Stray dog came back *updated*

[zaneyzoo]

Here's the previous post pandce.proboards.com/thread/455953/wwyd-stray-dog

So yesterday I was chatting with dh looking out the front door and realized the dog was back. He was standing at the door just staring at me. He was jumping around and so excited when I let him in. This was the first time dh had really been around him and thought he was so sweet. He was great with our girls. He went up to my youngest and rolled over on his back and wiggled around. She loved it.

Dh and I talked about wether or not we should text the owner since this is the fifth time he's come our way. But karma and all, so I sent the owner a message. We had plans yesterday so I let him stay in the house while we got ready. He was so sweet. He followed me around and would just sit by me. The girls loved him.

So the owner says he has been looking for him and would come get him. The live 3 blocks away so after 40 minutes, I message the owner and tell them we have to leave and asked if they would be by soon (because silly me assumed one would be prompt in claiming their stray dog). He says he'll be down and tells me he was starting to cut his kids hair when I message him again. Wtf?

So, next time Gus comes by, dh said we will just keep him unless they ask us or we see they are looking for him. We've had 3 dogs before and while I'm not excited about 3, this little guy would be perfect for our family.

Is this bad of us to do?

Update

He's back. This is the 6th time. Earlier I was outside walking to my neighbors and his owner was walking down the street. I waved and he asked if we had Gus and that he ran away again. We didn't.

I got back to my house and went around back and called his name and he came running from the bushes by the alley. He ran up the deck and inside.

So he's here. Snuggled up with me.

What do I do? Should I just call or message them telling them I have him and ask if he wants us to keep him? He is so stinking seeet and cute.

Stupidass pet owners.......

[coribelle26]

At this point I think it might actually be less work for you to just keep the damn dog instead of continuing to return it.

[zaneyzoo]

Jul 5, 2015 9:46:01 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

I'd try to keep the dog. He's chosen your family!

How the heck is this dog getting out all the time anyway?

Supposedly their kids take off his collar. He has never had one each time we've found him. They say he gets out when the kids come in and out, which I get. But this is a bit much. Their kids are old enough to know better if they would talk to them. They are friendly people but not very responsible

[dexteroni]

I wouldn't have called this time! So I obviously don't think it's bad. But I imagine the owner would contact you at some point, so I don't know if he'll be yours forever. Maybe you can have shared custody. lol.

[ginger]

Yeah, I don't understand how you don't teach the kids to not let the dog out... UGH.

[pandorica]

Poor dog I hate bad pet owners. I'd be tempted to do the same

[1confused1]

Yea, you can't just keep someone's dog. You need to ask the guy if he'd be willing to let you have it.

[verycontrary247]

Jul 5, 2015 10:06:35 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

Id be up front and ask. "You know, the dog keeps coming over here. How would you feel about us keeping him? Your kids could come visit and then you don't have to worry about your dog escaping all the time"

How's that?

This, minus the "your kids could come visit" because they're the ones who keep letting him out! They don't deserve visitation!

[sapphireblue]

I ended up with a cat this way. I first thought she was a stray, then realized she had owners. She kept showing up and eventually I spoke to the owners and they said I could keep her. She has now been with me for 12 years.

He sounds like a wonderful dog. I wouldn't want to have three either but he definitely seems to like your family!

[LeggsBenedict]

what are you going to do if the owner shows up at your door after a few weeks and says he wants his dog?

[knx9211]

Would people really call someone and say "Hey so your dog has gotten out three times so how about he just lives here now?"

[knx9211]

Jul 5, 2015 11:04:50 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

Jul 5, 2015 11:02:39 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

Would people really call someone and say "Hey so your dog has gotten out three times so how about he just lives here now?"

In this case, why not?

Under normal circumstances, no way. Lol

Because it's someone else's dog? Yeah, he needs to talk to his kids and secure him better, but it's that family's dog. This hasn't happened 100 times. I get being irritated, but I wouldn't take someone's pet.

[pantsparty]

Jul 5, 2015 11:02:39 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

Would people really call someone and say "Hey so your dog has gotten out three times so how about he just lives here now?"

Sure, people who are not in this situation and are commenting on a message board. 

