>Total Drama Island
>I thought I was in pretty good shape- I’ve been doing an hour of elliptical three or four times a week and I do a good deal of active stuff with the kids.
So when I started my first day of Shred this past week, I was not prepared for the consequences.
Afterward, I could hardly get down the stairs. And for the next two days, I walked like an 80-year-old with arthritis.
Yesterday was one of those days. It also was the day of Punky’s zoo class and we get free admission to the zoo afterward, so I couldn’t back out of that opportunity. I hobbled with the kids through the zoo for nearly four hours, and worst of all, every hour or so, my right knee would spontaneously give out. What the hell?! Can you imagine the embarrassment?
Today, I’m finally feeling a little better, but I am so, so scared of the Shred. I’m going to the Y today and will try to shred again tomorrow, but I’m not going to be quite so gung ho the next time. Yikes.
In other news, this week was all about DRAMA over here, and it was the same on a smaller scale at my Parents.com blog, all because I dared to find another home for our dog, WHICH HAS BITTEN THREE PEOPLE INCLUDING A CHILD. Oh, the admonitions. How DARE I FIND ANOTHER HOME FOR MY BITING DOG?! What is WRONG with me?!
Sorry, people, but humans come before animals around here. I’m not going to subject my neighborhood (not to mention my two small children) to a dog that bites, repeatedly, and I think we did what was best for everyone. Incidentally, he has bitten his new owner (who is trying to train him not to bite) three times now.
And I found it odd that while I offered to give my critics the contact information where they could reach Dipper’s new owner and potentially adopt him themselves, they weren’t interested! Strange…
>Obviously the people who were so critical of you for getting rid of Dipper have never had a beagle mix. There IS such a thing as the wrong dog. At least, there’s such a thing as the wrong match for a particular person or family. Beagles are stubborn little devils, I have a beagle Jack Russell terrier mix, and she is the devil incarnate. It’s hard as hell to be the alpha with a dog like that. I think you have to have incredible patience and knowledge of dog training to have a beagle mix, I went into it rather blindly. I don’t judge you for doing what you did, I will probably have to do the same with my beagle mix someday too.
>Oh for Pete’s sake. (Who is Pete, anyway?). If my dogs bit ANYONE, would I be comfortable having them around my kids? Hell no! What the heck is so hard to understand about that? I think it’s admirable that you did everything you could to prevent having to take him to a pound, where he most likely would have been put down. And as for the parents with the cars? Argh. I think someone should snatch their purse and see how they like it when the exchange between the culprit and the cops goes like this:”Give it back!” “No!””Ok, then tell her you’re only going to charge a few things.”Pansies.
>Obviously your a better person than I am because the dog would have been put down the first time he bit someone. I agree humans come before dogs. No question about it.
>Those people should look into the laws on biting dogs where they live before they criticize. In NYC (where I live), if a dog gets reported as biting someone even once, then that dog gets put down. You don’t even get the chance to find a new home. Your dog bit three people, including a child. I’d say you did the right thing. You were incredibly lucky that the people Dipper had bitten so far were so understanding.
>I have to tell you that NOTHING I’ve read about The Shred makes me want to try it.No. Thing.GAH.
>Honestly, I was a critic and I haven’t been back to the article so I am not sure where you offered the info for adopting Dipper but do forgive me if I can’t drive to TN (isn’t that where you live?) to adopt him. My husband and I volunteer our time at our local non kill animal shelter where we foster dogs who have had “troubled pasts.” I believe that animals are a lifelong responsibility (lifelong being the animal’s life) and that they bite/snap for a reason. Proper training, exercise and attention can all help rehabilitate a biting dog. I honestly love your blog but now feel like I can’t leave an opinion unless it is to agree with you. I feel as if I have been “called out.” Even though this wasn’t directed at me in particular, it was directed at those of us who didn’t agree with your article. People are going to have varying opinions and it feels like you are calling for people to back you up and gang up on the opposing team because of those varying opinions. A lot of people are just as passionate about animal rights as they are about human rights. And one other thing I wanted to point out from your previous article. You claim that dogs WILL and DO get out from time to time. And it is just to be expected. This is just not true. Yes, some dogs get out but that is the owner’s fault. Plain and simple. If the dog can’t be trusted in the backyard alone, then the dog is supervised. It is the responsibility of the owner to make sure the dog does not get out to roam the neighborhood. Especially if the dog has an attitude. Dogs should be watched like children as it only takes one occurrence for them to be run over by a car or picked up by a stranger.I am not trying to be bitchy at all. Just explaining my thoughts on the matter. I am very happy that Dipper went to a rescue, hopefully they can work with him and give him a second chance at a happy life.
