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Original poster

My friend has left her dog with me

273 replies

FireC · 16/07/2022 21:42

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?

OP posts:
Mellowyellow222 · 16/07/2022 22:38

You say she is a neighbour - call round to her house? You must know her well enough- I chat to my neighbours but don’t pet sit. Taking in a dog for two weeks is a huge favour.

dod she leave food etc?

safclass · 16/07/2022 22:39

FireC · 16/07/2022 21:58

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

Show quote history

You don't know that SHE has opened and read your messages. Someone has but you don't know it's her!

CanaryShoulderedThorn · 16/07/2022 22:39

Nothappyatwork · 16/07/2022 22:29

Are you 100% certain it is a dog ?

😂😂😂

Mamamia7962 · 16/07/2022 22:43

On your other thread in the Doghouse you say you are looking after the dog for 2 months.

Isitfridayyettt · 16/07/2022 22:44

justforthisnow · 16/07/2022 21:58

Unless she's in an ICU somewhere then there's no excuse for her not replying. The trouble with being in ICU though is they usually can't reply. If you like the dog, hang onto him for another while, keep receipts for food and vet bills, and then bill her when she's back.

She has read all of the OP's messages, she just isn't replying for whatever reason.

Original poster
FireC · 16/07/2022 22:45

InTropicalTrumpsLand · 16/07/2022 22:37

For those curious as to how it was identified as a Frenchie so easily, French Bulldogs are currently the popular dog to have. They're also very expensive, as not only there is a demand for them, but also:
-They have limited breeding instinct/ability, often requiring AI and C-sections. They can also be poor mothers, requiring human intervention such as bottle feeding and general watching to see if the mother doesn't simply lay on the puppies and smothers them.
-Due to their size, litters aren't very big, requiring the above expenses to be divided against fewer buyers.
-The health issues. God, the health issues. If you're doing it the ethical way (the majority of people aren't) they require extensive testing, which doesn't come cheap, from BOAS to hemivertebrae.

I'm going to guess, due to the tremendous amount of puppy mills/backyard breeding, that this dog doesn't come from a proper breeder who tests according to the Breed Club Recommendations, which strives for a healthier dog. So I am going to agree with the people above, and say: INSURE, and get the highest coverage you can get. Because they aren't a hardy breed, and the issues are expensive to fix.

Thank you for taking the time to explain this. It's appreciated.

OP posts:
Original poster
FireC · 16/07/2022 22:46

Mamamia7962 · 16/07/2022 22:43

On your other thread in the Doghouse you say you are looking after the dog for 2 months.

Sorry, yes I meant weeks not months 😩

OP posts:
SouperNoodle · 16/07/2022 22:58

She sounds like an awful person.
As a PP said, I would say that she has X amount of time to get in touch or you will consider the dog abandoned and will make the appropriate steps to ensure it has a new, safe home.
She obviously doesn't care about you or the dog.

I would also contact the police to do a welfare check on her. Even if it is just to shit her up and make her see the severity of the situation.

And then you keep the dog and live happily ever after with your new pooch 🐾

Quia · 16/07/2022 22:59

Do you know where the owner has gone?

pictish · 16/07/2022 22:59

So you keep the dog, get attached to the dog and in an unspecified time (could be weeks, could be months) she turns up and demands her dog back. It IS officially still her dog. What then?

MaryLennoxsScowl · 16/07/2022 23:03

Jesus, what an absolute bitch to abandon a dog like that!

AiryFairyLights · 16/07/2022 23:03

Do you know where she lives? Have you gone round to see if she’s there etc??

WinterMusings · 16/07/2022 23:07

Whitney168 · 16/07/2022 22:19

I think giving someone you barely know your house keys and depending on them to keep your pet alive is possibly even weirder than the dog thing. 😆

Show quote history

Well you're entitled to think what you like, obviously, but lots of people think otherwise. '

Greenday49 · 16/07/2022 23:08

DahliaMacNamara · 16/07/2022 22:19

Also curious about the French bulldog connection.

Show quote history

I guessed it too. Not all, but a lot of them have a certain type of irresponsible owner who sees them as a nice little money spinned/accessory.

WinterMusings · 16/07/2022 23:11

Do you know her full name & address??

you're going to look like you've stolen the dog if you don't!!

uncomfortablydumb53 · 16/07/2022 23:13

What a heartless woman
How long has she had him?
Just wondering if the dog is actually chipped in her name(or at all)
A vet or a dog warden would scan him.
I would assume she will not be collecting him, but try calling from a withheld number first

Sillyotter · 16/07/2022 23:14

you definitely need to cast a wider net and try your best to find her. Post on her wall as others suggested, if that’s no good message her again to say if you don’t hear from her in the next 24 hours you’ll be reporting her as a missing person. If she responds then tell her she has 7 days to collect the dog or you’ll be considering him abandoned.

I would definitely call the rspca for advice though as if he is microchipped to her she is still technically the legal owner unless she officially signs him over to a shelter or new person. You could possibly end up in a sticky situation by just keeping him. Generally when they get handed into shelters owners have 7 days to come forward before rehoming can commence but check with somewhere like rspca first.

P.S if you do keep him please get him neutered! Frenchies are such overbred sorry things, you may need specialist insurance for him too due to their shopping list of possible complications

Wishyfishy · 16/07/2022 23:23

How did it happen that she looked after your cats when you don’t even really know her?

Did she just come to your house to collect and return them? And then more recently turned up with a dog? Isn’t it odd that you don’t know her address?

PutinIsAWarCriminal · 16/07/2022 23:26

I would be worried about her. She has made sure her dog is safe and could be having a mental health crisis. Have you contacted family or friends of hers to make sure she is okay? If the dog is with you long term then make sure it is insured!

Grumpusaurus · 16/07/2022 23:28

Have the dog spayed for a start! She lost any right to object because she effectively abandoned this dog. The last thing anyone should do is backyard breed what is already a super unhealthy breed!

Mammajay · 16/07/2022 23:31

I would phone her in the day using someone else's phone so she doesn't recognise the number and she might not be so ready to hang up. I would also do the Facebook thing you suggested. If you want to keep the dog you should get her signed over to you. The owner could otherwise presumably come back and take the dog later

Meraas · 16/07/2022 23:31

Never dogsit for her again!

Vikinga · 16/07/2022 23:31

I would message her asking her to contact you or you will have to contact the RSPCA

Mamamia7962 · 16/07/2022 23:32

If you're neighbours surely you must know her address?

Gagaandgag · 16/07/2022 23:34

ZaraSizeMedium · 16/07/2022 22:16

This is the weirdest thread

So you don’t know this woman other than on Facebook. You have no mutual friends. You can’t check with her family to see if she’s been in touch with them. You don’t know where she lives to go round to her house.

She’s left an expensive dog with you for what what supposed to be a 2 weeks holiday, and 6 weeks later you’re unable to get hold of her.

You’re not the slightest bit concerned for her welfare, despite not having spoken to her in all that time but you’re worried that the dog needs it’s toenails clipping.

Confused

🤣🤣🤣

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