[redheadk]

Can you get animal control involved? Or at least tell this moron that you'll be contacting animal control from now on so its time to actually be a responsible parent and pet owner and figure this shit our? His blase attitude would enrage me.

[1confused1]

Jul 5, 2015 11:02:39 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

Would people really call someone and say "Hey so your dog has gotten out three times so how about he just lives here now?"

Normally no, but my friends got their dog this way.  The family that had her was so overwhelmed with kids, etc. that they weren't taking good care of the dog, my friend asked if they would consider letting her adopt the dog and they did.  

[RoxMonster]

I wouldn't just keep him without saying anything.

The next time he gets loose and comes by, I would probably call up the neighbor and say, "Hey, your dog is over here again. He seems to enjoy hanging out here and we already have dog food and what not. We don't mind keeping him for the weekend (or whatever) if it's OK with you so you don't have to come get him." If he says no and comes over right away, you know they won't want you adopting him. If he is OK with it for a few days, then maybe re-evaluate and chat after those few days are up and see about something more permanent.

[Muddled]

Jul 5, 2015 11:06:55 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

Jul 5, 2015 11:04:50 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

In this case, why not?

Under normal circumstances, no way. Lol

Because it's someone else's dog? Yeah, he needs to talk to his kids and secure him better, but it's that family's dog. This hasn't happened 100 times. I get being irritated, but I wouldn't take someone's pet.

That's why she should ask instead of just taking him. It gives them the option of say. ing no.

[zaneyzoo]

I'm really not in to keeping other people's animals or taking things that aren't mine. However the last three times we've had him, they don't seem to care too much about getting him back.

The first couple times they came right away. The third time they asked me if I would drop him by their house and the last two times I've had to send a follow up message asking if they would be by soon, after waiting 30 minutes.

You're right in that I should talk to them should it happen again. I just feel bad for the dog. And I'm frustrated it keeps happening over and over.

[niemand88f]

If they aren't cool with you keeping him (after asking), I would definitely start taking him to the shelter. They need to pay some fines to realize it's a problem. Also, you can find out what the stray hold is and adopt him at the end of it if they don't care enough to claim him.

[mcmel]

Jul 5, 2015 14:38:07 GMT -5 niemand88f said:

If they aren't cool with you keeping him (after asking), I would definitely start taking him to the shelter. They need to pay some fines to realize it's a problem. Also, you can find out what the stray hold is and adopt him at the end of it if they don't care enough to claim him.

This is exactly what I would do. Once they start paying those fines I guarantee they cut this shit out.

[coribelle26]

I am pretty incensed that they're basically using you as free dog sitting. Asking you to bring him to their house? What??

[MixedBerryJam]

Jul 5, 2015 11:02:39 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

Would people really call someone and say "Hey so your dog has gotten out three times so how about he just lives here now?"

This is exactly what I would do, honestly. Worded differently, but this is the point I would attempt to make. 

[katietornado]

Jul 5, 2015 14:47:49 GMT -5 mcmel said:

Jul 5, 2015 14:38:07 GMT -5 niemand88f said:

If they aren't cool with you keeping him (after asking), I would definitely start taking him to the shelter. They need to pay some fines to realize it's a problem. Also, you can find out what the stray hold is and adopt him at the end of it if they don't care enough to claim him.

This is exactly what I would do. Once they start paying those fines I guarantee they cut this shit out.

It may not be necessary to put the pup through the potential trauma of going to the shelter.  I had neighbors who did this ("our 11-year-old doesn't latch the fence gate"), and after I'd collected their dog three times, I called AC to return it.  They just took the dog back to its house, rather than to the shelter.  The owners got a talking to, and I've never seen that dog loose since.

[lilafowler]

DOG STEAK

[lilafowler]

You people.

[eb777888]

Jul 5, 2015 16:09:43 GMT -5 lilafowler said:

DOG STEAK

[zaneyzoo]

Updated

[flamingeaux]

Call in the morning, and ask if they'd rather you take him.

[LeggsBenedict]

call now.

[verycontrary247]

I hate them.

I'd call and offer. If they decline, call animal control every time he gets out so they get fined for their kids being careless assholes.