Any dog lovers here? Serious question...

[JDeuce]

I know, I know...this isn't remotely poly forum material. But here's my situation:

I have a 6-month-old puppy of my own. Last week, a friend of mine dropped off his dog for me to watch because he's out of town for a few days.

As as we are walking into my place, I notice this dog's paws are damn near raw. Has some open sores. "Oh, yeah... she gets like that every year around this time because of allergies." My BS meter immediately starts ringing.

I've looked at this dog a lot more closely and it has a lot more wrong than that. Awful oral hygiene, lumps under the skin, ear infection, constantly scratches herself to the point of almost bleeding...this thing is in a lot of pain. I've been giving her some vitamin treats and spraying her skin with something that seems to be helping with the sores. Still, this dog needs to see a vet ASAP. If I took her into a vet's office and said I found her wandering on the street, he'd probably believe me. I sent her pics to a guy I know in Indiana who specializes in rescuing dogs and he wrote me back immediately: "money is no object. I will pay for her to be transported here and give her a new home immediately. Just say the word." He means it too...this cat is loaded.

So, what would you do if you were in JD's shoes? It isn't my dog to just give away, but I'd have a hard time living with myself if I simply handed her back to my dumb fuck friend and let sink right back into the shitty situation she's been in. Between a rock and a hard place.

 

[MantisToboggan]

Send the dog to Indiana.

 

[JDeuce]

Send the dog to Indiana.

Not my dog to to get rid of. I could even get sued for doing so.

 

[THawk+]

First thing is I love animals and despise people who mistreat, abuse, or don't take care of their pets so I am biased...

She got out "by mistake" and ran away. Have not been able to find her. Sorry man... Do not offer to replace the dog...

If he is that bad to a dog he can't be that good of a friend, I would think.

You may lose the friend but save the dog from a horrible life....

From the sounds of it losing the friend may not be such a bad thing

Gl in your decision...

 

[THawk+]

Not my dog to to get rid of. I could even get sued for doing so.

Like I said, if he would sue you then he is not a good friend and would not be a big loss in your life...

 

[texansfan]

Tell him you have contacted Animal Control, the SPCA, whomever, and will pursue possible animal cruelty charges against him if he wants to do anything about it. Then kick him in the nuts and send him on his way.

 

[MantisToboggan]

First thing is I love animals and despise people who mistreat, abuse, or don't take care of their pets so I am biased...

She got out "by mistake" and ran away. Have not been able to find her. Sorry man... Do not offer to replace the dog...

If he is that bad to a dog he can't be that good of a friend, I would think.

You may lose the friend but save the dog from a horrible life....

From the sounds of it losing the friend may not be such a bad thing

Gl in your decision...

Bingo.

 

[Willie99]

Tell your friend you're bringing the dog to a vet, on his dime

See what the vet has to say (are you friends with any vets?)

If it's abusive, confront your friend and tell him you're taking the dog away (send it to your loaded friend in IN)

 

[texansfan]

I hate people that abuse kids, the elderly, and animals. I have no sympathy for any of them and wouldn't give a fuck what they thought. That dog is dependent on a person for his/her well being. I would take it to a vet if it's something you could afford.

 

[SheriffJoe]

Do we know if it's intentional abuse or ignorant neglect? If it's the latter, does it matter? Meaning, is it JDeuce's place to intervene?

 

[festeringZit]

My tack would be different from all of the above.

I would first just ask the friend straight up why the dog is in such bad shape. Then I would make a decision given the response.

 

[texansfan]

My tack would be different from all of the above.

I would first just ask the friend straight up why the dog is in such bad shape. Then I would make a decision given the response.

I know animals aren't people, but if I saw a kid who was being abused, I'm not asking the parents how or why. The way he described the dog, it sounds like he's neglecting him/her, but something is definitely wrong.

 

[JDeuce]

I know animals aren't people, but if I saw a kid who was being abused, I'm not asking the parents how or why. The way he described the dog, it sounds like he's neglecting him/her, but something is definitely wrong.

Thanks everyone one for your responses.

No, animals are not people and I'm not a PETA wacko. Still, I'd offer potential pet owners the same advice I'd offer potential parents: if you can't take care of a pet or kid, don't get one.

