Dog Community

Alright...seriously thinking about taking my mom's dog...should I?

Posted : 3/2/2007 6:21:46 PM

Well, a while back I posted about my parents and the *fabulous* way they treat their dogs in this thread: [linkhttp://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=248682]http://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=248682[/link]

I'm at their house visiting them right now. Apparently one of their neighbors finally called animal control on them a few days ago...and they came out and looked at the dogs. The decided that sugar was fine, but that Maddison needed to see a vet. Then they left. They didn't say they'd do a follow up visit, or anything. Well, obviously, my parents don't intend to take her to the vet...they really don't care if she was taken away....I doubt they'd care if she dropped dead right this seond. The pound is high kill, and she would probably be euthanized immediately. My mother is considering just dropping her off there. I can't let her be killed, and I'm seriously considering taking her home with us tomorrow.

Problem: I can't afford her vet bills. At all. Now we could definitely save up to take her to a vet, but I have no clue how long that would take, since I don't know what's really wrong with her. The reason I'm really considering it is this: during the 1 month period that my mom was feeding her a better food, 99% of her hair grew back. She looked so much better and almost looked like a normal dog again. I do *not* think she has mange. This skin problem came about after she was moved to this house, and become an "outside" dog. (Not that her life was good as an inside dog...she lived tied to my mother's washing machine on a 6 foot leash for 6 years.) She has been fed Kibbles and Bits, Kibbles and Chunks, or Ol' Roy her entire life. I think she either has an allergy to something in my parent's yard, or she's developed an allergy to something in the Kibbles and Bits....because again, the problem almost completely went away when she was switched to a better food.

I have tried absolutely everything to get my parents to take care of her. They just don't care. I've offered to give them money for her food, even though it only costs a few dollars more. I did that....and threy didn't use the money to buy her food. So I bought the food myself. They immediately went out and bought Kibbles and Bits to mix it with to make it last longer. Angry

I've bought them skin, coat, and joint supplements to give her...expensive ones...and they've sat in the same place I left them when I brought them over. I bought some over the counter medication for her ears, and it's sat unused, except for when I come over, for months.

I've told them that I would take her, train her, socialize her, and find her a home if they would just get her vaccinated, get a HW test done, put her on prevention, and get her skin problem seen about. All of this wouldn't cost more than a couple hundred bucks, but it's more than my husband and I have to spare, with all of the animals we have. My parents are very well off and CAN afford this. They just absolutely refuse. They actively WANT her to die, so that they can get a puppy. They do not care what happens to her. Her pen is behind a privacy fence, and no one even looks at her when I'm not there. They just throw a couple of cups of food to her over the fence once a day, if they remember. I am pretty sure that if she died, no one would notice for days. Or weeks. Or until the smell became unbearable. [

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My parents feel no sense of responsibility for her. They claim that she is my dog. She is only "my dog" in the sense that one my mother asked if I wanted a puppy at age 10, I said "Yeah!" She was a family dog, and my parent's ultimate responsibility. When I was 16 and working, I got dogs of my own and I took care of them. Maddison was not, and was never my dog. They still try to turn it all around on me and convince me that I am in the wrong here.

Anyway, the bottom line is this: I'm trying to decide whether I should take her or not. Like I said, I CAN'T afford to take her to the vet right now...but I can afford to give her a great diet, I can bathe her, I can give her a warm place to sleep, I can train her, I can give her lots of love and attention, and I can try to find her a decent home. I can try to save up for her vet costs, and take her in when I'm able...but that's the best I would be able to do.

I do NOT want a 5th dog right now. I did eventually, when I could afford one and after I moved and had the space. My house is crowded with my 4 guys, and raising a puppy and an adolescent dog in addition to my two adult dogs, and all of my other pets, is a full time job. I am just seriously worried that Maddison is going to die. If not here, then at the pound when my parents finally decide that even throwing a cup of food over the fence is too much work.

Maddison is such an intelligent, sweet, smart dog. She's been ruined by years of abuse and neglect. Sitting outside with her today, I just hugged her and cried. She lay there with her head on my shoulder, shivering because someone was actually touching her without squealing in disgust at how filthy she was. Whining because someone was actually talking to her, rather than screaming harsh words before a beating. It was heartbreaking.

So, should I take her, even though right now I cannot afford her vet care? I figure that even though she will be a pretty huge burden, and I don't really want her, this is the right thing to do. Even though I can't take her to the vet right now, she certainly isn't getting any vet care HERE, and I seriously worry that she will die soon, cold and lonely and unloved in the mud. I don't know if I could live with myself, if she died after I continued to turn a blind eye to her plight.

