Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Could my dog have survived outside overnight??

259 replies

pandoraphile · 28/01/2019 14:37

I am literally beside myself. A delivery man left the gate open last night and he managed to get out. I didn't notice for about 20mins and by the time I got outside there was no sign of him. I spent an hour looking and calling for him - nothing. I thought he'd turn up overnight but no.

Straight away this morning I got calling around friends, the local vets, the kennels where they take 'stray' dogs - nothing. We live in a small village and everyone knows who he is and where he lives. No one has seen him and no one has reported a traffic incident with a dog. He's chipped and all of my details are up to date so if he'd been picked up I would have assumed I would be contacted by now? I even took my other dog out of our usual walk in case she could scent him but she didn't.

I'm desperately worried and the more I think about it, the more I'm concerned about him being in the cold overnight. It was sub-zero temperatures here last night. He's a six year old hardy terrier so not a delicate dog. But he lives indoors so he certainly won't be used to those sorts of temperatures. I really, really don't know what to do from here. I haven't stuck posters up yet but I've been into the local shops (three) and asked them to keep an eye out and spread the word.

Is there any chance that he would be ok overnight?? Or am I looking at the worst? :(

OP posts:
Purplecatshopaholic · 28/01/2019 15:17

OMG, I am so sorry OP, this must be so worrying. When I first got my dog (Spanish rescue), he made a run for it a few weeks later (slipped his harness - he now has a new harness!) - I was beside myself. I tend to think a terrier will be better dealing with the weather though. Share the hell out of it on social media - that how I got my boy back. Good luck

RomanticFatigue · 28/01/2019 15:18

Hope he turns up soon OP. I have nothing else to suggest but sending you a hand-hold Flowers

Jaxhog · 28/01/2019 15:28

Terriers are tough, and the chances are he'll have found a shed or outhouse to shelter in. It's worth going round all your neighbours and checking their sheds etc with them (they won't look thoroughly unless you're there). Animals can hide very well when scared, as he will be if he's lost.

Fingers crossed he comes back ok soon.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

fleshmarketclose · 28/01/2019 15:29

Yes he will have survived being outside, a little chihuahua was found after being missing a week round here just after Christmas and other than being filthy and a bit thin no harm had come to him.
Hopefully someone will have taken him in and will get him to a vets so that his chip can be read.

BooksAreMyOnlyFriends · 28/01/2019 15:34

Get his pic on your local FB page as quick as you can. Ours jumps to life if anyone posts about a lost pet. Hope he's home soon x

BMW6 · 28/01/2019 15:55

Is he neutered? If not has he got the scent of a bitch on heat nearby?

Dundeeflowers · 28/01/2019 16:09

I hope he’s home xxx

Villanellesproudmum · 28/01/2019 16:29

My cats are frequently out all weathers and are fine. Agree doglost also local Facebook pages.

pandoraphile · 28/01/2019 17:32

Thanks everyone. I hadn't thought of fb or online. I'll do that now. Luckily my dd took a very recent photo of him.

I'm reassured by the stories about dogs surviving serious cold.

I'll have to continue my search tonight. My poor other dog is looking a bit bewildered and sad.

OP posts:
NumbersStation · 28/01/2019 17:36

This would have been my worst nightmare.

Thinking of you and wishing him a speedy return home.

Flowers x

sleeplessinsomewhereelse · 28/01/2019 17:37

The other tips are to empty your hoover bags around the area and distribute male urine (if you have any in the house?) to spread the scent of you/your house.

Good luck

Notthecarwashagain · 28/01/2019 17:40

Oh no poor you!

A saluki was missing for a few days recently in my local area (a very skinny saluki too) and it turned up safely despite the freezing temperature.

I hope your boy finds his way home quickly. Flowers

MollyHuaCha · 28/01/2019 17:45

I hope he's home soon.

pilates · 28/01/2019 17:48

I would be doing posters aswell as Facebook. It’s one of the only things Facebook is good for.

fussychica · 28/01/2019 17:49

Fingers crossed he'll be home soon. Don't forget to keep us posted.

PattiStanger · 28/01/2019 17:56

Definitely get his picture in all your local facebook groups, I see lost dog and cat posts all the time and they always get lots of shares.

Hopefully you'll have him back soon

Giraffey1 · 28/01/2019 17:59

Facebook. Dog lost. Local vets. Twitter. All your friends at this worrying time! Hope you are soon reunited.

pandoraphile · 28/01/2019 18:00

I'll definitely keep you posted, I'm really grateful for the support and ideas.

Yes he is neutered - I can't remember who asked that. My friend is making some more posters tonight and I've got in touch with a local dog charity who are going to do their best....

I'm taking my other dog out in a bit and I'll leave his blanket in one of the places I know he loves - because there are squirrels to chase there!

OP posts:
BiteyShark · 28/01/2019 18:00

Get your details on dogslost. They will spread the word and the more people out looking for him the better.

Put posters up, contact dog wardens and vets. Spread the word via Facebook etc. The more people on the lookout the better.

pandoraphile · 28/01/2019 18:01

Giraffey - I've got all those covered :)

OP posts:
StrongTea · 28/01/2019 18:04

Local postman, try and have a word. Good luck

BooksAreMyOnlyFriends · 28/01/2019 18:11

Fingers crossed op. Yes I've heard lots of stories of dogs surviving the cold.

Whisky2014 · 28/01/2019 18:13

Could the delivery man actually have stolen the dog?

thaegumathteth · 28/01/2019 18:17

Yes, a wee dog round here went missing last winter. We are in Scotland so it’s pretty cold. She turned up after SIXTEEN days! Nobody could believe it. She was a wee Pomeranian.

MuttsNutts · 28/01/2019 18:20

Can you put a photo and location on here? Maybe in The Doghouse section.

The power of Mumsnet and all that...

Keeping everything crossed here that he turns up soon x