Just because I didn't see any new posts... I, with no small portion of embarrassment, serve up the following.

A week ago yesterday, son number one, visiting from NC, who is certainly old enough to know better and does, allowed his exuberance for 'playing' with the dogs to dim his attention to the amping up and vying for attention of the two male dogs. A fun time for him turned into a nasty time for one of the males, and a trip to the vet. The instigator of the fray went to the vet, and I don't mean my son.

Then Tuesday, my bride was grilling and some thing dropped to the ground. Rather than immediately commanding NO and retrieving the tidbit, my bride went on flipping hamburgers, and two dogs went for the treat. Another case of a simple emphatic command not given leading to another trip to the vet for another dog. My bride didn't get into the fray, thank God.

Both son and bride were contrite. I actually kept my big mouth shut and didn't expound on the need to be smarter than the dogs. Father's Day would have been a bleak occasion indeed.

So, the moral of the story is easy for to tell, if you want to be around dogs you have to be in control of yourself, aware of surroundings, anticipate outcomes, and act to intercept problems before they become the unwanted consequence, and simply be a leader.

Then too, humans agonize more and longer over a dust up than do the dogs, as evidenced by the mob lounging at my feet.

Dogs will be dogs. It only takes an instant of a lack of vigilance to be in the midst of a melee.

There. A Father's Day Posting.

Ah, a cautionary tale, indeed! Who among us (or our family members) can say they have not had a momentary lapse in vigilance? Glad to hear all is well now.

Happy Father's Day to you, Mike. It sounds like you deserve a day of rest and relaxation.

And Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

"So, the moral of the story is easy for to tell, if you want to be around dogs you have to be in control of yourself, aware of surroundings, anticipate outcomes, and act to intercept problems before they become the unwanted consequence, and simply be a leader."

Billboard-worthy!

A much worse Father's Day outcome occurred here at our farm.

Our English Shep, Lad, a tough dog, uncastrated male, 80 lbs bit my husband on his calf, badly. Dear hubby, a physician, a mild and gentle man, was trying to back up the ES by waving his leg -- the ES had been giving the Pinker the stink eye over space in the garage which the ES considers "his". Hubby got between them.

I saw it coming, saw the "stink eye", did not react fast enough, or the dog got mad too fast, whatever.

This could lead to the death of this dog and it really was my fault for not reacting faster ... I was transplanting flowers and was right there but not paying attention.....

We are feeling pretty bad.

Ahhh. Not good. Over the years a few similar experiences.

I plea for a Father's Day reprieve.

I'd cite a 'full moon' defense but alas that would be a stretch. Perhaps the 'Murphy's Law' defense might be more compelling.

I hope the your husband is quickly on the mend.

Multiple dog owners; I don't know how you do it. My head spins with one dog. I hope for the reprieve too Betty; and I wish a quick recovery to your husband. You can't blame yourself; the word accident exists for a reason and it probably has to do with our being human.

Hubby can hardly walk. The dog grabbed his calf thru thin summer pants, really made a mess.

I'm lobbying for a reprieve. Though, I have to say, I've NEVER been bitten that badly.

Oh wow.

Have you considered neutering the dog? May take some of the edge off of him.

 Quote: Mara Jessup

Oh wow.

Have you considered neutering the dog? May take some of the edge off of him.

Well, those 2 bulls wudda been steers at my house from Day 1 (and I know that's NOT a very popular position on this board) but by their respective ages, I don't know if getting neutered NOW would have all that much impact (???) They would most probably Recall having been INTACT their whole lives, so even after all the Testosterone was GONE, these guys might very likely still think like MALES in their Minds...

 Quote: Mike Arnold

I'd cite a 'full moon' defense but alas that would be a stretch.

Funny you should mention that, Mike, cuz my spayed bitch & neutered dog were both somewhat "edgy" yesterday too -- I was gonna blame it on a Full Moon myself, but when I consulted the lunar calendar, it was only 1/3 waxing (go figure) ... At my house, I think both dogs were just overly agitated by inordinately heavy CAT and K9 traffic passing by our place ... Since I know that re-directed aggression can occur whenever dogs get aggravated or frustrated, I amped up my own Monitoring Mode till bedtime.