Post by dirtybella on Jan 29, 2018 11:15:26 GMT -5
I need a little advice on the best thing to do with a pup. My husband witnessed him being dumped Friday night. The owner stopped their car, set him on the ground and chased him away. My husband managed to leash him and he spent Friday night in our back yard. Saturday morning I took him to the vet we use for our pups and she gave him a wellness exam and did a fecal on him and started oral flea treatment. She determined he was ok to be around our pups. I've posted on nextdoor, facebook lost and found groups, etc even though I know he's not lost. I've also contacted local rescues as well as the city's animal shelter. The city shelter said they were completely full and if we brought him in they would do a 3 day hold to see if someone claimed him and than most likely euthanize him for lack of space. I haven't heard back from any rescues yet.
He's a great little dog, about 35 lbs and looks like a cattle dog mix. Vet estimated about a year old. He's been playing with our dogs, having a great time. He hasn't any accidents inside the house. Hasn't shown any food aggression. I can take a bully stick while he's chewing and he doesn't even flinch. We've taught him how to sit, he's catching on to that command. He loves to cuddle and is very affectionate. He is definitely adoptable.
What do we do? Husband and I thought about keeping him but we're on the fence. We just didn't want 3 dogs. He needs vetting, he's not neutered. We have no idea about shots. My vet called this morning and said he does have some intestinal parasites so the cost of the medication for that is $50. I just don't want to start sinking a ton of money into a dog that we don't know his future. Any advice? Thoughts? Houston people know any rescue groups? Thanks!
The easiest way to get him into a rescue is to offer to foster him. Since they are fully staffed by volunteers, it can sometimes be hard to get a response. I'd try reaching out again to some rescues in the areas and start the conversation by letting them know you saw a dog being dumped, have done the appropriate steps to find an owner anyway, and are willing to foster until the pup is adopted. If you aren't able to get through that way, check into when some of the more reputable rescues in your area are having adoption days in public and drop by. If the pup is well behaved in public, maybe cart him along.
Having him backed by a rescue is very helpful because they will help with advertising and screening and will cover the vet costs.
Post by imojoebunny on Jan 29, 2018 11:26:56 GMT -5
I have seen this ask a number of times on our local boards on other sites. The suggestion is often to take him for the hold period, in case someone is looking for him, and line up a rescue or foster home to take the dog after that. Apparently, a number of dogs go missing when they get out, people keep them for a while, then dump them or set them free again. Since he isn't neutered of microchiped, this probably isn't the case for the pup, but it is possible. Also, if your community is anything like ours, you can post a picture on there, and someone will help you find a rescue, especially if it is not a breed that has a huge over population problem. We have way too many of one breed/mix in our area, but not enough of other breeds/mixes, so any other breed is much easier to rehome.
I can't believe anyone could just dump a dog like that. I agree with the previous poster who suggested that you approach rescues with an offer to foster; you will relieve the system of the burden of his physical care, and your family's reccommendation will go a long way towards his chances at adoption.
Post by themandapanda on Jan 29, 2018 12:08:04 GMT -5
What a beautiful pup!! I wish you could keep him since he seems to be fitting in so well. Any way you can try to negotiate a discounted price with your vet for his immediate needs? I rescued a cat out of my boss's engine block once and my vet only charged me half of the usual fees since I'd saved the cat from the streets. (I gave her to a friend who christened her "Baby Girl" and gave her a loving home.)
Oh that poor baby. I don't have advice. Why would someone do that??
I’m pretty sure this was rhetorical, but as someone who works in rescue I can tell you it happens all the time with a variety of excuses. One local group routinely visits the Redlands (south Florida) to rescue some of the hundreds of dogs that are routinely dumped there. People are total assholes.
Oh that poor baby. I don't have advice. Why would someone do that??
I’m pretty sure this was rhetorical, but as someone who works in rescue I can tell you it happens all the time with a variety of excuses. One local group routinely visits the Redlands (south Florida) to rescue some of the hundreds of dogs that are routinely dumped there. People are total assholes.
Yup, this happened ALL the time in GA where i went to grad school. Lots of my friends ended up with dogs that were just dumped out on the dirt roads in the middle of nowhere. People suck.
OP definitely contact area rescues, and if you're willing, offer to foster.
Poor baby :-( I hate people sometimes. I hope karma is real.
Someone suggested fostering, that might be the best solution? Get him on pet finder or something and keep him safe in the meantime? Thank you and your DH for being kind and saving that beautiful pup.
Post by dirtybella on Jan 29, 2018 12:20:43 GMT -5
DH and I have discussed keeping him if it comes down to it. We're just hesitant because we have 2 dogs and don't really know what adding a 3rd will do to the dynamic.
I did hear back from one local rescue saying that in order for them to enroll him we would have to agree to foster him, pay for neuter, rabies and heart worm test. I've reached out to 9 different ones so far. I'll wait to see if we hear any more. I'm a little intimidated by the thought of fostering. The rescue said it may take months before someone adopts him. How do I keep him for months and then give him away?
