I just had a heart wrenching dog experience

[lulu]

You still did the right thing, Kenny. If it were my dog I'd be so grateful to you.

 

[asscherisme]

I had so many emotions reading this thread from start to finish. You did a wonderful thing and I was so happy to read that the dog had been identified by it's owner and was expecting a happy reunion. I was NOT expecting to read the owner's response to your kindness or his unwillingness to pay the fee to get his beloved pet back. Some people never cease to amaze me. I would adopt Elsie in a heartbeat if I were you and not give a rat's a$$ what the previous *owner* thinks when he sees you walking her. I could think of a few choice words for him if he ever had the gall to approach you, though.

+ 1

OMG!!! What an A$$hat. Holy cow. You saved his dog!!! The guy does not deserve that sweet pet.

I guess if you have 2 dogs right now, a 3rd could seem overwhelming, but I've BTDT with 3 for several years. They all got along, they all walked well on their leases together, it looked nuts when I walked them, but it was also kinda cool! Just to say, it can be done (having 3 dogs) if you really think that might be in the cards.

Still hung up on that moron calling you to give you whatfor .... what an idiot!

I agree, he does not deserve a sweet pet like that. What a jerk.

I have to ask for your protection and don't want to make you paranoid, but did you give him your home phone or cell phone number? If you gave him your home phone and you are listed in the phone book, he could easily find out where you live. That would make me nervous to adopt his dog. Its a tough call what to do. Its a head vs heart thing for sure. Just be careful whatever you decide.

The guy is awful with clear anger issues. If you found my cat and brought her to a shelter and then called me to tell me, I would be thanking you and sending you a gift/reward!! But then again, my cats are vaccinated and licenced with the city. Aggg, what a jerk he is .

 

[kenny]

I gave our home phone which is unlisted.

My biggest concern is if we eventually adopt Elsie is he will see me walking her.
Also 2 or 3 weeks in a shelter can't be good for her psychologically.
Today she was so sweet and trusting.
I'd love to get her now but that's not possible.

 

[asscherisme]

unlisted, good. I am also unlisted because of a past scary experience.

I don't know about the walking issue. What does your partner think? Does he feel strongly one way or the other? I would feel the way you do, I would be worried about him seeing me with his dog too. I would probably wait to see if someone else adopts the dog and if no one comes forward save the dog from being put down.

I see lots of people with 3 dogs in my area. It makes me think "Oh wow, they really love dogs!".

 

[iLander]

If it were me, I'd probably figure the guy was behind on all the shots, etc., because he's unemployed, and he was mean because he's stressed and missing his dog. I'd give the guy the benefit of the doubt, because he did put up signs and all that.

I'd probably go to the pound and offer to pay half of the fees, and tell the shelter people to call the guy and tell him that someone will anonymously pay half the fees. It is a lot of money for a few vaccinations and a license, if you ask me. Around here, you can adopt an animal for $50, vaccinated, licensed, the whole deal.

Then I'd sit back and wait. If the guy doesn't pick up the dog by the 29th, I'd go back and pick up the dog myself. It would be my dog, and if the guy doesn't like it, he can pay me back, and then I'd give him the dog. Otherwise, tough.

But that's me, and everyone has a different approach, all of them valid.

 

[kenny]

ILander thank you.
One of my neighbors also suggested I offer to pay half and let the dog return the the butthead she loves.

All things considered that may be the way out for me.

 

[yssie]

Oh Kenny, what a stressful experience all around!

The man is clearly not thinking straight - as a pet owner I agree that you did exactly the right thing by taking the animal straight to a shelter. I'd hold on to a stray for as little time as possible too, no matter how well-groomed and well-socialised - I don't know what illnesses/issues it might have and I'm not going to risk exposing my own pets to anything.

That said, people who don't love their animals don't put up Lost signs, and don't socialise them well, and don't keep them well-groomed. I worked at a shelter for a bit and the stories of people who wanted their pets but just couldn't afford them pets anymore were the worst Maybe he's worried he couldn't keep her anyway, so he thinks it'd be easier to just let her go now? I don't know. Just thinking out loud. I do know that there are far too many wonderful animals that need loving homes and far too few homes... if paying the $230 up-front for the guy would get Elsie back home...

