Miller Family

With Sawyer not quite 2 months old and the other kiddos bounding all over the place, free time is something that is very rare for me.  Today at 11 am, I was to be found still in pajamas, not showered and had just barely gotten Sawyer to sleep in my arms, when there was a strong knock at the door.  The older 3 were playing outside and I thought for a moment it was one of them.  I did not hurry to the door, assuming that was the case.  After a moment's thought, however, I decided that particular knock did not sound like one of theirs. Carrying Sawyer with me, I opened the door to find a young boy, perhaps 5 or 6 years old.  I did not recognize him immediately.  He asked me if our dog has had his rabies shot.  I stammered, very puzzled, yes, but not recently.  He said, "well my mom wanted me to ask because your dog has bitten my 2 year old sister and her head is cracked and bleeding."

Whaaaaaaaa??!?!!  I almost passed out.  I absolutely could not make sense of it.  Biscuit is such a friendly dog.  big and hairy? yes. annoying at times? definitely.  off his chain at that moment?  dang it-yes.  I asked where this happened. Who is this neighbor that I do not recognize?  He said he was visiting his (great) grandma across the street (Loretta, biscuit's favorite place to hang out when off the chain).

In a matter of seconds my mind is reeling with thinking this little guy must be mistaken, but the facts do come together that he must not be.  I tell him I will get dressed and come over.  I am shaken to my core to think we are possibly responsible for the life of a little girl.  And after all the problems we have had with that dog wandering.  Most people love biscuit, but there are a few people in Parker who feel very strongly against him I couldn't help feeling shamed that we didn't take care of him sooner, but who would have ever guessed?  I wondered if he had been bit by some rabid animal in the night and transformed into a monster???

I prayed with panic as I ran up stairs to lay down the baby and throw some clothes on.  I told Heavenly Father that I could not bear this burden.  It was too heavy, too traumatic.  I could not face the family.  After a minute I called Jaron at work.  He said he would call his dad and ask him to come over.  Immediately the Lord had answered my prayer.  I would not have to carry this burden alone.  I could go over and do what I needed to, knowing Jaron's parents were on their way.

Walking across the street I saw our dog.  He was not snarling, dripping with blood and baring his fangs as I had imagined.  As congenially as ever, he came to me and walked calmly as I chained him up.  So my confusion continued to mount.

Thankfully, thankfully, the tiny girl was not on the brink of demise.  She had a gash on the back of her head.  The blood had dried and scabbed over.  She was not laying lifeless on the ground (as I had supposed),  she wasn't even crying.  Katie (Loretta's granddaughter-the mother) was so kind to me.  She hadn't seen what happened, but it was obviously something to do with Biscuit who had indeed been over there.

She took her daughter to the doctor to be sure everything was okay and called me to let me know the doctor said it definitely was not a bite, but perhaps a collision with a dog's tooth.  I bawled on the phone and told her I was so sorry and thanked her for being so kind to me.  Her mom, Kitty, called me back to say no one in the family was worried one bit about it.  They love our dog and they love us and they are not concerned. 

Katie gave me a heads up that the doctor required her to file a police report.  Katie notified the police who asked if she wanted to press charges and she said, absolutely not.  The police, however, still are required to come to our house and see the dog.  If it had been a bite, they would quarantine, but since it was an accident, they just need to verify  the dog is not vicious.  The police visit has yet to happen.

I am so thankful for my inlaws who came to my support and for the kindness of good neighbors.  Jaron and I will have to make some decisions about the best thing for Biscuit.  We've been in this conundrum for over a year now, but this even has brought it to the forefront.