There's a dog in my house

[Freezby]

There's a Labrador in my house and I don't know where it's come from. DH appears to of left the back door unlocked by mistake, but it was shut? He's at work and knows nothing about it, I've just got home from work and I have acquired a dog. Collar but no ID tag. What is going on?! How did it get in?! Can labradors open and close doors? My little King Charles cavalier spaniel seems to think he's his new best friend so has obviously enjoyed this unplanned play date (thank god a friendly dog decided to break into my house and not an aggressive one) no idea how long this lab has been here but house has been empty besides our dog since 11am. Someone please tell me how this is possible. I'm baffled. Waiting for DH to get back with the car so I can get him to a vets before they all shut and see if he's chipped.

halfwitpicker I only went back to page 5 or 6 but I didn't see one

oh, agreed, Labs will eat till the end of time, don't give 2nds they just get fat ! Although as they have been raving all day, he may be ravenous! (sic)

It’s horrible how something we all found funny is turning out like this. Well done op, I hope that if your neighbour needs help she gets it. What a good doggo!

I just want to say you’re lovely op. I hope this has a happy ending

@AwkwardPaws27 made a very good point. My DM has dementia. As yet it isn't too advanced but if she unwell with an infection of some sort it sort of escalates and she becomes much much more confused. Could well be that this lady is normal copes fine but is unwell and therefore the dementia has really kicked in. Absolutely right thing to do to call 101.

OP you are splendid neighbours and absolutely deserve a black lab 😀😀

Did your DH try her immediate neighbours?

Dementia sufferers are often more confused and agitated at night op. Maybe try again in the morning?

Well done OP. You seem lovely. If the lady isn’t in a position to take the dog back, will you keep him?

I do hope the lady is ok without her dog now

Labradors are a popular breed for service dogs yes, but I'm not aware of any charities that have medical assistance dogs for dementia when the person lives alone. Dogs for Good currently have a dementia dogs scheme running in Scotland. Dogs for Good wear green harnesses and coats and usually have a round, green tag on their collar. If he is a service dog he would likely have a collar with the organisation's name on and a computer number. dementiadog.org/

My boy is still passed out snoring away so yes they've obviously had a fun day. He probably is being too playful for a service dog really I guess if he came here to get help he'd of tried to lead us back there not just set up camp on our sofa.

Yes I did explain I asked MN to take the photo down after DH had a word with me. He didn't think it was appropriate as shes obviously a vulnerable person.

@HoraceCope Rural village with all houses fairly spread out, she's in a row of 3 terraced bungalows but ones vacant and no answer or lights on at the other. A few people from the village have replied on Facebook saying completely different things, some saying they've seen carers and some saying that she's 100% independent with no family so we just rang 101 as it seemed safer at this point.

Would love to keep dog.. but some posters have said this dog could be the only bit of normality she has left and that made my heart hurt a little so hopefully she will be ok, he does look well cared for. My hands will probably be full with our KC and a newborn anyway though I wouldn't say no if they offered

Maybe the police will drop by after they’ve visited her. Maybe they can check his chip?

Cute and sad at the same time.
Hope she isn’t missing the dog and ends up walking around at night looking for him.
Lucky the dog turned up at your house,OP and is being well looked after

In other news I fed him from my KCs bowl and what takes him 10 minutes to eat takes this lab just 2 mouthfuls Labs don't chew food-they inhale it!

@ILoveChristmasLights Yes hopefully they took our contact details so just sitting tight until the phone rings! Got DH to drive past and her lights are back on so hopefully she's ok and just wanted him to go away. I'm just worried she's sat there upset thinking we've stole her dog!

Apols as literally zero time to RFFT but can't read and run.

Ex Police here. Ring 101 and also google your area/emergency adult social care and ring them.

Just said to DH "what a night" and he pointed out all I've done is sit on the sofa cuddling two dogs while making him run around like a headless chicken and make phone call after phone call

I think you've done the right thing alerting the police.

OP, are you the only people with a dog in the old lady‘s neighborhood? Maybe she did bring him over to your place since no door was open when you came home?
Anyway, I hope the lab will stay with you since he gets along with your dog and you and youd DH are lovely.

You've done all you can op ,the police will do the rest .
If it's her dog ,she must be very confused or poorly not to mention him to your dh at all.

Thank you for keeping us updated.

gimmeadoughnut123

^^

Thanks.

I'll just google dogs and pretend instead

Well the dog needs reassuring freezy You had a very important role

And of course you've had to keep us updated all the time.

This is only one experience and everyone with dementia is different, but even when my gran was quite advanced she still cared for her dog perfectly. She'd had them all.her life so when everything else had gone, that dog was still cared for. We had carers in 3 times a day and she had 4 kids and lots of grandkids so at minimum would have 4 other visits a day from us. The dog was the only thing she ever remembered. Once she got to the point where she couldn't live independently, the dog went to a family member but it he was all she asked about whilst at the residential home.

The lady might be taking care of the dog, but it sounds like her dementia is progressing past the point of living independently.

Oh this has made me very sad missing my black lab

I hope it all turns out OK. Be warned, labradors are never full. NEVER.