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Original poster

"Wolfy" on death row - would I be unreasonable to swoop in?

114 replies

Boobz · 17/02/2011 12:09

We live in Sudan and some friends took in some street dogs (strays) a while back when they were about to get shot by the police (who cull them here every few months). They went on holiday and came back to find female pregnant (oops - they had been told by vet that she was too young to get pregnant! - not very pleased with vet as you can imagine).

Female had 8 puppies. They are now 4 months old. All but 1 has found a new home (Wolfy) and he is due to be put to sleep tonight as these friends already have 4 dogs in total and can't keep any more.

I have a DH, 2 kids under 2 and a crazy Weimaraner. Loopy - she drives me mad - I often wish I didn't have a dog (although I do love her dearly, deep down). I really don't have the time for a 6th member of the family, and it's already going to cost us a fortune to ship Jackson, our dog, back to the UK via France in 18 months time. We can't really afford to do it again with Wolfy.

But poor Wolfy. How unlucky is he that all his 7 brothers and sisters found a home and he didn't? Can I let him be destroyed tonight? [remembers final scene from Marley and Me and weeps].

Or should I say sod it, what's one more, and take him in?

[torn emoticon]

OP posts:
IHateLivingHere · 17/02/2011 13:51

Grin Three cheers for Boobz!!!

ChaoticAngelofAnarchy · 17/02/2011 13:54

Glad you're saving him :)

MadamDeathstare · 17/02/2011 13:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Vallhala · 17/02/2011 14:11

Boobz, the world needs more like you. I know a little of the culling in the Sudan and that they're not alone in what they do and it grieves me to know that I can't do anything about it from here in the UK. I can and do however rescue pound dogs and those in trouble here and in Ireland and because of that know the rewards that it brings.

I do hope that Wolfy settles in well with you and reach out across the miles to give him (and you) a no doubt much-scorned-by-many hug.

Good on you!

Val x

Ephiny · 17/02/2011 14:12

Oh good for you Grin, you're doing the right thing. I hope the weekend goes well and there isn't too much puppyish chaos!

Ormirian · 17/02/2011 14:13

Hurray!

wannaBe · 17/02/2011 14:19

You need to think of the bigger picture here. If you were staying there then I'd say that if your dh is up for it then take him. But you're not staying, and the country you live in is not eligible for pet passport, therefore when you come home your dogs will have to go into quarantine for six months.

When we came home from south africa we brought two dogs home and quarantined them. It cost £2000. And that was seventeen years ago. The costs now are likely to be much, much higher. Can you afford that?

Aside from that quarantine is a miserable experience and I can honestly say that I would never do it again. So aside from this puppy, I would also think twice about bringing the other dog home and putting him through the stress of longhall travel and six months in kennels.

MrsBethel · 17/02/2011 14:28

southmum Thu 17-Feb-11 12:58:49
"OP I hope you ignore MrsBethel - bringing other charites into this situation is irrelevant. I also assume MrsBethel does not buy any clothing except for the bare minimum of loin cloth and ivy leaves and gives the saved money to charity yes?"

Granted, I should wear loin cloth and ivy leaves. To do otherwise is immoral, indefensible.

The more we can engage our conscience, and be more charitable and be less selfish, the better. So thank you for your post. It is thought provoking.

Sadly, even the good things we do are usually selfish. We often give to charity because it makes us feel better about ourselves, rather than out of any pure altruism, whatever that would be.

Why is the dog next door any more special, any more worthy of saving than a dog in another country you've never seen? It isn't. The difference is that you are aware of this dog and your conscience is persuading you to do something charitable.

Give into your conscience, do the good deed, and there will be two results:

  1. The world will be a slightly better place
  2. Your conscience will be appeased and you'll be happier

Not a bad result. So don't get me wrong, OP, saving the dog would be a good thing to do.

But what about an alternative response? Let your friends take responsibility for their dog. Give the cost of saving the dog to a good cause. A very good cause. Treating preventable blindness in the third world is one idea. There will be three results:

  1. The world will be an even better place
  2. Your will feel even happier
  3. Your family life won't be turned upside down by an extra member
switchtvoffdosomelessboring · 17/02/2011 14:57

I have to agree with MrsBethel and wannabe, I don't think its a great idea.