 

[stargurl78]

If it were me, I'd probably figure the guy was behind on all the shots, etc., because he's unemployed, and he was mean because he's stressed and missing his dog. I'd give the guy the benefit of the doubt, because he did put up signs and all that.

I'd probably go to the pound and offer to pay half of the fees, and tell the shelter people to call the guy and tell him that someone will anonymously pay half the fees. It is a lot of money for a few vaccinations and a license, if you ask me. Around here, you can adopt an animal for $50, vaccinated, licensed, the whole deal.

Then I'd sit back and wait. If the guy doesn't pick up the dog by the 29th, I'd go back and pick up the dog myself. It would be my dog, and if the guy doesn't like it, he can pay me back, and then I'd give him the dog. Otherwise, tough.

But that's me, and everyone has a different approach, all of them valid.

Well said and great suggestions.

 

[lyra]

I like the idea of paying part or all of the outstanding balance to free Elsie to her original owner. I think she might be happier in the home she is used to. Only you can judge the situation, of course.

I will be honest and also advise you to think carefully about whether adopting her yourself is really a good idea or not. We have had 3 dogs for many years, but it's a lot more work than two, and sometimes adding even the most lovable pup to the mix just throws everything out of balance. It can be very stressful for all the dogs and moreso for the humans. You're splitting your attention 3 ways and they all seem to have the maturity of a two year old! They might not get along, and may no longer want to follow established routines like how to act at feeding times, where and when to sleep, etc. Just give it some thought and please don't feel pressured. Take care. I hope there is good news on this soon.

 

[hoover]

Aw, Kenny.... Sending you hugs.

You did a good deed today and the guy sounds like a real weener, but as others have said, he *may* get the benefit of the doubt by being under stress of losing his pet. However, I think the pup should go to a loving home where the owner is responsible, pays for the licenses, and doesn't let their pet's vaccinations fall behind. That could be you, that could be another family...

Regardless, don't let this guy's poor behavior bring you down. You shouldn't feel bad about this guy's irresponsibility.

 

[bluegirl123]

I think you should just let someone else adopt the dog. The man bulked at the cost to obtain Elsie back, even with the monthly payment pay. If Elsie got sick or something unfortunate were to happen, what would he do? It does not sound like he could afford or is willing to pay for any medical treatment.

 

[Imdanny]

I think if he abandoned his pet then he's an an unfit pet owner. To me personally that transgresses probably the most basic responsibility of being a pet owner. I'm sensitive to whether people can pay for things but if he was offered a very reasonable payment plan and he still walked out, just like iLander said, you could adopt her, and she would be your dog. If you want to take her home, please don't let anything stop you. I'm sure she would be much happier to join your pack than live with this creep who abandoned her. My 2 cents.

 

[stepcutnut]

Kenny-you did the right thing! Try and find some peace in that My hubby and I have done this sort of thing twice. Both times we received nasty calls or letters from the pet owners, since we had to give the shelter our contact info when we brought the dogs in. Both situations could have turned out very badly for the dogs, so I try to remember that. Good luck with what you will decide to do from here, go with your gut!!!

 

[Dee*Jay]

The dog owner just called me, ALL pissed off.

He said ...

You found my dog but you couldn't even wait two F-ing hours.
I'm unemployed so I'm not able to pay $236 to get my dog out and now the dog will probably get put to sleep.

Just thought I'd let you know.
Thanks a lot.
Have a nice day.
Then he hung up.

I am beside myself.
I don't know what to feel besides sick.

I knew I should not have left my phone number on his voice mail expecting a thank you.
I'm so stupid.
Some people just suck!

I assume he did not have the dog licensed or vaccinated and they required that before they'd release the dog.
I'm thinking of paying the fee for him.

What do you think?
I love the dog but hate that man.
GGGRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!

WHAT?!? I can only hope that he left this message out of pure distress at the idea of losing his dog because he can't afford to get her back. However, being a rational person who has lived in this world long enough to have a realistic sense of people, my guess is that he's just an a$$hole. Seriously! Obviously I didn't hear this message so I don't know the tone of his voice (which might indicate what he was feeling as much as his words did), but I am appaled that he would behave in that way.

So sorry Kenny. You really did the absolutely right thing. If The Demon and his crazy brother Oscar ever get loose I certainly hope someone as kind as you are would find them!

