Chapter 15: When Buddy doesn't like anyone but you

Buddy was a labradoodle we had shortly and was one of the biggest dogs we've had in our home. He was truly sweet as pie, but soon after we got him home we realized he did not like our other dogs. But only when they came around when he was already cuddling with us on the couch or the bed.

He was a human bonder and he was very jealous of us giving other attention to other pets.Otherwise he was quite the docile dog. The dogs would even lay next to each other in the bed. It was just random time with random energies that Joey would growl and I never can guess.

Aggressive dog disclaimer: As labradoodles are the well fave of many breeds unlike the revered pit bull, he (however sweet) was proof that all dogs can be the most gentle or aggressive animals. I am not a believer that pit bulls should be rid of in this world BECAUSE of the misunderstanding that all dogs can bite. YES I do understand the bite strength of a pit is very bad, I'm a nurse in the operating room, we see children with bites that result in years and years of plastic surgery to correct scarring and damage. HOWEVER, I just don't believe in blaming the breed or dog, I blame the irresponsible human owner incapable of realizing each dog has natural instincts to bite when they feel cornered, fearful and threatened.

Yes babies and toddlers are quite innocent to look at, but they just do not understand etiquette. So YES I believe a responsible adult must watch dog and child at ALL TIMES. 1 second in time lapse may result in trauma. It's no different than 1 second lapse and your child falls and bump their head. You don't blame the table, you blame yourself and gravity. Your dog is NOT your babysitter.

Disclaimer cleared: back to Buddy. Our story started stressed because there were 3 males in the house and our Joey is just not a social dog. Everytime Buddy got remotely close to us, Joey would growl. Our PJay, being the innocent friendly one, always stepped in at the wrong time. When energies were anxious and high stressed, PJay would walk up and Buddy would attack PJay (whose not much of a fighter).

After the 1st fight, which was inches from me and I stopped, PJay was fine and unscathed. But it happened again, the same as before, with Joey hyping up the energy and PJay idly walking by. Buddy's attack this time left a forever scar across PJay's right ear. He tore PJay's ear and the gash healed eventually but you can feel the ridge when you pet his ear. But his fur grew over it in time so he nor I notice anymore.

As it pained me I had to return Buddy to the rescue and now he had a fight with another dog and biting on his record. I was more than heartbroken, but I could not risk Buddy and PJay fight again. I cried because I felt I gave up on Buddy and I was just beside myself.

Coincidentally, I also did home visits for adoption approvals and the rescue reached out to me for a visit nearby me. As I read over the application, I realized I was approving the home for Buddy and I was personally invested for this one more than the other visits, (for the obvious reasons).

IT WAS MEANT TO BE, this gentleman lived in a home by himself with a huge yard and planted edibles all over his fence and just wanted a companion in the home. With no wife and children and an adult brother would visit and dog sit. It was perfect because Buddy would be his only best friend with a big house and yard to live in. I talked to this gentleman about the episodes with PJay and he reassured me he'll be careful around other dogs, but he didn't think it would be an issue since Buddy will remain an only child. It was a sign I received this home visit to know Buddy would go to a loving home which fit his circumstance.