Thursday, June 23, 2011

The things that happen when you aren't looking

Last night started like any other.  I picked up Jamie, went home, took the dogs out.
When I came back in there was Jamie...sitting in a pool of water, flinging the dogs bowl side to side.
He was grinning from ear to ear.
I was not. 
We've been working on this whole water bowl issue for a week or so now.
It's become his new favorite toy.  Seriously.  The minute you set him down in the kitchen he makes a bee line for it, so I can't say I was really surprised by what he'd done.  I laughed.  Grabbed the camera, took some pictures (cause that's what every good mom does right?  photograph the evidence) then proceeded to clean everything up.
The hubs come home.  He feeds the dogs, I start dinner.  We chat...
I hear Kasey growl and bark, assuming at Moose who's trying to steal his food.
Turn around and see Jamie, on his back, screaming.
My first thought is he got too close, the dog barked and he got scared.
Then I see a cut on his face.  And another by his eye.
He's screaming.  I'm hysterical.  The husband is putting the dogs away.
Neither of us saw what happened, but at this point it's obvious he's been bit.
Once we're calm I realize the one on his cheek is pretty bad.
We pack everyone up and head to Children's Hospital.
At this point Jamie is fine.  Happy.  Playing.  Smiling.  Talking.
I'm a hot mess.  How did I let this happen.  I know he's obsessed with that damn bowl and I know the dogs do NOT like anyone to disturb their eating time.  And now because I was careless, because I wasn't paying attention for 1 second, my baby is hurt.
The nurse takes us back and determines the cut on his cheek will probably need stitches.  And then tells me no short of a million times that dog bites often get infected and yes this will scar.
Great.  More mom guilt.  Way to make me feel like an even bigger piece of crap. 
So they send us back to the waiting room to do just that....wait.
And wait.  And wait.  Until we finally get called back to a room.
By this point it's pushing 8:30.  Well past Lil Man's bed time, but he's still quite happy.
The nurse tells us it's going to be awhile.  And it was.  A loooooooong while.
The doctor finally comes in, determines that yes, it will need stitches, but we have to put the numbing gel on first, which then needs to sit for 20-30 minutes. 
Jamie is finally sleeping, but we have to wake him up to put the gel on.  He screams.  I cry.  The nurse leaves and he falls back asleep.
30 minutes pass and they all come back in.
We have to burrito Jamie in a sheet so he can't move.  The nurse holds his head.  I lay my head on his chest to help hold and calm him and miraculously didn't cry.  I had to be strong for him.  Four stitches and what felt like for.ev.er later we're done.  They give him some motrin, an antibiotic and send us on our way.
It's now been almost exactly 5 hours since we got there.
We're all exhausted.
Thankfully Jamie fell asleep in the car and slept the whole night.
I heard him crying about 6 this morning and went in there to find him sweaty.
Took his temp.  100.9.  Great.  Visions of infection dancing through my head I frantically start searching for the discharge papers.  Unless it gets to 101.5 it's fine.  I give him more motrin.  Some if his antibiotic and a bottle.  The cut by his eye is swollen now and he can't open it, but he was babbling away as if nothing was wrong.  He's such a trooper.  My brave Mr. Boo.
I had to go to work today so he's at home with dad.  I know they'll be fine but I HATED having to leave.  As if I didn't already feel like the worst mom ever, now I can't even stay home with him.  His 4 stitches.  And his swollen eye.
I know he won't remember this.  I'm praying the scar will be small.  I even know that eventually I will get over it because accidents happen, you can't keep your children in a bubble.
But now there's the question of what to do with the dogs.
Honestly.  In my eyes.  They have to go.  Period.  No questions asked.
Accident or not.  I can't worry that it may happen again.  As Jamie gets older, more mobile and more curious he's going to get in their face from time to time.  I can't watch him every second of everyday.  I have to know he is safe when he's on the floor.  Keeping them separated from now until kingdom come isn't an option.  Making them outside dogs isn't an option.  Several people said I should take a day or two to think about.  Not to make any rash decisions and just give them away because I might regret it later.  In this situation I feel like I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't.  There will always be that person who can't believe I would even think of keeping the dog who hurt my child and there will always be that person who can't believe I'd even think of getting rid of them because accidents happen.  It's a lose-lose and now I get to be the "lucky" one to figure it all out.
Life's just never easy is it.

