I have a dog problem.

[Lyric]

Not with MY dog, either. Here's the background:

About 45 minutes ago, LyricKid was walking home from a play hour with his friend A. (We live in a large mobile home park, A's house is on the other side, and he carries a cell phone with him while he's walking.) Anyway, when he was about halfway home, he was approached by a strange dog. Now, we have told him over and over that if a strange dog appears, don't make eye contact with it and keep walking unless it starts growling, in which case he needs to stand still and call for help. Apparently, this dog was VERY friendly, and simply would not BE ignored. It fell in right beside him, and trotted happily at his left side the entire way home. He swears that he didn't pet it, encourage it, talk to it, etc. (Yeah, right, I know--kid, friendly dog, not likely.)

Anyway. Almost an hour later, this dog is STILL outside in our yard. I went out to shoo him politely, and instead got a perfect "sit" and my hand licked. I'm not made of UTTER stone, ya know...maybe I petted for a second. A SECOND! Yeesh. Anyway, I'm worried now. Puppyface isn't going home, and that's not a good thing. He has a collar, but no tags. NOBODY has come looking for him. I tried sending LyricKid out to walk around the block, thinking that the dog might follow him and then smell "home" and take off. No luck. LyricKid walked all the way around the mobile home park, and the dog never moved from his side--not for a moment!

Now, a dog THIS well-trained and socialized is obviously a cherished pet. He's neutered and in really good physical shape, so that speaks of vet care and a loving home. It's only 17 degrees outside (I had LyricKid WELL bundled-up, I assure you, and with his cell phone again.) Anyway, I'm not sure what else to do. If I call animal control, I'm terrified that they're going to just put him down and not think twice about it, because he's obviously a pit bull mix (I'm thinking pibble and lab, based on how he looks.) You all know the awful stereotypes about pibbles; many animal shelters tend to put them down right off the bat, because they're "difficult to adopt." *sigh*

I also cannot go walking around with the dog myself, as I sprained my knee last night, and walking around is difficult enough just around the house.

Similarly, I can't let him in the house, even though I really, REALLY want to; the cats would freak out, and I'm not sure how Toby would react. I can crate Toby, but what then? He can't stay in his crate full-time. Also, if I brought another big dog into our teeny little trailer, I'm pretty sure that Rhythm would kill me.

But still--it's SEVENTEEN DEGREES outside, and this is a short-coated dog that seems to have no desire to leave our yard and go back to his nice, warm home. I am not made of stone, and I can't stand the idea of him out there freezing like this for much longer.

So--any advice? What should I do? What would YOU do?

[Inchworm]

1. Ignore the dog maybe?

Until tomorrow. Don't get me wrong I'm not a meany.

If you can't go around to neighbors and see if someone has lost their dog maybe he will go look for his home.

:hug:

[Lyric]

2. Well, that's what I *have* been doing, but it hasn't worked yet.

He wanders to a neighbor's yard for a few minutes, but then he comes running right back here and sits on our porch. *sigh*

[Inchworm]

5. Checking to see if you got cool stuff

or a kid to play with.

I rode around on my 4wheeler and spoke to any neighbor within a mile when I first started letting my dog loose. I said I'd rather them shoo him and sound mean if he ever came by rather than aww pretty puppy stuff.

So far (2 years later) it's worked. I had issue with direct neighbor kids feeding him snacks once is all.

btw, I'm no dog expert or anything. I just deal with 'em a lot.

:)

[skygazer]

3. Do you know any of your neighbors?

Could you call around and see if anyone knows the dog or who it belongs to? Maybe starting with Lyrickid's friend's family?

If the dog does live within the park, it seems to me that it would go home if it got too cold. Perhaps if you leave it strictly alone, it will go. That's all I've got offhand.

[Lyric]

4. Well, we know the ones who have kids that LyricKid plays with.

I called, but none of them seem to know anything about it.

