05/23/2019
To my Run Dogs Run Dog Daycare family and friends, I would like to take a moment to address a recent event which has haunted me since it happened. Out of respect for the client’s privacy, I will not be listing either her or the animal’s name in my post.
I would like to thank m family, friends, and clients for their messages of support this week. I hadn’t planned on posting about this out of respect for the client but given what is being said online I felt a response was appropriate. I want to express my regret for this tragedy. I take responsibility for this and will ensure that my policies and procedures are reviewed so that this never happens again.
Earlier this week, while in my care a miniature-sized puppy was involved in an accident with one of my own dogs that left him gravely injured.
That morning I had a group of dogs out for their break when I received a long-awaited call from my doctor’s office regarding the results of some recent tests. While I would never have left the dogs unattended, even though this was my group of well-behaved and socialized dogs, I knew I needed to step away long enough to take this phone call. When you know the doctor is calling with results regarding cancer treatments it would be hard for anyone to not answer. I should have brought the puppy in with me, but again this was not a large or ill-behaved group. Those few minutes I was on the phone will remain ingrained in my memory forever. I wish I could go back and do this differently, but I can’t.
The moment I discovered the puppy’s condition, I rushed him to the nearest Vet for emergency care. I was in communication with the owner while her puppy was being helped and, when the time came, I asked the Vet to allow me to be the one to tell her the final news. I walked the owner through the next steps for her little guy and made sure she knew that all expenses relating to the care and cremation were to be covered by me. I would not allow this tragedy to be made worse by the financial burden of emergency treatment or the puppy’s final resting place. This was not a business decision, nor one made from fear. I chose to do this simply because it was the right thing to do for the client who trusted me to keep her dog safe.
Believe me when I say there was no vicious intent from my dog. I would never own a dog, nor would I care for a dog, who had these traits. I have asked owners to arrange to have their dogs picked up early from boarding because their behavior was questionable. I have also asked clients to not return for daycare for the same reasons. This was a tragic accident between the dogs, with mine being larger and unaware that his playing was more than what the miniature puppy was able to handle.
Please know, I’m not asking for forgiveness, as this is an unforgivable act. I am however asking for possible understanding of how something like this could happen. Yes, I failed this family with gigantic lapse of judgment, a split-second decision, which ended in disaster.
I know this has happened at other businesses, but I expected more out of myself and I will do everything in my power to never have this happen again.
To this little angel’s momma and family, I am so sorry. There are truly no words from me that will comfort you or help make sense of this. I pray for peace and healing for you.
Daycare is available Monday - Friday & Boarding is available Monday - Sunday. Special drop off & pi