Original poster
Boobz · 17/02/2011 15:01

We are part of the diplomatic service and there is a special procedure for diplomat dogs to go through when they come back to the UK which does not include quarantine - so we are in the fortunate position that no dogs we transport will have to be on their own for 6 months. But it still costs a bloody fortune!

OP posts:
Original poster
Boobz · 17/02/2011 15:01

Wolfy about to be dropped off any minute now...

OP posts:
DooinMeCleanin · 17/02/2011 15:02

Yay Boobz. Well done. What a lucky dog he is to have found you.

Ormirian · 17/02/2011 15:15

LOL at diplomat dog Grin

TotorosOcarina · 17/02/2011 15:18

I don't think its your problem. Its your friends problem and they have decided to have him put down.

boohoohoo · 17/02/2011 15:37

Boobz, fantastic news, so glad that woolfys safe and coming home to you. Sorry am animal lover and would also have taken wolfy home.

deepbluewave · 17/02/2011 16:03

Well done Boobz! !!!!!!

Luckly lil Wolfy!

Im glad there are more people like you in the world, with balls and heart and less people like mean Lady Bethel!

(I bet she secretly puts cats in bins!)

The dog is anyone responsibility who wants to care for it and why are you pointing out that making the world a better place is only done for your own conscious. So long as the good deed is done, does it matter.
Plus, I dont agree, that ALL charity money should go to leper, deformed, children. Animals are just as vulnerable...(slate me) if not more so. They cant speak up of the abuse and generally people like mean lady Bethal, turn a blind eye and think, what is the point, of getting off my arse to care.

One of the main values I hope to teach my DC, is respect for animals.

SarahStrattonHasNiceBears · 17/02/2011 16:06

Save him :)

I found 2 dogs running loose on the A16 the other day. In rush hour. Nobody else was stopping for them or even gave them a second look. They were lovely dogs and are now reunited with their owner and I'm so glad I stopped for them. My conscience wouldn't let me drive on.

Save him!

Ephiny · 17/02/2011 16:08

Agree with deepbluewave, and I'd generally rather help the dog or person in front of me and needing me right now, than give my money to a big charity with no guarantee of what it will actually be spent on.

Or would you step over someone having a heart attack in the street and say it's OK because you might give some money to some completely unrelated charity?

Ephiny · 17/02/2011 16:10

I doubt the OP had much choice anyway, once she'd met him and seen his little face Grin. I hope we get photos...

Original poster
Boobz · 17/02/2011 16:20

I shall post photos, but he's not much of a looker! Our Weimaraner is very pretty to look out - it will be like beauty and the beast!

And we're not defo keeping him yet - he's on a trial (but we will look after him until we find him a home...)

OP posts:
DooinMeCleanin · 17/02/2011 16:22

The scruffy looking ones are the cutest ones. Imo. Devil Dog would agree if he could talk/speak English Grin

lololizzy · 17/02/2011 16:23

agree with deepblue.
Animals don't have a voice.
Animals much nicer than most people too!
I speak as having just spent a months wages on my rescue pet. He is worth it, i will have to live on beans on toast but my conscience knows i have done the right thing.

Original poster
Boobz · 17/02/2011 16:23

Or lady and the tramp maybe...

OP posts:
spikeycow · 17/02/2011 16:24

Absolutely animals are as vulnerable. They can't talk and are at human beings mercy unless wild and free. But then Mumsnetters prioritise playgrounds over animal welfare on every Waitrose charity box thread so I don't really want to waste my time explaining to knuckleheads Smile

deepbluewave · 17/02/2011 16:27

Good for you Lololizzy.

My kitty broke her leg about 3 years ago, just before Xmas and she was not insured (she is now and so are all my fluffs) it cost me 2k and no Xmas- but she is sat on my knee, snoring her little head off.
I could never be without her. She depends on me, and I depend on her.