So....take her, groom her, feed her decent food, train her, and otherwise do what I can for her, and TRY to find her a home...or just tell my parents to have her euthanized? She's 9 years old, and has had a rough life, but today I realized that she still has so much to give, and it would be such a waste for her to die like this.

Would it be terrible of me to take a dog that I can't afford to FULLY care for, if only temporarily? [&o]

I'll try to update with some pics of how she looks right now, and the muddy pen she's living in. It's unbelievable.

Lindsey Gossett

Posted : 3/2/2007 6:27:35 PM

I say take her feed her good food LOVE her and save up to take her to the vet. Her situation made me cry I don't understand how a dog could be treated like that.

Brian

Posted : 3/2/2007 6:36:28 PM

Hi Brittany,

It sounds like Maddison is in a terrible situation, and if I were in the same situation, I would likely take her. True, you cannot take her to see a vet now, but you can improve her living situation. Like you said, you can save up for the vet bill. However, I am worried about a couple of things: 1) Your parents want a puppy?! It sounds like as soon as Maddison is out of the picture, they are just going to put a puppy in her situation. That is terrible. I don't have any suggestions on what to do, and it sounds like you've already talked to them numerous times about a dog being a life time commitment. 2) You've repeated a couple times that you don't want another dog and that you don't consider Maddison your dog. I understand where you are coming from, but before you take her, you need to check in with yourself and be aware of what you are committing to. I just want to make sure that you don't feel resentment towards Maddison.

I do think it's a good idea to remove her from her current situation, and foster her and work with her as much as you can and try finding her a new home. I am sorry I don't have any concrete suggestions. Please keep us updated on what you've decided to do.

willowchow

Posted : 3/2/2007 6:44:26 PM

When you say the shelter is high kill, isn't there more than one in your area? I know here there's city and then also ASPCA. Isn't there another option other than that high kill one? Is she a pure bred, maybe she could go to a rescue.

I swear if my parents every did something like this I wouldn't speak to them again. It's so inexcusable.

miranadobe

Posted : 3/2/2007 6:59:24 PM

oh, lordy. That sucks royally. I have no clue what the laws are in your area to require your parents to care for the dog. Random suggestion - talk to YOUR vet about the situation. I wonder if he/she would feel the need to step in. Maybe she would agree to see the dog so that she can provide a report to animal control that your parents be required to provide vet care immediately. Or, in sad reality, she may find something undiagnosed that would render her care beyond your means. Sigh... this sounds like something we all watch on Animal Cops... I pray they never have another animal if they cannot treat the one(s) they have humanely.

Ratsicles

Posted : 3/2/2007 7:04:33 PM

However, I am worried about a couple of things: 1) Your parents want a puppy?! It sounds like as soon as Maddison is out of the picture, they are just going to put a puppy in her situation. That is terrible. I don't have any suggestions on what to do, and it sounds like you've already talked to them numerous times about a dog being a life time commitment

Yeah, the thread I linked to in the OP addresses the issue of them wanting to get a puppy. There's really nothing to be done about it...they'll get one when she does eventually die...and if I leave her in this situation, that may not be a long way off.

2) You've repeated a couple times that you don't want another dog and that you don't consider Maddison your dog. I understand where you are coming from, but before you take her, you need to check in with yourself and be aware of what you are committing to. I just want to make sure that you don't feel resentment towards Maddison.

I see what you're saying. I have nothing against Maddison, she's a sweet dog when given the chance, and I DID grow up with her. I'm just being honest in that I DO realize what a huge project she will be, and that I do not WANT to take that on. But I also realize that sometimes, the right thing is not always the *easiest* thing, and her life is worth more than my personal comfort. I did rat rescue for several years, and I never *wanted* to take on more...but I did. I won't resent her, but I do worry about the stress factor of having a 5th dog. I would not want to keep her permanently...just fix her up, train her, socialize her, and THEN find her a home. Anything is better than what she's going through right now.

When you say the shelter is high kill, isn't there more than one in your area? I know here there's city and then also ASPCA. Isn't there another option other than that high kill one? Is she a pure bred, maybe she could go to a rescue.

