Canine
Our house has been overrun with dogs since last week. You see, Sweets’ parents are taking a dream vacation. And we agreed to take care of their aging dog for the first week of their vacation (second week, she’s off to the kennel).
It’s been a bit of a transition for everyone. What’s expected of her at home is different than what we expect of SoMi in our home. Their dog’s schedule is different than SoMi’s, so she’s had to adjust to that. She’s also had to get used to going up and down two flights of stairs every time she goes out, something she doesn’t have to do at home. We’ve had to adjust to a dog that’s not accustomed to being on a leash (try walking two dogs at the same time, one of whom is 85 pounds and not accustomed to being on a leash – add a little ice on the sidewalks to the mix and, well, it can be challenging at times). That said, she’s pretty docile at home. She pretty much hangs out on her bed all day, doesn’t bark and is pretty easy going. Age has its advantages.
Over the weekend, Sweets and I took the two dogs on a good, 90-minute walk. We had a destination in mind: Dunkin Donuts. The place that enables Sweets’ addiction. On our way home from the double D, we saw a beautiful, white golden retriever. Off leash. And very scared.
I let go of SoMi’s leash and approached the dog. I moved slowly and put my hand down for the dog to smell. He came forward cautiously, smelled me and seemed ok. Until I reached for his collar. That’s when he took off down the block a few houses.
So, I tried again. This time, I squatted down. Didn’t move. Talked to him, encouraging him to come. And put out my hand. He eventually came over to me. Let me pet him. And was very friendly.
There was one problem. He had a collar, but no tags. No rabbies tags. No naming tags. No city license tags. Nothing. And that’s when SoMi approached him. The two played for a good few minutes. Clearly, he was a domesticated dog. We were at a loss of what to do. We didn’t want to leave him there. But, we had no idea where to start.
So, we took off SoMi’s leash (she’s pretty good off leash and knows to stay close to us) and put it on the stray dog. I started walking him, but he was quite a beast. He must have been 90-100 pounds and was all muscle. He pulled me across an icy patch and I almost bit it. That’s when Sweets took the stray’s leash and I took over walking Sweets’ parents’ dog.
As we were walking, wondering what to do next, we’d ask people passing by if they knew this dog. No one did. My heart started to break. Because if we made it all the way home without finding an owner, we really only had two options. One, keep the dog, post fliers and hope the owner called us. Or two, call the city pound.
We’ve been to the city pound. It’s horrific. Incredibly sad. This dog didn’t belong in that pound. I couldn’t imagine having to make that decision to call. But, we also couldn’t imagine adding yet one more dog to our already over-crowded condo.
We decided to head towards the park where lots of dog owners tend to gather. Maybe one of them knew this dog. As we were walking towards the entrance, I looked back and saw a man walking briskly towards us. I asked him if this golden was his dog.
He was out of breath. Very anxious. And incredibly relieved. He found his Bixby. (Good thing I had sunglasses on, because I might have started tearing up and didn’t want anyone to see me.) As it turns out, someone left the back gate to their yard open. And Bixby ran out. We told him where we found him. We told him he seemed scared. We told him we were asking around, trying to find his owners. The guy was thankful. Incredibly thankful.
And so were we. Because honestly? I’m not sure I could’ve made that call to the pound. I might have put a call into the Anti-Cruelty Society. But, if the Anti-Cruelty Society wasn’t able to do anything, I honestly think I’d try to convince Sweets to take in the dog for a few days. To post notices. To hope someone came forward looking for their dog. Because I think I’d forever feel a little guilt if we had to take that stray to the pound. Thankfully, our situation resolved itself before we had to really contemplate that decision.
Have you ever been put in a situation like that. A juxtaposition of options. Where one is clearly easier to do than the other. But, the easier one just doesn’t feel right. If so, what did you wind up doing?
February 17th, 2010 at 7:15 am
This is why my parents and grandparents have ended up with so many pets -- they cannot say no to strays. I definitely couldn’t. I am happy his “owner” showed up!