Also, the XH just stopped by to bring my sons over the the week and I showed him this. He used to volunteer at the Anti Cruelty Society and he said a dog like that will absolutely be adopted out pronto, so there is no danger of her going to the great dog run in the sky. I hope she finds a wonderful new family and lives a long and happy life!

 

[susief]

I think you should just let someone else adopt the dog. The man bulked at the cost to obtain Elsie back, even with the monthly payment pay. If Elsie got sick or something unfortunate were to happen, what would he do? It does not sound like he could afford or is willing to pay for any medical treatment.

Agree 100%.

23 dollars a month to ensure his pet is kept safe and healthy (vaccinated and licenced) is not at all excessive or unreasonable. Unemployed and broke or not, a caring owner would have been SO grateful you kept his pet from harm. Who knows where she would be now if it wasn't for you? His reaction speaks volumes - it would appear he cares more about the money than about the safety of his pet.

As for the "Lost Dog" photos he put up - I hate to say it, but with a high value dog like a ShihTzu, love may not be the only reason he wanted her back.

Don't let your emotions sway your decision. It's not in Elsie's best interests for you to enable this guy to keep her. If he really wants her back, he'll find a way to make it happen.

 

[kenny]

Thanks for all the support guys.
I really shouldn't let this affect me as much as it has; I just fell a little bit in love with this dog in distress.

I'm putting pieces of a puzzle together . . .

1. You mention Shih Tzus are an expensive breed . . .

2. I suspected Elsie was male. I was in a hurry, didn't want to stress the dog with unnecessary handling to determine gender, and Shih Tzu's are pretty hairy but I saw something hanging down down there, which I realize now may have been a teat. (God, I hope there aren't hungry puppies at home. )

3. The shelter did tell me he had another dog with an expired license.

4. Licenses for unfixed dogs are much more expensive than for fixed dogs, which could explain the high fee.

5. His LOST DOG poster mentioned two male names (originally I thought it must a gay couple [after all let's face it, Shih Tzu ARE sheshe dogs], but now I think the other male name may be Elsie's mate). It said something like, "Jeff and I miss her."

6. His surprisingly high level of anger over the financial aspect.

7. Putting this all together, maybe he was breeding Shih Tzus for profit.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Thanks for all the support guys.
I really shouldn't let this affect me as much as it has; I just fell a little bit in love with this dog in distress.

I'm putting pieces of a puzzle together . . .

1. You mention Shih Tzus are an expensive breed . . .

2. I suspected Elsie was male. I was in a hurry, didn't want to stress the dog with unnecessary handling to determine gender, and Shih Tzu's are pretty hairy but I saw something hanging down down there, which I realize now may have been a teet. (God, I hope there aren't hungry puppies at home. )

3. The shelter did tell me he had another dog with an expired license.

4. Licenses for unfixed dogs are much more expensive than for fixed dogs, which could explain the high fee.

5. His LOST DOG poster was two male names (originally I thought it must a gay couple [after all let's face it, Shih Tzu ARE sheshe dogs], but now I think the other male name may be Elsie's mate). It said something like, "Jeff and I miss her."

6. His surprisingly high level of anger over the financial aspect.

7. Putting this all together, maybe he was breeding Shih Tzus for profit.[/quote]

Apparently not MUCH profit if he didn't have the the hundred bucks to get him/her back! If that is indeed the case though, I think he will find a way to come up with the $ to retrieve the dog becuase he will need it for breeding to make more $.

 

[lulu]

I hope he's not running some kind of puppy mill. If you suspect he is it would be a good reason to adopt the dog yourself.

 

[Enerchi]

It is a heart wrenching situation. REading your list of thoughts, Kenny, I think this may be a situation where you are best to step away. That dog will be rehomed by a loving family in no time, according to what Dee-Jay's XH has experienced. There is the issue of managing 3 dogs if you kept Elsie (can be done tho, not to worry!) and seeing Mr Angry in the neighbourhood when you are walking - that could confuse poor Elsie.