>OK…now that I have been back to the article, I see that I WAS called out. Nice. Like I said…I live in KS, you live in TN. If he were here, I would take you up on the offer. I returned to the article once and saw no more comments. Sorry for not going back a 3rd time to look for your comment to me. If you don’t like varying opinions then maybe you should turn your comments off.
>Christian Kay, your original comment at Parents.com was rude. Plain and simple. Own it. And move on.
>Hey People… can’t we all just get along?? And so that it’s said, I’m an animal lover; you’ll probably figure out where I stand on the whole Dipper topic. But, more importantly right now, I can’t move… from doing the SHRED! Girlfriend, don’t back away! You can do it, and I’m going to do it too. I really think that we can all encourage each other through it, and be stronger ‘shredded’ women for it. 🙂 You GO girl!Laura
>I had to find a new home for our dog a couple years ago when she bit my son unprovoked ON HIS FACE. I didn’t want there to be a second time. And I also felt like that was our only choice as parents, no matter how hard it was. I’m sorry you had to give your dog up. It’s definitely not easy.Steph
>PS If it helps the dog lovers any, we gave her to a rescue for her breed and she was living the high life with a new family (with no kids) right away. We still hear updates from them. And I know we did the right thing.Steph
>Hang in there! I am a lot older than you and WAY out of shape and I have finally advanced to level 2!! (Don’t ask…it is enough to send me to bed afterward – so much harder!!) I, too, felt so sore and awkward after the first day but I pushed on to do it every day until I got sick and couldn’t. (I tried to get back on track though) I also do not do it on the days I do all my yard work. It would kill me. I have already noticed a loss of inches, not pounds, but I would rather weigh more and look leaner anyway.Just push on! I am cheering for all my fellow shredders.Oh, the folks who gripe about you having two small kids and getting rid of a biting dog….just tell THEM, “Bite ME!”
>If I have been rude to anyone, I apologize. I certainly don’t mean to be, but obviously, this is a sensitive subject. Christian Kay made a very snarky comment originally and it irked me, but CK, I should have cut you some slack because you have been very nice in the past.I think there’s a difference between defending myself against criticism and being rude, though, and I think 90% of what I’ve done here is defend my decision. Which I still can’t even BELIEVE I’m defending.Honestly, and I say this with no snark whatsoever, it concerns me that there are people out there who are defending keeping a dog around who has bitten multiple people, even though they have small children in the house. That sort of freaks me out. I am first and foremost my children’s protector. We managed to find Dipper a great place to go and hopefully he’ll move on from there to an owner that can handle him.And Christian Kay, how many people can supervise a dog 100% of the time? We made it as difficult as possible for Dipper to escape- but then the babysitter accidentally let him out. Human error is going to happen. Nearly every dog on my street has gotten out at least once and everyone on my street is a great pet owner.
>I just went and read the comments on the parents article and I had a little flashback when I saw your friend talking about her stomach bite.I was bitten on the, um, butt when I was jogging in a very popular place to jog! Some idiot couple had about 5 dogs with them and only 2 were on leashes. Why they would bring a dog (or a pack of dogs) to go for a walk where tons of people jog is beyond me. Of course when their Dalmatian started following me, there they were 40 feet behind saying, “No, Daisy! No!” and it didn’t help a bit! I was so angry at the entire situation. I would like to go on the record as anti-biting dogs, and I believe that any breed of dog can have aggressive traits, you just never know!We had a spaniel when I was a kid who was totally stupid, and that is supposed to be a smart breed. But eating our vinyl siding and screen door isn’t smart. There are always exceptions to every rule, no?As someone who has worked overseas, Americans do go overboard with the pampering of pets and treating them as one of the family. But at the end of the day, they are still animals!I love animals but I would never put the needs of an animal above my family members, especially my kids! *sigh*
>Such a hard thing to go through, but I think you made the right experience. And all of the “no wrong dog” opinions just aren’t right. Some dogs are whacked, they just are. And some breeds are not right with different household styles, ages and rhythms. (My only dog advice: when you are ready, if you can handle the walking every day part and want a dog that acts like a puppy, Golden Retrievers are usually very good with kids and are easy to train, so are Labs. If you want a smaller dog who acts like a nice old lady, Pug.Pay for a privately well bred full breed, and donate the same amount as it cost to a rescue org to assuage your guilt about not rescuing a dog.)
