When we last convened, Farmer H had settled our new rescue dog Lucky in the side yard, over by Shackytown Boulevard. Lucky had slipped his collar three times, and Farmer H got a too-small harness to contain him.
Wednesday afternoon, Farmer H had exchanged the harness for a larger size to fit Lucky. He was outside putting it on, as I readied myself for town. When I got out of the shower and dressed, Farmer H was back in the house.
"I don't know what we're gonna do! Them dogs went crazy! I had Lucky by the collar, with my left hand, trying to put the harness on him. Jack jumped in, and started nipping at Lucky. Bit him on the balls and the pecker! Lucky went after Jack. He had him on the ground, underneath him. I couldn't pull Lucky off. Lucky was on top of Jack, with his mouth around Jack's head. I kicked Jack out of the way--I mean, I scooted him with my foot, and he still kept coming back! Lucky pulled me off my feet, and I was on the ground in the middle of it. Lucky bit me!"
Farmer H held up his arm, which was dripping a little blood from a long mark on the inside of his left bicep. No puncture holes. One gouge, about three inches long.
"Wait. I don't think Lucky could have bit you on the arm you were holding him with. That must have been Jack."
"Maybe. It happened so fast, I couldn't tell. It might not be a bite. It might be from claws."
"Yeah, Jack has those digging claws. And Lucky has feet just like that. But again, if you were holding him with that arm, it was probably Jack."
"Jack started the whole thing, running in and biting Lucky."
"I believe that. Jack can be a little sh!t. Is he okay?"
"Jack got bit on the eye. I hope it's all right. He run off yelping. I don't know what we're gonna do. They're gonna kill each other!"
"If Lucky wanted to kill Jack, he would have done it. You couldn't have stopped it. But he didn't. He taught him a lesson. Once he gets his operation, that will help."
We got Farmer H's bleeding stopped. Put on some antibiotic ointment and a big bandaid. Farmer H said he was okay. But he looked shaky from the adrenaline rush. I said I'd stay home, but he said he was going over to the BARn to do some work.
I don't blame Lucky for the fracas. He was restrained by Farmer H, held captive with Jack biting him. That's not a fair fight. They had been fine together the day before, wagging tails and sniffing, just a few warning growls, then more wagging.
Usually, we introduce new pets by sitting on the side porch with them, the new one in a carrier, giving both treats, and reprimanding any signs of aggression. Then more petting and treats over the following days, so both are getting attention from one of us. I told Farmer H that next time he's working with Lucky, he needs to first toss Jack into SilverRedO, so he can't cause trouble. I'm pretty sure it's just Jack's jealousy, and trying to protect his territory.
More on this saga tomorrow.
4 comments:
You might be right about Jack's jealousy, but he seemed fine the first day. I'd say keep a close eye on both until Lucky has had his operation.
River,
Yes, it will be a long wait. At first the vet said Dec 2, but when Farmer H went by there to see if he could get it sooner, she said Nov 24.
Oh no! Sounds like my daughter's dogs! Bowie will attack unprovoked and we can't figure out why. He is the youngest of her bunch and she has had all of them since puppyhood. When you get an older pup, you never know what their former life was like. Like my Cujo, who hated men in ball caps. We did know that he was in a puppy mill and had some scars on his sweet little head. Eddie is not all that fond of Drew and Drew will try to pull him over to his side of the bed. Eddie will growl a warning and look at me pleading with his eyes. I have told my husband there will be no sympathy if Eddie decides to bite him, he was warned!
Kathy,
Jack is a little sh!t. He will start by poking with his nose. He used to do that to the cats. Aggressively trying to move them. Then he would nip with his front teeth. We could stop it there, by yelling NO! JACK!
With Copper Jack, he would stand and growl and bark. A little snarling. Then jump up and try to bite his lip. Copper Jack was neutered, and good-natured, and fought back by wheeling and running and play-biting. They never drew blood, and would get tired of it once I had T-Hoe in the garage
I imagine Lucky did not intend to have "his balls and pecker" bitten by Jack while he was held by the collar, so took matters into his own mouth! That was the only actual fight they had.
It's true that when you take in an older dog, you inherit its problems. Scarlett had spent a year living in a crate 12 or more hours a day, so her immediate thought when "free" was to take off running.
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