Over the weekend

Chatterbox: Down to Earth

Over the weekend

Over the weekend I got bit by my dad's friend's dog and had to get 4 stitches on my lip and two other cuts glued together at the ER. I feel really bad because the dog is a rescue and he only bit me because I accidentally triggered him. My dad is pretty good friends with this person, so there's a good chance I might see the dog again, but he lives like an hour away so I can't interact with the dog regularly. Does anyone have any advice on how to get over the trauma?

submitted by Twilight
(March 9, 2021 - 10:26 am)

back to the Down to Earth

First off: recognize that it was nobody's fault. I am honestly very grateful that you are not blaming the dog and can recognize why he bit you. I have known many people with long-lasting grudges against all cats for similar reasons. But it wasn't your fault either and you didn't do anything wrong or that you should blame yourself for!

I am assuming you didn't scream at the dog then throw rocks at him or anything like that, especially because you said that it was an accident. That's all it was, not a purposeful crime. It was a miscommunication. You got caught up in te moment and made a simple mistake that isn't really your fault, and the dog reacted that way.

Remember to tell someone if you are really bad/scared/can't-explain-your-emotions about it. Apologize to the person (over the phone or Zoom if you must) or the dog if you need to, even though you don't have anything to feel sorry about because that could still help.

And, OOWWW! I hope you feel better physically, too! And that sounds scary! I hope what I said helped!

Also: distract yourself. Maybe read a book. This helps.

I also thought you said that you bit the dog at first and I was very confused. XD 

Saffron says "brruh" so I think she means "bRrUh I hope you are feeling better that sounds harsh!" 

submitted by Feline Fantasy, Lux Aurea
(March 9, 2021 - 6:15 pm)

All Cats? ME???????? And twi, I really hope you feel better!

submitted by Kitty Cat, age call me, Kitty
(March 9, 2021 - 9:17 pm)
submitted by TOP
(March 9, 2021 - 9:09 pm)

To clarify, I triggered him by petting him on the head, I think he might have come from an abusive home where he was hit on the head and wasn't used to people being gentle around him so he was defending himself.

submitted by Twilight
(March 10, 2021 - 12:14 am)

Oh gosh, that sounds really scary. Like what Feli said, I'm glad you're not blaming the dog, though it wasn't your fault either. You couldn't have known he's respond that way. I think the best thing for you to do here is distance yourself for a while and try to occupy yourself with things you enjoy doing. You might have to see the dog again, in time, and when you do, try to keep away from it, and I'm sure if you ask them to maybe move the dog into another part of the house/backyard while you're there they'll do that for you. I'm so sorry this happened to you, Twi, I hope you get better soon!!!!!

submitted by Silver Crystal, age Infinity, Milky Way
(March 10, 2021 - 11:24 am)