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I have a lost dog on my porch.

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necso Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-15-04 10:52 PM
Original message
I have a lost dog on my porch.
No tags, no license, not very well taken care off, but not hungry when he showed up like nine hours ago (I gave him the crunchies test). How can people be this irresponsible? If you want a dog you should at least get it rabies shots and a license and maybe even take care of it. People just have no respect for anything anymore.

Now I have to deal with trying to find the owner tomorrow and have to sit here tonite without music so I can hear if a car drives by. What a hassle. I mean I could throw him out on the street and forget about it, but then I would have to listen to him being eaten by coyotes (actually the one is so big I am thinking wolf).

I suppose I should have made more efforts to find his owner during the day, but 90% of the dogs who show up here go home before dark. The other 10% would normally have their owners running around frantically by now, because they know what happens to a dog up here after dark if someone doesn't look out for him. (This is why I encourage runaway --- not runaround --- dogs to stay close). Over the years I have probably saved half a dozen or more from becoming food.

People have simply abandoned their duties as fellow citizens and cohabitants. We have no commons anymore: no common sense; no common decency; no common courtesy; no sense of responsibility to the "commons" --- and we are fast running out of common ground on which to even tolerate each other.

I must have some dog marking on my place that says "sucker"... you know like the hoboes used to do. Well he has got two nights. If I can't find his owner by Saturday, he is going to the sausage factory.
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Skittles Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-15-04 11:00 PM
Response to Original message
1. you are not a sucker, you are someone who cares about animals
a very admirable trait. I agree that the behavior of people is becoming more degenerate and I am not surprised when I hear lots of people get their kicks watching bad behavior on crap shows like FEAR FACTOR.
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madmax Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-15-04 11:08 PM
Response to Original message
2. You are a good person.
:hug:
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Catshrink Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-15-04 11:10 PM
Response to Original message
3. Coyotes? Are you a Zonie, too?
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Mikimouse Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-15-04 11:14 PM
Response to Original message
4. Maybe it isn't the dogs marking your place...
maybe it is 'someone' else who knows someone they can trust among the many? Hugs to you, gentle person.:hug:
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Vote2004 Donating Member (87 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-15-04 11:14 PM
Response to Original message
5. You are a compassionate person
Please give that poor lost dog more time? Who knows, he might come to your aid one day in return for your kindness? I live out in the country and people come here and dump their dogs often; it is heart-breaking to see them so lost and confused. Wish I had the money to keep all of them, but can't. You are a good person to care so much about dogs. Best to you and that pup!
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necso Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jan-15-04 11:34 PM
Response to Original message
6. No, I am just a sucker...
Edited on Thu Jan-15-04 11:39 PM by necso
I know the difference. Besides I wasn't fishing for compliments, I was hoping to wallow in other people's similarly ill-tempered ranting... cause I'm really pissed that some irresponsible idiot should put me out like this.

What am I going to do if the poor old thing is abandoned? Hell, he can hardly walk, his hips are so bad. Adopted he ain't going to be and I can't take care of him. About the only pet that I have room for is a spider and only if it stays in a corner.

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madmax Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 12:25 AM
Response to Reply #6
7. Google a pet finder/saver organization in your area?
What kind of dog does it look like? Heinz 57?
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TankLV Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 12:43 AM
Response to Reply #7
8. Agreed.
There are many breed and mutt rescue orgs around. I belong to one and am a foster home for goldens. But we have also rescued mutts.

We have also had persons drive to other cities and states to pickup or dropoff dogs to prospective new "parents".

try "petfinders.com" to start a search engine for rescue organizations.

Good luck in your efforts.
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necso Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 01:06 AM
Response to Reply #7
9. I live in the sticks.
Edited on Fri Jan-16-04 01:19 AM by necso
I am currently checking out the local resources, but in fact (as opposed to in name --- but I won't go there) there aren't much. If I make a lot of calls and lean on some people, I might get someone to reluctantly do something... then again maybe not. There is a list of lost/found animals and some Friends of Animals group trying to do placement, but the need outreaches the resources. Moreover, this could take some time and I have two choices: the dog can have the porch and I can have the house, or the dog can have the house and I can have the porch. It gets cold enough up here (not tonite) that leaving any animal outside is cruel and this dog obviously isn't used to it. Whenever I go out, he makes it clear that he wants to come in. And I am just not prepared for taking care of a dog, I have some crunchies that a neighbor's dog didn't like, but nothing else, not even a leash. He is sleeping on one of my blankets right now. I am going to have to find a piece of rope to walk him with, since at this time of night a loose dog is food. This says nothing of the vet visit, shots and license that he should probably have.

