Should I keep this stray dog?

[Rowdyboy]

About three weeks ago, a small, long haired stray appeared in my yard, circling the house, and settling in on my patio. She went next door, briefly, and met the neighbors dogs, but wound up back on my porch.. After doing my damnedest to ignore her for about 8 hours, I went outside and fed her. She was tagged, and I was surprised to discover that she belonged to one of the wealthiest families in town (they live two blocks over from us, across two VERY busy streets).

I called the family and the maid sounded upset that I'd found the dog. When no one called that evening, I rang the house again and got Mrs. ****. She was totally unconcerned and said she'd let her husband know when he got home.

Several hours later he arrived. Their underground wiring system had been damaged and he couldn't keep her in. Then, he grabbed her by the collar, and tossed her in the back of his pick-up. Said she was really inconvenient, and belonged to his son, who'd left for college this year. I volunteered to take her off their hands, and he said he'd speak to his son.

A week or so later, she arrived back at my door, filthy, flea-ridden and starving. We bathed her, combed her and let her sleep. She's been here a week now and (though he has our number) no one has called to see if she's here. The two roads she crosses to get here are VERY dangerous.

I really wasn't looking for another dog, especially not a longhair, but this dog appears to have found us and has little intention of returning home. My dog seems reluctantly willing to accept her.

I need to do something soon, in the next couple of days. My partner loves her too. How do I guilt trip her asshole owner into giving me his dog?

BTW, her name is Molly and she's about two years old....

[Taverner]

1. Yes!

A rescued Dog is a friend for life....

[slinkerwink]

2. ask for the phone number of the son

I'm sure he'd be upset to hear how his parents were treating his dog, but if he doesn't care, offer to take the dogs off his hands for $500 bucks.

[Rowdyboy]

5. Damn, thats a lot of money for a dog they don't appear to want...

I'll do it, if I have to, but I'd rather try to guilttrip the SOB into giving her to me. Obviously, the family doesn't care too much.

(I wa thinking of offering a couple of hundred if they seemed to want it-she's amix-breed and probably comes froma pound, but she's really good-natured).

[havocmom]

18. Forget offering $$. The dog was probably 'dropped off' somewhere

and in trying to get home, found your place. I think kind people just send out vibes which needy critters can tune into. Screw the wealthy bastards and their son... just keep the porr dog. nurse it back to tip top shape and either keep it (if it really gets on well with everyone in your household) or find it a good home with someone else. Either way, you have made a friend for life.

Do not give the other people a second thought. They abandoned the dog. The dog is a free agent and picked your team.

Sometimes the best dog of cat of our lives is the one that just fell out of the sky and landed on the doosstep.

[Rowdyboy]

23. Molly definitely has picked "her team"

Plus she really like the waterbed!

[havocmom]

33. Good! Give her a jersey, cap and show her where her locker is!

Rowdyboy, I predict she is gonna be the greatest mutt you ever had. Somewhere along your path together, she is gonna pay your kindness back tenfold.

Have an old pal who kept seeing a sad little terrier out in the cold (Long Island) every evening when he was going home. One really bitter night, he stopped the car, picked up the shivering dog, pounded on the door and explained (in no uncertain terms) that a small dog with not much fur needed to be inside in weather like they were having. Same deal as you: well heeled family, son's dog, yada yada. He told the guy he wanted the dog. Guy refused, as it was his son's dog and son away at school. Told the cretin the next time he saw the dog out in miserable weather, his son would no longer have a neglected dog.

It happened again. Pete put the dog inside his coat, pounded on the door, told the guy off and said "MY DOG NOW!" No one ever came for the dog. Pete's family wasn't planning on a dog right then but the mutt made them all extremely happy at a time they really needed it.

Sometimes angles come with fur. Molly is yours for a reason.
Enjoy the Love! And thanks for a thread that makes me feel better about people at a time when I needed it. Blessings to you and yours!

[Rowdyboy]

34. All Right!

Thanks for the affirmation! We're gonna keep her puffy, worthless ass but its nice knowing that others have been there before.

Dogs are like children (only nicer), they're gifts. Some people don't deserve the gifts they're given.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. Absolutely!

Although I would call them and let them know you would be quite happy to take her off their hands.

[Rowdyboy]

8. I really have to call...

We're neighbors, basically, and its a small town... I just have plan my call to him carefully. I really don't think they want the dog. I just have to make them see that more clearly.

[salinen]

4. Ah! I hope you keep her

Your dog and Molly will become best friends very soon.

