Tonight I was at my moms house, along with the rest of my family. We were all about to leave for our own homes and there was a stray dog that ran up the driveway. I seen the dog earlier at my BFF's in laws house (they live 3houses down), so I went on the front porch and called the dog to me. The dog ran as fast as it could to me, layed on her back with her tail wagging wanting me to pet it. For some reason, I wasn't scared or hesitant to pet the dog. She was super duper friendly. I went back in the house and told my nephew to help me get some food for it (my mom doesn't have any dogs, so I used leftovers lol). I got a paper plate and piled it high of the beef and noodles they had for dinner (I cant eat most of my moms cooking because its gross) and had my nephew take it to the garage along with a bowl of water. The dog scarfed it down like it hadnt ate in awhile. I called my friends in laws and asked if it was their dog because it was on their front porch earlier. It wasn't.
I got the phone number for Animal Control to see what they would do. Mind you, it's freezing cold outside, defintely not warm enough to keep a dog outside for a long period of time, and this dog had already been outside most, if not all day. Dispatch said there was no one that could come get the dog today and to just let it run loose. That totally pissed me off. If I were to leave my dogs outside for longer then a period of time, I would get a fine, if not worse.
The dog is a very sweet girl. Friendly, lovable, and very well trained. My sister said she would make flyers to take to local vets and animal shelters and if the owner call or comes forward with info on the dog and it all can be verified, she will give the dog back. But she won't take it to the shelter because if the owner doesnt come forward the dog will be put to sleep. The humane society won't take a stray dog because of some law they have. My sister took the dog home. The dog is being kept in their laundry room, because they won't keep it outside. Which, I am happy about. It's in the negative digits here. She said, if no one comes to get the dog she will keep it.
My question is, what would you do? If I didn't have 2 dogs, a cat and a toddler already, I would take it in a heartbeat. Would you have taken the dog home and do what my sister is doing, or would you just let the poor dog run loose? Typically, I wouldn't have went up to a stray dog, but the way that dog came running to me, I knew she wasn't mean. My sister checked her for fleas and anything else she can check visually. It has to be someones dog, because it has a pink collar on it and it's so well trained.
This morning, my sister called Animal Control, our Local Humane Society, and ALL the vets. No one reported the dog missing. My sister gave all the vets her name and phone number incase someone does call. I think she is hesitant to put it on Craigslist, because of the 2 very very severe Animal Abuse cases this weekend in our area (2 dogs were beaten, hogtied and left to die in the cold and unfortunately, one did die). I think she might try to rehome it herself if she can. We think, because my mom lives out in the country, someone just dropped her off because they didn't want her anymore. It's happened quite a bit of times, specially with cats. They would drop them off at my grandparents house for some reason (I think its because they had/have 25 barn cats).
It's a sad sad situation. I went with my sister to see if the dog is micro chipped, but it's not. The people at the vet said the dog looked really familiar, so they took my sisters name and number. My sister said shes not going to take it to the pound, but she will wait a little while to see if its owners come forward or if she can find another home for it. But, I think she might end up keeping her :)
I would have done the same thing. Chances are the dog's owners are looking for the dog and they will be reunited soon. If it were my dog that had gotten loose, I would be very grateful that someone was kind enough to take her in, especially with such cold temps! She did a good thing.
As much as my heart goes out to animals (and I might cry over it later) I have to remind myself that animals are animals, humans are humans, and if I couldn't take it because of some reason I wouldn't kick myself over it.
However, I'd do what I could to find it's owner and protect it for a few days in an outdoor environment (a garage, maybe)...
ray of hope, though, it sounds like the dog has an owner.
This is what I do. Before we moved I was known as the dog lady in our neighborhood.
I take in the dogs
I feed them for the night
I take them to my vet for a microchip swipe
I put up notices in every vet, all pet stores, the paper, the websites,
I call the pound and Humane society
I contact rescue groups, they are all over the country. Some will actually come and get the dog. You might have it for a couple days though.
If they are in my house for more than a day or two I will take them back to the vet and get them dewormed and at least a parvo and rabies vacc.