Poor pup. He's back on the porch now. He'd gone wandering again, but came right back after a minute.

:(

[Lil Missy]

6. I'm a sucker. I'd take him in for the night.

[Inchworm]

7. But that's not about being a sucker

hehe

It's kidnapping :D

:P

[Lil Missy]

9. Kidnapping?

Well, you are not even wearing pants.

You're not my type. x(

[Jamastiene]

29. ...

:spray:

[alphafemale]

8. I'd try calling the local vets. A long shot, perhaps.

But you could give it a shot.

[skygazer]

13. This is a good idea

I recently had a stray at my house and we found his owner by calling around to the vets.

[Lyric]

10. Update: I'm calling the animal shelter, but NOT to have them pick him up.

I'm going to give them our name, address, and phone #, and then I'm bringing him inside. He's laying in the snow on the porch, shivering, and I can't stand it any longer. Poor baby.

I'll keep updating, if anybody's interested. Good vibes for me, please? LyricKid is rounding up the cats to secure them in my bedroom with their dishes and litter pan.

Edit: They were closed--duh, it's Sunday. I left a voicemail with all the pertinent info, and the dog is now laying quietly at my feet in front of the space heater, warming up. I'm gonna give him some food and water shortly. Toby is emitting an occasional whine/low growl from his crate in the living room, but he's not raising an enormous ruckus, thankfully.

[wartrace]

12. Time to put up signs.

Does the mobile home park have an office or something like that? Maybe they know who owns the dog. I am glad you took the poor guy inside, 17 degrees is too cold for most dogs (Huskies & samoyeds excluded). Good idea to call the shelter, a lot of times people will call or visit searching for their lost pets.

[DBoon]

19. put up signs at vet offices and pet shops

If there is a Petco or other big-box pet store, put up a Dog Found sign

I'd put something on Craigslist and the local paper, too

[Lyric]

23. Yep, there's a message board up at the main office.

We'll put signs up tomorrow when we go to school, assuming I don't see anyone cruising around, obviously *looking* for him, and manage to get him home tonight.

I gave the shelter my cell number, so even if I'm at school, they'll be able to reach me if they hear anything from his owners.

:hug:

[DeepBlueC]

28. Good for you!!!!

You did the right thing. This poor guy was asking for help, trotting out his whole bag of tricks to show himself worthy, and demonstrating that he has run out of options. You have a good heart and I am thankful for that as I have a very squishy soft center when it comes to animals. Everyone in your house has to make a few adjustments in the short term but I think you are saving this guy's life. You might consider putting up some posters. But for now I'm really happy that you are taking care of him.

Good vibes to you and good luck. You might be able to swing some kind of detente in your home, but if not just be sure that your own pets get plenty of love and attention so that you can blunt the jealousy part.

I will be very interested in updates. :pals:

[barb162]

33. good, he really can be far from home

He can be truly lost. Some idiots will pick up friendly dogs and then dump them somewhere else for kicks.

I know, I have done exactly what you are doing right now.

[NMDemDist2]

11. send the kid out with flyers and a pic of the pup on them if you can take one

most newspapers take 'found dog' ads free

don't let him in the house, but keep him on the porch with some water until Monday

we have a no kill shelter in our little town and when I found two dogs lost in the desert one day on the way home, I was able to take them there on a Saturday night

funny story on those dogs, one belonged to my hubby's boss, the other one I saw yesterday when we took hubby's car in to get washed. the guy who worked at the detail shop owned the dog who he had at work with him. I saw the dog and went to pet him, the dog remembered me and was all excited when he saw me

awwwwwwwww

good luck, poor pup and poor you :hug:

[Lyric]

15. Can't keep him on the porch, unfortunately.

It's gonna snow tonight.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/coldandflu/map/interactive/26505?from=36hr_maps&zoom=8&interactiveMapLayer=radar&animation=true

We are "Morgantown." Note the hours-away impending blue blobs of doom. *sigh*

I'll be taking pics as soon as Rhythm gets home; she took the camera with her to work, it seems. I don't think I can send LyricKid out, though--by the time Rhythm gets home with the camera, it's going to be snowing like hell and dark.

