Another drop off?

[Michael W. Smith]

About two weeks ago, we had a knock at the door. "Is this your dog?" I look down to see a little dog - about the size of a weiner dog. I replied "No, that isn't our dog."

The man explained that he had found it walking in the middle of the road along our road and had stopped at several houses already and no one knew who's it was. It had a purple leash on it, so I figured it had to be someone's dog. I asked if he lived around here and he explained he was from the next town over, and would possibly keep the dog for himself but he already had two. He said "Well, I guess I'll have to take it to the humane society."

We already have 4 dogs - 3 of which were strays that found their way to our house. But hearing that the little guy might end up in an animal shelter broke my heart, so I said I would take the dog and try to find the owner. We took it and tied it outside.

Upon closer examination, the purple leash that was on it was tattered and old looking and was tied to it's collar. So it wasn't a simple someone was taking the dog for a walk and it got away from them. I have to assume someone dumped him off.

He is a nice little dog, but strangely enough looks like a rottweiler. It is a full grown dog - not a puppy, but not old either - still has nice white teeth, and while it has the face of a rottweiler (and the color markings), it's also the size of a weiner dog.

We have asked around, but no one is missing a dog. (No surprise there.) My son has named him "Bo" - just one more thing to prevent getting rid of him.

Lastnight before going to bed, I went to lock the front door and remembered I had left my boots on the front porch. As soon as the door was open, "Bo" popped in the door and was running inside the house. (He had unloosened the clasp somehow between the chain and the swivel dog latch.)

As I tried to grab him - he jumped up on the chair and laid down.

We now have a 5th dog. There is no doubt in my mind that he has decided he is "home" being that he got loose and waited on our porch steps. There is also no doubt in my mind, that he used to be an indoor dog - just the way he came barreling into our house and making himself at home on the chair.

Being that winter is soon going to be upon, and he is a short haired dog, we are going to try to make him a house dog once again. He is going to get a bath to get the dog smell off of him and see just how he does around the house.

He is a nice dog, and seemed to be cared for - he's a chunky fellow - not skinny at all. I don't know WHY someone got rid of him, but I'm quite certain they did. But he has declared our house his new home.

[wanda1950]

Some people are just indifferent to the suffering of an animal they dispose of this way. And I'm sure sometimes they may have felt they had no choice--not that I agree. I believe I'd have to be starving before I'd abandon my pets--of course I've never faced that.

Anyway, I've found that the ones I least wanted to have to take have been the greatest blessing. I hope this dog will enrich your life for many years.

[davel745]

Good Man Michael

[CJBegins]

Makes you wonder if the guy that brought him to your door was the actual owner........

[Ravenlost]

That's what I was thinking CJBegins!

Thank you so much for taking him in and giving him a home Michael!

[Fowler]

Thank you, for being a great human being to unwanted animals.

[beccachow]

Awww, lucky dog!

[Helena]

Momma cats and kittens seem to find their way to our house. Have lucky 13 now. I get the males and females spayed and neutered and some do live in the barn full time. But, right now 4 kittens are taking a nap with my husband..(the big softie.)..Of course, this doesn't include 2 of our daughters beagles that now have stayed for a few years now..just until she got settled in her new home in the south.. Granddaughters dog that moved in when she did...And our one and only german shepherd...So..yes, animals seem to know what house to stop out. I need to check and see if someone put a "free home" sign on my front yard...

[Ohiogal]

I second the 'good man Micheal'.
I swear I should've named my farm "Seven Cat Ridge" instead of Apple Hill Farm, as I have at any one time at least 7 cats living here.
The latest was a very hungry and clearly panicked nearly white male that showed up on July 4th. I took him in as he had a sweet personality. I have not a clue why the people that had him dumped him off. He has no bad habits and is fastidious in his cleanliness and litter box habits.
All I can say is that he is a happy cat living here, he bounces from place to place, but he had to be wormed 2x (Revolution and Tapes) and after he spent a month here eating like he was starved, he gained 2+ lbs and settled in. The vet was certain that he'd never seen veterinary care as he slept on the scale when he was in the office the first time.
I -know- the animals know who is going to take care of them. None of mine have ever run away and they have the run of the farm. I know they all have different personalities and sometimes take a little more care and concern, but its always returned 10 fold. I have had some -outstanding- pets that showed up here on the doorstep, desperate.
IMHO there is a special place in Hell for someone who abandons a domestic pet to the cruelties of starvation, thirst and being ravaged by other animals. Not to mention being hit by a car and being lonely and afraid at night.

