Thanks to everyone for your thoughts, suggestions and overall good will. I really appreciate the advice. Sorry for the delayed response - things have been kind of hectic these days (as noted). We took our dog to the vet after the very first incident attacking the other dog. Our vet did a thorough check-up, including blood screenings for thyroid, liver and kidney issues. The good news is the vet didn't find anything wrong with the dog. The bad news is, the vet didn't find anything wrong with the dog. As perverse as it sounds, we were praying for the vet to find something wrong - like a toothache, so that we could address the issue and move on. Because the vet didn't find anything wrong with her, he suggested that we see the behavioralist. The behavioralist is a animal neuroscience PhD - and has the ability to prescribe pain meds, mood meds, execute training regimens, etc. So if there is something that is causing the dog pain, and we can't figure out what it is, at least we can treat the symptoms and hopefully see a change in her behavior so that we can preserve her quality of life and hopefully keep her with the family.
To be perfectly honest, I can't even imagine leaving her with another family. She's been a part of our family for so long... it just wont be the same without her and I'm sure she will be affected by the dramatic change in her life too. I also can't imagine putting her down - the bad behavior represents less than 5% of her overall behavior these days. 95% of the time, she's the same good dog - she behaves, she's good with the family and she seems to be in good spirits. It's just that when she does act out these days, it's violent, dramatic and unpredictable. And people get hurt.
A lot is riding on this Friday's appointment with the behavioralist. We'll have to wait and see what she recommends. If she tells us that the dog can be rehabilitated with training or meds or both, we'll have to decide whether to find her a new home (with no kids and no other pets) or take on the task ourselves while segregating her from the kids at all times. If she tells us that the dog is too far along and that she could very well attack someone else or another dog, regardless of training or meds, then... we may have to consider other alternatives.
It's a sad choice no matter the outcome. Someone famous said that "when you buy a dog, you're buying a tragedy." There's some truth to that. If I had my choice, of course I would chose for the dog to spend a good 4 or 5 more years with us and have her pass on quietly at home in peace. Unfortunately, I don't think that her story will end that way. How ever it goes, we will do our absolute best to make sure that she's in the best place possible and that we minimize the risk that anyone else gets hurt.
Keep little Ela in your thoughts. I'll give an update after Friday's meeting.
Thanks again.
- J
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