Thread by @Wolfe321

I haven’t said anything until now because it feels like a betrayal, but I'm wondering now if any of you have been through this. My favorite being in the whole world, ever, hurt me, physically — badly — a week ago. 1/

Moose is 12/13 and I’ve had him 10 years. He was starving & sick on the streets of La. when a group saved him from a kill shelter. He saved me too. 2/

You all have grown to love him. I love that, and him, so much and to the edges of the universe. But I haven’t been honest. A week ago, Moose attacked me. 3/

He was in his dog bed at night and I leaned in to kiss him. He lashed out, biting me 4 times in the face. Bleeding, screaming, I barely knew what happened, but all my neighbors came out. I went to the hospital and got 13 stitches, 6 of them about an inch beneath my eye. 4/

The photos are more shocking than this sounds, but I don’t want to post. The thing is, two vets agreed the next day — he either has dementia or a brain tumor 5/

He’d exhibited other very unusual symptoms that day and evening, and not 1 time in 10 years has he EVER been aggressive toward ANY human ever 6/

I was ready for his 3rd go with cancer, or another physical ailment. But I didn’t even know dogs could go through something like this. 7/

I am faced with the worst decision possible, in a way or time I was not expecting to face it. That’s all I can say for now, and thank you all for seeing how wonderful he is. 8/8

Thank you to all of you expressing sympathy/empathy, and for telling me your stories. And to those asking, no, I am not making rash decisions. He's on a mild tranquilizer now, but 90% of the time he's his same self. But legs failing newly & suddenly seemingly deaf. So, day by day

I appreciate your support and advice beyond what I can say here. I want to pre-apologize for not being able to respond to each of you. Your losses are mine. My dogs have been the best beings in my life, and I understand the pain. And I thank you — so much, for yr words of empathy