>I like how people think they’re an authority on animals once they’ve adopted a shelter dog or two. I’ve been rescuing for 8 years, active in a few different breed specific rescues on multiple levels. I’m one of those people that believe having outside pets is wrong, I feed my dogs raw diets, I hate it when people say ‘a dog is just a dog’ and the whole crazy brigade – I’m pretty bad. But you did the RIGHT thing Lindsay. He was human aggressive. He was dangerous to Bruiser and other children. Yes, behavioral modification training MIGHT have worked that out of him, but I’m not like everyone else, assuming that you didn’t do anything to help the situation before this step. He needed another home, better suited to his temperament. He’ll be happier, and the children in your area will be safe. It’s as simple as that. People can’t be satisfied, and I really think they should STFU.
>Actually I am the one who wrote the comment about there being no wrong dog…and I wasn’t aware my comment on the article was even one being called out by the writer?I was glad for the article…I have an appointment to get my girl spayed next week! I just was trying to offer some advice as to what could have been done differently with Dipper and perhaps with a future dog. Dogs ARE pack animals and dogs DO want an alpha or they are going to try to be the alpha. In a home environment the owner IS the alpha…or at least a responsible owner is. You and your family are it’s pack. I am still trying achieve alpha status with my shepherd…no, it’s not easy, but we will get there slowly and respectfully. I have had dogs (most unwanted and given to me) that I have had to place with other people. It happens. I took the dog unwanted and realized I was not the right owner. We have farm animals and some dogs just don’t do good with farm animals. The dog wasn’t wrong…I was the wrong owner… Dipper wasn’t wrong either, he just had the wrong owner. And no, that is not a jab or snark. Hell, it’s not even a bad thing. His owner at least cared and he wasn’t just dropped off at a shelter without knowing his fate or even worse…dumped beside the highway. There is a website called yourpurebredpuppy.com that gives some great advice about various breds which may help someone decide the type of puppy that MAY (it’s never set in stone that a dog will act a particular way) be compatible with them. It nailed my dog dead on in many of her traits.
>This is a message from Dipper’s new owner:”Please let your critics know that THE DIPPER is doing well, we are bonding. He “nips” doesn’t bite, and mostly because he is scared and in pain. He is an older dog and has a sore back and sensitive ears which are both HIGHLY common in beagles. He is getting better with meds and we have had several love sessions. He LOVES his new girlfriend Donna (the pit bull). You should see them together. Your critics need to know that some dogs personalities change when they get older…just like humans he best to be in a home with an owner that can handle his mood swings and not fear them. You did the right thing.”
>buying the shread today. Monday is the DAY. I’ll be happy to bitch on Facebook and Twitter with you 🙂 Lindsey you did the right thing for your family with the dog. I hate the term lifelong commitment” and “forever home” because it gets over used on pets that are not a good fit. People change, animals change- or even some animals are nuts to begin with, just like some people are nuts. It is unfathomable that people would keep a biting dog or crazy cat that hurts their family just because of a susposed “lifelong commitment”Are those the same people that allow abusers to get to their kids, because they made a “commitment” to them? I know it’s an extreme analogy, but biting IS abuse, and you don’t have to take it. Dipper will be jsut fine.
>It should be noted too that I did not go out and choose Dipper for my family. I agreed to take him in because his owner was moving and otherwise, he would have gone to the pound.When we get our next dog, we are planning to get a shelter dog. We are planning to take months if necessary to choose just the right one for our family. We are planning to let the dog live inside our house. And we are waiting until the little ones are old enough to handle the dog properly.
>With so many sweet, non-aggressive dogs needing homes, I don’t see the point in spending time, money, and effort rehabilitating dogs who have already proven to be dangerous. If every biter was put down, there would still be too many dogs and not enough homes. I think you should get another dog, one that you can thoughtfully choose yourself to fit in with your entire family. You may want to wait until the kids are a little older, because training and exercising a dog is a huge commitment. Read a lot of books about dogs, watch some training shows, and make sure you are ready – but you could provide a great home for a dog. And there are lots of lovely dogs out there who could use that home.
