I always seem to have to learn lessons the hard way. This one is about keeping my dog on a leash--I never realized it was to protect my dog. Since I grew up on a farm and I have issues with having my own freedom, I have a hard time keeping my dog on a leash. I want him to be free to roam the world and explore and sniff.This past Saturday while I was sipping my tea and reading the newspaper on the front porch a pack of dogs were taken out for a dooky sesh in the big yard that is in front of our condo. Champy loves one of those dogs (we call him Big Red for obvious reasons). They play all the time. Unfortunately, Big Red recently got a new sister who is an Akita and real killer. Champ just couldn't help himself and jumped off the porch to go play. The Akita had breakfast in mind though and pierced the back of his neck with her sharp young teeth. I ran to rescue him and thought he was fine, but by Sunday night he had a big, bloody, oozing mess that stank pretty bad when we washed him and cleaned it up (and we'd been cleaning it).
A trip to the vet, some antibiotics, hydrogen peroxide and antibiotic ointment and he's okay. He's in pretty good spirits today. The thing is, we keep him on the leash a lot more now.
It reminded me of something I heard someone else say today that resonated for me. He said that he always thought he was above the rules. I find that when I'm not always trying to get away with something that things are smoother. I don't even know why I've been trying to get away with things, like speeding, keeping my dog on a leash...I better not make anything else public. It's a good lesson and something to think about.