[Rowdyboy]

10. They already curl up on the couch together...

Though my dog growls frequently to teach her what he considers acceptable behavior. Watching their relationship develop over the last week has been fun.

[FleshCartoon]

6. Keep her...

...and if they show up looking for her again, explain to them how their lack of concern and proper care for her convinced you to not call them about her this time.

If they threaten you about trying to "steal" their dog, tell them you'd be more than willing to get the ASPCA, Humane Society, or local animal control department involved.

I have a feeling they won't come looking for her. They probably know where she is anyway. Give her lots of love and, if you find that you can't keep her yourself, find her a good, loving home.

And we'll canonize you.
O8)

[Ironpost]

15. I would call the ASPCA

and then NOT return her. I have a feeling that this is a good home for molly.

[Keebs]

7. Well,

If the dog was dirty and infested with fleas, they obviously let him out to "disappear". I don't think you should be required to call them again at all. Just clean it up and keep it for your own.

I normally wouldn't say that, but it doesn't sound as if the family likes, or even wants the dog. I would either keep it or call the Humane Society, but there's no way I'd give it back to that family.

[Rowdyboy]

13. I'll only give it back if they insist

and I intend to lay on a heavy guilt trip if they do. Odds are, she won't be lucky dodging traffic to get here a third time.

[nini]

9. Keep her.. you don't owe them any explanation or money

to hell with them. If they haven't checked to see if she wandered back they don't want her. Sounds like they want her to disappear then they'll just tell the son she ran away.

I doubt you'll ever hear from them again anyway. They're NOT taking care of her therefore they've lost all their rights.

That's one smart doggy.. Enjoy her - you'll never be sorry.

[silverlib]

11. Keep the dog...

post an short ad in the paper under lost and found animals. They will not call you and you will have done the animal and the useless family a favor. I don't think you could be held liable if you post an ad in the paper.

Please don't send the dog back to the family.

on edit - if you really do not want to keep the dog, I'm sure you could find a better home with love and care. (spoken from someone who has been there and done that)

[Eye and Monkey]

20. An ad in a small-town paper is likely to inflame an unproductive emotion.

Send them a friendly note about something else, and happen to mention that the dog showed up again and is quite comfortable.

[Rowdyboy]

31. The guy owns a store and I'd like to go by and say..."Oh, by the way...

Molly came back about a week ago. She was starving, in TERRIBLE shape. But, after we fed her, we bathed her, combed her and treated her for fleas. Then she slept for a couple of days.

We'd really like to keep her if that's alright...."

[Eye and Monkey]

35. Bingo. It's just the way dogs are sometimes, you know?

In a small town, diplomacy and misdirection can be a good thing. My grandmother always said "you get more flies with honey than you do with vinegar."

[Rowdyboy]

37. You got it baby, and I'm the original "silver-tongued devil"

I plan to make the bastard WANT me to have his dog. It just takes proper timing and the right approach.

[Eye and Monkey]

39. I'm looking forward to your post in which you tell us that he was -

Convinced that you were doing him a great big favor. And that he threw in a gift from his store, to boot.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

12. I don't think you have much choice

that's how I got one of my dogs. She has been more of a challenge than those I've raised totally on my own but she is happy and safe.

[Rowdyboy]

14. I've been told that you don't find your dog....

Your dog finds you. In this case, it seems to be true.

[Gloria]

16. Yes, Molly has chosen you to be her dad!!!!

I rescued my min pin from the street a year and a half ago. Couldn't bear to bring him to the pound, because I was afraid they'd adopt him out to a family who would throw him in the backyard, and he'd just jump over the wall again (we all have walls in this town).

Down the street there are two little dogs, one chained, and they often "forget" to put his water and food where he can reach them after he's gotten all tangled up. I went to Animal Control and they gave me a song and dance about not being able to take him... Finally, the sprinklers flooded and I called again and they took the chained one, but not the other. The damned bastard owners went and got him...and it's back to the same routine. I'm hoping he gets loose and I will grab him and take his tags off and take him away to the animal shelter.
These creeps had another dog they left for a long weekend without food or water...I called Animal Control. They never went to get him. They told people he died in the heat (an excuse I would be ashamed to give.)

People like this don't deserve to have animals.

Take Molly! LOVE HER LIKE CRAZY!!!!

[FleshCartoon]

24. Similar situation...

"Down the street there are two little dogs, one chained, and they often "forget" to put his water and food where he can reach them after he's gotten all tangled up. I went to Animal Control and they gave me a song and dance about not being able to take him..."

