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Original poster

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:
Fazackerley · 29/01/2019 16:36

When our dog escaped last year, dh and dd2 went out looking for him in the rain and dark for 2 hours. He turned up happy as Larry about 30 mins after they got back. I couldn't understand why the OP didn't go out looking for him last night tbh.

BMW6 · 29/01/2019 17:06

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MuttsNutts · 29/01/2019 17:17

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Dogs
CatnissEverdene · 29/01/2019 17:21

OMG I feel sick having read the update.

Poor dog Sad. Why are people so fucking cruel.

anniehm · 29/01/2019 17:27

I don't understand, some dogs like to wander, it doesn't mean that you aren't a good owner - mine loves to go for an explore, admittedly over the back gardens rather than escaping (he has gone out the gate left open but fortunately remains on our land.

ChrisPrattsFace · 29/01/2019 17:32

Are you SERIOUS?

Yes rehome him, he deserves better than you on every level.

DullPortraits · 29/01/2019 17:38

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cricketmum84 · 29/01/2019 17:38

I don't understand, some dogs like to wander, it doesn't mean that you aren't a good owner - mine loves to go for an explore,

Hell to the no!!! Dogs should NEVER EVER be out wandering on their own!! This is so irresponsible!

AutumnCrow · 29/01/2019 17:38

Very weird denouement

MinorRSole · 29/01/2019 17:39

My old boy is the opposite, when we go for a walk he sticks to me like glue until we are nearly home when he dashes off and waits on the doorstep! Safe enough as rural and not on roads but makes me laugh to see him do it every time!

LadyandGent · 29/01/2019 17:42

The must unexpected twist in the tale I've ever read.

I'm devastated my dog is lost
Dog found, I'm getting rid of him.

Redcrayonisthebest · 29/01/2019 17:45

Wow so op you're not even going to bother collecting him and saying goodbye properly??

UrsulaPandress · 29/01/2019 17:48

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WakeUpFromYourDreamAndScream · 29/01/2019 17:49

Fucking hell, talk about a twist at the end.

OP I think you're disgusting. All you need to do is make sure he doesn't get out, long leads, dog proofing even more. Rehoming because he escapes?! It's your fault he escapes as you haven't secured the garden!

He's better off without you.

Kittykat93 · 29/01/2019 17:57

Fucking hell op - are you actually glad your dog was found or disappointed that you didn't lose the responsibility?? Hmm

Our dog is never left alone in the garden, only let out for wees for like 2 minutes otherwise supervised playing. You didn't even notice for 20 minutes he wasn't there so why was he outside on such a cold night anyway if you're so concerned and he keeps escaping??

Not the way I was expecting this thread to go. Poor dog.

wheresmyhairytoe · 29/01/2019 18:50

Threads like this remind me why I like animals more than people.

RikGrimesIsMyFavourite · 29/01/2019 19:39

@wheresmyhairytoe
Me too

SoyDora · 29/01/2019 19:51

I read the first couple of posts thinking ‘how weird, she doesn’t seem to be doing too much to actually find him’. Then read further and realised it’s because she didn’t want him anyway.
Our gates are kept locked so no one can open them and inadvertently let the dog out. Sensible, and easy to do.
My dad was looking after my dog recently and he, along with my dads dog, managed to escape. We didn’t stop until we found them.

NumbersStation · 29/01/2019 20:04

I said above that this would have been my worst nightmare.

Well that and folk who hurt animals and rehome them for no reason.

I would say now that I'm speechless but I'm not. If I said what I wanted to say I'd be banned.

Poor dog. I'm beginning to understand why he ran.

DragginBallsEEEE · 29/01/2019 20:10

That was unexpected.......

EyesUnderARock · 29/01/2019 20:13

Rehome him, the last thing the world needs is yet another irresponsible, incompetent dog owner.

Kittykat93 · 29/01/2019 21:22

Ran away have we op?? Just like your poor dog.

Frequency · 29/01/2019 21:33

I have an escape artist terrier mix. We came up with a failproof anti-escape plan. It's so simple you'll kick yourself when I tell you how to stop them escaping....

Go. Outside. With. Them.

Shocking I know but it works every time. If you're watching then you can foil the escape plan before it comes to fruition.

Angelf1sh · 29/01/2019 21:36

3/10. You need to work on your plot development. Biscuit

BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo · 29/01/2019 21:43

I bet you were gutted the dog was found OP, would not surprise me if you left the gate open yourself, it’s clear you want to get rid of your dog and you have tried to dress it up here as a sob story with you as the self sacrificing hero, we have all seen right through you OP, did not quite go to plan did it?