Dog Community

WHY do people get dogs?! (long rant)

Posted : 5/28/2006 11:33:20 PM

My neighbor recently bought a puppy from a lady selling puppies on the side of the road for a hundred bucks.

This puppy was 6 weeks old, he's a very, very mixed bred dog. I'm guessing pointer, boxer, probably pit. He's currently 9 weeks old and bigger than Nikki (she's 11lbs.)

So, I've done my best to educate him without attacking him. He said, as soon as he got the dog home "he's going to be an outdoor dog." I said "Nawww.. he'll want to be inside with you. Besides he's just a baby! Look at that cute baby!..." he did relent, the dog was inside at night. Well, apparently the puppy, SHOCKINGLY, chewed up the computer keyboard cord. He's now been relegated to full time outside dog. The poor pup cries at the door FOR HOURS. I heard the neighbor go outside and slam the door, i heard the pup YELP in pain and then the neighbor yell, "SHUT - UP!" and the slam the door and go back in. Now the dog is yelping and crying, my dogs are going nuts, as are the other neighbors dogs.

So, I go outside and look down, sure enough the dog is limping. ((LOUD SIGH)) I'm really, really upset by this, obviously. So, I go outside when I hear him go back out a little while later, and the neighbor yells over the fence "Damn dog. Do you want it!?" I'm confused by this cause he's usually a nice enough kind of person. Obviously *NOT* a dog person. I say, "I notice he's limping.......?" he totally admits to accidently hurting it.

I'm pulling out my hair. I really hate the idea of turning him into the HS, cause really it'd be hard to prove, he's usually not a bad neighbor but mainly I'd REALLY hate for him to do something to my dogs, as we share a fence.

This pup is a SWEETHEART, I've taken Nikki over to play and I saw first hand that the poor kid is limping. The neighbor said "I thought he was faking..." WHAT!? WTF!?

So today, I said "hmmm.. so are you trying to find him a new home?" He said, "do you want him?" I'm thinking, I have 3 for the love of God. But, I said "no, but I can try to help you find him someone...?" He just kind of shrugged it off.

I *CANNOT* take this dog. I wish, with every bone in my body that I could. But, I'm already over the limit with 3 (infact, 4 if you count Zoe, the cat, but she's indoor 24/7 so no one really knows about her.) I should only have 2 pets total.

I just don't understand why he thought he needed a dog. Why OMG, WHY do people get dogs when they have no intention of taking the time necessary to train and make them the companion animal they could be? He said that this dog "is the biggest, whiner." Hello, he's a BABY! A BABY!!! What do you expect?!

Sorry for the rant, but I'm at my wits end. I can't save them all... or even most of them, and I don't know what to do.

I knew at the very least you'd understand. That is if anyone read this long winded post. Sorry and thanks to you all!

Commiseration, helpful ideas ... or anything else is welcome!

Minty_Pups

Posted : 5/29/2006 1:10:09 AM

I feel your pain!!! Some people think that getting a puppy is like getting a new toy. When you're tired of it just throw it away. I admit sometimes my puppy drives me to my wits ends, but I just calm myself and keep trying.

What was the guy thinking?!!? If you were you I would turn him in, or at least refer him to a local no-kill shelter. A cute puppy like that would definitely be snatched up in no time. Though he probably has to pay a visit to the vet for the leg. If not treated it could cause serious problems when the puppy's older.

I hope your neighbor will come to his senses and give the puppy up. If he's cruel enough to hurt a puppy, think of what he'd do to an adult dog!

AngelDog

Posted : 5/29/2006 1:25:07 AM

I'm really upset with the story you wrote. It's wrong for the guy to leave a poor puppy who needs to be train into being a good puppy. I would love to adopt the dog, but I beleive we both live far apart. Why would someone even buy a pup or adopt a dog if they not going to care, love, or give the attention it needs.

marlania

Posted : 5/29/2006 1:33:17 AM

Stupid people continue to amaze me. Poor, poor puppy. Is there any way it could "accidentally" get out of the guy's yard?

pumaward

Posted : 5/29/2006 6:53:16 AM

I'm pulling out my hair. I really hate the idea of turning him into the HS, cause really it'd be hard to prove, he's usually not a bad neighbor but mainly I'd REALLY hate for him to do something to my dogs, as we share a fence.

I would report him to AC. He didn't "accidentally" hurt the dog; it sounds like he kicked it. Nice people don't hurt puppies (on purpose), period. If you don't, it'd be at least nice that someone dog savy set him straight about dogs, whether or not he finds a new home for the pup, because it seems like he thinks that this pup acts abnormal and he'll probably get another one thinking it will be different.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

I completely understand the fear that he'll do something to your dogs, but that may simply entail that you keep a close(r) eye on them when they're outdoors. If he is truely, deep down, a good guy, he'll see the error of his ways.

loveukaykay

Posted : 5/29/2006 9:28:29 AM

That made me cry to read. That just hurts my heart.

