Short version: barn staff found a female, unspayed in Ocala Forest 4+ years ago, brought her to barn where I board. She was “horrible” in the truck, and hasn’t been moved since. Older - 8 -10? Clearly arthritic. Typical guard dog OK with some of the boarders, not others. The person who was taking care of her has been let go for other reasons and the place where she is now living says no dogs. Barn owner wants the dog gone by end of 30 days. BTW she does also have bite history apparently.
Wondering if anyone knows of rescues that might take her - this is probably a long shot but have to ask.
The back up plan is to have vet euth the dog on the property and bury her there also. Some of us believe this is the best solution but a few optimists are trying to find a home.
Maybe suggest one of the optimists take this dog home with them. Might help them focus.
Funny, no one has jumped on that idea. The barn owner was going to take dog to the pound to get put down. They are in their 80’s, the dog weighs probably 90 lbs or more and hates cars; would likely bite them or cause accident…I talked them out of that; one of boarders is a vet willing to do the deed, but then a couple people said “oh give us a few weeks to try”. IMO the dog is probably in pain, trouble getting up and down, not very active but still intimidating. The whole thing is a hot mess for a number of reasons beyond my posts…
Rescues by “judy” in Sanford has had several. Anatolians and always posts adopters must have A. S. experiece, due to their temperament.
Rescues usually won’t take one with a bite history. At this age, this poor dog is neariñg it’s normal end of life.
Probably kindest end is a peaceful euthanization.
We adopted one from the SPCA so you could try there. They had a “no children under 16” sign.
I would absolutely euth, at her age. Going somewhere new will be traumatic and very few people willing to adopt an old dog like that truly know how to work with an LGD breed vs regular working dogs. She’s too old to chuck out in a field with sheep by herself, and might be too old to want to start working with another dog too. A house could be a good home but it would need to be with someone who knows what they’re doing.
I’d absolutely go for euth in this case.
Thank you for your thoughts. Its interesting, when she first came to the barn 4 years ago, she would do “perimeter patrol” every day. Haven’t seen her much beyond the barn area now in months. I truly think the dog is in physical decline - though she’s had basic shots, no real vet care otherwise…in the catagory of better too soon than too late.
thanks!
