Found a dog... He is awesome. *Update Post 17*

[JCS]

This morning we woke up to find a beautiful young dog curled up in a ball on our back deck, shivering. It was about 10 degrees last night. He has a collar and broken leash, but no ID tags. We brought him in, fed him, and gave him water. We’ve called the local vets and animal shelters to let them know we have him in case his owners call looking for him, and I’ve posted his pic on Facebook. The shelter will take him and hold him until owners show. (It’s a cat-only shelter but they take dogs in situations like this. If the owners don’t show, they send the dog to another shelter for adoption.)

Here’s the thing. We LOVE this dog! He’s only about a year or two old, and an intact male, but he’s so quiet and gentle (and housebroken). He’s been very polite and nice with our current geriatric dog and our 4 year old daughter, responds very well to correction (when my DH took him out to walk him for a bit, he wanted to go after our chickens, but DH was able to teach him not to in just a couple of minutes). He also saw our house bunny and did not spazz out. He’s afraid of the horses but not aggressive toward them at all. He’s now relaxing quietly by the woodstove. He’s, like, the perfect dog. If the owners don’t come for him, we want to tell the shelter that we’ll take him back.

Here’s the BUT: a) I’m seven months pregnant, and b) our old dog is rapidly approaching the Big Decision (as in, it’s a matter of days, maybe a couple weeks at best). I hate to disrupt his last days with a new “replacement” dog. (Although, he dislikes most dogs and seems totally fine with this one. So maybe that part would be OK.) We were not planning on getting another dog for at least 2-3 years. But now DH feels like the universe has sent him this dog. Arrrgggh, what to do?

[didgery]

If his owners don’t turn up, and if your old dog is accepting him, then look at it this way—your daughter will need a friend to get through her grief. Your old dog will know he’s leaving you in good hands. You won’t have to face the challenge of “replacing” your dog, which never goes as planned, but will instead be starting a new relationship while Sr. is still around.

Sometimes dogs know things. Perhaps he found you in your time of need.

[HenryisBlaisin]

Personally, if the dog fits in that well, I wouldn’t even send it to the shelter. Ther’e too big a chance for it to get adopted elsewhere or accidentally euthed. I’d advertise as you have with local vets and put an ad in the nearest paper and radio station (most will do lost/found pet ads for free). Put a few posters in the grocery stores. IF the owner shows (and I’d be VERY surprised if they aren’t looking if they’ve gone to the trouble to train and socialize this dog), you let the dog go. If they don’t, check you local laws for the time after which the animal is considered abandoned and you can legally keep it. In many places that’s 7-14 days, but always check your local laws!

I’m kind of with DH on this one…I firmly believe that animals come into our lives for a reason. Maybe your deal old dog didn’t want you to be alone. Everything happens for a reason…

One not on advertising: DO NOT include a picture or description of the dog. Just say "Found dog on ___ Road near ____(town). If possible, give a cell rather than a home number (address can be found with a home #). When someone calls, ask them for an accurate description, and if they can’t give you one, firmly say, “I’m sorry, but this isn’t your dog. I hope you find him, good luck.” There are nasty people who will respond to found dog ads professing to be worried sick over little Rover…but who have never laid eyes on that dog, let alone owned it, and will take it and sell to a lab or such.

[StGermain]

Maybe the universe is sending you another dog. Grace the doberman was dumped near my farm and I took her in, because I love dobies. I’ve had a doberman or two for at least the last twenty years. A week after Grace came, my 14 year old dobe Simon died in his sleep. It was fate. (Or Grace strangled him while he slept. But given her disposition and lack of opposable thumbs, I’m going with Fate.)

StG

[Bacardi1]

I agree with NOT sending him to a shelter. Regardless of good intentions, that’s awfully stressful - cages, runs (if they’re lucky), lots of other strange people & animals, enumerous chances to contract parasites/diseases. Goodness, if he’s doing so well at your home, why subject him to this? Simply advise - as you have - the various venues that you have him if someone is looking for him, & leave it at that. Frankly, as well-socialized & trained as he apparently is, I’d be very suspect of a home that hadn’t neutered him.