There are 2 shelters in this town. A humane society, and a city pound. The humane society went no kill a couple of years ago, and no the pound is COMPLETELY overwhelmed with all of the dogs they turn away. The humane society only takes small, adoptable, cute dogs. They would never want an old, sick, unsocialized retriever mix...and at the city pound, she'd be killed in a matter of days.

oh, lordy. That sucks royally. I have no clue what the laws are in your area to require your parents to care for the dog. Random suggestion - talk to YOUR vet about the situation. I wonder if he/she would feel the need to step in. Maybe she would agree to see the dog so that she can provide a report to animal control that your parents be required to provide vet care immediately. Or, in sad reality, she may find something undiagnosed that would render her care beyond your means. Sigh... this sounds like something we all watch on Animal Cops... I pray they never have another animal if they cannot treat the one(s) they have humanely.

My parents would opt to surrender her to animal control, or have her euthanized before they would provide her with vet care. But, telling my vet the situation and asking about a payment plan IS a good idea. I've only lived in my city (2 hours away from my parents) since last august, so I don't have a very close relationship with my vet yet, but it is something worth mentioning.

Here are some pictures of her, and her awful pen, taken about 30 minutes ago:

Chuffy

Posted : 3/2/2007 7:11:08 PM

If I were in your position I would take her, switch her diet, love and train her, save up for the vet and have a view to eventually adopt her out to a loving home. I would be seriously worried that the parents would just replace her with a puppy whom they would treat just as badly.... how does the other dog fare at their place? If you suspect they would mistreat a puppy I would let them know straight after getting Maddison home that you'd have no more contact with them if they replaced her with another dog/puppy because you feel so strongly about it. Seriously. That's how heartbreaking her story is.

From the pictures she looks a little underweight and her coat looks very badly cared for. Would you be able to show these to anyone with the authority to take the dog away from them?

miranadobe

Posted : 3/2/2007 7:13:47 PM

I just read thru your first post in the other thread and am appalled.
I have to admit the pics of her pen are not what I'd imagine as harsh, but the conditions under which she lives there - food thrown over the fence when they remember?!??! She's such a pretty dog, too!
I'd like to see someone take that choke chain off her and put a flat collar on her.
Of course, one might like to see that choke chain put onto your mom... but, that's a diff story.

There's bound to be another rescue somewhere near there who will take her. Even if it means, say, a 2, 3, 4, 5 hour ride there and back, just to give her the chance at a new life. I'm sure that's an investment you're willing to make. That's what I would do if I couldn't take on the project. Think outside of the immediate town. I know that doesn't stop your parents from getting another dog.

Lindsey Gossett

Posted : 3/2/2007 7:14:04 PM

She has a sweet face. I'm sure you wouldn't have much of a problem finding her a home once she is fixed up and healthy looking.

Shelby

Posted : 3/2/2007 7:18:42 PM

omg.. that poor thing [

] If you can afford to feed her, love her, bath her, that might just be all she needs to look healthy again. It's worth a try. Save up for a vet visit or discuss with your vet the options of payment plans. Also tell your vet that you'd like to adopt her out. If someone comes in looking for a pet to adopt... she might find a good home that way. Most vets really do care about the animals (if you've got a good one) I know that my vet will allow me to make payments by writing checks in advance that they hang on to. If for some reason it won't clear when it comes due most will hold it a little longer.

I hate people who do that to their dogs. It makes me [sm=soap%20box.gif]

Emily Walker

Posted : 3/2/2007 7:20:57 PM

Poor thing! She doesn't even hjave a collar! She only has a choke chain! I would definatly take her temporarily if I were you. I could not let her die like that! She needs to know she is lovedand wanted and she has more time to live! I don't understand how people could do this! What about their other dog? What condition is it in? Keep us posted on what you decide to do!

Ratsicles

Posted : 3/2/2007 7:33:38 PM

I have to admit the pics of her pen are not what I'd imagine as harsh, but the conditions under which she lives there - food thrown over the fence when they remember?!??!

It's very difficult to see from the pictures just how bad the conditions really are. The poop in her pen is NEVER cleaned up. The little deck she has to get out of the mud is covered in a layer of filth...not mud, just...filth. There is standing water in the pen year round, and that means CONSTANT flies and mosquitoes. In the summer, her skin is a bleeding mess from the flies that bite her. She smells awful, and her coat comes out in huge, matted clumps. You can't tell how little hair she has from the pictures...and the skin where she's missing hair is black, cracked, flaky, and yeasty smelling. Her ears are so infected and swollen that I'm not even sure how she hears.

And yep, she does NOT get fed on a daily basis, and the food is so low quality...ugh.