>When I had my 2 daughters, less than 2 years apart, my 2 dogs (who were used to being treated like royalty) were miserable (they were still treated well, but more like dogs, and no where near as much attention).As my children became mobile toddlers, the dogs were miserable. Both dogs started nipping at the girls every time they went near them. We kept the dogs and girls separate for around a year, but no one was happy. I am sure we could have tried some sort of behavior modification, but 2 kids, 2 dogs, 2 parents with 2 jobs. It just wasn’t working for anyone.Fortunately, I have a dear friend who loves animals. After taking the dogs for a couple of weeks while our home was on the market, she approached me about keeping them. We had frequently discussed my frustrations with the situation, and various solutions tried and failed. It was hard, but I knew it was best for the dogs. They have lived with my friend for years now, and are very old, and very happy (back to royalty). Our family has since added 2 (yes 2) dogs, one for the girls when they were older and able to understand the needs of an animal, and one just a few months ago, for my husband, who has wanted a dog of his own for al long time. I think the fact that you tried numerous times to deal with this issue, and you did everything you felt you could. It isn’t up to me or anyone else to judge you for that, especially because you didn’t have the dog destroyed. You made the best decision for your family. I remember thinking that dogs don’t always get out when I read your story the first time, but then I remembered that each of my dogs (except one) has gotten out at some point, no matter how careful we have tried to be. Seriously, who are the other commenters who are perfect all the time? Can they give me a hand with being more perfect and always making the right decision. I have been very frustrated with how judgmental commenters on blogs (not just yours) seem lately. I don’t think every comment needs to be glowing, or has to agree with the post, but all the “I am so disappointed with you” comments are really a bit too much for me. There is a solution to that, don’t read anymore. Why leave a comment thats sole purpose is to be hurtful?Sorry for being all over the place here, but I have had this on my mind lately. I enjoy visiting your blog, and many others, but it seems like commenters are going out of their way to be deliberately unpleasant.
>Just wanted to say: I was thinking of buying the Shred…but I punked out and bought the Ab Rocket instead, LOL.And to CK: Would you have rathered Dipper be put down when he bit someone who wasn’t as understanding as the previous people? This dog wasn’t suited for Lindsay’s family, but they did try. It simply wasn’t working. At least the results weren’t worse.
>Lindsay, I can’t believe all the drama this has created. (And I love Total Drama Island, btw. So funny!) Good for you for trying so hard and for so long with Dipper, and good for you for realising when it was time for him to go.The Shred scares me. The NAME scares me. Let us know if it gets any easier! 🙂
>I have to say the drama at Parents.com bugged me, too. You did the responsible thing, especially as it seems Dipper’s issues are age-related, and only likely to get worse.On the discipline thing – oh man, I would’ve had a hard time keeping my mouth shut. We are the keepers of the sand toys, and so my daughter is constantly sharing, as she should. But there are some special toys (yesterday it was her soccer ball) that she doesn’t. Because that’s fair. Bring your own toys if you think it’s not. SO there.So yeah, Lindsay, you go, girl.
>Ummmm, no, I didn’t say I was going to spay my dog so “they didn’t end up in a home like hers”. I said I was going to spay my dog because I can’t stand the idea of being responsible for massive dogs that people will buy because they have grand visions of a fierce, loyal, beast without a clue as to how to get that. There are 3…3!!!!…full blood german shepherds sitting in my local shelter right now. Yeah, I could fetch at least $800+ a piece for her puppies. OMG…GS puppies are freaking adorable so it wouldn’t be hard. I can’t do it though. Won’t do it. Those cute puppies turn into very big dogs that can inflict major damage in one bite. Those cute puppies can’t handle sitting in a cage or in a house all day without interaction and rigorous training and will destroy and eat your stuff when they get bored. Which is why my dog already had 2 owners by the time she came to me at 6 months old already weighing 54 pounds.My other dog is a shelter dog…a rat terrier/chihuahua mix. She will be 4 this summer and I got her from the shelter as this timid little thing that was cowered in the back of the cage at the pound 4 years ago. Some people had adopted her previously and brought her back within a week. Why? Because she wouldn’t house train. They expected a 8 week old puppy to house train in a week! Here I am 4 years later still having to clean up occasional accidents…but her loyalty to my family makes it ok. People are nuts with their expectations with animals! People expect instant gratification with everything. If that is what you want then buy a freaking iPod and get an app of a virtual dog. It will save you possibly $1,000’s. Oh…and I didn’t shred this week. But I did take my kids (2 legged and 4 legged) on about 5 miles worth of hiking and about 4 hours worth of romping in the river. I also took them to the flea market for some social interaction (I do this every Sat.). Not to mention daily fetch sessions in the yard with a frisbee. And with all that I have had to stop typing 3 times…once to take away a pencil being shredded, once to tame down a crazy game of tag between the 4 legged kids, and once to put a screen back in the window because the horses decided to come down and the shepherd wanted to go see them. You have written about your peeve of people not correcting their kids. The same can be said about those that don’t correct their 4 legged kids. The main reason I have to do the social thing with my dogs is because there are a lot of stupid pet owners out there that don’t. They go to a public place and unleash their dogs without an effing clue as to how that dog will interact with other people and dogs. Not only is it stupid, but it’s dangerous. I am the alpha in my house and I am not afraid to step between my dogs and a charging dog. Not at all. I will defend my dogs just like my own children I birthed. I made that commitment when I brought them into my pack.
