Some people are unbelievable!

[Sue]

I posted ads all over the area where we found the boxer. Hub got a call on Sat night from the "owner", she would come by and get her on Sunday. No call. I called and spoke to her, not really thrilled. "She is an outside dog, we found her ourselves a year ago on the road with a rope around her neck, she tries to get in the house, she is my husbands dog, he has quite a few, blah blah blah. I ask her how long she was gone because she was extremely thin and she says "oh only since Friday" my husband feeds her only according to the dog food bag. So she gets directions to my house, gets all my numbers and has yet to come get her. Any suggestions on what to do next? She first called on Saturday, its now Monday night. She is really sweet but she wants to be the alpha dogs and it has caused a little problem with her and my bassett female. She is eating well, still skinny looking. Also, at one time she had to be an inside dog because once she gets in I have to put a leash on her and drag her out of the house. So sad, she seems really unwanted and unloved but is so loving. Thanks

[LinZ]

Seems like the "owner" as she calls herself is just looking for a place to dump off this dog that sounds as sweet as sugar because she doesn't want it. I would say that if you really like this pooch that you should just keep her yourself, but then again you said that your bassett hound isn't very fond of the new lady in the house. So, that kind of puts you in a debacle.

Here's my own two cents, Sue...give the owner a call and tell her that this will be the very last time you contact her to come and get her dog. Tell her that if she doesn't come that you'll take it to the shelter. If such a threat doesn't get her off her tush to retrieve her pet, then obviously she hasn't a big enough heart to be a pet owner. While I know it's very hard to find homes for animals in an overpopulated country, try anyway; put an ad in the local paper saying you're trying to find a good home for this loving dog.

If you can't find her a home, and if by chance her and your other dog have a little girl talk and patch things up, would you yourself be willing to keep her? If not, then you may have no choice but to take her to the local shelter.

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This is just a rant, but I can't stand people who let their animals run free, and without identification at that! It just makes me so sick. Why just yesterday when my mom and I were headed for the downtown area (we live in the suburbs), she almost hit a kitten probably no more than 6 months old, crossing the road and running into the trees. I wanted her to go back so I could get it, but she said "No we got enough cats already". I'd love to keep it, but even if I couldn't I'd at least want to help it find it's home, or A home.

I think that people who abandon their animals or let them run loose, not caring about their welfare, should be beaten bloody for being irresponsible and heartless.

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But besides my rant, I wish you the very best of luck with your dog, and I hope you can find a solution to your problem. Please keep us updated, and if the so-called owner comes to retrieve their pet.

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LinZ - whose 3 cats and dog were all originally strays picked u off the street

[Traci]

If you really want her to go back to her original owner, call the owner for the last time and tell her if she doesn't pick up her dog at [--insert-specific-time--], then you will call the animal shelter to pick up the dog.

After that, it's your choice. If she doesn't pick up the dog at your specified time, you can choose to keep the dog and tell her you already took the dog to the shelter (whether you did or not), or try to find a home for her. Legally, and to save yourself some deep trouble, it would be best to have the animal shelter pick up the dog, but her fate will be in their hands...it doesn't sound like the owner gives one iota about his dog. If the situation has you terribly concerned, and that is, if you really want this dog or want to find her a loving home, you could explain to the owner your intentions, chances are, she would probably be relieved of the "burden". (although the rest of her family might feel differently, hard to really know)

[Marty]

Sue, do you think she is a purebred boxer? If she is causing havoc in your home, you could do either...(!) call a boxer rescue, or (2) give her to the shelter and call boxer rescue to come get her. I do not think the "owners" will do anything at this point, and am not sure I would want them to. Let me see if I can find boxer rescue..Ga..right? Are you the Sue in WR that I talked to on Acme?

OK...here is the first one I came to:
http://www.boxertown.com/

I can't vouch for them or anything, but I have done some Basset rescue. I would suggest calling them and asking their advice. Most rescues are all volunteers, but they are pretty good about getting back to you as soon as they can. And they do pull from shelters when they know a dog is there....I would suggest that only if you have to. My sister has a wonderful boxer, so I do care about them...

[k9Karen]

My only 2 cents worth is to make sure this person really is the owner. Insist on pictures, vet records, etc. I know there are people who try to scam others - she may want this dog to sell it to a research lab or to try to ransom it back to it's real owners, or to use it as a bait dog for 'training' fighting dogs. Even if she is the real "owner", she sounds like a real flake. (Sorry to sound so cynical, but, I guess I've seen too many episodes of the "animal cop" shows on Animal Planet.)

BTW - did you take the dog to the vet or animal shelter to see if it's microchipped? I know my vet can scan a dog for a chip - I suspect yours can too.

I vote for getting the dog into rescue if you can't keep her yourself. You can always tell the flake that she ran away again and hasn't come back.

[sue]

Have to call the vet today and see if they can scan her for a chip. At this point I don't care if they pick her up, she won't answer the phone or return our calls. We have had her 5 days now and they know where we live, if they wanted her back I think she would have been gone by now. I have contacted several boxer rescue groups in hopes of finding her a new home. One contacted me right back last night, cross your fingers, will keep you updated on her. Her and my female don't get along, they tolerate each other but barely. My dogs are inside more than outside and the boxer has been too, not enough room for two ladies in the house .

[sue]

I have listed the pup with our local HARPS rescue group. We have agreed to foster her until a home is found. The good news is they will have her vet checked and spayed before she is placed. I also have her listed on boxertown.com, Jeff who runs the site was really helpful. There is a picture of her on the site, towards the bottom. Has my name "sue solis" if anyone wants to take a look. I spoke to the humane society at length today and basically if we have her 7 days she is ours to keep. I truly believe she will find a good and loving home that she more than needs and deserves, even if it isn't permanently with me. Will keep you all posted and thanks for the support. Sue

[k9Karen]

Good luck. I know she's glad she found someone who cares.