February 17th, 2010 at 7:21 am
I’m glad the situation fixed itself. It’s really stressful trying to figure out the best thing to do, when you’re an “animal person” like ourselves. I’ve been in that situation many times, especially since I work at a Doggy Daycare. We’ve had people that drop their dogs off to board, and never pick them up. It’s sad, but true. Of course legal action is taken, but it’s just so tragic. We’ve had people that throw their dogs over the fence into our yards at night because they think abandoning them here is better than the pound. So we end up having to hunt for new homes for these poor dogs. The hardest part is, because they were abandoned here, we have no information on shots, so for safety reasons they can’t even play with the other dogs. They have to be seperated and in a kennel until someone adopts them. We obviously can’t afford to be spaying/neutering, giving shots to stray dogs. That’s not what our business does, you know? We’re a daycare and boarding facility and that’s all. People get the wrong idea.
Anyways, I apparently went off on a rant there, sorry. While we’re on the subject though, have you ever found a stray, and then found the owner and wished you would have never found them because you don’t want to put the dog back in that sort of situation? That’s the worst feeling. We found a neighbors PUPPY once (didn’t know at the time that it belonged to the neighbor) and the poor thing had no collar, and duct tape stuck to it’s foot. We drove around looking for any sign of owners searching. I noticed a car on our street kind of sitting in a driveway and two people talking. I rolled down my window and asked if they knew whose dog we had. This redneck guy got out, and said “Oh, that’s my dog. Arnold must have gotten out through that window again.”
He took him from my arms, and got back in his car without even saying thank you. As I pass the house each day, the puppy is in the smallest outdoor kennel with no room to walk around, much less run. I can’t call authorities on the man, because there is a dog house in the kennel, and they are just required to have shelter, and food and water. That’s it. Thankfully tethering is against the law here now, but it’s still horrible that they keep him in that. A growing puppy. I wish I would have never given him back. He would have had a better life at the pound, and been adopted right away I’m sure.
February 17th, 2010 at 8:07 am
So glad it worked out! I would probably call the pound or animal control becuase I figure that is where the owner would call looking for his dog. I know that in my town, they keep the animal for 72 hours to allow the owner to find their pet. After that, as the person who found the dog, you could come and take the dog home. Then after that I don’t know. I know they have a weekly TV show advertising all the pets ready for adoption, but I don’t think I have ever given much thought to those who don’t get adopted.
February 17th, 2010 at 9:13 am
Thank goodness that it all worked out. I can only imagine that poor owner looking for his dog. The one benefit if you took him to the pound (although it is one of the saddest places!) is that they can scan the dog to see if the have the AVID chip.
We had that problem in our condo courtyard, we found a cat, He was so friendly and sweet but we had no idea where he came from. so we put him in the cat carrier and went to a neighbor who fosters cats. Turns out that she let him out while she was reading on the porch and forgot he was out there. Both cat and owner were glad to see each other.
February 17th, 2010 at 9:27 am
I am so, so glad that you found the owner of the dog. I have a soft spot in my heart for all dogs, but especially Goldens. I completely would have cried at the dog being reunited with his owner. I’m happy it all worked out in the end. I couldn’t take a dog to the pound. I would take the animal home for a few days and attempt to find its rightful owner. If I couldn’t and couldnt keep the dog myself, I would call a rescue. People who work in animal rescue are amazing, we adopted Sandy from a rescue and I fully believe that rescued animals are just different from other pets.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:13 am
Thank goodness for you guys! I’ve been in that situation (finding a stray) and have not wanted to drop them off at the pound. It’s heart wrenching. I swear I get more emotional over pets than I do people.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:23 am
Losing your pet is the worst feeling in the world. I’m so glad your story has a happy ending.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:38 am
Thank goodness you found the owner (or the owner found you!). I literally had goosebumps while reading this… one day last summer I was driving down a fairly busy road and saw a small dog running on the side of it. I didn’t have time to react that moment, so I turned around and went back to look for the dog. He was gone, hopefully up a driveway to his family’s home, but it plagued me for about a day. I cry when i see “lost pet” signs each and every time.
Two apartments I go, I was in the basement doing laundry when a cat showed up out of nowhere. I’m not a huge fan of cats, but it tried to follow me in my apartment (where Jack was and my then roomy’s cat as well). She sat outside the door and whined. My roomy and I put food and water plus some old towels in the basement for her, since we couldn’t take her in (my roomy’s cat was VERY protective & sprayed occasionally, suffice to say she didn’t last long after she peed on my couch). Come to find out that the cat? Belonged to our very loud, very evil upstairs neighbor.