>L- Did you see this? I saw it and thought “L.F. needs to know about this and write about this!” It’s sick!-Ahttp://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/05/american_apparel_debuts_assles.html
>Oh and…one of my favorite types of pet owners. Those with little yappy dogs that think it’s funny to ‘sic’ their little leashed dog on my big leashed dog. Oh they laugh and laugh at the little fellow pulling and barking on his leash. What won’t be so funny is the one time that little guy gets loose and that big dog happens to not be tolerant of little yappy dogs…. Will big dog be wrong to eat little dog? No. The owner of the little dog was wrong to encourage the behavior.
>Lindz, I find it commendable that you went out of your way to find a new home for a dog that clearly was not safe around children. I especially find it commendable because we have a long standing rule about dogs (and as my blog will attest, we haz da dogs around here), if a dog bites a child there are no second chances.It gets destroyed. Immediately. No matter how loved or lovable the dog really is.I have no patience (nor does my husband or most of my surrounding community) to try and find a better living situation for an animal that hurt a child. Or even an adult.Children safety is always a priority and I have no problems solving a dangerous situation with the front end of my gun.There is a reason I’m called the Redneck Mommy after all.
>we had to liquidate our dog b/c of a bite (well deserved bite if you ask me but that’s another story) and could not get the weimaraner rescue to take her (dirty four letter word: bite). so in an eleventh hour intervetion from the governor, our dog was granted a reprieve and was adopted by an employee of ours. that was five years ago and she was recently described “the best frikkin dog i’ve ever had.”i would agree. but sadly, when your dog bites and someone sues, your homowner insurance doesn’t quite see things as sentimentally as you.sorry you lost your dog. perhaps you can acquire a mutt or something. i hear they’re not nearly as high-strung.we now have 3 miniature dachshunds that would probably gnaw a stranger’s ankles off, left to their own desires.oh well.
>1. Ignore the criticism on the dog thing; you did what was best for your family. ‘Nuff said.2. Dunno what shreds are, but after reading this, danged if I’ll bother to find out. I don’t need to walk like I’m 80 until I’m 80 😉
>I don’t know about where you live but in Massachusetts there’s a mandatory 10 day in house quaranteen when a dog bites ONCE. You were just looking out for the best interests of your family, people always find a reason to get bent over issues that are really non of their buisness. We had to put down 2 Border Collie’s because they kept biting people, and my parents didn’t want to lose their house insurance or be brought to court over these animals. My parents are responsible pet owners, and had bred border collies for years, and had never had a problem with any animal except for the previously mentioned dogs. Sometimes you just have to do what is best for you.
>I’m starting the Shred this week, er I was supposed to start yesterday. Maybe I’ll start tonight. It better deliver given all the pain I’ve heard about.
>ST, you did the right thing for your family. Kudos! I’m glad Dipper has a positive new situation. Most dogs can be rehabilitated, but not all families can rehabilitate a dog. QED. The only thing I would suggest you add to your list for “next time” is that any new dog should go through a couple of sessions of obedience school with you (as you will be the one at home most of the time). I’ve had rescue dogs and dogs we’ve gotten as puppies, and “dog school” is a basic necessity, in my opinion. It’s as much (or more!) about teaching you to be in command as it is about teaching the dog to respond to commands.
>Thanks, Edie! I think we’re going to get a full-grown house dog that’s used to being indoors when we get one. Hubs and I both feel better about that, because we’ll know the dog’s personality and because those dogs are a little harder to place than puppies. My plan is to go back as many times as we need to until we find just the right dog for our family.