Rabbit predation in dachshunds - Rest in Peace, Mazal.

[Doxherding Karen]

Well, Ima has definitely proved herself a predator; Mazal Tova is at the vet's, sedated and on oxygen after having the life nearly frightened out of her!

Ima and Merlin knocked down the barricade that keeps the pets apart, and while I was outside filling the dog's bowl with fresh clean water, Ima got ahold of Mazal by the neck and was dragging her out to the doggie yard.  I saw her and screamed, she dropped the unmoving carcass, and after some closed cardiac massage, Mazal suddenly inhaled and moved one paw.  So off to the pet e.r. because rabbits can die of fright almost as easily as birds.

She's being kept for the night on oxygen and pain meds.  There were no obvious injuries and she can move all four limbs.  We'll see in the morning how she is.

Rays would be good at this point.

Karen

UPDATE: 1:07 A.M. 

Dr. Meehan just called to say that poor Mazal Tova's luck ran out and she suddenly had a seizure and went into cardiac arrest.  They were able to get her heart to beat, but they couldn't get her to breathe on her own.  Dr. Meehan thinks there must have been some head trauma that caused the brain to swell.  She also found one of Mazal's ribs cracked, so Ima must have really shaken her good.

So rest now Mazal and Roscoe-Angel will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge.

And Ima really isn't in any trouble - like Sandy said, a dog's gonna do what a dog's gonna do.  I just feel sad because Mazal was the sweetest and the nicest of the Bunny Stalkers.  Poor Winston will have to get used to Princess Zelda as a companion now.

Auntie Karen

[Frankys_mom]

Oh MY!!!
Sending lots of rays your way!!
Thank goodness you were right there in time.
Keep us updated.

[papbouv]

Rays to your bunny hope she makes it though the night and will be fine in the morning. Papbouv

[Merion]

Sending HHHHH's & PPPPPPPP's for you and the bunny.

Glad Ima dropped her right away for you!!!
Mine wouldn't have been so willing.
Merion & the ZZ's

[Kari]

Oh No!! Rays headed her!

[Roberta]

Rays acoming, Ms Ima is not the  we thought she was.
roberta

[Brekkesmom]

Rays for the bunny Mazal Tova are heading east right away!

[Madderoos Mom]

Poor Maze but like I told my daddy one time when he was furious at Madison for chomping on chicken butt, dachshunds ARE hunters.  They're bred for that. 

It's a shame the weener got on the wrong side of the law (fence) but I hope you were'nt bitterly angry with her.  A dawg's gott do what a dawg's gotta do.

[PattyInAK]

So very sorry to hear this........

[cheryl186]

Karen, so very sorry to hear about Mazal Tova.  May she rest in peace....Roscoe will be waiting for her and I know that my Oreo Bunny will be waiting for her also to show her the way. 

[AnnieofNJ]

Karen, I am so sorry to hear about Mazal.  She is now hopping around the Rainbow Bridge.

I am glad you weren't angry with Ima.  She comes from a long line of hunting dogs and was doing what her instinct told her was right.

Hugs, Annie & the New Jersey Doxie Gang

[jillkilleen]

poor Mazal, but you are right, weenies are hunters!  I learned that when my first brother in law decided he was gonna show my first weiner his new squwirl pet, well I am sure you know how that went..... hugs and weenie kisses your way!

[TerriL]

I'm so sorry about all of this Karen.  Poor little bunny....  This really is one of those situations where nothing seems like the right thing to say.  I think I'll just let you know that Mazal will be in my prayers as will you. 

[Kari]

I'm so sorry!

[JetEd73]

I'm so sorry to hear this.

I know I crack jokes about bunny huntin but they are just jokes.

Ms. Ima was just doing what comes natural. they have to learn to NOT hunt the bunnys and it difficult to undo millions/thousands of years of instinct.

[sollysmom]

OMG, I am so sorry for you Karen.  It is hard to watch our loved companions leave us, but we know they are in a better place.  Keep the good thoughts.

Darcel

[Deb G.]

Sorry to hear the sad news.  Rays coming your way...

[Kathleen]

I'm sorry also, for poor Mazal. 

As to the girl-doggie, you need to make her repeat "Ima-gonna-leava the bunnies alone!".

[Merion]

Sorry to hear that Mazal lost her fight for life.

Have you checked out the steel gates that seem very solid so they can't bust it down.
So the bunnies are safe.

Glad you weren't too angry with Ima.  Zack is the only one of ours to go after bigger wildlife.  He went after the wood chuck but he was the one that got bitten, woodchuck was fine.

Merion & the ZZ's

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

How awful I'm so sorry! Poor bunny. it will probably be worse now that Ima had a success. My Jessie who had placements in field trials (and almost all her points when she had to have back surgery so we never continued) was a very intense hunter in the field. But at home she lived with 2 house bunnies that ran loose with her and she treated them like delicate puppies. I've put Hallie in an ex pen with bunnies and she just snuggles them too. But I never forget what they are bred for and you never know when that instict might have kicked in even for them. So sorry about little Mazal.

[Doxherding Karen]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts.

I went today to humane society to look at bunnies.  I think Daisy needs a male companion.  They have the most adorable little bunny named Wormwood (I have NO idea who thought that up - maybe an aging hippy!).  But after filling out the application and going through the interview, I left thinking, "There's no way in hæll they are going to let a bunny into a rabbit-killing house."

They're wrong, of course.  Ima was not out to kill Mazal.  (If she was, she coulda just snapped her neck and saved me $440!!)  Chase her?  Yes.  Play with her?  Well, maybe Ima thought it would be fun to play!  I know how it happened and when something like this happens in my house, it never happens again.  That's why we have doors and gates and separate areas for dogs and bunnies.  But reduced to a few words on paper, it looks like Ted Bundy advertising for an au pair.

Oh, well, 'nuf said.  Thanks to all of you again.  Your caring means a lot to me.

Love to all my hoomans and puppers,

Auntie Karen

[Teresa]

I'm sorry, also, Karen. I've always been so impressed with how you have been so careful to keep them separated. I also think the fact that Ima was bringing Mazal outside was interesting. Maybe she wanted to show her that she could give her freedom if she would let her! My immediate thought had been the gates that are attached to the walls on each side and just have a walk-through for the humans. I'm not sure, though, if they are wire mesh or slats and if the bunnies could get through them.
I had to laugh at you talking about the humane society. It will be interesting to see what they have to say later.

[Barb]

Oh Karen - I am so sorry..... that is so sad.  Godspeed sweet Mazal....

[David C.]

Geez...we're sorry to hear about this.   

Dachsies are hunters by instinct.  In some puppers the hunting instinct is stronger than others.   Rudy-angel was my most predatory of the bunch.   His world was very simple:  Hooman, all other dogs that weren't Max and prey.   He liked the first ones, would try to kill all the rest.

The Zs are polar opposites.   Zeke tries to be a hunter, but he's pretty bad at it.  He's all bluster and no stealth.   Zora is very maternal, regardless of species.  Case in point was when they encountered two ferrets in a cage.   Zeke was on one side trying to eat them and Zora was on the other side trying to give them kisses.

[Madderoos Mom]

So sorry to hear this, Karen.  Ima certainly didn't mean to break your heart.  I do hope she will feel your forgiveness.  Poor bunny Mazal.