I was preparing to go out and feed my critters late this morning when I heard my dog barking hysterically, then upon further listening I heard the neighbor's pre-teen barking and teasing her. This brought to mind a story of several years past that I try to share as often as I think to, sad as it may be:
Quite a few years back in our town there were these two German Shepherds that lived in their tightly chain link fenced yard. They were the joy of their masters, excellent guard dogs, and very well behaved. They ALWAYS stayed securely in their yard, never even attempting to get out. Then comes along "little Johnny". This home was on his walking path too and from school each day. He wasn't the nicest of little boys and teased these dogs every day as he walked by them. I don't know what all "Johnny" did to them, but his teasing grew in intensity each and every passing day. Time went on, "Johnny" teased harder and the dogs became angrier.
Then one day.........
The dogs managed to get out of their snug little yard and were quietly hiding and waiting for "Johnny." As the unsuspecting little boy approached and started to tease, the dogs attacked!! 
Little Johnny was killed. 
It as EXTREMELY sad and devastating for all. No charges were ever filed. It wasn't the fault of the dogs nor their owner. It really wasn't little Johnny's fault, he had not been taught any different. In fact, I sometimes see parents teaching their kids to play this "little game." It really wasn't anyone's fault, it was just a sadly unfortunate incident. But if it had to be anyone's fault, I would have to say it was "little Johnny's" parents' fault for not supervising him closer and/or not teaching him the consequences of teasing animals. But not matter how hard we try to teach our kids all that we can, we will always miss something and that is no one's fault. We are human. And back then, it was common for kids to walk too and from school in that area. We take the best care we can of our beloved children, but there are times they do get out of our site from time to time. To grow, they do have to have a little space now and then. So it was just DEEPLY sad for everyone all around. 
The dogs, of course, had to be put down. They had had the taste of human kill. My heart really went out to the owners of those dogs, also. They did everything they could to take the best of care of their dogs, they were very close to their dogs, they abruptly lost their protection and best friends unnecessarily, and had to live with the thought and knowledge that their dogs took the life of a child. And now, whenever I see a child teasing an animal, if it is at all possible, I make sure I tell them this story. I didn't know these people, but I tell it to.. 1) hope it will save at least one other child/person and.. 2) give continuing purpose and meaning to "little Johnny's" life. So please share this true story with others whenever you can.
And now I am heading out to finish feeding my critters. Mischief is outside my window screaming for her bottle.(she no longer needs it, but she sure wants it and life is quieter if she gets that morning bottle.) Thank you for reading my blog. Be back in a little while. 
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dizzydoll
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Oct 10 @ 2:03PM
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she no longer needs it, but she sure wants it and life is quieter if she gets that morning bottle
sometimes its just better that way
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bluewind37
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Oct 10 @ 2:07PM
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Having 5 dogs myself, and one of them being a German Shepherd, I can relate. My next door neighbor has a pre teen son who this past summer I caught "barking" on the other side of the fence, getting my dogs riled up. I did tell him to please stop doing that. And for a while, all was fine. Then one day, I heard the dogs barking like crazy, went outside to see what was going on. I could hear my neighbors son, again, "barking" at my dogs from the other side of the fence. Now, his own mother has 3 dogs, so this kid should know better. Maybe he was bored, I don't know. I went and knocked on my neighbors door, and talked with her about this. I also put my dogs in the house and opened my gate to show her WHY I want this to stop. In the back corner of my yard, I have this little waterfall/pond set up. The waterfall is up against the corner of the fence, and, if one of my dogs were to think about it, they could very easily jump the fence from that.
Since that talk, he has not been teasing the dogs anymore. And, next Spring, I'm going to be taking that out and filling it in. It's getting too expensive in more ways than one to keep up.
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DRACULA_VwV
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Oct 10 @ 3:21PM
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