I would have taken the dog in also; even if it’s an incovenience it’s the least I could do. I know I’d want someone to do the same if God forbid Jack got lost…
February 17th, 2010 at 10:49 am
you have your hands full this week, that’s for sure.
and i don’t know how one couldn’t tear up to that story! i am right now, and that’s just me READING it! so glad that he found his home. i hope this will make the owner think twice about at least having a collar with some tags for him… just in case.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:59 am
To be honest, I’ve never had a pet (even though I love dogs so much) and I wouldn’t take a stray in because I don’t know where he/she has been. I’d try calling any type of animal shelter and would only call the pound as a last resort.
I’m glad you found the owner though. You really do have enough on your hands as it is.
February 17th, 2010 at 11:13 am
We’re coming up to stay dog season in my neighbourhood too, last year I caught about six I think, and I only saw one that I wasn’t able to catch. In the spring I just always carry an extra leash on me. But we’re lucky, our city is small enough that the pound isn’t that bad and our humane society is just mammoth. They’re no kill and are almost always taking dogs.
For when they we can’t hand dogs off right away we have a temporary set up ready to go- we have the dog run out back (lucky us!) and inside the house we have two metal pens that can latch onto each other. It keeps them seperate so if they’re not totally well our guys aren’t rubbing up around them, and it lets them rest. We have extra dog dishes and blankets to toss down in the basement (also lucky us for having one) so the stray isn’t traumatized by our yappy little guys and can get some quiet.
I’ve just always been really good at catching loose animals, dogs and horses in particular. They just want to be safe. I could never see an animal that I knew needed help and keep driving. No matter where I am, we stop. If I don’t have a leash, I use a jacket or sweater. Mister knows the rules at this point.
It’s so good that you guys grabbed that dog, what a lucky kid to have found you! That’s a big city to be lost in.
February 17th, 2010 at 11:19 am
Thank goodness this has a happy ending!
So many times the right choice is not the easy one. I often say to my kids “just because a choice seems easier it doesn’t mean it is the right choice”. I’m glad you were there to help that dog!
February 17th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Oh, so glad this story has a happy ending! In the future if something like this happens, maybe start by taking the stray to a vet and getting it scanned for a microchip? That might prevent that horrible call to the pound.
February 17th, 2010 at 11:26 am
ah i got the chills reading this post!! SO glad things worked out and the owner was reunited with bixby, happy ending! that is one of my worst fears: someone leaving the door open and my precious brodie escaping! he was a street dog for over a month and animal control just could NOT catch him (he’s a darty little 10 pounder) so i just pray that never happens again. it’s great that you were quick thinking and gentle with the dog so he trusted you enough to get the leash on him, otherwise who knows, the reunion might never have happened. the geriatric dog situation sounds a little tough, but you’re right: age does have its perks.
February 17th, 2010 at 11:43 am
I have found strays in the past and I usually take them in. All of my strays, though, have been cats, so I don’t know if I would do the same for a dog. That’s a hard call.
February 17th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Between you and the people who brought my Ping to the shelter -- I have amazing hope and pride in dog lovers! I am so relieved that you found Bixby’s owner -- did you get a chance to mention to him that Bixby didn’t have a tag? I just ordered one for Ping today and it has like 8 lines of detailed information on it just in case (I admitted to the tag-creator that I am a bit paranoid!). Good luck with the in-law’s dog -- does she get along well with Somi, and vise versa?
February 17th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Ohh, I am such a sucker for strays. I know I wouldn’t have been able to call the pound—I think nearly every single humane society/pound/shelter I’ve ever been to has led me to tears. Such sad places.
This post both made me smile and feel a little anxious about my own pet, my big old fat cat, who probably wouldn’t know how to run away even if I left the front door wide open. But, it warms my heart to think that if he did leave the safety of my home that perhaps he’d stumble upon a person like you (or Sweets) and be in good hands. Until I found him again anyway. :)
February 17th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
You guys are such good people. :) This same sort of dilemma is exactly the reason I’ve spent about $7k on my 21-pound cat over the years. When faced with the decision to let him die or try to find a solution (albeit expensive) I HAD to just pay up.
