Seeking Mom's Who Have Had Their Child Bitten by Dog

While I can't speak as a mom who has had a child bitten, I can speak as a child who was bitten. It was the day after my 14th birthday and, as you might imagine, I thought it was the end of the world and my poor father who watched it happened was desperate to make it better. I had a simple surgery to fix the tear from the corner of my mouth and am fine - the scar is barely noticeable now nearly 14 years later. I can also say that I have a dog and a 2 year old child...

Your little guy will be fine. He wont remember and you should not feel bad for an accident - there was likely nothing that you could have changed. He will not be any different as a person for what he has gone through.

Julie,
I'm real sorry to hear what you're going through. I myself have 2 Labs and I am due to have my first baby in July. Everyone says, "oh they're good dogs, they'll be fine", but still I worry. They have been a part of my life for 8 years now and they are a part of my family. What happened is not your fault and I can't believe people have given you a guilt trip for having a pet. That's terrible! While I don't have any advice on the dog bite or the plastic surgery I think you have handled it the best possible way you could. Don't be so hard on yourself and take care!
J.

I just want to say I am sorry for what you are going through. I can understand how you feel. I think any mother can. It's not your fault that the dog bit your son. I have a dog as well and he has nipped at my daughter a few times but he is a puppy. A pretty big puppy at that. But pets are part of the family and you never know when they will bite. I also hope it doesn't scare you away from ever having another pet in the future. I am sure your feelings are normal to feel but don't ever think that its your fault. It will get better for you and I wish you and your family the best.

I'm sorry to say i dont have any advice about dog bites or plastic surgeons, I just wanted to tell you to try not to feel guilty about negitive things people may have to say about you having a pet. and i hope it wont make you to scared to have another pet in the future. pets are a wonderful addition to familys and how could you have known the dog would bite him. I wish you luck.

i've never been in this situation, but i just wanted to give you some support and a pep talk. i'm so sorry this happened to your baby, but you did the right thing by getting rid of the pet, which i'm sure was hard enough in itself. i think pets are great for kids ( and adults) and i'm sorry that there are people out there who have judged you and made you feel guilty for having one. don't listen to those cruel people! sometimes i get sad thinking about how many women give the "i'm a better mom than you" attitude. we should all support each other, especially when there are hard times involved. it sounds like your child has moved past this event, which is great, and hopefully he will be able to trust dogs again in the future. stop beating yourself up. you are a good mom :) it will get better!

I don't have much advice, however I want to tell you that it isn't your fault!!! Sadly this type of thing happens, and if it could be controled, anyone knows you would have. You did do the right thing by getting rid of the dog, but it is also like loosing a family memeber... as most family pets are.

My sister was mauled by her best friends dog, almost 15 years ago... she was 12. We all remember it, but got through it. It was also on her face... above and below her lip, and now you can hardly tell. Luckly your son is so young, he hopefully won't even remember that day! It will be a blur to him.

Good luck, and you and your family will be in our prayers. But please, as any mother knows, take care of yourself as well! It is ok to cry and be upset!!