Apologies on the length of this post !Was out for a drive in the country today and drove past what I thought was a bundle of clothes in the ditch, as we past I saw it was a little dog tied up with a rope 
.Got out and sure enough the little one seemed to have been tied to the bushes and abandoned no water no food and the sun beating down on it
Rang the local animal shelter and reported it and they asked us to bring him to them poor fella was so thirsty all I had with me was a sports top bottle of water and he tried his best to drink from it.He was so good natured dh untied him and we bought him to the rescue who checked him over for any injuries (none thankfully).They also scanned for a microchip and no sign of one .
They were full to the brim with dogs so asked if we could take him home with us ,they have to legally wait 5 days to allow the owner to make contact and if they hear nothing then they can find a forever home for him.So we bought him home he is so lovely but I have no idea how to look after a dog ! The rescue wormed him and applied a flea treatment so that's done! I've a bowl of water ,a blanket for him to lie on and I've fed him half a tin when we bought him home .
So my question is do I need to bring him out to the garden every hour or so to go to the toilet? Do I need to watch him 24/7 or can I potter and leave him to sniff and wander around the house ? We have 3 kids so plenty of rubs and petting which he seems to be loving so far but I'm also making sure they aren't being full on and annoying.
We have a large but unsecure garden so I can let him out there unsupervised or off lead (he walks beautifully on the lead!) But will be walking him twice a day from tomorrow. Rescue guess him to be approx 2-4 years and a king charles/collie mix.Any advice or tips are very much appreciated 
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
Found dog and im clueless !
BeTheHokeyMan · 09/07/2017 20:53
Thank you both for the replies .Will definitely not be letting him alone with the kids ( they are 5 , 11 and 17) He is currently curled up on the teens bed asleep 
will try and post a pic.Yes I think the rescue are also hoping we will fall in love and keep him but I'm undecided I'm more of a cat person and I don't think our current lifestyle suits a dog as we are away on days out/ holidays a lot but hey I might be back here in 5 days and saying he is staying! Dh is definitely smitten
If you want to find his owners you could search dog lost pages and local FB groups to area you found him
Looks very cute though, well done for taking him in
they do weedle themselves into your heart.Blown away with all the replies they are all very much appreciated. The rescue has taken a few pics and posted them on their Facebook page it has a lot of followers and quite a wide reach so hopefully there will be good news .He seems well fed and is in good condition coat is shiny etc .The lady at the rescue thinks he might have belonged to an older person that may have died and the dog abandoned by family members who just didn't want him.They said the fact he was quite firmly tied up would lead them to believe that he wasn't stolen and dumped but abandoned. He has a sweet little red bandana tied around his neck so I know someone did love him at one time .But to leave him there in the ditch no water food or shelter is horrendously cruel and is so upsetting to even think about.As is the fact that there must have been loads of people passing him in cars and no one stopped ,judging by the way he was covered in sticky weeds and the way the ditch was flattened dh thinks he might have been there days which is too horrible to contemplate isn't it god only knows what must have been going through his head poor little mite
Currently checking all local Facebook pages in home there is a worried owner looking for him .Sad to say but he was definitely tied up there were two ropes tied around his neck and threaded through his collar and also two other ropes wrapped around his legs that were beginning to come loose
How could anyone abandon him 
. I'd maybe change from tins to a dry complete as they tend not to cause as much stomach issues. Iv fed all my dogs for 20yrs on dry complete and the occasional roast chicken treat, my current two are 16 and 15 and still act like pups. They get 3 walks a day about 30 mins each, longer if Iv got it. That does them fine and they are both working breeds so clever and energetic. I hope you keep him but dogs are huge responsibilities so I get it if you don't. I'd take him if my two were a bit younger.
I am not sure he's going to give you a choice - it looks like you have been CHOSEN! 
Honestly having a dog is the most rewarding thing. As PPs have said, err on the side of caution in terms of popping him out for a wee as he might be nervous of a new place. In case he hasn't been fed much, for a few days do little meals every 2-3 hours so his stomach can recover.
Poor little pup! What the hell is wrong with people? 
I think he may have adopted you, whether you like it or not
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Oh OP he's so cute.
I won't lie, I'm really hoping you keep him. For an abandoned dog to be so chilled out and trusting already really takes a lot.
It looks like you've been chosen by him. Humans are vile sometimes and are capable of the worst things. But perhaps something good can come out of this and he's found his forever home with you?
Good morning all He slept from 12 till 7 between the two of us then dh fed him and bought him out to wee.I'm out in the garden with him now he has basic commands sit lie down roll over etc and walks very well on the lead.Tried a game of catch with him but zero interest in the ball didn't seem to know what it was ? But will try again later
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