25 comments:

the workaholic momma said...

Oh my goodness - I'm so sorry this happened to your fam:( Addie's favorite is the dog's water bowl too. I don't even know what advice to give on the dogs - I'd be totally lost if I had to make that choice:( If you consider keeping them maybe check with your local humane society for a dog therapist that could help?? Sending you hugs and glad to hear Jamie did so well through everything!

Shannon said...

Ugh that's so scary! I'm glad he's okay though. That's definitely a tough situation, not sure what I would do. I can see both sides. Anyway to use a baby gate and keep him out of the room with the water bowls and food?

The Southern Wife said...

So glad he's ok! I worry what our dogs will be like when we have kids. I don't want to cross that bridge. I'm sure you'll come to the right solution.

Ashley said...

Oh honey, I'm so sorry. How scary. Don't blame yourself, things happen all the time. I know, easy for me to say, not so easy to do. When I was 2, I fell of the coffee table and split my cheek open right under my eye. I had a horrible swollen, black eye, and I still have a scar. And, I'm fine. I never even think about the scar. As far as the dogs go, I think you should take some time to think about it. I definitely think that anyone with a dog and children will not judge either decision you make. Seriously. Those without dogs, maybe, but who cares? It's about Jamie's safety. The Dog Whisperer (I know, lame, but I like him) suggests getting the dogs used to kids being around their food by you walking by them while they're eating and throwing a treat in their bowl, and you just do this several times every time they eat so they get used to it. He also says you can do that with petting/pulling hair and tails. YOU pull their tail but give them a treat when you do it. You get the associaltion idea. Just a thought!

dave and jenn said...

Oh man, that is a tough one. We have three dogs, and I'm also worried that something like this will happen one day. However, we personally probably wouldn't ever get rid of our dogs. I completely understand that you have to make your own choice in the situation, though. Good luck and glad your little man is okay!

Aly @ Analyze This said...

This is a tough decision. My heart aches for you, for your son, for the dogs, etc. It is a lose-lose situation, but it is YOUR decision. You can not allow others to influence it. You will wake up in the next few days and just know what to do.

Ashley said...

What a sad thing to happen. I bet your heart was shattered. I feel for you. Your decision is an extremely hard one. My pup is like a son to me, so I have no idea what I'd do in your shoes. My husband would make the dog go, but I would want to do what 'SG to SP' said and try to keep the bowls in a separate place where they aren't near Jamie until he's old enough to understand that the doggies are not going to be nice to him if he plays with them. Good luck m'dear. Take a day or two to think it all over. You'll figure out whats best.

Lindsey said...

So sorry! Glad Jamie is going to be okay though. That is a tough situation. My son crawls, bites, and messes with our dogs all the time. So far they have never even so much as growled at him. I can't even imagine what I would do if something like that happened.

Maybe you could try baby gates to keep the dogs and Jamie separated. I know it is probably easier said then done. What ever decision you decide you have to do what is best for you. I am sure it will be tough though. Good luck!

erin.patrice said...

Aw love. My heart is breaking for you. I hope that you will take the time to think things over. sometimes rash decisions are the ones we regret most. Try to be open about discussing it over with your hubs. Make it a family decision for what is best for YOUR family. Sending prayers your way.

Katie @ Loves of Life said...

This made me sad :/ We are ALL capable of something like this happening. Every one of us. I think having the mom guilt is the worst, but its to be expected. Every one of us would have it.

I hope you guys figure out what to do about the dogs. It makes me sad, but do what you feel is right.

Drew's Mom said...