My neighbor did the same thing to her dog--left it chained and it couldn't reach the water dish or food. I would lower food and water to it over the fence, but then the neighbor moved it to the other side of the yard. I came home from work one day and found the dog in that situation again--the Animal Control truck was in the neighborhood, so I flagged them down. They took the dog right then and there and left a citation on my neighbor's door.

She came banging on my door at 10 that night throwing a fit. I did find out between her curses that she had to pay a fine to get the dog out and one of the conditions was that the dog had to be kept at a family member's home--someone who was home more often and able to tend to it better.

[welshTerrier2]

17. Go Slow with this ...

i'm no lawyer and these sick people have no right to treat a dog like that but you still can't keep someone else's dog without their permission ...

if you think the dog is being mistreated, you can always report them to the ASPCA or the local dog officer or some type of similar organization ...

and the parents should not be giving away their son's dog without his permission ...

i really hope this works out for both you and the dog ... the dog certainly deserves better treatment than she's receiving ...

your best bet is probably to go back to the husband and renew your request to adopt the dog ... Good luck ...

[Rowdyboy]

21. Thats my intention....I can't just ignore the owners (wish I could)

The guy is a city councilman, and the dog is clearly identified, and he knows she was here before. I'm just gonna have to use a little charm, a little guilt, and make him see that he WANTS me to have her. For Christ's sake, they don't want the dog, they just don't want to look like animal abusers. I do want her (big Marge Simpson sigh! Sure I want a shedding, longhaired mutt!-ummmmmmmmm!)

[Wickerman]

19. The dog has selected you

you must keep her. Its the order of things.

Sucks about her "owners". You should, as you say, call them. Let themn know that the dog seems to want to be at your house.YOu don't want to step on toes, but would be very happy to give her a home where she would be loved and well-cared for you.

Good luck, up date us!

[Rowdyboy]

26. Thats what we're gonna do...."If you don't want her, we'll be HAPPY

to take care of her...She's already at home here."

I really don't intend to give them much choice, unless they REALLY want to press matters.

Will let you know in the next 48 hours what happens...

[CatWoman]

22. You know

I've always loved you.

It becomes more evident with each passing week.

Now I know why.

I know you will keep Molly. She needed you and sought you out. Cause you are you. A big, fat ole sweetheart.

[MasonJar]

25. Please keep the dog; she deserves a loving home. The son

can call you if he likes. I would not call that family again; they obviously are not taking care of this poor animal. In fact instead of calling them, I'd be temoted to report them.

[hlthe2b]

27. She is seeing you out because she trusts you. How can you not?

(keep her)

Please do!

[Leprechan29]

28. Keep it

and don't worry about contacting the owners

In a related story - a friend of mine did something similar for a kitten. I commend you for taking on the same responsibilities with another animal.

edit: If the owners ask for it, you should give it back, but as they demonstrate litte to no interest, I don't think you have any obligation to return it.

[PartyPooper]

29. I agree with some of these posts. 2 Things: Get her to your vet.

And, take her to your groomer. A long-haired dog often can be kept clipped short (for comfort and convenience). I know, my dog loves his perpetual "puppy cut".

Good luck!

:hi:

[arwalden]

30. Keep Her. Care For Her. Love Her...

and she'll love you right back.

-- Allen

[Rowdyboy]

32. I don't really have much choice..She's wormed her way into my heart

Now, I'm mostly trying to figure out how to guilt the owner into giving her to me. I learned Guilt 101 from my mom, who was the VERY best so this guy should be a piece of cake!

[KittyWampus]

36. Did The Previous Owners Post Flyers All Over Town Looking F/ Molly?

Why would you bother calling them at this point?

If they really cared they'd have searched for Molly.

I'm glad the nice dog found a home with you. :)

[Rowdyboy]

38. No posters, no flyers...even though they knew she came to my house

about two weeks ago, the first time she vanished. They didn't check with us at all the second time she disappeared, about ten days ago. Its a small town, and the local radio station has a HUGE lost dog program every day. These folks didn't even bother to list Molly there.

I really don't think they care, but I have to be careful to keep from being rude. She belongs to them, legally, and shouldn't suffer for my attitude about them. I just want to liberate her from owners who really don't give a damn.

[Rowdyboy]

40. I've made up my mind

We're gonna keep Molly if it is possible...Still, I want to kick this thread once more in honor of my new best girl. She's a real, grade-A sweetheart!