I think you are obligated to do something here, what if he hurts it worse next time when its howling through the night... He didnt take it to the vet which is what he should have done. You can either take the dog from his yard while hes not home and bring him to a shelter annonymously or you can report him.

You know - I would report him and tell them not to say who did it. I think they are obligated to withhold the info on WHO called about it. But if your the only neighbor around he may know... if you are worried about that then take the dog from his yard. He will get scooped up out of the shelter in no time - puppies always do, and he'll hopefully have a much happier life.

I dont know if I would have been able to stop myself from yelling at the guy over that.... tell him to give the dog to me and what I do with it is not his business because he abused it and gave it to me, then I would find it a loving home. (Although I understand the whole neighbor thing makes that hard)

Im sorry that you even have to deal with it, but doing nothing is wrong. Let us know! Im gonna be worried about that poor baby!

He is The Boss

Posted : 5/29/2006 10:57:24 AM

When Boss' former owner broke his leg his story was that a kid fell on Boss. I knew better as soon as that lie came out of his mouth when he asked me what to do.. 1. there were no kids over there 2. Boss was never allowed out of his crate when there were no kids there, so why would having kids over there be any different, and 3. what dog do you know that is just going to lay on the floor and not move when a kid comes across the room, trips and falls on it?

The guys mother told me what really happen a couple months after I took Boss in.

My heart breaks thinking about that poor little puppy limping around whining in pain and being mistreated further for not being quiet... It's Boss all over again, him being a puppy and making noise is the biggest reason for the beatings he received and the banishment to a crate he couldn't even stand up in and then the crate being kept in the closet. the guy didn't want his landlord to know he had a dog.

Please! Please! Please! Call someone or try to talk to the guy again. Boss will never walk normal again and lives every day in pain and I would hate to see that puppy go through it too. Not to mention the agression and mistrust issues I deal with every day with Boss.. hopefully this puppy can avoid that if something is done soon enough.

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 5/29/2006 11:04:35 AM

He thought the pup was faking it??? Right! The pup actually figured out that he could fake a limp for sympathy. [:@]

Joyce & Max

inne

Posted : 5/29/2006 12:50:09 PM

This just makes me want to cry.

Angele Walker

Posted : 5/29/2006 8:54:29 PM

I completely understand what you are going through. my 1 1/2 yr old. terrier mix Jasper was our neighbor's dog. They had tons of cats and two other dogs. One dog she kept inside/outside and groomed while the other dog looked like a huge hary pig with mange (sp) and had heart worms. I could hear that dog everyday cough for hours and puke. It was so sad. Well Jasper would always come over to play with my dogs and one day we noticed him limping and he wouldn't come over. He had gotten hit by a car and for a week they wouldn't take him to the vet. So his was in my yard and we took him. He had to have surgery to put pins in his leg which cost a pretty penny. When we went to hte neigbors to tell her about the dog (we didn't want her to think we stole it) she said she knew it had a broken leg but didn't want to pay for it. needless to say he is our dog now. She even told us it was her daughters dog and she was responsible for it and not her. The pig looking one was her exhusbands and that is why she didn't take care of it. You won't believe it but they now have two more dogs and a gazillion cats[:@]
     My brother is also one who doesn't need to have more dogs. He keeps getting dogs for my neice since she was 2 and she is now 7. Every dog they had they said it was mean and hyper etc. but they jsut didn't want to take care of it or teach their daughter to respect and love the dogs. They didn't so why should she. They finally baught soem $500 dog which I told them they were stupid and after the hurricane my sister in law got aggrivated with it and put it outside tied up on its leash. It chewed through it and got hit by a car and died. You would have thought they learned their lesson but no, they immediately got another puppy and they keep it in the yard but don't socialize with it or train it becuase it is too hyper. IT"S A PUPPY!!!. I tell them all the time they shouldn't have anymore animals.
    I also udnerstand your want to rescue all dogs. I have 7 animals. two dogs were rescued, one adopted from a rescue group and the 4th one came from people we knew who had to move. 2 cats came from the pet store and one from a family who couldn't take care of it because it was too young. We aslo rescued a puppy that got hit by a car and a rescue group took him for us. The vet tech tol me the same thing "You can't save them all" But I say "I will keep trying"
   I think maybe trying to find a home for the puppy or contact a rescue group will be best. We called the HS on Jasper's family and they told us they couldn't force them to get medical treatment. They also said that as long as they were feeding and watering him they couldn't do anything. I was so MAD[:@] i hope everything works out and I ask the same question "WHY do people get dogs?"

