Nellie is at the Bridge

[blanche]

It is with such profound regret that I have to tell you all that we had to euthanize Nellie.

Some wounds just cannot be healed and the emotionally damaged dogs are heart breakers.  We have struggled with Nellie and aggression for several months now and in spite of the best efforts of two sterling foster homes, she did not improve and was escalating.

The incident that Candace posted about regarding Mookie was due to Nellie.  And this wasn't the first time she had attacked one of Candace's dogs and wasn't the first time she had done damage.

Ultimately, given her increasing aggression to animals--both in her foster homes and out in the community--I decided that it was unfair to keep on struggling with her.  

Her aggression was unprovoked and had no discernible triggers.  She would be fine one minute and in full scale attack mode the next.  She certainly could not have been adopted given her issues and I did not feel that I could assure any adopter that she wouldn't escalate to aggression against humans.  The fact that she has already seriously hurt Candace's dogs was enough.  And had she been allowed to, she could have seriously hurt other dogs while on walks or at the park.

In the end, the greatest kindness I could show her was to release her.  She went quickly and peacefully and I held her as she left this world for the Bridge.

Sail on, Nellie.

[RockysMom]

I'm so sorry to hear about Nellie.
It was truly a kindness to let her go.
A candle is lit in Ottawa for Nellie

[Diane]

I'm very sorry to hear about Nellie.  It is always a difficult decision and I know was not made easily.  Unfortunately aggression is not easily if ever reversable and I know you can't take a chance with a new family, its not fair to Nellie or the family.  My thoughts are with Nellie and Candace.

[lmcpug]

A candle is lit in London for Nellie!

May Nellie find peace, lasting tranquility and happiness at the Bridge!

[Candace]

It's such a sad, sad time. I feel so quilty that I put my own animals in harms way and so quilty about Nellie going to the bridge. We did do all that we could, Hilary and I. We both loved Nellie and worked hard to give her every chance to trust the world and all that she would encounter. This is the second foster that I have seen go to the bridge. We struggled with Emi's health issues for 8 months, before it got to be too much for her. Nellie's issues were not physical, but a sickness all the same. This decision was made by some highly experienced people that I trust completely. That doesn't take away the sadness. Nellie, you will be in good company, at the bridge. I can picture her great smile, as she runs along.
A candle is lit for you, dear little one.

[Pam]

Run free Nellie.  I am so sorry for everyone who's lives she touched.