Had a bit of a "situation" this weekend...

Question:
 And not sure if this belongs here or in training or where it belongs. Grrr. I am just really feeling morally torn here. :confused:
Having been held hostage in my own dooryard (we shared a dooryard) for years by an American Bulldog belonging to my neighbors that bit and attacked, I am the first to say that something MUST be done when a dog bites someone - I may have to eat some humble pie. Maybe I am too close to the situation, I am not sure.
Sasha (our five year old dane) "bit" someone this weekend. I have always found her to be "sharp" - she is very protective of our family and our property - she has never bitten anyone in the past, but she has "held" people at the door. If someone comes into our kitchen and surprises her, we have no light in our shed so if the kitchen light is on she cannot see out the window in the door to see who is coming in. She will lunge and bark at the door as she can only see a big dark dog (herself) in the window. We don't have many visitors and she has occasionally done this when AgilityPup or I were at the door but she always recognizes our voice and backs down.
Saturday night, AP and I were upstairs - we heard a vehicle drive in but assumed that it was mom and dad (who were to have been coming home at that time) so didn't go downstairs to see who it was. We heard lots of barking when someone came in the shed (she has done this when mom comes into the shed as well), and then heard someone shout "Sasha!" - we figured we had better get downstairs - both danes were at the door, and it took a good deal of calling to get Sasha off the door - when I saw who it was (Nicole, a family friend) and she said Sasha had bitten her, I chased her upstairs, "spanking" her the whole way. I guess Nicole had started to come into the house, but Sasha reached for her and she bruised the hand (no broken skin that I saw) and Nicole slammed the door shut before Sasha could do anything else. I am of the opinion that if Sasha wanted to do something more (bite her and rip her arm off, lol), she would definitely have done so when she had her mouth on Nicole at all. Nicole was also wearing a ballcap so Sasha couldn't see her eyes - she is very sharp about people wearing anything concealing their face as well (our farrier was here a few weeks ago, wearing a cap and she made a beeline for him - I don't think she would have bitten him but I grabbed her on the way by, and told him to take off his hat - he took it off long enough for her to see him, then he petted her and she went off to play). Nicole was quite incredulous -- "She knows who I am!"
The thing is, I would never expect the dog of any of my friends to allow me to enter their house, regardless of how well I know them. I don't know why she didn't just go back out to her car and honk her horn - why she opened the door at all! I don't care how much I "know" a dog (she has also stated in the past that she doesn't 'trust' Sasha, though Sasha has never done anything to her), if 140lbs of big black dog is lunging at a door and barking, there's no way in Hades I am opening that door! Her face was hidden, and we were not downstairs to see who was coming in, I feel that Sasha was truly just protecting her property and her family. Now if Sasha had grabbed ahold of Nicole and given her a good shaking and drawn lots of blood, I think I would feel differently. At first, when she stood down the first person (coincidentally Nicole's boyfriend!) who tried to just walk in while we were upstairs, I didn't feel comfortable having a dog aggressive like that. Now I am not sure how I feel.
I think we're going to get a doorbell, keep the door locked and put up a sign that says "Please ring bell and wait" or something to that effect and work on Sasha's "off" command. Any suggestions on calling her off for training, etc? Besides simulating the experience again and again and just yelling at her. :P Blargh.
Nicole didn't seem too upset with us, but my mom posted a similar message to this on another forum that she happens to use and Nicole announced to everyone on the board that she was sure that Sasha would have "killed" her if she had not been able to close the door..... The dog is six years old, she has never ever bitten anyone in her life (except for once when AP was sliding in the winter, she put her mouth on her head, I expect to "save" her from going down the hill, lol, but no harm done and not an aggression bite), if she was going to "kill" someone or really do some damage, I figure she would have done it by now. I am not so sure how much of a "bite" it was anyways, she may have hit her with her open mouth on her way down (she was lunging at the door and barking).... She also told people she had to slam Sasha's head in the door repeatedly to get her to back off -- did a full on inspection of her head and it definitely was not "slammed repeatedly", absolutely no soreness or unusual swelling, plus I think we would have heard that. She keeps telling us that she doesn't think Sasha should have done this because she "knows" her. You know a fairly large percentage of crimes against people are comitted by people they know and she sees her maybe 2-3 times a month. I see HER boxer, Holly, probably 2-3 times a WEEK and I still wouldn't expect Holly to allow me to come into her house.
Got an email from someone who said it was a "German Breed" thing... *sigh* This is troubling me. Especially with dad heading off yesterday morning to Buffalo to work with FEMA, with only two hours advance notice. I feel stressed! Back to stall cleaning!
We're about due for a big blowup with Nicole someday soon so I reckon this is it (aside from last week baiting AP into babysitting by offering her $50 - the only reason AP went at all, and then when she came home, only giving her $30 and when AP asked for the rest insisted that she wasn't there "that long" anyways) - woman is a wingnut. Is also the woman who wanted to breed Angel to an arabian. Now I'm glad I didn't waste a year of her precious life for someone else.
*sigh* People.

