Post by sweetie on Oct 20, 2004 19:40:09 GMT -8
Okay,
Do you all remember me telling you about my dog Tank? You know the one that knew I was pregnant (both times) before I even knew. The one who whined to get close to the the vet's resident cat (who did not have use of his front leg) only to lick the cat. After that, I got a cat. The one that whines to see the gerbils. The one who goes to the doorway, twists his head and perks his ears and whines when one of them squeaks. Well, let me tell you..........
He has been in the house for the last 2 weeks for medical reasons. When I came home yesterday, I found him coming out of the living room (the dogs are not allowed in there). I saw the broken gate and thought surely he was on the couch (that's the worst I expected). I came around the end of the couch and I did not notice any of the pillows or cushions messed up or on the floor. Then I saw it.........
The 10 gallon tank with Honeymunch and Bandit on the floor, bedding all over the floor, water bottle full but away from the cage, the top across the room, but the gerbils where no where to be found.
I panicked. My heart was in my throat. I got the worst feeling of dread . I threw Tank outside (almost litterally) A.M.A.!! I picked up the 10 gal and looked for the gerbils. I almost started to cry. I was so angry with my dog. I felt mixed emotions.
Surely Tank, my sweet sensitive dog would never harm the gerbils. But yet, I could not find either one of the gerbils. Neither could I find evidence of harm or violence.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bandit running from under the couch. WHEW. a sigh of relief. I noticed that she appeared wet and her fur was messy. Surely this could not be from the water bottle since it did not leak during the incident. It took 5 minutes to catch her then another 10 minutes to find, catch, and put Honeymunch (who was also wet and disheveled) back in his house. I inspected them from top to bottom and not one cut, scratch, or bump only wet messy fur.
The only explanation I can come up with is that:
My dog licked & slobbered all over them!!.
I guess his name is now even more fitting than it was previously!! We named him Tank because he is built like a Tank, stocky. Now it is becuase he likes tanks - 10 gal to be more specific.
The gerbils are fine. They are not behaving oddly. Eat and drink normally. They must have been terrified, but as soon as I put them in the tank, they acted as they always do after romping about for free time. I changed them in to the 20 gal with in the hour (I had been meaning to get around to it) and they were quite happy with thier new environment. Today, they are fine and are not exhibiting any concerning behaviors or conditions .
I have learned my lesson. I have a well trained, obedient dog but his natural instincts are more powerful than any training. I now have the gerbils in a 20 - gal tank on shelves that is hard for me even to get them off. The gerbils are not as accessible and Tank should not be in the house for extended periods unsupervised.
I hope this is a lesson you can all learn through me and not have to experience yourself. I never imagined it would happen and I was lucky the outcome was as good as it was.
Do you all remember me telling you about my dog Tank? You know the one that knew I was pregnant (both times) before I even knew. The one who whined to get close to the the vet's resident cat (who did not have use of his front leg) only to lick the cat. After that, I got a cat. The one that whines to see the gerbils. The one who goes to the doorway, twists his head and perks his ears and whines when one of them squeaks. Well, let me tell you..........
He has been in the house for the last 2 weeks for medical reasons. When I came home yesterday, I found him coming out of the living room (the dogs are not allowed in there). I saw the broken gate and thought surely he was on the couch (that's the worst I expected). I came around the end of the couch and I did not notice any of the pillows or cushions messed up or on the floor. Then I saw it.........
The 10 gallon tank with Honeymunch and Bandit on the floor, bedding all over the floor, water bottle full but away from the cage, the top across the room, but the gerbils where no where to be found.
I panicked. My heart was in my throat. I got the worst feeling of dread . I threw Tank outside (almost litterally) A.M.A.!! I picked up the 10 gal and looked for the gerbils. I almost started to cry. I was so angry with my dog. I felt mixed emotions.
Surely Tank, my sweet sensitive dog would never harm the gerbils. But yet, I could not find either one of the gerbils. Neither could I find evidence of harm or violence.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bandit running from under the couch. WHEW. a sigh of relief. I noticed that she appeared wet and her fur was messy. Surely this could not be from the water bottle since it did not leak during the incident. It took 5 minutes to catch her then another 10 minutes to find, catch, and put Honeymunch (who was also wet and disheveled) back in his house. I inspected them from top to bottom and not one cut, scratch, or bump only wet messy fur.
The only explanation I can come up with is that:
My dog licked & slobbered all over them!!.
I guess his name is now even more fitting than it was previously!! We named him Tank because he is built like a Tank, stocky. Now it is becuase he likes tanks - 10 gal to be more specific.
The gerbils are fine. They are not behaving oddly. Eat and drink normally. They must have been terrified, but as soon as I put them in the tank, they acted as they always do after romping about for free time. I changed them in to the 20 gal with in the hour (I had been meaning to get around to it) and they were quite happy with thier new environment. Today, they are fine and are not exhibiting any concerning behaviors or conditions .
I have learned my lesson. I have a well trained, obedient dog but his natural instincts are more powerful than any training. I now have the gerbils in a 20 - gal tank on shelves that is hard for me even to get them off. The gerbils are not as accessible and Tank should not be in the house for extended periods unsupervised.
I hope this is a lesson you can all learn through me and not have to experience yourself. I never imagined it would happen and I was lucky the outcome was as good as it was.