February 17th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
I’m so glad that your story has a happy ending. I’m not sure what I would have done in your position. Obviously I would have wanted to help the lost dog but we’re in the same boat you are -- 2 dogs in a tiny condo. Thankfully you didn’t have to make any difficult decisions :)
February 17th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
I’ve never faced that situation, but I’d have a hard time bringing an animal somewhere where they might get put down. I wouldn’t have a choice to take in a cat or dog at the moment, because my husband is so allergic.
February 17th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Every single pet I ever had as a kid was a dog or cat that wandered onto one of my mom’s campuses and ended up in her lap while she taught. I would come home to notes on our front door saying, “The new cat is in the bedroom.”
Now that I’m not allowed to have pets in my building, I don’t know what I’d do if I came across a stray!!
February 17th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
We’ve been in this very situation over and over again. The pound isn’t even a fantasy solution any more--we know we’re not sending anyone there. We feel like you do about it. The difference is that we’re the home for every rescue and stray for miles around (!). I’m so glad your new buddy found his family. Glad for all of you!
February 17th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
I’m so glad that this story had a happy ending! I would be so worried if we lost Fuzzy Britches!
February 18th, 2010 at 10:07 am
i’ve had this happen again and again, but most notably when i was in Austin. i was working at a school in a rougher part of town and looked across the street and saw this mother dog and her babies. the mother looked emaciated and the babies weren’t much better. i looked to see if they had water (this was austin in the spring) and they didn’t. i filled their water up, and went back the next day…out of water again. it was heartbreaking. i talked to the owners and they were mostly just mad that the dog had had puppies, they were not going to take care of them. I took a few of them home….they had worms and a whole other bunch of problems, took them to the vet, got them to be healthy puppies, and they ended up going to a no-kill shelter. i wasn’t in a position to take care of them, and things would be different now…it broke my heart to do that, but i think if left there, the results wouldn’t be good.
February 18th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
In mid October, when I was heading downstairs to go to the gym, I saw a kitty. She was friendly and meowed inquisitively as I approached. She didn’t run away as most cats do. No collar, skinny, completely filthy, but obviously not feral. We obviously couldn’t just leave her there. So we took her in.
But we have two cats already. Two cats who would HATE sharing their already small space with yet another feline. So we had to lock her in the guest bathroom. We did this for a while while we made fliers and posted them around the apartment complex. One little girl called and said she used to see her around the dumpster and was worried about her, but she was not the owner. No one we knew wanted a cat and no one else called. Two or maybe three weeks went by. I felt horrible just leaving her in the bathroom all the time. But at least she was clean, warm, and well fed. She’d be in a cage in a shelter, so it wasn’t worse at least.
When I opened my office in late October, I took her there for a couple of weeks. The patients loved her, but she was bored and terrorized my beta fish. Then my brother moved and decided to take her. Now Molly has a happy new life with my brother. Well, except when he doesn’t scoop the kitty box enough and she gets mad. She gets her revenge by pooping on the carpet.
February 18th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Oh, A. teases me because I am ALWAYS picking up the strays and taking it upon myself to find their owners. I have always found the owners, thankfully.
Or we would be a three-dog household!
February 20th, 2010 at 11:07 am
I am the magnet for stray/lost dogs. They always seem to come onto my street and sniffing around my front yard. I truly don’t understand the amount of dogs I see loose without a collar/identifying tags. Or they have their rabies tag on and that’s it (which doesn’t help, especially on a weekend, if I call the county to get info based on that tag and they are closed). I usually put them in my backyard and do the posting sign thing (or in the crate in my house, if weather is bad). Or, I get them in the back of my car and drive around the ‘hood. Getting them scanned for a microchip is a great first step as well! I’m a sucker for taking the dogs in and trying to find the owner, probably because I couldn’t fathom if my dog ever got loose and what I’d hope other people would do for her.
February 24th, 2010 at 2:11 am
I’m glad you caught the dog, and that you found the owner!
I don’t know what I’d have done if that had been me. Probably have panicked, and worried…