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Gah, icky situation, for one, i agree, if your dane had wanted to do real damage she woudl have easily broken skin, and if her head had been slammed in the door a few times there would be recognizable sighns.
And that whole line about "she knows us" yes she knows the woman when properly introduced and she can see her face, my chis wont stop barking if someone comes in the house with a hat on...they recognize a person by face much more than people realize.
My big wory is that this nichole might try and take legal action. but since she walked into your house and your dog was simply protecting you and your property from a tresspasser its not a worry.
I would definatly start locking your door and put in a doorbell, your parents should have a key and before they walk in they should clearly announce who they are (to avoid your dane worrying about whos comming in) anyone else shoudl have to ring the bell and wait, for one its commom curtesy...you dont just walk into someones house...no matter how well you know them, especially if they have a dog big enough to eat a small child (lol, i had a dane)
when the doorbell rings start off having someone holding her collar, and put her in a sit stay before opening the door. she has to stay in the sit stay while calmly introduced to the person then THEY can treat and then you release her. (so long as shes behaving)
Everytime the bell rings if shes not already at the door take her over there and again sit stay, guest treats, you release...you want to work towards her sit and stay without someone controling her, then work away from the treats (just a nice pet and hello)
The sit stay and you being in control of the situation will help her feel more secure that you are in charge and she wont HAVE to be.
Hope this helps.

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Does your friend know that Sasha doesn't like when people have their eyes covered? If so, she should have taken off her hat.
I think its rude when people just waltz right on into other's people's homes without knocking or ringing the doorbell.. unless its a family member.
I think it was your friends fault. Like you said.. Sasha was just protecting her family.

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Nicole sounds like a few people I have had the misfortune to know in the past. I am surprised that someone would just walk into your house, especially knowing (and hearing) you have a large dog. It is just common courtesy to knock on someone else's door and wait until you are asked to enter. That was just a little be rude and maybe pushy. I agree that you are protected legally by the fact that your dog was inside your home and she entered without permission. I am not sure what steps to take to try to train your dog not to do something like that. Isn't it a dogs natural instinct to protect their own territory? Do you want to remove any guard instinct from them and their natural need to protect their home? What if it had been an intruder? This would have a whole different tone. The dog would be a hero and there wouldn't be a question of how to train it not to protect. I think you should lock the door and people should learn to wait until invited in.

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I think anyone that walks in someone's house with a barking dog inside, ( friend or no friend) is asking for trouble and in this case she got some. I would chalk this up as a lesson to your friend, and tell her that this is the way your dog protects the property and " kindly wait for us to let you in next time"...... I don't even go into my daughters homes without knocking, and wouldn't even think about doing it...........Sounds like the dog was just being protective of you and your home.......

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well I guess she'll learn that she can't just walk into other people's homes anymore. Laws are different, but here, as screwy as our laws are, if someone comes into your home, (friend, extended family memeber, neighbor, whoever) ,and they aren't invited, or given permission to prior by you, and they get bit, too bad for them.

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I do NOT like the "If my dog really wanted to hurt this person, it would have been worse," comments. I'm not referring to you specifically. That comment just seems to come up frequently when mentioning bites by big dogs.
It doesn't matter what the dog "could have done". Bottom line, your dog hurt somebody. She was threatening, growling, barking, and then bit. That's the issue.
I don't think Sasha did anything wrong, though. An uninvited person walked into your house. Sasha did not attack without warning: she threatened first. It's not like Sasha attacked a person on the street. Your friend was technically trespassing. If Sasha only reacts in appropriate situations, and immediately relents when you tell her to, then I don't think you have an aggression problem. I think you have a very good home guardian.
I agree with putting up a sign that says "ring bell" or "knock before entering." As to the situation with your friend, I'm not sure what to advise you. I don't know what the legal situation would be in this case.

