Looking at this picture, you would think that it was the end of a perfect day, just relaxing on the couch, my 153 lbs Great Dane resting so sweetly in my lap. However, it was quite the opposite. I took Samson to the dog park near our place Wednesday afternoon like I've done several times before, just to get out and socialize with the other dogs. He seems to like it, as he's learning to play with other dogs quite smaller than him. So, he was playing with his friends for a good twenty minutes, and then all of the sudden I hear these loud growls and a squeal from another dog. I turned around to see Samson biting this other dog!! I was frantic and immediately ran over there with about 8 or 9 other people to get the dogs lose, and I tied Samson up. I couldn't believe that had just happened?!? Samson is NOT an aggressive dog. I wouldn't have him if he was like that; he could take ME down. So, as my head was spinning, I ran over to see the other dog, Buddy, and assess the damage, and it was bad. Samson had left 2 large puncture wounds in Buddy's neck, and they were both bleeding pretty bad. Buddy's owner took him to the emergency vet clinic, and after he left, I just stood there shell-shocked. I started crying, and the other pet owners tried to console me. "It is a dog-park," they said, "it happens every now and then, don't worry about it." They actually told me that Buddy tried to hump Samson and that that may have been what set him off. I was a relieved to hear that, but still so frazzled that Samson bit that other dog!
I had offered to pay the vet bill, which fortunately, isn't going to be but about $150 thanks to a vet friend who stapled Buddy up almost for free. I just don't want people thinking that Samson is a bad dog, because he's NOT! So...I say all this to explain the real emotions that are behind this sweet little picture. I think Samson knew that I was not happy with him after we got home from the park, and for the first time since we've had him, he got his entire body up on the couch with me and put his head in my lap.....after that it was kind of hard to be mad at him anymore! Fortunately, the other dog is doing fine, although with a few extra staples, and was already back at the dog park the day after the incident.
Hopefully we won't run into another problem with humping dogs!
