by the neck and pinned her down. Sophie was yelping in pain, I was screaming at the dog, trying to whack it with the leash. It looked up at me while I was swinging the leash towards him. I thought he was going to come after me too. At that moment he let go of Sophie, we ran to my car. After all this, the woman never came to see if Sophie was okay and didn't even apologize. As I was leaving I took down her license plate number and reported it to the Bylaw Officer. She told me that when anyone enters an off-leash dog park, they're entering at their own risk. Sophie has two bite marks, 1 on her right leg above her elbow and the other one on her back hip. There is some bleeding, so I'm watching it carefully to make sure it doesn't get infected. The bylaw officer said that woman will be on record and she'll talk to her. If anymore complaints come in regarding her and the dogs then more drastic measures will be taken, impounding the dogs, etc. I really love dogs, but this is one breed I've never trusted. Owners of Pittbulls say they're loving dogs. I don't believe that for one minute - that killer instinct is bred into them (they're fighting dogs). They could be fine for 1 minute, then all of a sudden they'll turn on you. It doesn't matter if it's an off-leash park, public park, etc., these vicious dogs should be muzzled when out in public. This breed has attacked a guide dog in the past. It was an awful scene, watching my 10 month old lab being attacked like that. I hope after this incident Sophie doesn't have a fear of other dogs now. She's so friendly like all labs and just wants to play with everyone. I'll never go back to that park again.
Re: Sophie Awful, awful and so very frightening for you and Sophie, I can't imagine how you must be feeling and I hope you didn't get hurt. Irresponsible dog owner story yet again, when will it end. Charlie and I are sending lots of love and hugs to Sophie and really hope she will be ok physically and emotionally, poor little girl. Please take care. Love Helen & Charlie xxxxx >>lots of hugs<<
Re: Sophie Hi Karen How awful for you. You must have been so frightened. It doesn't seem right that they imply you've waived your rights by entering the park. I park my car at 'my own risk' but breaking into it is still an offence! Someone shouldn't be allowed to stand and watch while their dog attacks yours, no matter where you are! I'd be inclined to take your poor girl to the vet and get her injuries documented, and to report it to the police. At the very least they should speak to the owner, which might scare her into keeping the dog on a lead. Big hugs to you both.. Sam.
Re: Sophie You poor things! What a horrific experience, for you and your dog. I think Sam's advice is absolutely right. A vet check, even if the wounds are superficial, will be an important record of this dog's behaviour and his owner's incompetence. A record that may be useful in court in the future, when another dog or person is inevitably attacked. Hope you are both feeling better soon. Pippa
Re: Sophie Thanks for all your kind words for Sophie and I. I'm taking her to the vet this afternoon because one of her bites is starting to swell and she keeps licking it. She'll probably need antibiotics. But yes, the vet will document everything once she sees Sophie. I hope Sophie won't be afraid of other dogs now, because of what happened to her. She's so happy and loving like all Labs are. We'll be getting our new Golden Retriever puppy next Saturday December 1st, (7 1/2 weeks old) so hopefully she'll help Sophie recover. Goldens and Labs are such a wonderful breed, happy, playful, loving, etc. All they want to do is please you, love you, be friendly to everyone and this is what can happen when 2 vicious Pittbulls attack, when all your dog wants to do is play. Maybe it happened because there were 2 of them and when 1 started the initial attack, the other one joined in as well. Who knows? If I owned one of these breeds of dogs (never will) and went out in public with them, I would for sure muzzle them to be a responsible dog owner that I am and ease the fear for people that these dogs bring with them. There are so many irresponsible dog owners out there. Even going to the park, many don't pick up after their dogs. If you're not going to be responsible for your dogs actions, you shouldn't own a dog. Thanks again to all that took the time to comment on my post. Karen