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I do NOT like the "If my dog really wanted to hurt this person, it would have been worse," comments. I'm not referring to you specifically. That comment just seems to come up frequently when mentioning bites by big dogs.
It doesn't matter what the dog can do. Bottom line, your dog hurt somebody. She was threatening, growling, barking, and then bit. That's the issue.
I don't think Sasha did anything wrong, though. An uninvited person walked into your house. Sasha did not attack without warning: she threatened first. It's not like Sasha attacked a person on the street. Your friend was technically trespassing. If Sasha only reacts in appropriate situations, and immediately relents when you tell her to, then I don't think you have an aggression problem.
I agree with putting up a sign that says "ring bell" or "knock before entering." As to the situation with your friend, I'm not sure what to advise you. I don't know what the legal situation would be in this case.
I think that her friend was "trespassing" at that point and any judge with half a brain would lecture the friend rather than the dog owner...... Besides, if he friend instituted any kind of legal action, then it would be obvious to me that she wasn't any kind of friend at all, anyway.. Sounds like she deserved what happened to her in my opinion......

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Gempress, please understand I am just trying to get my head around the entire situation - I would not make an excuse for a dog that bit like that. I have a very sick feeling in my stomach right now. Previously I have been VERY anti aggressive dog, regardless of the situation - I just can't tolerate it, especially with a large dog like that. She is very friendly and amiable on her own terms. We had two girls from overseas stay here for five weeks and they were never ever once threatened.
I realize what this dog is capable of which is why I have always been very sharp with her about not accepting any grumbling/growling, etc -- I am just trying to understand what Nicole said vs what actually happened there since I did not see, only HEARD what had happened from upstairs before we realized it was not mom. I do not believe she slammed Sasha's head repeatedly in the door, I don't understand why Sasha would not have GRABBED her and held if she really had in mind to attack - vs having been in mid-lunge with her mouth open and caught her on the way by.

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meep!!

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Gempress, please understand I am just trying to get my head around the entire situation - I would not make an excuse for a dog that bit like that.
I'm sorry, that wasn't meant as an attack or anything. I guess it was a bit of a missplaced mini-rant.
Like I said, I really don't think Sasha was doing anything wrong. I'm not sure what the laws are about a dog biting a trespasser; I think it varies from area to area.
I hope things work out all right for you and Sasha. ((hugs))

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From the facts of your story, I don't think the dog did anything wrong at ALL! The friend who walked into a home with a barking, powerful dog and no human in sight was definitely in the wrong. I think you should just wait it out and see what happens. Adding the sign and the doorbell is definitely smart. Other than that, if she tries to sue for a bruised hand, that would be extremely petty, and I don't think she'd get much out of it...

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I doubt she'll go towards legal action, she definitely can't afford it, lol, and she wouldn't get much out of us! In Canada, she likely wouldn't get any money out of it anyways, the worst that would happen is that a judge would require the dog to be destroyed, and I can't think that any judge with any brain cell in their head would side with an intruder who got bitten by a dog protecting it's territory!!
She has said repeatedly that she does not trust this dog - but allows her three year old son to visit and play with her and lift her jowels, etc. If she was truly an aggressive, dangerous dog, I certainly believe we would have seen something before now - six years, we've owned her her entire life. The most dangerous part about her is that she can be so purely exueberant when she is playing that she can, logically knock someone over in excitement (not tackle them but knock them over on the way by!).
I guess my questions are now leaning towards HER behaviour. If she did not trust the dog in the first place, why would she open the door to begin with? *shakes head*
Thanks for the reassurance, though, guys.
Gempress, I didn't think you were attacking ((Hugs back for you!)) -- I just wanted to make myself clear. Having been a large dog owner for my ENTIRE life, (from a dobie when I was an infant to these danes now), I simply cannot tolerate aggression unprovoked in any form -- especially from a dog that huge. Especially since my experiences with the american bulldog -- I have always been the first to say aggressive dogs should be taken care of and a repeat offender should definitely be destroyed (in the matter of biting and drawing blood) - because "keeping him away from kids", etc, is never a valid solution, IMHO., it's just difficult because I am so close to the situation and I appreciate being able to see the opinions of others in this case re: the validity of her behaviour, for sure.
So thanks, guys - not for telling me I am right (though I appreciate that too ;)) but giving me a little insight!