[stormwalker]

Well, Now I know where to yell for help, Michael!
I'm sure you have room for more cats!!!!
In my neck of the woods they throw cats at me.
I'm the fool that actually picked up a Pit-cross a few weeks ago.
She's a sweet girl, so --fool that I am, I'm keeping her.
The shelter is killing them as they come in.
Interesting note, and a second time for me- she seemed to have no language.
She appears to have been raised in a pack.

[emdeengee]

We used to live at the end of a country road off of the main highway. In the 9 years we were there we rescued over 30 abandoned cats - some declawed, some kittens - and 17 dogs. All of our neighbours did the same in lesser or greater numbers. We all kept some and found homes for others if we could. Some died from exposure and we turned some over to the Humane Society.

People who dump animals are morons.

[salmonslayer]

We have had the same trouble this year and I think its gotten worse since the only shelter within 50 miles started charging $50.00 to drop off a dog or cat.

We spend too much on vet bills and chow but when we are out working on the farm we always have company and the various dogs and cats all get along. It sounds a little nutty, but I swear the drop offs recognize they are lucky and seem so grateful that they become extremely loyal.

Good job Michael.

[Ravenlost]

Originally Posted by emdeengee

...People who dump animals are morons.

Aw, don't insult morons...people who dump animals are much worse! LOL...

I wish I could anyone who dumps an animal.

[Bat Farm]

Just because his leash was tattered doesn't mean he was a drop off. I've had times when my dog's leash was a piece of rope. You say he was well fed and knows how to act in a house, maybe he just got loose (like he did in your yard).

You are great for taking him in but I hope you are running a found ad and contacting the local shelters to see if anyone is looking for him? Have you checked for a chip?

[Miz Mary]

WHAT ?!?! NO PICTURES !?!?! Thanks for saving this animal ...Im sure he didnt choose this ....I just was adopted by a kitten .....

[Chief Cook]

We have lived here for almost 30 years and in that time we have had 1 dog show up at our place. He sure looked odd, so that meant a vet visit. Come to find out someone had dumped him on the county road and a small car nailed him right on his chin. The boys in the car stopped at the neighbors, and the neighbors had been dodgeing this dog for a week. So we ended up will a beautiful red dog, with a broken jaw, and a broken chin. Spent 300.00 on him. He was smart as they come and only had two faults. First, he dug all over DH's yard, a very bad habit, and two he chased the mares. So I took him to a no kill shelter in the next town and one of the voluteers had a home for him before they even got him checked into the facility. Some times I miss him, but I know he got a good home with a great kid and a nice high fence.
You have done a wonderful thing for this dog, and I'll bet he will be a wonderful pet.

[lemonthyme7]

I'm happy to hear you gave the dog a home - that was kind of you. We live on a dirt road and are one of 2 houses on this road so we get a lot of drop offs. A couple years ago around bedtime this dog showed up and scared my daughter half to death. I hear her scream from the kitchen and run out there. We have a roof that runs up to the kitchen window and the dog had it's face pressed against it - a German Shepard! Well, I didn't want to let an unknown dog in the house with my 2 just as we were going to bed as I'm not sure how they'd interact. I went out and opened the door to my husband's shed and put out water and dog food. There wasn't much she could hurt in there and it was raining out. She ran around the house all night and tore a screen off the window. The next day I let her in. She was half grown and looked to be full blooded German Shepard. She was really sweet even though she chewed up DH rubber boot! I advertised her and we found her a good home with a woman and 2 young kids whose father had died. I'm happy we could find her such a good home but most strays are not that lucky. If you call our Humane Society with stray cats sometimes they will tell you we have no room and they'd probably be put down. We've adopted several cats because of that.
Oh, my daughter called me on her way to work yesterday and said I think someone dropped off 2 dogs down the road here and they may make there way up to the house, just to warn you. They never did show up so who knows what happened to them. It's sad.

[jlrbhjmnc]

Ha! Once you or the kids name the mutt... it's all over . Thanks for taking this one in. So many bad things out there, it's always good to hear about something good.

[SilverFlame819]

Patiently awaiting a pic of this new son! :P

[Grandmotherbear]

They know who are the softies, I am convinced. Yuki and Roadkill are now playing chase-me (Yuki is almost 11 lbs and roadkill not even 1 lb) and both sleep on our bed. I got one phone call on the "found" add but she was looking for a black with green eyed kitten about 6 months old. Same story- the kitten was seen at the lawn maintenance guys truck, and after he left she couldn't be found. I hope she had a better experience then Roadkill did-falling out of the undercarriage of the truck on a busy 6 lane highway!