What should I tell them?

My cousin, Jen and Dave, bit my 2nd cousin, Madelyn, on the face. Madelyn is only two so she really doesn't know how to pet dogs very well. She pats dogs and it's more like hitting them. I think that while Madelyn was petting Phoebe, the dog, hit a sore spot. Phoebe had saved Madelyn from suffocating before. They can't have Phoebe anymore is what Dave says. Jen doesn't really agree with that. Phoebe may have to live with my grandparents who do not live too far from me. Only a block. They are old so they can't handle an American Eskimo Dog really easily. I would have to walk Phoebe everyday. My mom says we can't have Phoebe because of the kind of dog food Phoebe has to have because the dog I already have would eat it also and leave Phoebe with none. Phoebe also has a skin condition and needs special treatment for that. What I'm worried about is what Madelyn will say when Phoebe isn't home with her anymore. They live 3 hours away from me so she wouldn't be able to see Phoebe very often.

What should I tell them?
You may have to just come out and say it. I wouldn't recommend leaving the dog with the grandparents espcally if it has special conditions. Dogs need full attention. The first owners should give it another chance. I understand Madelyn is only 2 and probably doesn't know how to pet dogs, but someone should kind of tell her I know that would be hard but for her sake and another dog's sake she should learn, what if she does that to a aggressive dog. Its very hard for children to let go of pets it happended to me when I was little but she will heal in time. Good Luck!
Reply:My only concern would be Madelyn's reaction to the whole thing. It might be really hard to explain what is going on and she might take it badly. If you do take her, let Madelyn say goodbye, so as to give her some closure on the whole thing. That way, even if she never gets to see Phoebe again, saying 'bye bye' will help her understand that her dog is going away. Jen and Dave might want to get a different dog to help replace Phoebe, like a lab or golden retriever. The larger dogs are much more tolerant of the "love" that toddlers can give. lol





As far as the special food, that's a cinch to fix. You can either let them eat in seperate rooms, or keep an eye on your dog to make sure he doesn't eat her food. Most dogs don't need a constant supply of food anyway, even the little ones, so I'm sure you can find a way around it.
Reply:I'm sorry but I'm really confused. Are you saying your cousin bit Madelyn who I'm guessing is their daughter or that their dog bite their dog. Also I'm rather unclear as to what this has to do with where the dog is placed. Honestly from what you say here I would call both Social Services so that someone is making sure that the child, Madelyn, is safe and being taken care of and the shelter or breed rescue to make sure that the dog, Phoebe, is being taken care of. The fact that the child is being left unattended so that it would have suffocated with only a dog to save her and that the child is being left allow with the dog so that the child can hit the dog to be point that it bites to defend itself clear indicate that both the child and the dog are being neglected.
Reply:Your little cousin is young enough that if they got her a stuffed doggie instead that she would be fine.





Sounds like having her with your grandparents is a good idea. They get a dog that has already shown loyalty to people by saving the baby and you'll get to see your grandparents every day. Since my grandparents are all gone, I think that's great for you.