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I doubt she'll go towards legal action, she definitely can't afford it, lol, and she wouldn't get much out of us! In Canada, she likely wouldn't get any money out of it anyways, the worst that would happen is that a judge would require the dog to be destroyed, and I can't think that any judge with any brain cell in their head would side with an intruder who got bitten by a dog protecting it's territory!!
She has said repeatedly that she does not trust this dog - but allows her three year old son to visit and play with her and lift her jowels, etc.!
If you want my advice, I would have a talk with her and the first thing I would discuss is not letting her 3 year old child play with your dog anymore. If her child gets as much as a scratch on her, this "friend" of yours sounds like she wouldn't hesitate to drag you and your dog into court. You don't need her telling a judge that you have a vicious dog and that it bit her kid, and the judge telling you that the dog will have to be euthanized because of it...... I would tell her that apparently she has alot of reservations about the safety of your dog, and because of this it would only make sense at this point to keep her 3 year old child and your "mean and aggresive dog ;) " apart from now on"....... Letting the child play with your dog is an invitation to disaster for you and your dog, in my opinion.

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i honeslty don't think you have a problem. sophie is protective. but she is just the sweetest dog you'll ever meet. she has "bitten" 3 people.
1) my mums ex was playing around with her when she was mouthing his arm. HE pulled away too fast and her teeth cut his skin. his fault. we didn't worry. sophie continued to show no signs of agression.
2) the second was a woman on a motorbike, sophie hates the mailman (rides a motorbike) sophie just flew in and grabbed her ankle. no blood, no actual aggressive behaviour coz then sophie thought "oh crap! thats a person" and backed right off. we've been much mroe careful about her and motorbikes since.
3) daisy(maltese mix) left the yard to go talk to a red dog beinf walked up the street. the ACD flipped daisy on her back and i ran out just to see this dog trying to attack daisy's neck. i started running, then sophie flew past me and went to save daisy. the woman went to grab her dog just as sophie went to defend daisy and she ended up with a cut in her hand.
i don't think you have a problem. sasha gave a warnign but she couldve done a lot of damage if she actually wanted

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I am sorry to say that for me with my Filas thats a "good dog" situation. I would expect nothing less BUT everyone who knows my property knows this. During the daytime my maid, gardener, sister in law and 5 close friends can come into the yard unsupervised if I am home. If I am home or not is clear as my balcony will be open.At night nobody can come into my yard unaccompanied other than myself my wife and my daughter.
Gempress wrote:
"I don't think Sasha did anything wrong, though. An uninvited person walked into your house. Sasha did not attack without warning: she threatened first. It's not like Sasha attacked a person on the street. Your friend was technically trespassing. If Sasha only reacts in appropriate situations, and immediately relents when you tell her to, then I don't think you have an aggression problem. I think you have a very good home guardian."
I agree 100%, you do have a very good home guardian, she threatened first.
I remember last year I had a contracting team in the yard for a week or so. Leica would just watch them carefully after being introduced and supervised with them for a few hours. On the last day my wife was in the shower and heard leica barking threateningly. As fast as she could she got a gown on and ran outside to find Leica mid flight launching herself at one of the workers only to pin the guy down by his neck. Scary stuff. Wendy was mortified but thankfully Leica outed immediately when commanded. It was then that the reason for the attack was made clear. The little s@#t had reached through a window and stolen our camera. First the threat and then the attack, nothing wrong with that in this country.
I do not believe you have an aggression issue, I believe you have a great dog who is in the small % of animals who will truly stand their ground and protect you. You obviously very much love your dog and in return he is loving you.

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well said gdsgregory

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I don't think your dog was way out of line. My extremely friendly Border Collie has fiercely threatened several people who have tried to enter the house late at night when I am home alone. When I'm alone (my parents go to Mexico regularly) friends will drop by and, even though Dakota knows who they are, it doesn't change the fact that they're barging in on his territory without my consent. He has no problem being civil to the same person he threatened - as soon as I tell him to back off and invite the person in, he greets them in his usual friendly manner. A defensive bite is not the same thing as blind, indiscriminate aggression. I would be very careful with a dog like that in the future, but certainly that doesn't make her vicious.

