My friend has left her dog with me

[FireC]

I have another thread in the dog forum, however, I'm desperate for some advice.

My friend left her dog with me while she was away for a couple of weeks. She's now been away for almost 6 weeks and I haven't heard anything from her. I've sent her messages regarding a potential vet visit and nail clipping. She's read the messages and hasn't replied. I've called her but it just rings out.

We're not super close, more like neighbours than friends, however, she's looked after my cat before and I thought this would be fine. I don't know what to do? Does anyone have and advice?

Any*

Erm… I’d be contacting the police. Aren’t you worried something has happened to her?

Sounds like she's dumped the dog on to you and moved . Sorry

Looks like you’ve now got a dog….

Do you want to keep it?

I would assume she doesn't want the dog anymore, for whatever reason. You need to decide whether to continue looking after it, or if you want to try to rehome it, or give it up for adoption via a dogs home.

Do you think she is still away? Where does she live? Can you go to her house? Do you have any mutual friends who might have information on what is going on with her?

Do you want a new dog?

If not, I’d message

“I’m now assuming that you’ve abandoned Rover, so unless he is collected by next weekend I will be taking him to Battersea”.

I would be, however, she has read all of my messages and been online, she's just not replying ☹️

Wow! Where's she gone? Who can shoot off for an open ended amount of time?

Well it's either keep the dog or tell her you will take the dog to a shelter. I'm not saying take the dog to a shelter, but the idea of it might get her home.

I would personally stop speaking to her and keep the dog for the time being. I'm not sure whether you're in the position to do that though.

Poor dog deserves better than an 'owner' like her. Although, do you know if she's well? What if something's happened to her while she's been away?

Send her a message saying if she doesn't contact you about the dog in the next 24h you will be handing it to the pound as abandoned

I’d send a message saying ‘I’m guessing you’re not coming back so I’m taking the dog to RSPCA tomorrow as I don’t want to keep it. Hope you’re having a nice holiday (you irresponsible arse)’

And take the dog the next day.

Where does she live? I'd visit the house maybe look around to see if anyone is still there. Knock on the door.

Maybe give her a warning 'it looks like you are no longer interested in the dog as I have not heard from you. I will be dropping them to the rspca (dog shelter) tomorrow.' and see if you get a response.

If you think the vet visit is needful and you can see the messages are read, I'd be sending her one saying. "unless i hear from you ro the contrary, I will be taking (dog's name) to the vet for (treatment) and you will pay me on your return or ask her to transfer some money to your account before you go to the vet. If the claws aren't ingrowing or laming the dog, I'd be leaving that till she gets home. Are you able to keep the dog if she doesn't return?

So she said it would be a couple of weeks and it’s been weeks. How come? Very few people can take extra weeks off at will.

I would also text an ultimatum. Ie. Please collect Rover by 24th July as you’re going away and won’t be able to gave him then. See how she responds.

Impossible to say without more detail.

Can you go to her house?

do you know where she works?

do you have mutual friends?

can you find her family on Facebook etc

if she's not coming back would you be happy to keep the dog?

Why do you need to take it to the vet? Do you know which vet she uses?

Did she leave much food? Money for food?

Do you want to keep the dog?

6 weeks without prior arrangement is ridiculous, she's reading messages so I'd send one saying if she didn't reply in 48 hours I'd consider the dog abandoned and would be making necessary arrangements. Whether that is taking ownership yourself or speaking to shelters to responsibly rehome is up to you.

Have you tried calling her? If she doesn’t respond to your call say you’ll have to call the police cos you’re worried. If that doesn’t work then take the dog to a dog rescue centre.

I’d give her more than a day but I would message and say if dog has not been collected by next weekend you will be contacting a rescue to take it .

I've fallen in love with the dog and could never send him to a shelter. If it comes down to it I will keep him, however, I am just extremely confused.

He's an expensive dog and she was planning on breeding him. Which makes it even stranger!

Can you approach it gently at first maybe e.g. message her with something like, ‘Hey, I sent you a couple of messages about (dog name), and not heard from you in a while - just wanted to check in to see if everything’s okay?’

Then if you still don’t hear from her, perhaps go a bit firmer. Could you message her something similar to what Honoloulou suggested, or something like - ‘I understood looking after (dog name) was a temporary thing, and I’m very happy to help with that, but I can’t look after him long-term. Please let me know ASAP when you’ll be coming back to pick him up.’

I’ll open the odds here at this dog being a French Bulldog at 2:3.

I don't understand why you aren't more worried about her welfare!

@FirstFallopians yes, it is a French bulldog. Is there a reason why you thought this? Any information you have would be appreciated 😩

Because she's opened and read all of my messages.