When I was young and my not-then-ex was beating on my dog, I did take up a gun I had and I shot it, over his head to get his attention; screaming hadn't stopped him, but the gunshot did. Because I was afraid he would turn the gun on me, I immediately slammed the door shut and locked it. He was outside and couldn't get in.

I am really glad I didn't shoot him, but I do remember the desperation and rage I felt that I couldn't get his violence to stop. At that time I was hitting dead center at target practice all of the time, so it wasn't a matter of missing him. I gave the dog away the next day. It wasn't too long after that I moved out and got a divorce.

kat