Your friend was STUPID to open your door when she knows you have dogs. Even if they are normally friendly, it's still a natural instinct for dogs to protect their territory. I don't have nearly as much of a problem with what your dog did as I do with what your friend is doing - greatly exaggerating the story about what the dog did.

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As fast as she could she got a gown on and ran outside to find Leica mid flight launching herself at one of the workers only to pin the guy down by his neck. Scary stuff. Wendy was mortified but thankfully Leica outed immediately when commanded. It was then that the reason for the attack was made clear. The little s@#t had reached through a window and stolen our camera.
Smart dog!:D
I have no doubt that my Borders would nip anyone uninvited that walked into my house. They are very protective.
When my husband fisrt starting a part time night job about 2 mos ago, that first week when he would come home at 1am, the dog's would threaten him, growling and lunging at the door as he tried to come in, before they knew it was him.
Then when they realized who it was, they would get all embarrassed .

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I really have a hard time understanding why anyone would just walk into somebody's home at night to begin with, much less with large protective dogs on the premises. I was thinking about my cousin's dog, an Akita. My cousin and I were raised together in the same home, it doesn't get any closer to that. We are sisters at heart. I have known her Akita since the day she came home. I play on the floor with her Akita. I walk her, I love her. She loves me. Yet, I would never even imagine walking into her home without first giving a knock. Not only does it make sense from the standpoint of a guard dog, but it's just plain Good Manners! Your friend has no manners.

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I really have a hard time understanding why anyone would just walk into somebody's home at night to begin with, much less with large protective dogs on the premises. I was thinking about my cousin's dog, an Akita. My cousin and I were raised together in the same home, it doesn't get any closer to that. We are sisters at heart. I have known her Akita since the day she came home. I play on the floor with her Akita. I walk her, I love her. She loves me. Yet, I would never even imagine walking into her home without first giving a knock. Not only does it make sense from the standpoint of a guard dog, but it's just plain Good Manners! Your friend has no manners.
It's obvious that the person doesn't have any social skills and isn't very bright either......

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LOL Bobsk8, you hit the nail right on the head!!!
The only reason we only remotely tolerate this woman in our lives at all (she has skipped out of a couple of thousand dollars she owes us for the purchase of a horse, etc) is because of the fierce love and devotion we feel to her two sons. She is constantly skipping around with different men, and both boys have different fathers. They really deserve some sort of consistency and stability in their lives, and we are really the only people who provide it. The younger (three year old), calls my mom "Grammy Nee" (Denise), and my father "Grumpy", and AP and I are called "nana!" -- I have babysat him since he was born. The older, who is 11, loves to come and help my father in the barn and feel that he has a *purpose* in life, that people *appreciate* the things that he does and don't just write him off as a "bad kid" -- dad took him to my aunt's store one time and introduced him as his grandson -- I don't think the boy could have smiled any brighter - he was illuminated....
It's such a rock and a hard place. :P

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I remember, when I was alot younger, my neighbors, paul and mary, had this big friendly akita named brandy. Now I remember mom telling me she was barking because she wanted me to said hi. I was maybe 8 or 9, so i was intimdated by loud barks. Everytime I went over there to pet her, she'd bark til she could see me clearly. I also know she was dog agressive and have no doubt that she was a good guardian.

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Nicole was wrong should not of come into the house on her own.
You were wrong knowing she is sharp and not keeping the area locked and or telling all my family DO NOT COME IN without us present.
Please excuse the bluntness but you cant be blunt enough.
You were lucky this time and now you need to correct the issues.
Post signs NOT beware of dog but do not enter.
Call all friends and family that are not around daily and say do not come in without us being there.
I dont know how "sharp: she is but she could of mistaken this person for a stranger if it was a dark shed. The ball cap can make a difference.
She was protecting and Nicole was wrong however it is now up to you how things go.
Also Nicole i bet did not say hi Sasha , I have a OLD very sharp dog that simply can not see well. So when my family comes over i dont let them get together in dark areas of teh house the 1st time > I say with high Voice CHRIS IS here and get her going in the tail wagging so by the time he opens the door her whole body to my cues is going wiggle diggle and then i know it is safe.
I have one dog that will accept you in my farm and even kiss you because i cued her to accept you while im there. But the minute you step back over the gate she then protects me from you - you are on the outside- and im on the inside.. THis same dog I can hand to you and you can CGC test her but if you try to take the leash from me even if she met you- she will grab your hand and hold and say YO what u think your dooing.
All my dogs need intro's from one degree to another but like Danes they were bred to protect first and sadly this type of temp thou needed is not wanted in the USA by the average person who do not understand correct beahavior of protective breeds.
Sounds like your dog is a throw back to what the breed was created for they would cherish a dog of this breed in Europe that still has instincts.
So please do what you need to do to protect you and your dog and tell Nicole the number killings of people are by people the dog knows...
And look up your dogs breed history they were not retrievers.....it was her nature.
Truth is if she scared you while cleaning a gun she would be dead she was warned NOT eaten by the dog. And by the sounds of it she has NOT learned her lesson.
PS I yell at my hubby all the time about the assume thing i tell him GET up dont assume its the joggers i hear the dogs CHECK it out NOW.
Now i need only give him a look and he shrugs and so far each time it is no issues why because we know what kind of dogs we have and we NEVER assume its okay....
Best of luck.

