There really is no excuse for what happened this morning. One minute I was happily exploring my the subconscious otherwise known as my personal dreamland (which today was filled with peanut butter rolled in bacon). The next minute, my tail was being pulled HARD, effectively bringing my delicious dreamy feast to a startling end. And what happened next is something I can’t take back.
I gave dear baby Carter three tries to back away from the tail. One small snarl, followed by a slightly louder and more fierce snarl, followed by the angry nip. It all happened so fast. I didn’t know the third tug came from mom’s hand instead of Carter’s. Clearly she was testing me to gauge my reaction the third time. And I failed. Miserably. 
My reaction wasn’t nearly fierce enough to hurt mom, but I realized moments later in the bitter aftermath it probably could have hurt Carter. Pretty badly, in fact. Because mom was mad. And by mad, I mean she was yelling and screaming at me like I’ve never seen her yell and scream at me before. Ever. “BAD DOG, WILEY!” she yelled. “BAD DOG! BAD DOG! BAD DOG! THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CARTER’S FACE!” It went on and on for what seemed like an eternity. I think people forget sometimes that we move along in our minds well before we do in our hearts. But that’s neither here nor there.
The truth is simple. I screwed up. I wasn’t thinking, but that is no excuse. There is no excuse for what happened this morning. And there is punishment in knowing I can never take back that moment. I have to earn back the trust of my dear forever mom, which is something I held so dear. But that’s not even the worst of it. The worst of it is not the anger or the yelling. It’s the disappointment. I could see it in her eyes (which almost instantaneously welled up with tears) and I could hear it in her voice. She was disappointed in me. And that is truly heartbreaking.
But today, as I recommit and ask God for better patience with the ever-more-mobile dear baby Carter, I pause to reflect on the words of well-known American politician Martin Luther King Jr., who said “there can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love.”
Thank goodness for that because I think I’ll be spending a little time in the proverbial dog house for a while.
Wiley's Wisdom 
What a sad day in your kingdom Wiley. But I agree with you and Martin Luther King Jr., because your mom loves Baby Carter and you so much her disappointment about you was big too. Maybe it helps to see it with Evan Esar:Hope is tomorrow’s veneer over today’s disappointment.
There were a lot of surprises all the way around there, Wiles. Tail pulling can sneak up on a guy sometimes. What a bummer that you were OUT on that third strike. I’m sure you’ve learned something from Mom’s test. She and Carter have forgiving hearts. Your time in the doghouse will be short.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Wiles, I guess it was just a reaction to the tail pulling. And you did not think. Mum knows that and of course is protective over Carter. He is just finding new things and trying out things, he does not know. I am sure once he is walking confidently he can play with you and won’t pull anymore, he will learn too. Surely you two will be great friends. Hugs
Oh dear, Wyles…. I read this aloud to Ella and her eyes welled up with sympathy. Greyhounds are pretty famous for “do not disturb while sleeping.” Their reactions are so fast, one moment snoozing and the next – quick as a snake striking – their jaws just snap down…. Ella said it was okay to share with you the times she has goofed – once with me, while we were both sleeping – apparently we both reacted super fast and sprang up at the same time – Ella caught my head in her jaws…. That hurt…. and scared me that she could have caught my eye. Another incident – a neighborhood little boy – about 8 or 9, was over – Ella and he have love fests – he was stroking her and suddenly she just lunged up and caught smack in the face – scared everybody! In this case, a little bit of blood was drawn. We were fortunate his mother was so understanding, as well as the boy himself, who never hesitates to love on Ella even now. But it was scary to all of us. And, you know, it’s not just dogs…. Elby was in a race against something only Elby, That Cat! could see and he used the back of Mom’s head as a springboard, planting 10 claws in my head…. lemme tell you, that hurts!
But, we all recovered – it takes time. Love you, Wyles. Huntie ❤
Ohh, poor Wiles, and poor Mom. You’ve both had a bad scare, but you’ll get through it, and learn from it. Utesmile is right, Carter will learn not to pull and will learn to cuddle instead. Sending a big hug to you and your Mom xx