Another picture just for fun! This is him snoozing with me on the couch yesterday:
Use facebook and other social media. You never know what friend of a friend might be involved in rescue. If you do try to adopt the dog out yourself, please ask for vet and personal references. Also a foster and fully vetted offer is REALLY appealing to most rescues. (Or even just starting vetting). He’s a pretty easily adoptable size so you should be able to find something.
What area are you in? I know of some good rescues in different parts of the Midwest/east coast.
Post by CrazyLucky on Jan 29, 2018 12:42:16 GMT -5
We just adopted from a rescue this weekend. The woman who runs it told us our dog, and many other dogs she rescues, come from the landfill. The people who work there find them and call her. You and your DH are awesome for taking him in.
Because he's new and we're in the cloud 9 phase, here's a picture of our new boy:
We have two dogs. Our first dog was super picky and difficult to find a good match for when we got our second. We were lucky to have a super volunteer at the shelter help us look for signs that would mean they were a good match.
Then my husband's best friend shot himself. We took in his dog. She was 12. We were worried about how an older dog who had gone through trauma would fit in with our dominant original dog.
It all worked out. Three dogs were no more difficult than 2.
We've also had luck with initial charges from the vet when we adopt or rescue - they give us a break on our first appointment, shots, etc.
He looks like a total sweetheart - keep him!
If you'd like some help with bills, I can send a trickle your way, just let me know!
DH and I have discussed keeping him if it comes down to it. We're just hesitant because we have 2 dogs and don't really know what adding a 3rd will do to the dynamic.
I did hear back from one local rescue saying that in order for them to enroll him we would have to agree to foster him, pay for neuter, rabies and heart worm test. I've reached out to 9 different ones so far. I'll wait to see if we hear any more. I'm a little intimidated by the thought of fostering. The rescue said it may take months before someone adopts him. How do I keep him for months and then give him away?
Another picture just for fun! This is him snoozing with me on the couch yesterday:
We had three dogs for years and years. We’re at two now and DH wants another. It does change the dynamic, but if the pup seems to be fitting into the pack, you’re seeing that dynamic already. My only complaint with three dogs is all the dog hair, lol! Good luck. He’s a cutie!
Oh man, something about his face/head reminds me SO MUCH of my dog that passed away about 2 years ago. If I was local or could have a dog in my apartment I'd totally take him. What a sweetie.
My family actually IS local to you but I know they don't want a dog. I hope you are able to find him a good home!
He's a sweetheart! You probably don't want me to weigh in here because my advice is to start choosing a name for your new dog. lol.
But seriously though - does he get along with your other dogs? Can you afford a third dog and do you have time for him? If the answer to all of those questions is yes, I would seriously consider it.
If not, or even if you just really don't want three dogs - and that's totally understandable - then I would start contacting every rescue I could find until you find one that can take him. Some rescues are foster only, so maybe you can foster him with the rescue's support. That way he can stay in one place until he goes to a new home.
We have a 135lb Great Dane, an 85lb Pyr/Lab mix, and a 35lb probably cattle dog mix (which I don't see here, FWIW*). They are a really great group and feel super easy most days, but, of course I understand if it's not to be. Do consider fostering him, if you can- I don't think he'll be a long-term foster with those looks and his polite nature.
Do you have a pic of him in natural light? He has a lot going on in his coat, might lead to some clues to his breed makeup (if you're interested- feel free not to read any more, it's going to get nerdy in here).
We can definitely see that he's genetically a red dog. The black in his coat is agouti- or possibly (though, not as likely) sable shading. I can almost definitely see merling- but, because the merle gene only affects black (or a variation of black) in a dog's coat and not red- it's only apparent in the agouti darkened hairs- which mottles the look quite a bit. I think I might see some Urajiro, too- that's the lightening pattern of red you see on a pretty short list of breeds- Akitas, Shiba Inus, and some Corgis are all I can think of.
*Cattle Dogs are exclusively ticked/roaned- a gene that only affects white fur (piebalding). He definitely has a similar sort of look with the agouti/merle combo, it's unusual!
We have a 135lb Great Dane, an 85lb Pyr/Lab mix, and a 35lb probably cattle dog mix (which I don't see here, FWIW*). They are a really great group and feel super easy most days, but, of course I understand if it's not to be. Do consider fostering him, if you can- I don't think he'll be a long-term foster with those looks and his polite nature.
Do you have a pic of him in natural light? He has a lot going on in his coat, might lead to some clues to his breed makeup (if you're interested- feel free not to read any more, it's going to get nerdy in here).
We can definitely see that he's genetically a red dog. The black in his coat is agouti- or possibly (though, not as likely) sable shading. I can almost definitely see merling- but, because the merle gene only affects black (or a variation of black) in a dog's coat and not red- it's only apparent in the agouti darkened hairs- which mottles the look quite a bit. I think I might see some Urajiro, too- that's the lightening pattern of red you see on a pretty short list of breeds- Akitas, Shiba Inus, and some Corgis are all I can think of.
*Cattle Dogs are exclusively ticked/roaned- a gene that only affects white fur (piebalding). He definitely has a similar sort of look with the agouti/merle combo, it's unusual!