Still, there's always tomorrow.

:hug:

[flvegan]

14. Glad you're looking out for him.

I'd bring the dog in and crate him, not Toby. Besides, you have no idea what this dog will be like, his medical history, etc. Best to keep him away from your animals. I'd take the opportunity when I could to take his pic and put up some signs that you found him. I might walk him around the park and knock on some doors to see if anyone recognizes him.

He may have just been dumped, so you have to decide what you're willing to do. Remember, there's only SO much you can do. Maybe a call to some area rescues will work and someone will have some space.

Hell, if I weren't bursting at the seams at Rescue de flvegan I'd tell you to ship him here. Alas...

Best of luck.

[Lyric]

21. I was hoping you'd see this.

:hug:

I'm going to switch Toby out with the new pup in about an hour; I want to give the new one a chance to get warm. He's really loving on that heater right now.

Some pics--best I can do with the crappy webcam until Rhythm gets home with the real camera:

[flvegan]

24. Looks like a hound to me.

He's definitely a Heinz 57 dog. I don't see a bit of pit in him. He looks like an old soul. He's either very much missed by his people, or a keeper.

[Lyric]

25. I'll trust your judgment on it.

He just looks a lot like the pit/lab mix that my neighbors had when we lived out in the county, especially with that wide forehead and stocky body.

He's a sweetheart either way, and very well housetrained, obviously. I can also report that he's NOT any kind of alpha; he's ignored Toby's vague growling instead of challenging him, and he went belly-up for me right off the bat. Poor baby. I really, really hope we find his family. He's missing them, I can tell. He's stuck to my feet like glue, and seems very lonely. :(

[barb162]

36. Good, post that pic on the web, on lost and found pet sites

Post an ad in the paper first thing tomorrow AM. There's probably a frantic owner out there.

[MrsBrady]

22. i agree..

we rescued a kitten, and kept her in a crate for a couple of days (with food and water) and little play time away from the other animals.
until we could get her to the vet.

we didn't know what she might or might not have as far as sickness, diseases....

turned out it was the right thing, she had worms and had a nasty case of earmites.....all better now. ;)


good luck with the dog :)

[Phillycat]

16. Congratulations on your new dog.

:D

[MajorChode]

17. You should call animal control or the SPCA

The SPCA may or may not respond but if they do it's a good way to go because they won't put the dog down. Animal control is not going to put the dog down without holding him several days regardless of the breed.

The dog may be lost and the owners may be looking for him. If this is the case, they will be periodically checking with animal control or local shelters. There is no way of telling if the dog has been vaccinated or not so it could be spreading diseases to other dogs. It is also much more likely to be run over, poisoned, or die from lack of food, water, or starvation which is a much worse way to go. Letting the dog run free is not doing anyone or the dog any favors.

[auntAgonist]

18. poor dog! He may be micro-chipped and hopefully if he is

a vet will be able to find his owners. I wonder if maybe he escaped at a rest area or something? (if you're near a highway it's possible)

I'm glad you are the family that found him and that you're doing all you can to help.

:hug:

aA
kesha

[DBoon]

20. take the dog to a vet and have the chip read

If the dog is chipped, you can track down the owner that way

[FloridaJudy]

26. Take him to a vet or an animal shelter

If he's neutered and looks in good shape, chances are he might have a micro-chip. Ask them to scan the critter. This happened with a stray cat I adopted. Turned out his previous owner never responded, which meant the cat is mine. But if he has some family looking for him, this would get him home fastest.

[Lyric]

27. Alas, that's not possible. No vehicle.

Which is seriously frustrating. *sigh*

He's out on Toby's run at the moment; he was pacing like he needed a potty break.