I rescue dogs all the time, it's why I have three. In our old neghborhood people would dump their dogs off in the subdivision. It makes me sick.
There's a special place in heaven for people who take in the strays. YOu did the right thing.
On behalf of the dog, THANK YOU!!!!! You and your sisiter did the right thing. No way would I leave the dog outside in this COLD weather. I applaud you guys for your kindness to this animal.
I'd take it home , feed it , etc.
Put up fliers and take it to my vet to see if it's microchiped.
I have taken in cats and dogs before... and called the SPCA, put up craigslist ads, etc and all have been returned to owners. I lovingly do that because that is what I'd want someone to do if my pet was found.
You and your sister have a very kind heart, along with the others that have commented. God Bless you all!! I would have done the same thing and have, not with dogs as I have not come across any strays but with cats. I am not even a cat lover but have taken a couple in until the owner could be found. Thank you all for loving our 4 legged friends.
I would have done exactly what your sister did!!!!
I have 4 dogs and 3 cats - all rescues. I also have a network of friends and my vet that help find homes for "lost" animals.
It is a good thing that you all did tonight taking care of the dog.
Hugs
You did the right thing! My husband and I were approached when a lady saw a dog wandering around in our backyard. It was both blind and deaf. We kept it in our garage with blankets and a bowl of water. I tried animal control, same results. So, the next day, I called every vet in the phone book and the humane societies. The owner was doing the same thing, so we were quickly linked up. Good luck!
Well, I commend you for reacting with your heart. That poor dog would probably be dead if it weren't for you, so be proud of yourself. I have 3 dogs- 1 is from a boxer rescue in Maine ( I live in PA), the second is a boxer puppy that the breeder couldn't care for anymore and the third is my Mother's 15 1/2 year old pitbull that would have been euthanized had we not taken him in when she passed away. So, YES, I would have done what you and your sister did! Sadly, not everyone feels the same way about dogs, a lot of people wouldn't give a stray dog the chance to find out if it was nice or not, but then some people like you and your sister would & did! I myself, would have used caution (Which I'm sure you did), but I wouldn't have been able to sleep had I left a dog out in the 3 degree weather we're experiencing here. So kuddo's to you & your sister! Boo to AC, but probably better for the dog that they didn't get off their lazy bumm's to do their jobs!
In sub-zero weather, you did the right thing.
wow that is ridiculous. isn't that what animal control is for? i would have called the police after that, just to cover all bases. animal control won't come get it, and the humane society won't take it. sounds like a SERIOUS issue to me. i'm surprised you don't have thousands of stray dogs running around. maybe call some local vets. SOMEONE has to know what to do with this poor animal. what a joke.
You and your sister totally are doing the right thing, IMHO. Seriously - just turn the dog loose? I would consider "reporting" the animal control office to the town or whoever has jurisdiction over it, that's ridiculous advice. yes it's not a human, but the animal control office is supposed to help out with ANIMALS. C'mon.
SO, it sounds to me like you are likely to find the owner of dog. I'd get the dog to a local vet who can see if it's microchipped, put an ad on CL if you can, and fliers all over etc. SOme local papers run "found" ads free. I would do everything to find the owner - imagine if one of yours was missing! I always think of it as dog karma when I take care of a stray and have a hand in reuniting a canine with their human - I figure if God forbid something happens to my sweet puppy hopefully someone will return the favor.
You did good! And your sister too!
I most def. would of done what your friend did but like in your case i have a boxer and a pug and a 2 year old and im pregnant so i doubt i would of been able to keep another animal. But im glad yall are trying to find the owners and if not she is willing to keep the dog:)
You may also post her on a facebook page that is affiliated with your local animal rescue groups. You have plenty located in Lansing. Good luck and the both of you have been doing the right things!!!
I'm not entirely sure what I would do in that situation. However, other than neighborhood fliers (not just at the vet), I would also contact the police dept & report the animal. Often times when someone loses their animal they will call the police to see if someone reported it. Maybe also stick an ad in the local newspaper. Good luck to Scruffy!
