Well I heard from my sil and she said that I was a little to hard on her son for running our boston to the point of almost killing him.OMG I couldn't believe it. All I said was you were lucky that I didn't loose my temper or if I had you would of been picking you son up off the floor and would never be welcome in my home. and I guess my brother was really mad at him and he chewed on him on the way home and I think that is why she said what she did. and I truely don't think they know what its like to have a pet that is part of your family. We have a 13 year old border collie a 6 year old yorkiepoo and Mr Louie who is 1 dh had bought him for me last year on Mothers day out of the blue and was a total suprise so he is very special to me and my dd has a 6 month old boxer. and it would kill us if anything would happen to them they are just like kids to us

By Dawnk777 on Monday, June 23, 2008 - 11:21 pm:

Does your SIL have any clue about how bad off your dog was? I don't think you were too hard on the kid. Sheesh.

Don't smoosh-faced dogs need to be more careful about too much activity in the heat, than a pointy-faced dog, too? I know English bulldogs can't do too much in the heat. I'm not sure about Bostons. Although, it sounds like it was too hot for any dog to be running around, for an extended period of time.

By Ginny~moderator on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 06:34 am:

You know my feelings. This 14 year old boy has been told several times not to run the dogs. He goes out of the house, sneaks over the fence (breaking it in the process), hunts for the ball, and runs the dogs -which he has been told several times not to do. I agree - if it had been me, your sil would have been picking her son up off the floor (and I am NOT a hitter). It sounds to me like no one has been hard on this boy before, and it is about time someone started. I'm glad your brother chewed him out. Mom is trying to protect him from the consequences of his actions, which is a very dangerous thing to do. Children need to learn, from a fairly early age, that actions have consequences and breaking the rules brings punishment. This time he comes close to killing your dog through his selfish disobedience - what happens when he does something serious enough that mom can't protect him?

If it were me, I'd make sure when he is at your house that he is under an adult eye at all times, not allowed to go outside without adult supervision, because he clearly has no regard for your rules. If his mom or your brother object, remind them that he almost killed your dog through his disobedience. I was serious when I suggested that this boy might think it fun to tease or bully children - it is not a long step from cruelty to animals.