[KelliShaver]

I normally go outside with Elvis when he needs to go out, so he's not out there alone, but I've felt pretty sick for the last couple of days (food poisoning, I think) and really cannot handle standing outside in the heat, so this morning, when he needed to go out, I just put the fence collar on him so he couldn't get out of the yard and let him go.

Well, a few minutes later, I hear him barking and I look out the window to see what he's barking at and some kid is standing in the middle of our street staring at him. It's not a normal kid from the neighborhood that I recognize, which explains why he was barking. Elvis knows all of them and doesn't bark. They like to come over and play with him, etc.

So I go to the door to call him and bring him inside, and this kid throws something into our yard and runs off. Elvis, being Elvis, naturally, starts sniffing around to investigate, before I could get to him.

Can you see where this is heading?

Yep... firecracker blew up in his face.

I brought him inside (wasn't hard to convince him after that) and got him cleaned up. Physically, he seems fine, a little singed, perhaps, but he's rather shell shocked and sad and has spent most of the day sleeping in his crate (I leave the door open and he just goes in when he wants to. He feels safe in there).

Fortunately, he didn't have his nose stuck down there right on it when it went off and his eyes and ears seem OK now that the shock has worn off.

Poor guy. I feel so bad for him, though. I feel like it's my fault for not going out with him, and I'm angry at this kid (looked to be about 14-15), but I have no idea who he belongs to, so I can't go say something to his parents or anything like that.

Whoever he is, I hope he was just visiting and isn't going to be a regular around here. Our neighborhood is normally very nice, quiet, and friendly, and Elvis is well-liked by all our neighbors.

 

[My2Beagles]

First, please give Elvis a hug & kiss for me - what a terrible thing to have happened - poor Elvis was just being his normal Beagle-ly self.

Second - I would keep an eye out for this kid. If you see him again - watch him as he walks away from you - maybe you can see where he goes off to or, if it were me, I just mite call the police or animal control. This is an abuse issue - it can start with something like a firecracker but I know it can grow into a lot bigger problem.

 

[Zookeeper]

Oh my God! That is horrible. What a POS that kid is. I would love to ram a firecracker down his throat. That just pisses me off that anybody could be so cruel to a helpless creature. Too bad you can't find out who he is and call the cops on him.

Poor sweet Elvis! I am so sorry this had to happen to him. It sounds like it was more traumatic than than hurtful, but a vet visit to confirm that may be in order.

Do not blame yourself. Lord knows, you had no idea that brainless thug would do such a thing and I would imagine any other time, his trip would have been without incident. It's not your fault, it is the fault of that horrible teenager.

Hugs to you and calming belly rubs for Elvis.

 

[Quinn&Grayson]

And the kids these days aren't going to get any better....ugh.

I'm really sorry to hear what happened to Elvis. I hope he overcomes the shock of having a firecracker blow up in his face. Thank God nothing hurt him physically!

 

[KelliShaver]

Well, he came out of his crate almost as soon as I finished typing that. Maybe the noise of me being in here messing around woke him up. I took him out on his leash to go potty and now he's curled up at my feet licking my toes and wagging his tail. He's very clingy, but definitely in better spirits.

He does need to go to the vet soon anyway, to get a booster before he goes to the kennel for 5 days next month, so I will probably just go ahead and schedule that and see if I can get him in tomorrow.

I haven't been around in a while... Here's a photo.

 

[kathy5]

I would of been on that kids @ss no matter how sick felt not saying that because you did not makes it bad it is just what I would of done
this makes me angery why would a kid want to hurt an animal
I am very glad that your dog is o.k. find the kid & throw one in his face & lets see how he likes it sorry but this really upsets me

 

[KelliShaver]

Oh, if I see the kid, you can bet I'll give him an earfull, but at the time, I was more concerned with getting to Elvis and getting him taken care of. By that time, the kid was gone.

I really hope he's not a new addition to the neighborhood.

 

[Quinn&Grayson]

Giving the kid an earful won't do much good. He'll most likely tune you out. A child who behaves like that probably has no respect for authority. Instead, just try to figure out where he lives and report him.

It has a longer lasting effect.

 

[KelliShaver]

You're probably right. Sadly, I doubt going to his parents would even do any good, either.

Grrrrrrrrr.

Now that I know my dog is OK, the mad is setting in.

 

[jassy]

I am so sorry this happened to you and Elvis. I would file a report with Animal Control or the police or whatever authority is appropriate for youf area. That way if there are future problems you have started to build a record. Even if you can't identify him right now you can document that this happened. If Elvis is friends with any other kids in your neighborhood, talk to them. They may be able to tell you who did this.

 

[Brisen]

I am so sorry for poor Elvis...I can't even begin to imagine how I'd react if something like that happened to Maggie or Spinelli. Please don't blame yourself, you had no way of knowing something like that would happen...who would! I agree with Connie...talk to the kids that Elvis knows and maybe they might be able to tell you who did it.

 

[BookerMoose]

Oh my goodness - that is horrible. I'm glad Elvis seems to be okay and hopefully you never see that kid again. Hope Elvis recovers and doesn't have any scars - physical or psychological.

We adopted Popcorn in late September a few years ago and over the next month leading up to Halloween we had firecrackers thrown directly at us TWICE. Neither hit us, but Popcorn was already a basket case when she arrived and believe me, having this happen just about sent her right over the edge... she was definitely teetering there for a few days. We yelled at the kids and told them what we thought of them (and how irresponsible they were), but I suspect it fell on deaf ears. After that year the city banned firecrackers so we haven't really had that problem again since - but I still get nervous when we go out around Halloween.

 

[Gingergoose]

By all means, find out where that little SOB came from by asking the neighborhood kids. And file a police report.

I'm glad that Elvis is OK....this wasn't your fault. God knows what other forms of torture this little s**t practices on a daily basis.

~Denise

 

[Murphys Dad]

That was a terrible thing for that kid to do. I don't know how I'd have reacted, either. Senseless cruelty like that indicates a serious problem, and this kid very possibly will go on to even worse things. Hopefully, he's not a new neighbor.

I'm glad Elvis is okay.

 

[janna]

Unreal!!! Please give Elvis a hug and kiss for me. Hopefully you can spot that kid again and report him. I'm glad Elvis is o.k. I won't even get into what I think of that kid. I agree with everyone else.

 

[Erin]

That's so awful! I would most definitely report it to animal control or even file a police report. You never know, maybe he's done that to someone else's dog.

Hugs for you and Elvis!! I'm so glad he seems to be alright.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Sadly, kids that abuse animals often grow up and abuse people. Or worse.

I hope the kid gets help, but unfortunately he will probably end up in jail (I hope I'm wrong).

I'm glad that Elvis is ok-give him hugs from us.

I will never understand someone who does that.

 

[weed30]

That is just awful! It turns my stomach that anyone would do that to an animal. Definitely file a report.

 

[BCC]

if i found that kid, id shove an m 80 up his @$% and let my dogs light it.

 

[Beagle Eyes]

That is awful . Hugs from us ((()))