[BetterOffRed]

The dog arriving on your doorstep is karmic destiny…you can’t fight karma.

[lcw579]

I agree with everyone else. Try to find the dog’s owners but don’t send him to the shelter.

Sometimes adding a younger dog can perk up an older dog. I know it did with ours.

You can handle another dog even with a new baby - I got a puppy when I had 2 toddlers and was pregnant soon after. My youngest called that dog her Irish twin.

Consider yourself lucky that he turned up, gets along with your old dog and daughter and seems to be easily trained to leave the other pets alone. Someone was looking out for you it appears.

[Roxyllsk]

Well he fits in and is probably very grateful for his full tummy and that warm fireplace. Try and find his ‘real’ owner, and if you don’t, then he’s a keeper !

[shiningwizard255]

I’d keep him if no owner turns up. Since you are willing to keep him I’d not subject him to shelter life - as a former no-kill shelter employee I can attest that it’s a high stress situation for the animals and best to be avoided if possible. Plus chances to catch diseases and parasites, etc.

What you could do, if finances are willing, is send him to a doggie daycare or boarding kennel if it starts to upset your older dog until your older doggie crosses the bridge (my condolences for your older dog). Less stress and more individual attention, and you know the dog won’t be accidentally euthed.

Thanks for taking him in! Picking your doorstep was fate, and I wouldn’t tempt that.

Best of luck to you.

[JCS]

Thanks for the perspectives. Everyone seems to be in agreement–is this a first for COTH?? :lol: We are really loving this guy. My daughter’s all over him. Our older dog often doesn’t really eat much at all, and so far today he’s eaten two cans of food. I think he’s inspired by the presence of another dog (competition?).

The shelter was supposed to be sending a guy to pick him up, but so far the guy hasn’t called us and it’s been four hours. If they ever do call, we’re planning to tell them we’ll keep him here, and to direct any potential owners to us.

Obviously I don’t know his breed, but he looks like a mix of lab and black and tan coonhound. I would almost guess he’s a purebred coonhound except his tan points are very faint (almost black still) and he has a lot of white on his chest. We’ve been calling him Buddy just by default, but if he stays I’d like to come up with a better name.

Here he is:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3028463240152&set=a.1905920217278.109601.1519956774&type=1&theater

[JanM]

Another vote to keep him, and you’ll probably have him forever. It could be that he has an owner looking for him, but don’t bet on it these days.

[veetiepony]

I would say keep him, unless your older dog gets upset by his presence. Then maybe have him stay with a friend/relative/boarding place until its time.

Just a reminder to check for a microchip. Esecially if he was a rescue dog, a lot of organizations microchip them as standard procedure.

[Alagirl]

Scary when COTH agrees!

But yes, if the owner does not show up, keep him!

Perfect dogs don’t fall in your lab every day!

[JanM]

And even if the owner shows up, they might not really want him back. It’s about the time for the Christmas dog to lose it’s charm, and not be wanted any longer.

[HPFarmette]

Sometimes stray animals know which house has kindness inside.

[SarahandSam]

Agree with all the others. Your vet can check and see if he has a microchip, too. Rather hope no one’s interested in finding him and that he stays with you. (:

[JCS]

Update! His name is Baxter, and his people are coming to pick him up at 7 tonight. He’s been missing for over a week! I’m sad that we don’t get to keep him, but happy that we were able to get him warm and fed for the day and help him find his way home.

[HPFarmette]

Well done. Bless you for helping him.

[Pcostx]

How did you find his owners? And why is Baxter NOT NEUTERED?

:mad:That should be a condition of the owners getting the dog back! GRRR!

[Bacardi1]

I agree. Lord only knows how many unwanted little Baxters he’s fathered in a week’s time. What sad, sad uninformed negligent owners.