I Cannot Believe He Bit Me!
I CAN'T BELIEVE HE BIT ME
In August of 2021, Tuco, a daunting Doberman of ninety pounds, and Hagler, a nimble Belgian Malinois, were waiting for me to let them out of the 6x8 kennel. With no previous conflict history, Tuco bit Hagler, clamping his powerful jaws onto Hagler's neck from the top. I opened the large kennel door to pull Tuco off of the bite. Amid the chaos, Hagler's terrified eyes met mine.
Note 1: I must pause here to depict our bond - Hagler and I were close. He was my favorite dog I had ever owned. He was my constant companion on hikes and backpacking trips, the loyal student in countless training sessions.
Note 2: How does one get a giant dog to stop a locked bite? Grab his collar like gripping a steering wheel and twist hard. The increasing pressure of the collar around the offending dog's neck forces the animal to open his mouth and release.
Now, back to the action. At that moment, as my hand reached for Tuco's collar, Hagler mistook my intentions. He turned what was left of his unoccupied neck and clamped his mouth onto my right hand. Trained as a French Ring dog since he was but a pup of eight weeks, his biting grip was unyielding, as steadfast as the teachings ingrained in him.
It was as if a bolt of lightning had hit my right hand; sharp pain shot through my nerves to the tips of my toes and the crown of my head simultaneously. I felt the intense intrusion of his canine teeth puncturing through my palm and thumb, plunging through like nails into softwood. Through the pain, I mustered the focus to utter a single command, "Hagler, Aut." The obedient soul he was, he let go instantaneously.
Tuco, however, was still fixed on Hagler's neck. With blood pouring out of my right hand, I reached out with my left hand to grab the Doberman's collar, twisting it with all the strength I could summon until he released his iron grip on Hagler. I then dragged Tuco out of that kennel and separated them to get my hand treated.
Tuco and Hagler
BREAKING THE CYCLE OF PAIN
The familiar phrase, "Hurt people hurt people," is a pearl of wisdom that captures the cycle of pain that can be perpetuated by individuals, or even animals, who themselves are in pain. It teaches us to reflect on the pain others may have endured before judging their actions, allowing compassion to replace anger and resentment.
Now, take the event of Tuco and Hagler, two dogs who shared a kennel and a very peaceful coexistence. Tuco, the Doberman, unexpectedly hurt Hagler, the Belgian Malinois, causing a chaotic series of events that even saw Hagler, in his pain and fear, lashing out at his trusted human companion. You see, Hagler was a victim, but in his hurt, he reacted by inflicting pain on another - his beloved owner, me!
How often is it that we, in our own lives, do the same? In moments of pain, confusion, or fear, we react without thinking and hurt those around us. Like Hagler, our actions are not born out of malice but of pain and fear. And sometimes, like Tuco, we may inflict pain on others without apparent reason, trapped in our struggles.
When confronted with hurtful situations, I challenge you to act with understanding and patience. Just as I responded to Tuco's bite on Hagler and Hagler's bite on me - by freeing both dogs from their cycle of pain rather than responding in anger. We must strive to do the same with those who hurt us.
Here are a few things I advise people to implement to break the cycle:
Awareness: Recognize and acknowledge the hurt you've experienced and how it might influence your behavior towards others. Being aware of your reactions and emotions is the first step toward healing.
Forgiveness: This doesn't mean forgetting or excusing the hurt done to you but releasing its hold on you. It's about letting go of resentment and thoughts of revenge.
Communication: If you feel comfortable, express your feelings to those you've hurt or those who've hurt you. Honest, open communication can facilitate understanding and healing.
Boundaries: Establishing healthy boundaries can protect you from continued hurt and prevent you from hurting others when you are in pain.
Tuco and Hagler couldn't implement the above practices, but we can!
YouTube Video of Hagler and Me Hours After the Bite Linked Here
©2023 Greg McNichols, All rights reserved.
