The Hardest Decision

Two weeks ago this Friday, we said good-bye to Raider.
It was a hard decision, but we felt it best for every one's safety. Back in September, Raider bit one of Braden's friends. While we aren't 100% sure it wasn't do to this child picking at him, Raider became a criminal and spent 10 days under "house arrest." Since that time, he had been an angel (except for peeing on the leg of the foosball table). He loved everyone he met outside and was great with adults who came over. He was sometimes unfriendly to children so we told Brady he could not have friends in the house. The few times he did, Raider went on the front porch or outside.
Jon and I had begun to tire of the foosball issue though. I made a flier and Jon began hanging them everywhere. We were hoping to find Raider a new family before Christmas so that I could put our tree up. (I was not going to put up a tree with him in the house because of the peeing issues!)Then two weeks ago, Dallas stole a rawhide I had given to Raider earlier in the day. She always does this. Usually she then taunts him with it. She's always been the "top dog" and he knew it. Anyway it seems that he finally realized he was bigger than she was. Raider went after Dallas to get his rawhide back. It took Braden and I both to pull Raider off of Dallas. She was terrified! And upon a second look, he had bitten her on her throat.
Jon and I spent the next several days a wreck! Dallas had to be locked up on the porch or taken to her cousin's if we left the house. She was visibly nervous around him. I went to talk to the vet about our options. I called shelters and rescue agencies. All said the same thing: given his bite record, they could not take him. Then Jon read online that should we find him a home and he bite someone even 10 yrs. from now, we could still be held liable! So we came to the hard decision that we would have Raider put down. It was the only way we could insure every one's safety in the future.

So Jon planned the best last 2 days! Raider got to go on a long walk WHERE EVER he wanted. He got to go run and swim at the reservoir, he finally got people food, and then Jon took him to the vet (he LOVES them!) *** Braden just knows that Raider went to the vet and that they had a new home for him where he would be able to run and swim everyday. And maybe, just maybe he will finally be able to catch a bird! Raider loved to watch birds fly! ***

Here are some pictures of Raider before he left. I'll post the other pictures over the next few days. I took a ton! Keep Jon in your prayers. He was so upset. He loved Raider more than anyone and he is the one who took Raider to the vet. They were so great and we feel so blessed to have had people who loved Raider take care of him and take care of us!!!