We know nothing about that situation and as much as it tugs at all of us, I think perhaps just letting it alone, might be best. I'd hate to see you get enmeshed in something even more dramatic than this! Look after you first, then the other stuff will fall into place. My 2cents

 

[kenny]

It is a heart wrenching situation. REading your list of thoughts, Kenny, I think this may be a situation where you are best to step away. That dog will be rehomed by a loving family in no time, according to what Dee-Jay's XH has experienced. There is the issue of managing 3 dogs if you kept Elsie (can be done tho, not to worry!) and seeing Mr Angry in the neighbourhood when you are walking - that could confuse poor Elsie.

We know nothing about that situation and as much as it tugs at all of us, I think perhaps just letting it alone, might be best. I'd hate to see you get enmeshed in something even more dramatic than this! Look after you first, then the other stuff will fall into place. My 2cents

Thanks.
This is the direction I'm leaning towards.

 

[Enerchi]

Promise to let us know what happens by APril 28th? Will you come back and update us? I'm hoping for a happy ending for Elsie, a rainbow of coloured diamonds for your generous and kind heart.... and a lump of coal for Mr Angry!

 

[lyra]

Can't the shelter tell you if Elsie is male/female and whether she/he has been fixed? I'd start there. If they don't think she's been abused in any way, maybe you're inferring too much. How do you know Jeff isn't the man's SO for instance? Maybe in the end if Elsie is not going back to her original owner, she can go to a loving family with no other dogs so she can have full attention. I think it's risky for you to adopt her and live in a state of anxiety about seeing her previous owner. Not good for you or her. But of course it's all your decision. Still hoping for a positive outcome!

 

[Kaleigh]

What a jerk. I am at a loss for words. I hope Elsie goes to a loving home. If it were my dog, I would be thanking you to no end.....

 

[beesha77]

What a complete douche canoe! I'm sorry Kenny, you did the right thing. The only thing he's pissed about is having to be a responsible pet owner.

 

[partgypsy]

Holy crap this pos is not willing to pay $236 to get his dog back??? I know most dog owners would move heaven and earth to make it happy, and be GRATEFUL that their dog was still alive and not injured.

Hopefully Elsie will be adopted by a loving family

 

[tammy77]

UGH! Seriously this guy is a piece of work. ANYONE that actually loved their pet would make a measly $23.00 a month payment to keep them. He doesn't deserve to have him/her.

I would want to know if it's an intact male or a nursing female as well, but I don't think you should spring her out for him. He has been given an extremely generous offer by the shelter to make payments. If $23.00 a month is too much, then he certainly wouldn't pay for ANY vet bills if (when) s/he gets sick.

He's an absolutely irresponsible pet owner - no license, no vaccinations, no spay/neuter and apparently not very much supervision. He probably just reprinted the lost flyer from the last time that Elise got out.

Anyhow, you did the right thing. It's heartbreaking that she'll be in doggy jail for 2 weeks, and I wish you could foster her for the shelter (is that possible???) but in the long run Elise's life will be better without her crappy owner.

 

[NOYFB]

Ya know, if you did adopt Elsie and this jerk saw you walking her there'd be no way he would be able to identify you as the person who rescued her in the first place. And if he did have the cajones to walk up to you and claim it was *his* dog you could always play dumb and say that you don't know what he's talking about since you adopted the dog from the shelter. He doesn't need to know you are the same person. Just a thought, in case you were still considering adopting her yourself.

Regardless, I hope she finds a loving home and doesn't get returned to that POS.

 

[Imdanny]

Of course you did the right thing taking the dog to the shelter.

If I wanted to take a new cat home, I couldn't, right away, because I have one.

That cat would have to go to a vet, and I would have to insure that he or she did not have worms, mites, fleas, etc.

We know that guy is not reasonable, but you did the right thing.

If, and it doesn't look like this will happen, but if you decide to adopt the dog on the 28th, you will be given new paperwork from the shelter proving you are the owner. At that point, it wouldn't be "his" dog, in any way, shape, or form.

What a jerk that guy is.

 

[HollyS]

You absolutely did the right thing by taking the dog to the shelter. I think you may be right about the 'owner' running a puppy mill, in which case I would not want him to get the dog back.

Here's hoping that this doggy is adopted by a loving family who really wants it, and can afford to keep it healthy.

 

[kenny]

Update.

I just called the shelter and they told me Elsie was returned to the owner.

Hope the jerk learned a lesson and takes better care of her.