Please help.

[Joet456 Hatchling Find all posts View Profile Close Joet456]

My dog is an 11 year old pitbull (Rocco) who is just amazing. Sweet friendly and loving. He loves people and making new friends. My cat was 21 years old. She was exactly the same. Just purely amazing. They have coexisted since the day I brought Rocco home with me. They were pals. They slept with me in bed. Sometimes she would even fall asleep on Rocco. They never had any issues at all. Rocco didn’t seem to mind her. And she didn’t seem to mind him. Yesterday I was eating chicken nuggets and decided to give Rocco 2. He dropped one and was eating the other. My cat walked by and Rocco just turned around pinned her to the ground with both front paws. Opened his mouth and showed his teeth (he didn’t bite her). But as a reaction to Rocco pinning her. She started scratching him. So with my dogs teeth out and moving his head really fast to dodge her claws. He punctured her eye with his K9 tooth. There’s was blood everywhere. I was able to jump on Rocco but the damage was done. I locked my dog in the room after I gave him a quick scolding and yelling loud. Rushed my cat to the ER but the doctor said with her Kinsey disease and old age she wouldn’t make it through the surgery. She was already deaf for a few years and with the injuries she sustained. She would of lost her eyesight also. So we decided to let her go. The doctor also said there were no puncture wounds on her. So he didn’t bite her. It was his tooth that punctured her eye. I’m in a state of shock still because I witnessed this happen 2 feet from me. Why?! Why would he do this? After all the years they coexisted with no issues. Over a chicken nugget!?! I’m so sad. And I love him soo much. I’ve had him since he was 2 weeks old. Fed him with a bottle. I’m very close to him. But now when I look at him all I see is him killing my cat. What do I do. I know dogs don’t have memories like we do. So me getting mad at him won’t do anything. I would never strike an animal. So don’t worry about that. It’s just hard for me to look at him the same way again. When I went to burry her in my yard. I made him smell her. He sniffed her for about 20 seconds. Looked up at me, put his tail in between his legs and walked away. So idk if he actually does remember what he did. But idk what to do. I’m avoiding him and he’s avoiding me knowing I’m upset. I know it’s wrong to do. But I can’t look at him right now. What do I do? How do I deal with this? Pleas help

[Wrax Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Wrax]

Re: Please help.

Hi Joet, I'm sorry to hear what you've been through. It sounds like this has been a really hard time for you.

It is completely natural that you need some space from Roco at the moment. Give yourself some time to grieve. Our pets are as much a part of the family as humans are, so I wouldn't feel worried about needing a few days to gather your thoughts! I'm sorry it has taken me a few days to reply to this, I would have replied sooner if I had the chance.

I genuinely don't think Roco did what he did for any malicious reason. Some animals can become quite protective over their food, especially with other animals. Maybe Roco was caught off guard when your cat walked past, and it was just a reactionary effect that he went towards your cat? It's really hard to say for sure, sorry. Since that was the only injury he sustained, I'm sure Roco didn't mean to actually attack or hurt her. It seems like an accident to me. If they lived together peacefully for so long, I'm sure Roco actually liked her and wouldn't have purposefully harmed her.

I really hope that you and Roco will be okay from this. My thoughts are with you both!

[frootloops Hatchling Find all posts View Profile Close frootloops]

Re: Please help.

Oh my goodness this sounds like a horrible thing to witness. I am so sorry you had to go through this. I hope you are feeling better these days. RIP the cat.

[terriermerrier Hatchling Find all posts View Profile Close terriermerrier]

Re: Please help.

I'm so sorry. It's such a sad thing to see. I hope you feel better soon.