Sera_J

Posted : 5/30/2006 2:33:53 AM

Thank you all for your responses. I've put off posting about this for a few weeks, because I couldn't think of a way to handle this and didn't want to bug the board about it, but I couldn't stand it anymore once the pup continued to limp after his "accidental" injury. I completely understand why everyone is upset -- I've cried about it more than once myself.

I've thought often about turning him in but the concern I have is that he knows I'm pretty fanatic about my dogs. ... I've been haranguing him a bit ("so, what'd the vet say?" about the limp or about how the pup is just a baby what does he expect?, when he whines ... etc) So, I'm fairly confident he'd know it was me. Also, I'm living with one too many dogs, if he reported me I'd have to find a way to re-home Chase ASAP. I feel really stuck.

Marlania - I thought of that too, thinking to myself, would he REALLY try to find the pup at the HS if the pup just dissapeared? But, our neighborhood is full of busy bodies, I'd be a nervous wreck stealing his dog! Plus, the pup would have a 50/50 shot of going to a WORSE home, at least he's not tied to a tree 24/7. (Hawaii is not known for it's stellar dog care [:@]

However, there was a surprising turn of events (not great.. but, better!) while I was outside with my dogs he came out as Chase was trying to play with the pup through the fence and I offered to let the pup come over and play. He did and he wasn't limping nearly as much, in fact it was barely noticeable, I felt much happier that he's feeling better, at least. Then then the neighbor asks what vet I use and how much he charges for puppy shots and a check up! I could barely get him a card (for the vet) fast enough! .. we'll see if he actually takes him. But, I'm hopeful!

I then offered him one of the RMB's that my dogs had finished eating most the meat off of for the pup, as he had taken a liking to them. He took one.. and the pup has been quiet most of this evening. He also asked more questions about RAW feeding, so hey... maybe I just need to educate him? [&:]

ARGH! Sorry - just thinking outloud.

I really feel for all of you in similar situation.. I hadn't had to deal with this before and always thought I'd be much more self riteous/brave than I turned out to be.

I wish more people were honest with themselves and not nearly so selfish when it comes to getting a pup. Or heck, bringing another life into the world, unfortunately these people have kids too!... [

]

I admire all of you that are more proactive and confident about these things [sm=angel.gif] ... and I wish you lived near me!

pumaward

Posted : 5/30/2006 6:40:20 AM

I really feel for all of you in similar situation.. I hadn't had to deal with this before and always thought I'd be much more self riteous/brave than I turned out to be.

That's the way it always is [

].

Good luck to you and the pup; let's hope this guy straightens out [

].

twelvepaws

Posted : 5/30/2006 8:28:21 AM

Unfortunately, this happens every day, every hour, probably every minute. You'd THINK people would understand that it's a living creature and not a knick knack.........

You are doing some wonderful education. It sounds like this guy is really learning something with you as a role model. Your influence could make it work out!

Julie Byers

Posted : 5/30/2006 11:04:36 AM

I really do feel your pain! My next door neighbor is driving me crazy about his dog that he got and doesn't seem to want. He has offered her to me, and recently he asked about the fire pit I just dug in my backyard, he wants to dig one too so he can put her in it to shut her the hell-o up! I almost flipped out. I can't afford another dog, but I really want to take him up on this dog. If he were to give me his dog, and then go and get another one I swear by all that is good I would kill this guy with a plastic fork to his neck!! This isn't his first dog, the first one he had the same complaints about that it was a pain in the *ss and that it barked too much, chewed on everything in sight, dumb dog, piece of crap, etc everything he could think of to call a poor dog. Amazingly she was hit by a car and died before she turned one. They are a little better about containing this one, but she can jump a six foot fence and does get out. I don't have high hopes of her living to about five. Yesterday when he spoke of BB-Q-ing this one in a joking manner, I tried to be patient. I asked him what he gives her to play with and chew on. He looked at me quizzicly (sp? jeano help!) and asked, "Toys?" I said, "Yes, what CAN she chew on?" he said, "Hhmm, I hadn't thought of that." I suggested a raw beef bone. Told him they are cheap, and occupy a dog for hours. I didn't bother to suggest obedience lessons yet, I am still trying to get him to believe the earth is round! Lord give me patience, and above all, Tact!
This post gives me an idea.....What if I were to work with her a little? hhmmm I will let you know if any luck. Jules

loveukaykay

Posted : 5/30/2006 3:45:59 PM

Both of you are doing great things for helping these dogs as much as possble without actually taking them.

I dont know why but Im surprised to read that neither of these ignorant owners had thought to give the dogs (puppies for that matter!) something to CHEW on!? [&o]