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She didn't even speak to her, you're right, we didn't hear anything until we heard her say "Sasha" and took off downstairs thinking that it might be mom. I always talk to strange dogs, even if I am invited on the property, in silly high pitched tones - how can someone talking to them so foolish be a threat? LOL
You're right, we're taking steps right now. She will even bark at us should we surprise her at the door - though haven't noticed her barking at the door at all lately, I hope I didn't "scare" the guarddog out of her! -- all it takes is to talk to her and she knows who you are/what's up and carries on. Once you are inside the house, she's fine.
I am torn between being upset that she "bit" someone (the more I think about it, the less convinced I am that Sasha purposefully put Nicole's hand in her mouth and didn't hit her as she lunged/barked - whatever she did, Nicole has told several people she is "100% certain that I could have been killed"), and being proud that I have a dog that would protect me, especially since my father is now gone for two-three weeks to Buffalo with FEMA to help restore power/clean up, etc.

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Thanks for sending him- we need him i live in Niagara we got nothing but my whole family got hit hard - even new member was born on the eve of the storm and i have not seen her yet :(.
Dont be torn about her - just know it could of been avoided.
If more people understands dogs natures and put the blame where it belongs on the humans we would have allot less bsl. 9 out of 10 cases it is human error not dogs. SOme dogs are sick of sick in the head most are just doing what they were bred to do.
So between me and you buy her a steak for me she deserves it.
You did right to show her that this person was not the bad guy but dont chase her up the stairs. If she hackles up cue her into okay enough or get her to accept the person both dont work dont force her put her away
You take a glass of wine and curl up in bed knowing you are safe.
However know this you are giving up liabilites to have this kind of safely your vacations- un invited visitors - extented stay family members- huge family holidays - pizza deliverys without you being at the door FIRST.? KIDS in family will be safe but remember in the eyes of the law kids ae 17 years old
and a strange teenager is NOT seen as a kid to a dog.
Your life is going to change however you will have peace of mind and know she would step in front of a train for you....
PS I was going to board horses here with mine i said no when i realized horse people have a rigtht to visit with their horses at 2am and nite time NO one is welcomed here.. So no horses...

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I had one guest here for five weeks over the summer - a lovely girl from England. The first night when we got in from the airport, it was about three am - I went in the house ahead of her and "introduced" her to the dogs (who were all milling about looking for attention), and she never had a problem after that - once they are in the house, she is absolutely 100% fine -- once she knows who it is and that they're friends - of course we never came into any situations where Becca tried to come into the house on her own as she was always with me. We also had another girl from Australia there for a week during that period who also had absolutely no troubles with the dogs at all. :P
I am not convinced that I know 100% of the exact happenings (because I wasn't right there) or that Nicole is telling 100% of the truth. :P I hate all those blanks! We are definitely taking precautions in a serious way right now.

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I just posted this when someone asked how your dogs bark.
Here is what I do when a friend is coming in they heard her car drive up and went into alert mode. Then I sad Candy here.
Note how Candy says hello TASHA! she is my horse girl how sits while we are at shows and she knows it is dark in the house so she needs to say HELLO Tasha. I bet if nicole had said hello nothing would of happened.
PS My family has their lights so thanks for sending your family all the help is needed.
Hope this works.
http://www.casdog.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/4228/cat/662