There's bound to be another rescue somewhere near there who will take her. Even if it means, say, a 2, 3, 4, 5 hour ride there and back, just to give her the chance at a new life. I'm sure that's an investment you're willing to make. That's what I would do if I couldn't take on the project. Think outside of the immediate town. I know that doesn't stop your parents from getting another dog.

I may go ahead and take her, and then immediately start looking for rescues. I would definitely be willing to drive to find her a place to go. Right now, she just needs to be out of this situation...but if I do take her, I will immediately begin looking for rescues or organizations that would be willing to take her. Honestly, I don't have a problem with fostering her until she's in better shape. I just worry about her not being able to get vet care.

I would be seriously worried that the parents would just replace her with a puppy whom they would treat just as badly.... how does the other dog fare at their place? If you suspect they would mistreat a puppy I would let them know straight after getting Maddison home that you'd have no more contact with them if they replaced her with another dog/puppy because you feel so strongly about it. Seriously.

The other dog, Sugar (a poodle) lives inside now. She gets fed on a regular basis, has a bed to sleep in, and gets some attention. She doesn't get groomed often enough, and she's not on HW prevention or UTD on shots, but her situation is nowhere NEAR as bad as Maddison's.

If they get a puppy I have a feeling that they would treat it well...they specifically don't like Maddison for some reason. But their standard of "taken care of" is much different from ours, so I'm not exactly sure how well cared for it would be. They know how I feel about them getting a puppy...they don't care. If I told them I wouldn't speak to them if they got a puppy, I don't think they'd be too concerned. [&o]

From the pictures she looks a little underweight and her coat looks very badly cared for. Would you be able to show these to anyone with the authority to take the dog away from them?

Animal control looked at her and her pen the other day. She had food, water, and shelter so they just told my parents that her coat looked bad and she needed to see a vet for it. That was it. Enforcement of animal laws here are weak at best. [&o]

sallya

Posted : 3/2/2007 7:34:39 PM

Poor thing. Yes, take her and do all you can for her. She looks sweet. Anything is better than living in a pen. I bet good food and great grooming and social care can do wonders for her. I just HOPE your parents will not ever get another dog.

Michelle

Posted : 3/2/2007 7:40:47 PM

Take her immediately. If she dies tomorrow, she'll do it in your arms and knowing at her last moments she was loved and not neglected. If you can do nothing but bathe her and bring her inside and pet her that will be more than she has now. Take her and worry about everything else later. Call the vet and explain the situation, call AC and tell them you've taken her out of her current situation and are working to get her vet care because, and I hope you don't take this the wrong way, from everything you've written about your parents it wouldn't surprise me if they called AC and blamed her condition on you once you take her.

calliecritturs

Posted : 3/2/2007 7:43:04 PM

Brittany -- we need to talk. I can help you determine what the skin problem is, and also how to help it without it breaking the bank. My instant guess is that it's probably fungal -- and with better food, bathing and some care you can probably make an enormous difference.

Has she ever lived inside? My guess is she will be so incredibly thankful at having good care she will likely do absolutely anything to please you. I just wish I had even a bit more room right now -- but I'm at my max. But I can walk you thru how to deal with the myriad skin problems. I have a feeling once you get her feeling better she won't be tough to place.

I've got just a few questions:
Has she ever been spayed?
Does she scratch? like constantly? [Am still trying to figure what I"m seeing -- This doesn't *look* like sarcops -- it's in patches, where there are other patches of solid coat. With sarcops you'd see an all-over thinness of coat. But this looks more like hot spots that have then generalized with toughened thickened skin from just plain old fungus from living outside.] Mange would be easy to treat -- the fungus is going to take more hands on stuff.

I hope you can decide to take her. I promise I will help you all I can -- the skin will probably respond incredibly well to cleanliness and decent food. My guess is that she's probably hypothyroid -- that's cheap and easy to fix, and it's something you can address in a while.

pretty please email me? There are things you should do before you let her be with your other dogs -- fungal stuff is contagious but not hugely so. BUT I would seriously worm her, even if you have to call your vet and tell the vet what's going on -- I'd tell you to take in a fecal FIRST (don't let her poop where your dogs go -- if she has hooks/whips you don't want it in your yard and you don't want to infect your others).

But I can tell you what to bathe her in first and how to maximize what you have to do. Heck, I've got stuff I can send you. Darn, Brittany -- I WISH I could just plain take her. I can't but I sure can help you deal with this.