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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:
CurtainsOpen · 29/01/2019 13:53

OP, you're a disgrace

ImNotKitten · 29/01/2019 13:54

Such a strange thread Confused

MinorRSole · 29/01/2019 14:02

Agree with @December2018 - no way would I have given up after an hour! I foster dogs - currently have a completely untrained challenge on my hands! We hear a lot of stories but I've actually not heard this one before. My oldest rescue (mine not foster) was abandoned though so not too dissimilar. He's a lovey boy, just needed attention 🤷‍♀️

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EnidButton · 29/01/2019 14:04

Wtf? Confused

Though tbh you didn't sound "beside yourself" really. Looking for an hour, only calling round places the next morning and saying you were going out "in a bit". I think most people would've been out hunting until the small hours and dedicating all their time to finding their beloved pet. Or getting someone else to help either look, or supervise any dc whilst you looked.

It's a very sudden turn around and odd reaction to what seems to be an easily solved problem. Supervise him in the garden. Get a more secure gate. Put up a sign asking for the gate to remain closed. Lock the gate so delivery people or whoever can't open it.

This can't be the only reason you're giving him away. Plus you already have a dog who is best pals with him. It's all round weird.

GlitteryFluff · 29/01/2019 14:04

A delivery driver didn't leave the gate open did they?

dontknowwhattodo80 · 29/01/2019 14:17

Confusedwhat a weird post

IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece · 29/01/2019 14:25

I think you’re making absolutely the right decision.

The dog deserves an owner with more then half a brain who gives a shit about him and that is clearly not you.

BBInGinDrinking · 29/01/2019 14:46

I posted early on in the thread, trying to help, and so the OP, family, dog and missing dog have been on my mind since. It was great to read that he'd been found, safe and well - what a relief, a happy ending! - and then I read on.

I always feel so sorry when a much loved pet has to be rehomed, when there's no real option, and the people are genuinely cut up about it. But I'm not reading heartbreak here?

They all adore him, their other dog will miss him, the garden just needs a bit more dog proofing - but they're giving him up?

Believe me, growing up with a best canine friend escape artist on land that couldn't be dog proofed, I know how difficult it is.

This is pretty shameful behaviour. The dog is away from its home, family, companion dog, in kennels, probably frightened, stressed and confused. Who knows if he'll end up in a good home next, a bad home, or being euthanised?

It just seems like this poor dog is seen as disposable.

OhDearHowSadNeverMind · 29/01/2019 14:47

The dog deserves an owner with more then half a brain who gives a shit about him and that is clearly not you

100% this and more besides. I won't type what I think about this OP because it would be gone in seconds.

ILoveMaxiBondi · 29/01/2019 14:50

It’s like giving your toddler away because you can’t be arsed to lock the front door and keep your eye on it. Height of laziness. What did you think having a dog would entail OP?

Fazackerley · 29/01/2019 14:50

Treat a dog properly and they won't want to escape!

Confused
purpleworms · 29/01/2019 14:57

What the fuck...

TheFuckfaceWhisperer · 29/01/2019 14:59

We have a Husky that likes to scale fences. So he’s taken out for a wee on a lead then brought in once he’s done. It’s not difficult Angry

stayathomegardener · 29/01/2019 15:17

Hmm poor dog.

Fazackerley · 29/01/2019 15:19

Is this a first time poster? Odd one to start with...

SauvingnonBlanketyBlanc · 29/01/2019 15:21

That is not a reason to rehome a dog u fucking idiot! If he's a family pet then the thought of him living anywhere else should make you feel sick.Disgusting!

HeyArthur · 29/01/2019 15:48

Wow...just wow OP you really are something else...not something I like at all.

Bastardanxiety · 29/01/2019 15:49

Wow. I feel so sorry for your ddog. I just don't get you.

rytonsister · 29/01/2019 15:54

how odd. ask the warden if he is rehomed HOW that happens - it sounds a bit like you just wanted rid of him and let him go hoping for this outcome?
check he is going to a no kill rescue at the very least the poor thing.

rytonsister · 29/01/2019 15:55

op obviously let him go then got guilt because of the cold weather. posted saying he "escaped"
escaped my arse.

ZogTheOrangeDragon · 29/01/2019 15:56

Your poor dog. Shock

Tinkerbell89 · 29/01/2019 15:59

Don't rehome him just secure the garden. Maybe a new gate that has a spring to automatically shut. He won't understand if you rehome him and it's not his fault. You could get a ground stake to tie him up outside so he can't get out but enough lead to explore the garden. It could take months to get him a home and sometimes they end up back in the system and you wouldn't know. There are other options to keep him safe

twoheaped · 29/01/2019 16:02

I hope the stray kennels works with a dog rescue and he goes to them.
It is not a myth that those dogs who don't go to breed rescue, or to charity rehomers do get put to sleep.
Do you really want that for your poor dog?

How did you go from sad losing him, to rehoming in a heart beat. I don't get it.

TVDKJ1864 · 29/01/2019 16:07

My elderly lurcher got out last night, first time in 11 years (our stupid mistake for leaving the gate open) luckily my other dog came back to tell me and within 30 seconds i had grabbed his lead and i was out the door, no coat nothing! I was freezing cold but i would have spent all night searching for him if i needed to. Luckily he didn't go far so i put his lead on and took him home. My heart was racing for the next hour. How can you go from being so concerned to wanting to give the dog up? DOG PROOF YOUR GARDEN!! It is your damn responsibility, you chose that dog and now you plan to abandon him, you should be ashamed of yourself!

BlancheM · 29/01/2019 16:31

Lying attention seeker.

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