We have yet to be officially reported to any agency. The most recent and most severe bite brought us close due to a hospital visit. We're in a very unusual predicament and have recently had to take in a distant cloudily related great aunt who suffers mild dimensia, is a severe alcoholic and smokes non-stop (she burned her house, which is why she is with us). It's hard to imagine something like taking her under our wing and taking care of her resulted in this situation (although the situation would most likely have occurred at some point anyway). She loves Tucker also, but he takes a while to warm up to people. Her being here lends to irresponsibility regarding not touching the dog, she simply can't stay away from him and he has bitten her twice. She's been told, but it doesn't sink it. She's too far gone. I'm sure her erratic behavior doesn't help things as she stumbles around our place all day drunk, but it's led to where we are today, although I don't blame her at all. It has just been the straw the broke the camel's back, so to speak. He bit her the first time and we made a huge deal about it. So this time she didn't tell us he had bitten her. She's fragile and the bite was really bad. We saw it a day too late and infection had already started. Therefore, she had to be checked into the hospital for an antibiotic drip and stayed overnight. However, we still managed to avoid being reported. I guess hospitals aren't terribly concerned with the dog and are moreso focused on the patients. We were only asked about his shots and if they were up to date. I'm sure if he bites again and someone important catches wind, we'd be thrown to the wolves if it ended up in court with me knowing his history and keeping him.
I have made some progress today on options. I randomly called a CDTI in VA who knows a guy in Florida who is a personal friend of Cesar milan. I left the guy in FL a message and am awaiting a return call. I would be happy if Tucker ended up in CA living with Cesar or somewhere recommended by him. Knowing he was able to live the rest of his life in peace would mean a lot of me. I would never forgive myself if I didn't try everything I could try. Even what I've done is not enough. Tucker was damaged at some point in his life and I made the commitment to being the person he would die with…a natural death. It looks like I'm going to be unable to do that, but hopefully I can, at the very least, give him the opportunity to live. I value life too much to give up on him. I'll never give up on him.
My father, before I was born, almost punched out a neighbor for watching my mom and dad's basenji, "Bongo" die. He jumped over a railing on a porch and hung himself. The neighbor saw it and didn't do anything about it. My mother became pregnant with my brother and said that was the only thing that saved her from severe depression.
When I was 14, our basenji, "BJ" was hit by a car. She was old and started doing dumb things like chasing cars. She lost her chase with a care one day. My mom worked out out of our home and knew the Fed Ex driver. The Fed Ex lady saw BJ on the side of the road and delivered "BJ" to our doorstep on a padded shipping pack and left us a sweet note of condolence. I cried for two days. After my parents divorce, it was the 2nd most traumatic experience of my life.
When I was months from college, our basenji, "Bonnie", was neglected due to my brother having already left for college halfway across the country, my mom working long hours and me being in school all day. She lived in a pen with doghouse out in the backyard. We decided we were unfit parents and found her a nice family on a farm to be her forever home. We never followed up regarding her life. My mom and I still to this day talk about her and how awful we were to her and often wonder if she lived well. It makes me sick to think about her.
Tucker is MY basenji. He represents my first true shot at independance and responsibility. Tucker got me out of the social scene and into a more responsible lifestyle. I've never missed a walk. I never missed a feeding, or a pill or an application of Advantix. He will even get into the tub for a bath when I ask because he trusts me. I've never left him alone too long aside from when I had him in a kennel over a weekend and my stepfather died before I could get home to him. He ended up in the kennel for 8 days and I still haven't forgiven myself even though the situation justifies itself. I got married while I had Tucker. Tucker lived in the first home I've owned. Tucker means the world to me. My wive even had a portrait done of him and gave it to me for my birthday a year or so ago. It's hanging on my wall next to where I sit now. He gives me joy that only another dog owner can understand (all of you, I'd imagine). He understands when I'm upset. It's always been ME in his eyes. I'm the only one he respects and covets. I'm the one he's protecting. Everyone else has let him down. I feel like I'm the only one Tucker will ever trust. I simply can't give up.