With the closest decent size town 45 minutes away and a real town an hour or more, using these resources is difficult. I would probably just be directed to the local group anyway, unless I just stick him in the pound.

I am not sure what kind of dog it is, looks like 80 pounds of a sheperd/very long hair mix in an 50 pound sack. Can't see worth a damn and not real bright. Sweet fellow though.

Maybe tomorrow will bring resolution, my anger is slowing cooling off and I am writing tomorrow off to deal with this. If I can't find his owner or get help locally, I will take a pass at resources on the web. But this old guy is in pretty bad shape (I can hardly bear to see him struggle to rise) and is not a good candidate for placement I think.
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nothingshocksmeanymore Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 01:48 AM
Response to Reply #9
11. Do you have a shed on the property where you can secure him for the
evening with a blanket so he is safe and then deal with it in the AM?
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necso Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 02:10 AM
Response to Reply #11
13. No shed.
Tiny house (<180sqf), enclosed porch --- he is safe --- just parked with his nose in the door. When I go out for anything (like wood) he makes a real effort to get in, makes me feel bad. I got maybe 80sqf open floor space but most is too close to the wood stove for sleeping. Plus I have a real problem sharing the floor with a large dirty, slobbering dog... not to mention that I would probably kill myself tripping over him in the night on my way to the bathroom. Besides if I break down now, the battle is lost. Maybe I can get rid of him tomorrow, maybe not. I probably don't have it in me to take him to the pound and I could always put an electric oil radiator on the porch if it gets bitter.

I hope he doesn't poop all over the place or chew up my stuff. I took him for a walk (with a PS2 cable, the rope is under the back porch somewhere) but he didn't poop. Will try again later. Damn I hate worrying about this stuff, if I wanted a dog I would get a stuffed one.
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Rhiannon12866 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 02:18 AM
Response to Reply #13
14. It sounds to me like he's getting to you
It's a Three Dog Night here in Northern New York, so I would gladly take him, since I only have two, one of whom is only an eight pound wonder. He is drawn to you for a reason. Give him a chance. A real dog is much better company than a stuffed one. I wanted a real one for so long. I have had both, so I know.:-)
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nothingshocksmeanymore Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 02:31 AM
Response to Reply #14
15. I think you called it right :-)
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Rhiannon12866 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 02:47 AM
Response to Reply #15
16. Thanks, NSMA...
I can also hear my rescued kitty snoring in her little kitty house just behind me, so I am grateful to have call my guys inside, tonight, warm and safe. It is just so unbearably cold here, that I can't stand to think of a creature left outside tonight. I hope that he relents and makes a friend. The fact that he posted this made me think he wants to.:-)
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necso Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 03:15 AM
Response to Reply #16
17. No chance.
I sleep on the floor (no bed --- no room for a bed). If I let him in, I might as well crawl in a sleeping bag with him.

It might get 35 on the porch tonite and his fur is like 6 inches long.

Of course I dread going back out there.
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Rhiannon12866 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 03:39 AM
Response to Reply #17
19. Take him to get a bath and them invite him to crawl in with you
I wish I had more than my eight-pound little guy to crawl in with me, tonight. My computer tells me it's ten below, but that's not counting the wind-chill. My little guy is no more than a hand warmer. Obviously, this dog has taken to you. That's something you should take into consideration. He needs care. If you can't do it, please find him somewhere that he will be taken care of and not put down. That's the least we can do for our animal friends. I have three, at the moment. Also, someone may be missing him. I have always felt that my Sara belonged to someone who loved her, but she just got lost. She immediately took to sleeping on my couch and is very affectionate. I feel for you that you don't have much room, but a dog just wants to be close to someone; at least mine do. Hang in there. I know that you're feeling between a rock and a hard place. Your porch is better than being out in the cold. I would come over and help you out, if I could.:shrug:
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Rhiannon12866 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 01:44 AM
Response to Original message
10. If he showed up on my porch, I would take him in and feed him
Then call the local rescue organizations and animal hospitals to find out if someone is missing him. Both of my dogs are rescue and I can see the bigger one getting lost, she is such an active thing. You are a great person to care about animals, but we liberals are like that. The fact that there are so many animal threads on DU is proof of that. Thanks for helping out this latest waif to show up on your porch. You are on the side of the angels.O8)
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arikara Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 01:55 AM
Response to Original message
12. Thats good of you to care like that
I arrived home from work one day last summer and found my husband looking like a kid in a candy store. A golden retriever had come over visiting him and he spent the day playing with it and even took it to town and bought treats for it. I asked him if he'd called the number on the tag (of course he hadn't) and you should have seen his disappointment when the owner came to pick the dog up.