So sorry you guys had to go through that. My heart hurts for you. Mom guilt is the WORST. Just know you are not alone in this... and that we've all been there in some way or another. Really glad to hear he's ok and hope he's feeling better soon.

Laura @ My Thoughts-Uninterrupted said...

This hit me hard because we are going through this exact same thing right now with the dog food/water bowls. Lola is very protective of her food and I've been working with her, but I'm sad to say I probably haven't been taking the issue seriously enough. I'm so sorry that you and your little boy had to go through this. I can totally understand the prediciment you are in now with the dogs and to be honest I'm not sure what I would do if this happened to us. I love my Lola and would like to say I would keep her, but I can understand...you can't watch them every second of the day. Maybe a dog training session would help? You will do what's best though. I'm glad he's okay and I'll be thinking about you while you make this tough decision.

-Hugs-

Jax said...

Ugh I couldn't imagine. :( I don't have kiddos so I can't really say either way.. and even if I did, people are bound to have different opinions, but I just think you go with what makes you comfortable. And take a couple days to think about it. And call your vet, do some google research, etc about what you can do to help the issue of the dog food and your little man. I hope you get to keep your pups and there's a solution to help ease your worries if you do. :)

Anonymous said...

Oh no! I'm so sorry you're having to make this decision. Glad the little guy is OK though. And really, I think girls dig guys with facial scars...he's going to be a-OK. ☺

Melanee said...

i'm so sad for you and your family. this is a really tough decision you have to make, but you are right when you say you can't spend the rest of jamie's life trying to keep him away from the dogs. you really should just call and ask around to find a family that would love to have your dogs. i hope jamie feels better!

Kitty and June said...

oh my gosh!!! so glad jaime is ok! you are quite the trooper bc i would of been a hysterical mess!!! i say a glass of wine is in your night tonight!

no advice about the dogs....thats a tough one....i already tell J that the cat will have to go when we have kids but he hates when i say that....good luck!!!!!

d.a.r. said...

I am so sorry sweetie, but I am so glad Jamie is okay!!

Gwen said...

I hope Jamie is looking better today (and that you enjoyed yourself a stiff drink last night). Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you all and love you tons!

Emily said...

What a sucky situation for you!! Glad the little guy is doing okay though (i'm sure as he gets older he's gonna love showing off a scar ha). As for the dogs having a behavior specialist come in could help. Adopting out a dog that has bitten is not easy and any shelter will most likely put it down right away. I know, not something you want to hear :( Best of luck to you guys with all of this.

KM said...

Yikes...I understand why you have mom guilt. I hope your Lil' Man is doing good. Accidents happen and it was not your fault.

My son loves our dog's water bowl too. It drives me nuts! I have to keep the bowl up because he will not leave it alone. I feel bad when I forgot to put the bowl down until mid morning because I know the dog is thirsty.

Our dog bit C once on the hand. It was a snip but still it freaked me out. I too felt like a bad Mom because I was letting C feed the dog animal crackers. I felt guilty for days. Now, because I didn't tell C "no" I run around daily in fear if C gets too close to the dog.

It's going to be a tough choice and I wish I had words of advice to offer you. Good luck with everything!

~KM

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

Oh no! Well I'm glad he's ok and that it wasn't something worse. That's a tricky situation with the dogs. Maybe they can become outside dogs and then they won't be around as much while he's indoors and the food bowl wouldn't be there?

Jess said...

Oh poor Jamie and poor mama too! Don't beat yourself up, it probably won't be his last accident or last scar for that matter either! {hugs}

Our Happy Married Life... said...

ahh, so sorry this happened! As i'm about to deliver our first baby this is definitely something we think about. we have a yellow lab and while she is the sweetest thing, I know everyone/thing has their breaking point. You will make the right decision. Good luck. :)

Llama said...

Ohhh noo! Poor little thing! I hope he feels better really soon!!!:)

Katie said...

Oh no, I'm so sorry this happened!!! Seriously; just like you said, you cannot watch him all the time so you shouldn't feel so guilty!!!! I positive that you make the right decision for your family and everything will work out for the best!