Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel so sorry for this orphan dog - and not know what to do with her?

31 replies

NewDog · 15/06/2012 00:41

We popped out to the pub tonight for a drink, and an elderly man collapsed in the bar.

He was in a bad way and he was taken in the ambulance - leaving his lovely dog behind.

We offered to take her home with us to look after her for him and then later found out he'd sadly died :(

Well, she's here, she's gorgeous, she's very big and now very lively!

She's not long come back from a walk. She's had some biscuits, but she just can't settle down, bless her. She's panting, going up and down the stairs, and being entirely adorable but I'm not sure when I'll actually get any sleep.

Any suggestions? She's a black lab. And she can't keep still :)

OP posts:
RandomNumbers · 15/06/2012 00:45

resign self to not much sleep tonight

are there children present in the house?

Original poster
NewDog · 15/06/2012 00:49

No kids in the house.

I don't mind not sleeping, I thought she'd howl all night to be honest.

But she just won't settle. Poor dog :(

OP posts:
Original poster
NewDog · 15/06/2012 00:52

She just seems like she wants to play and have lots of fuss!

DP has gone to bed and she keeps running upstairs, bouncing on him, and coming back down to me and battering me with kisses :)

I know she's distressed in a sense, just not like I expected. I thought she'd mope, but she's full of beans.

OP posts:
sagenod · 15/06/2012 00:52

Aww, that is sad! She must be feeling lost.

Have you made her a 'bed' where she can try to settle down?
Try shutting her in one room maybe so she doesn't have too many distractions?

I'm sure someone more experienced than me will be along soon :)

sagenod · 15/06/2012 00:53

Sorry x-post

Original poster
NewDog · 15/06/2012 01:42

Haven't got a clue what her usual routine is like (and never will) - but she's stopped razzing around the house. She's had another walk around the garden then I put her in the utility room on her own and she seemed to like that.

She's now back in the living room and she's fallen asleep.

Bless her.

OP posts:
Morloth · 15/06/2012 02:01

Oh that is sad, are you going to keep her?

Anyway of tracking the man's family in case they miss her?

Poor thing must be so confused.

You are very kind, you probably made his last hours so much easier knowing that his little mate was OK.

moreyear · 15/06/2012 02:03

Poor wee thing, panting and yawning are all signs of nervousness. It was lovely of you to take her home. Do you have any contact details for the mans family? How sad.

Graciescotland · 15/06/2012 02:54

What a lovely thing for you to do. I grew up with a lab and they're incredibly intelligent animals and I'm sure she is terribly worried about her owner. It would of been awful for her to have to spend the night in kennels.

NatashaBee · 15/06/2012 03:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CalamityJones · 15/06/2012 04:02

That's so sad. The poor thing must be very confused, how lovely of you to look after her. Perhaps the old chap has children and grandchildren who know her and love her and will happily take her..

Sparklingbrook · 15/06/2012 06:26

That's a lovely thing to do. Do you even know her name or how old she is?

summerintherosegarden · 15/06/2012 08:58

How is she this morning? Did you get any sleep? Are you going to keep her?

(Well done you for taking her home in the first place - the poor thing will almost certainly be confused and distressed and I think you're right that she'll need lots of loving and fusses)

LST · 15/06/2012 09:01

Awh how sad. What a nice thing to do OP.

Did the old man have family? What's going to happen to the dog in the long run?

FfoFfycsecs · 15/06/2012 09:03

You are a LOVELY person to do that. I bet the old man would be so pleased that his lovely dog is being taken care of.

TidyDancer · 15/06/2012 09:04

Oh poor girl. :(

She does sound very lovely though.

Are you going to keep her?

Any photos?

TidyDancer · 15/06/2012 09:04

Yes, forgot to say. OP, you are very sweet to have taken her in. :)

GrimmaTheNome · 15/06/2012 09:06

Sounds like you've done it all right so far but you do need to try to trace the family - they may want the dog. Also, if you end up keeping her it would be useful if you could find out who her vet was - her immunisations etc.

Good luck and well done! Smile

Original poster
NewDog · 15/06/2012 10:52

Thanks everyone :)

She settled down really well in the end and I came down this morning to find her snuggled up on the sofa.

She's had her breakfast and we're off for a walk in a little while.

The man's son has phoned and it looks like a neighbour is going to have her. I would love to keep her but not sure my dog would like it. But she hasn't been an ounce of trouble.

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 15/06/2012 10:53

Ooh I love a happy ending.

ExitPursuedByABear · 15/06/2012 10:55

Bless you for taking care of her. I hope she finds a good home.

PandaWatch · 15/06/2012 11:02

Oh OP you're lovely! I think you deserve some Thanks :)

summerintherosegarden · 15/06/2012 14:03

Bless you, OP. I'm so glad you looked after her and that she's got a new home to go to.

crashdoll · 15/06/2012 14:05

What a truly special thing to do and I mean that. I'm sure the man would have been really grateful. I'm glad she has a nice home to go to.

crashdoll · 15/06/2012 14:06

You definitley deserve Thanks and Wine!!