I think this guy is just a dumb ass who has no idea how to care for a dog to be honest. Severe neglect of a dog is a form of abuse...dogs need some interaction and TLC, not just getting left out in the back yard like I suspect it has been. This thing is clearly in bad shape, but it seems full of more energy in the last few days...I'm not sure she's going to want to leave. Yesterday was probably the first time this thing has played with any toys in years...although when I was tossing the tennis ball around for her to chase, it got blood on it quickly just from the sores in her mouth. It's that bad.

I asked the guy how often he takes it to the vet and he was evasive. Plus since this thing smells to high heaven, I'd guess it's been quite a while since it has had a bath. So I've decided to take it to my own vet tomorrow morning and try to get some kind of comprehensive list of what's wrong with the dog...because I'm going to be straight with this jackass when he comes to get her. I didn't ask for a penny of compensation for doing this, but he owes me for everything I've done to help this dog actually feel and behave like a dog again. So all I want in return is to go to his place in two weeks...if the dog hasn't been to the vet or starts to look as awful as when it first came to my place, I'll call animal services myself.

 

[hehateme82]

I'd say the dog got sick so you had to take him to the vet. Let the vet be the messenger of bad news to your friend. Shitty situation.

 

[roadreeler57]

The mail lady gave my brother a dog from the neighbors house that was not being treated right......Give the dog away to a good home....also I hear these vitamins are good www.dinovite.com

 

[Acebb]

Thanks everyone one for your responses.

No, animals are not people and I'm not a PETA wacko. Still, I'd offer potential pet owners the same advice I'd offer potential parents: if you can't take care of a pet or kid, don't get one.

I think this guy is just a dumb ass who has no idea how to care for a dog to be honest. Severe neglect of a dog is a form of abuse...dogs need some interaction and TLC, not just getting left out in the back yard like I suspect it has been. This thing is clearly in bad shape, but it seems full of more energy in the last few days...I'm not sure she's going to want to leave. Yesterday was probably the first time this thing has played with any toys in years...although when I was tossing the tennis ball around for her to chase, it got blood on it quickly just from the sores in her mouth. It's that bad.

I asked the guy how often he takes it to the vet and he was evasive. Plus since this thing smells to high heaven, I'd guess it's been quite a while since it has had a bath. So I've decided to take it to my own vet tomorrow morning and try to get some kind of comprehensive list of what's wrong with the dog...because I'm going to be straight with this jackass when he comes to get her. I didn't ask for a penny of compensation for doing this, but he owes me for everything I've done to help this dog actually feel and behave like a dog again. So all I want in return is to go to his place in two weeks...if the dog hasn't been to the vet or starts to look as awful as when it first came to my place, I'll call animal services myself.

I guess this is a reasonable approach.

I would tell your friend that the vet had concerns about the care and safety of the animal and will be following up with you and if there isn't improvement the vet may contact animal control.

 

[GasMan]

Vit, Guesser, DaFinch?

 

[festeringZit]

Anyone remember PO69's dog story?

 

[festeringZit]

Thread where PO69 leaves his dog(s) to die in a hurricane.

Epic thread.

http://www.therxforum.com/showthread.php?t=305005&p=2197399&viewfull=1#post2197399

 

[bodyforlife]

JD,

Your story makes me sick to death. I just lost my Golden Retriever seven months ago and I'm still not quite over it. It was quite a unique situation as he was only given 8-12 months to live when I got him...had a heart condition (he ended up living 12 years with the best care he could possibly get...I estimate we spent over $15k in care for him). I couldn't give a dog like that back under any circumstance. I'd use one of the excuses one of the other posters said, maybe say someone reported you to animal cruelty, etc., but this wouldn't even be a conversation for me. That dog would have been already gone to Indiana. The sad thing is, your buddy will probably still go out and get another dog and then the process starts all over again with a new dog. We've got a guy a few houses away that leaves his dog out in a dog house all day into the night (don't know if he ever gets in the house). It's drives me nuts listening to it cry all day. Why people get dogs that they can't take care of is beyond me. Admittedly, as much as I want another dog, I don't know if I can go through it again. That was one of the most painful things I've gone through in quite some time. He was literally attached to my side no matter where I went. I found myself still looking behind my chair or on the side of my bed before I got up so I wouldn't step on him for months after he passed away. Most of my neighbors say it just seem strange to see me take walks in my neighborhood without him. I can't stand people who abuse animals.