I’ve always struggled putting pups and dogs down but sometimes you have no other choice. It hasn’t got easier with age in fact it is probably worse. The exploitation of animals, their suffering and death seems to affect me more now than ever.
Most people will agree with this article but there will be others who don’t. Some may think ‘I jumped the gun’. Please don’t bother the editor or me if you disagree. For those of you living in the clouds, breeding a litter of pups is a responsibility and sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.
I wrote an article about Faith, the pup who pulled through a Parvo virus attack. Faith’s litter was not only a mission to produce but also very expensive, so I was thrilled that all finally went well. I reared my two favourite bitch pups until I could decide on the one that was going to remain forever.
Several weeks ago I decided to keep Bridget because she reminded me so much of her grandmother Beatrice and great grandmother Bride. I offered Faith to a friend who had previously had these bloodlines.
Janette is an excellent dog-woman so I knew she’d be in great hands. I informed her, prior to getting Faith, that she was devoted to me but standoffish with strangers and sensitive when training.
I didn’t think to mention that if one of my dogs had something she wanted, that she would go over and intimidate the dog. She didn’t fight but she had an aura - they gave up immediately. It wasn’t bad enough for me to step in but in hindsight perhaps I should have taken whatever it was off her, and given it back to the other dog.
I might add here that Faith had some very good bloodlines, she’d grown into a stunning looking bitch with beautiful conformation, and she had lovely noise on sheep.
Faith quickly became devoted to Janette but hated her husband, and everyone else. She would hide in her kennel and growl at strangers, and keep her distance from everyone if she was loose. She attacked the other dogs and fought, even though she was the new kid on the block.
I was happy to take her back; we were both disappointed in her behaviour. Actually, I was gutted. My hopes, dreams, time and money were all for nothing. I knew what had to be done.
I could have asked for it to be taken care of, saving myself a trip, but I wanted her home and to do it myself; and she needed to be buried here with us (I cry as I write). It wasn’t anyone’s fault and nothing had ever happened to her, she was just wired a bit wrong.
We can’t do a lot about bad people but at least we can break the cycle if an animal is aggressive. Faith wanted her own way with other dogs and was looking decidedly dicey with strangers. I have seen programmes on TV where problem dogs have supposedly been turned around; I wouldn’t trust them. Why risk it?
Because she had known only me and my rather secluded lifestyle, and grown up with my dogs, I had no idea the extent of her turmoil, but when she went somewhere new it became apparent very quickly.
I’m sorry Faith, RIP.
• Anna Holland is teaching people dog training. For more information www.annaholland.co.nz or Ph 07) 217 0101 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