He also snarled back at Toby's growling as he passed the crate--apparently he's tired of Toby being a PITA about having another dog in his house, lol.

[FloridaJudy]

30. Could you ask animal control to pick him up?

Just until his family is found, or they release him for adoption? My dog was once lost, and that's how I got her back - the shelter scanned her and gave me a call. That was the last time I ever asked my ex to watch her when I had a family emergency: I board her now.

eta: the person who found her wanted to adopt if I couldn't be reached, so apparently that's an option if you're afraid they'll have the dog put down. Good Samaritan! Bad ex!

[Lyric]

34. I did call the shelter to leave info.

They're closed today, but I left a voicemail that said, "My name is Lyric, my phone number is 304-xxx-xxxx, and my address is blahblahblah. If you happen to get any calls about a lost dog--looks to be a mix, possibly pit bull or boxer and lab, golden-brown, short-haired, neutered male, with a blue collar, lost near blahblahblah, please give that person my name and phone number, 'cause we found him. Thanks!"

That should take care of anyone who calls the shelter looking for him. In the meantime, I'm bundling LyricKid up again and letting him take the dog around the block again on Toby's leash, just in case someone is out looking for him, or in case the dog sees "home" and wants to go there.

Wish us luck!

:hug:

[Jamastiene]

31. Well, it looks like you gave in. Rhythm is gonna kill you, but

look on the bright side: She'll have a nice, warm, shiny new dog to keep her company.

Suckaaaah* :P

*I'm a sucker for animals too.

[Lyric]

35. Hey now!

Temporary dog! TEMPORARY!

Or at least I really, really hope so. Otherwise, Rhythm probably WILL kill me. She's already threatened to put a sign outside with our posted "zoo hours."

:blush:

[Jamastiene]

38. Riiiight, and you might have petted it only a wittle itty bitty bit.

:rofl:

:P

[Lyric]

39. Well look upthread, at the pics.

Would YOU have been able to keep yourself from a teensy, insignificant little ear rub or two??

:rofl:

[Jamastiene]

40. No, I couldn't have resisted either. That's why I said, "Suckaaaah."

How else would I know that word? It's written on my forehead too. I see it every time I look in the mirror. :rofl: :P

[barb162]

32. Call the police and ask them if they have a report of a missing dog

and describe the dog. Don't say you want the dog picked up. The dog can be miles from his own house and he could be microchipped. Take a look at the paper's lost and found ads too and ask your local humane shleter if they have any reports of a lost dog.

[DeepBlueC]

41. the cops?

Okay if Andy Griffith is your sheriff, but otherwise... either they will do nothing or bigfoot you and do as they see fit regardless of your thoughts on the matter.

[Lil Missy]

37. Jeezus, I sure hope this dog was not dropped off to be abandoned.

;(

[Lyric]

42. Hey flvegan--here's another shot of his face, close-up and clearer

Rhythm just got home, so I have the real camera now.

[Lil Missy]

43. He looks sad.

;(

[Lyric]

44. Yeah. I feel so bad for him.

We're all trying to keep his spirits up, but he obviously misses His People.

I've also been making assorted vowel sounds at him, looking for a reaction that might be a clue to what his name is. I feel bad sitting here calling him "Boy."

[Lil Missy]

46. Just call him poochie, and scratch his head and belly. That will work.

I promise. :)

[crispini]

45. WHAT a cutie!

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww :loveya:

[Alenne]

47. That's not a pit bull

Looks more like a lab/beagle mix. I work at a shelter so I see a lot of dogs.
If you put up signs and call places you shouldn't describe him as a pit. It will confuse people.

[Lyric]

48. Well I didn't think he was a pit bull.

I thought he might be a mix of some kind. It's hard to tell. He has the stocky body and muscled chest, for one thing. Still, I think flvegan is right--he's at least part hound, possibly a redbone hound mix; those are pretty common around here.

The flyers will have photographs; I'm sure that his owners will know him when they see him.