All shook up

Pappy's first and only fight. (Let's hope)

I'm so shaken up. 

And before I go any further, I will say that THANK GOD everone is okay. It could have been a LOT worse. Poor little Pappy...

It was a beautiful day outside- something all four of us have been waiting for a long time. Today- earlier at work, we decided today's the day! For a nice long walk!

We put on their new harnesses and started on our way. Once we were out of our neighborhood, we walked a few blocks down and decided to loop back around toward home. 

By the way, they walk SO GOOD with their chest harnesses. It's a miracle!!

Anywho- We were walking down the middle of the street when it happened. All of a sudden - to my left - I saw a huge dog running towards us. The chain - that he's always tied up on - snapped and before I knew it, he was in top of Pappy. 

Lots of growling. Lots of screaming - (from me). It happened so fast. 

"GET HIM OFF OF HIM! GET HIM OFF OF HIM!" I screamed. 

Pappy laid flat on his back. The dog on top of him- pinning him to the ground. Wally on top of him - trying to protect Pappy. And Matt on top of him - trying to pull them all apart. 

My screams were loud - apparently. People came running down the street, People came outside of their house -- everyone was trying to help EXCEPT the dog's owners. 

And before I go any farther - I want you to picture this dog. He had at least fifty pounds on Pappy. He snapped the chain that he was tied up to. He tackled Pappy in a matter of seconds. 

Sounds vicious, doesn't he!?

The dog was a brown lab. 

There is no such thing as a bad dog- just BAD owners. 

This poor dog is always, always tied up outside. Completely and utterly neglected. 

So much that, when Matt pulled him off Pappy- he was wagging his tail. Just happy that someone was giving him attention. We now think the poor dog just wanted to play, as he gets NO socialization from anyone, ever! 

Matt knocked on the owner's door for about five minutes. By this time, other people had come outside to help me calm down Pappy and Wally. 

I was on the verge of tears. 

FINALLY, a woman answered the door. 

Matt was far too kind and simply said: 

"Your dog got loose." And handed the lab back to his owner. 

We left quickly. By the time we turned the corner, we were both kneeled down cuddling them both, and trying to calm them down. 

They were pretty worked up, but I am certain that I was far more traumatized. NOW, they're happy as can be. Totally back to normal, chewing on their bones, and laying on the couch. The fun, loving babies they've always been.

We are SO thankful.

Two things though:

1) I cannot even put into words how upset I am when I see neglected dogs. I am certain if this dog had the proper leash (for his weight) and normal socialization/love/care - he wouldn't have jumped towards Pappy like that. 

If you were chained to a pole 24/7 - you'd be pretty crazy, too, huh??

2) We will definitely be taking another route from now on...