Paula says, "Where are you?" The answer: busy building an ark. Next week I'm off to collect the animals. The rain has stopped momentarily; my satellite connection is working for now. I tried to post yesterday but atmospheric disturbances would not allow for it.
Yesterday was the most exciting day we've ever had at the nursing home. Hoocher got expelled for fighting. He got annoyed with Ruby poking around under his tail so he bit her. Blood everywhere.
Ruby is a feisty little 7-pound Boston Terrier.
Ruby is around the nursing home every once in a while, and we've run into her before with no problems. Her owner warned us that she thinks she can boss around much bigger dogs. Guess she met her match. She had her flat face in Hoocher's behind and started growling. Mr. Hoo wasn't having any of that. He rounded on her and got her at the back of the head.
I dragged him off by his back legs, and Ruby ran over to her owner, who noticed blood starting to trickle through the fur. And then more blood. Ugh. Someone drove Ruby and owner to the vet clinic next door. I threw Hoocher and The Governor into the car and followed.
The vet shaved a little fur off the injury site and cleaned it, but didn't bother with stitches. He said it's called a "punisher wound" and it heals better without sutures. It looked like someone stabbed Ruby in the back of the head with a pencil.
A shot of antibiotics followed with some additional pills for at home. Ruby started tearing around the vet's office as though nothing had happened. Meanwhile, I'm hauling out my wallet and trying not to cry. When the bill only came to $13, I almost felt worse. I must have looked pretty pathetic because Ruby's owner gave me a hug and told me not to get upset.
So Ruby will be fine, but I have decided that Hoocher is banned from the nursing home. I would never worry about him with a person, but we do run into other animals from time to time, and I can't risk it. This morning I have to call the volunteer coordinator and turn in his badge. If they haven't already revoked his visiting priviledges, that is.
And now I'm late for school. The Governor and I are headed out to our Early Childhood class. Nothing like several rounds of "You Are My Sunshine" to raise you out of the dumps. Or make you want to string a noose over a tree branch.
Posted by Cathy at October 5, 2005 10:05 AMAh, Hoocher's in lockdown! Poor guy, he was just defending his territory. :)
Posted by: yayaempress at October 5, 2005 10:36 AMBah, that's what dogs do. Granted establishing dominance usually doesn't involve blood.
It's usually why when getting the dogs together for hunting we usually let them wrestle for awhile to figure out the hierarchy all over again. Once that is settled it's down to business and they are all happier for it. Plus it's interesting to watch dogs move up and down the ladder.
My guess is they just had not worked out the hierarchy. Obviously Hooch felt he belonged on top (and probably does) but Ruby wasn't respecting that.
Remember the advice you always give me?? "Don't mess with the Force, Young Jedi"
Ruby messed with the Force. Next time he'll learn. I'm siding with Hoocher on this one.
I'm gonna start a protest outside your house with "Free Hooch" signs.
Posted by: Kevin at October 5, 2005 04:07 PMI'm with Kevin on this one; Hooch didn't do anything warranting Coventry.
Posted by: aelfheld at October 5, 2005 06:36 PMBailey bit a terrier last year. Terrier had it coming. Drew blood. I felt bad, but the owner thought her dog had it coming too. No medical attention was required, but I still felt bad.
Posted by: Paula at October 6, 2005 09:44 AMFree hooch? Where?
Posted by: Night Writer at October 6, 2005 10:46 AMLMAO, thank you NightWriter. I was hoping someone caught the pun.
Posted by: Kevin at October 9, 2005 10:01 PMOne little bite? We have a daily pecking order discussion amoung the cockers. Blood once in a while, noise all the time. Our neighboors must think we raise pit bulls for fighting. The only thing that is not under discussion is the labrador's place on the doggy totem pole-right at the bottom. I hope he never learns he could squash the cockers in a second,it could get ugly. At least Hoocher didn't grab an old lady by the neck...
Posted by: DaveP at October 10, 2005 02:34 PM