Our baby attached by a golden retreiver!!

[BAD]

Abbey is fine, but the story may be helpful to others. We walk Abbey at least an hour a day around our neighborhood and our small downtown area. Los Gatos is a dog friendly town and Abbey meets a ton of dogs with no problems. So today my husband, Abbey and I are walking around town. I saw a women coming toward us walking two dogs, a lab and golden retriever. The retriever was larger than the lab. My experience with both breeds has always been positive. I don't consider either breed aggressive. We've owned two wonderful labs. All the dogs were leashed.

However, I noticed that something was off. The women who was listening to an iPod) looked worried and the lab was sort of pulling on the lease. I just got a bad vibe. So I moved out into the street so we would not have to have contact with the dogs. No big deal we'll just move along. When we came abreast of the lady and her dogs the retriever, who was on the far side about 8-10 feet away from us, lunged toward Abbey growling and snapping. The lady lost the lease and the dog tried to get a hold of Abbey. She really only once got her teeth on Abbey's neck. I started shouting at the retriever to leave it, no , what ever came to my mind and finally the women got a hold of her dog's leash. I was upset and wanted to see that Abbey was okay. The women took her dogs and walked away without a word!

We walked a half a block and then I realized I wanted to appear normal and not upset for Abbey. I didn't want her traumatized. Well, Abbey was fine, we made over her a bit and walked on.

The moral of the story is trust your instincts. I usually watch the dogs for behavior clues. But be sure to check out the owner too. They may have no idea what their dogs are capable of. All's well that ends well. But I would love to see that lady and her dogs again and have a word with her.

thanks for listening. Writing this is good therapy for me. Abbey is fine, but I'm still ticked off!!!

[Raleighsmom]

And I don't blame you for being ticked off!!! Honestly...where are people's heads??? Wasn't an apology in order? Wouldn't you think she would want to know if Abby was allright? I'm glad she is, and I'm glad you posted this to make us more aware of trusting our gut instincts!

[tuffystar]

People like that should not be allowed to have dogs! I am glad your baby is ok but I would be ticked off too!!!!

[MaxandMe]

i can only imagine what that person is like NOT to ask if your dog is okay !!
and Glad you trusted your gut instincts!

sorry you went through this but glad your dog is not hurt.........i'd be so upset too!

It also makes you wonder how people are raising , training their dogs as goldens usually are NOT known to be agressive.

[lindamarie]

OMGOSH! I would be furious! I am so glad your baby is okay!
For someone to just walk away like that is insane. It reminds me of someone at this forum, I'm sorry I can't recall who , where their doodle was attacked at the beach and the guy just LEFT!
How can people be so lethargic, apathetic, RUDE and MEAN!??

I have now heard a couple of people say that GR's can be on the nasty side. Annmarie, you say it's out of character. That is what I always thought too!
Bogart's buddy Finn is a GR and we're trying to get REALLY FRIENDLY while he is 6 months old and before he will weigh about 95 LBS!

I am sooooo sorry for the incident and glad all is well. You were correct in trying to show no tension to Abby. That had to be difficult.
I ALWAYS go on instincts! Seems I'm always right too like you were!