I'm sure as it was with me, in a lifetime of caring for animals this is only the first of many, and as I expected she took it like a champ, more concerned for the dog than for herself.
I didn't see it happen, but I heard it . Bailey Girl has a horrible ear infection which for years has been coming and going. If you touch her ears the wrong way she yelps and jumps up. Alex loves to go lay on the dogs, roll on them, love on them with a LOT of energy. Simba is very tolerant of this, and for a dog her size, she is impossibly gentle with Alex. Bailey Girl is more of a dog that doesn't like to sit still with the kids...shell run around forever playing, but when shes laying down she really wants to be treated gently.
Shes not an aggressive dog at all, by any means , but she will warn Alex with a growl when its time to move off, or when shes hurting her . Usually she likes to hide under the bed but lately Alex has been following her under there. I think Alex startled her out of a deep sleep by grabbing her ears , she yelped and whipped her head around thinking it was Simba messing with her,and Alex's face just got in the way of her teeth.
Alex cried a little , and I picked her up to wash the cut off ...but she instantly wanted to get down to go hug Bailey and make sure the dog was okay...and it was amazing to watch.
NO FEAR ..even after she caught a bloody face. She went right over, hugged and kissed her ...Bailey knew she did something wrong as her little ears were all down and her face has that stressed look. She said sorry a million times over to Alex on her back little paws in the air.
It was a lesson ....and its going to happen. Even the nicest dogs bite sometimes . Dogs use their teeth as humans use their hands . We favor big dogs in this house ...we take in strays...we rescue the unwanted...fleas, claws ...nasty or nice. They find their way to our door and we take care of them.
Up until last year I had a wolf hyred I brought down from Maine . One of the most amazing animals I ever had. She died in my arms, loyal and fierce until her last minute...and I never worried about the kids around her.
I want my girls to have that love for all animals ...and with that comes teaching them to accept the bites along with the licks. I teach all my animals from the minute I get them "the rules" ........every dog Ive ever had was WELL trained . I think there is nothing worse than an untrained dog. I watch Ceasar Milan in HORROR at what some people let their dogs get away with.
But even well trained dogs can bite. Bailey is exceptionally well trained ...a Border Collie/ Blue Heeler Mix who was trained with me under the best Texas had to offer . She knows words, hand signals and even what different facial looks Im giving her.
However, the kids too have to learn how to handle animals...even their own.....and even at this age. Looks like its time to start training them together.
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