We won't get a dog because we both work full time, and have to commute so it just wouldn't be fair to the animal. But if one was to arrive on our doorstep and not be claimed, I don't think he'd be able to give it up.
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SoCalDem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 03:30 AM
Response to Original message
18. It is not always "owner neglect"
Edited on Fri Jan-16-04 03:33 AM by SoCalDem
I just found out the other day that a kitten I bottle-fed and gave to a friend, got out.. They have not been able to find him yet.. I was heartbroken since I paid $100 for surgery on him when he was just a few weeks old, and I dearly loved that sweet little guy.. They were at work, and a carpet guy that they apartment manger sent to replace their carpet, left the sliding door open. Their older cat knew better than to go out, but apparently, Mickey, in his 7 month old exhuberance, ran outside.. They obviously closed the door , so later if he returned, he would not have been able to get back in..

That doggie might have escaped in a similar fashion..

Your best bet is to print up flyers.. call the paper.. lots of newspapers will provide free "found ads".. Someone out there is probably heartbroken..

If you have kids in school, have them ask all their friends..and maybe give them a picture of the pooch.. Someone at their school might be the owner :)

Good luck....Thanks for rescuing the little guy :)


on edit: Our dogs always knocked their tags off their collars.. And lots of people only collar their dogs when they go outside on a leash.. If he was a "backyard only" dog, he may have all his shots, but just not wearing a collar..

Call the local vets and the shelter.. Sometimes people who lose peets call them to be on the lookout..

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Clark4VotingRights Donating Member (795 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 03:58 AM
Response to Original message
20. The pooch is lucky it found you.
Thanks for taking care of the little orphan.

Bless the Beast and the Children...
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hellhathnofury Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 04:05 AM
Response to Original message
21. Je recommend que vous mangez le chienne.
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necso Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 04:47 AM
Response to Reply #21
22. My french is real weak....
Edited on Fri Jan-16-04 04:50 AM by necso
But neither eating nor the other thing would be tasteful. Besides it is a he and he looks stringy.

I have to walk him again and then I am going to bed .... alone.
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RebelOne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 06:37 AM
Response to Original message
23. Go to yahoogroups.com
Then search for animal rescue groups in your area. You can post on the lists there for lost and found or possibly for someone who will take him. You will have to register, but you can join as many groups as you like.
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necso Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 02:15 PM
Response to Original message
24. Tracked down the owner.
Was too relieved to yell at her. Well, next time I will know.
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TrogL Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 02:40 PM
Response to Reply #24
25. So what's the full story?
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necso Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 02:49 PM
Response to Reply #25
26. Well.
She keeps the dog in the back yard (because it sheds so much --- I can vouch for that), but the yard isn't completely secured. "Whitey" has shots and tags but she doesn't put them on. She has been "so busy" and hasn't had the money etc, etc. She is going to get him groomed, keep him inside, but is working everyday etc, etc. He has only been out once or twice before, doesn't go far, etc, etc.

I almost volunteered to help her secure her back yard, but thought better of it. At least she knows where to look next time.
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Southsideirish Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 03:25 PM
Response to Reply #26
28. Hmmmm... think dog would have been better off if you hadn't found her.
owner as she doesn't sound like a responsible owner at all. I think the dog would be better off getting groomed and going to a no kill shelter if you couldn't have kept it. That way he or she might have stood a chance of going to a good home. Dont' like people who keep dogs outside - esp chained outside - it makes me crazy.
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Rhiannon12866 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jan-17-04 05:42 AM
Response to Reply #28
29. I agree. Why would someone bother to have a dog if they would keep him
like that? I just don't get it. Plus, the weather is very bad. Dogs are social creatures who need to feel that they belong to someone, who are part of a "pack." My two watch every move I make. It sounds like you are lonely, as I am, and could have benefited from the company of a pet. I have two dogs and a cat. I need them almost as much as they need me.:shrug:
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RebelOne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-16-04 03:16 PM
Response to Reply #24
27. Happy that you found the owner.
She keeps him outside in the cold?
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