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?

This absolutely

Does the dog have a microchip?

The microchip is NOT evidence of ownership in law.

I think I would pay to have the dog's nails clipped and get a receipt from the vet first. I would then contact the police as that is a reasonable thing to do. Wait to see what they come back with.

If you want to keep the dog, keep the dog but keep a diary of all the contacts you have had with the owner, dates and times. Her unreasonable behaviour over this would go a long way towards it being clear she has abandoned the dog and thus would strengthen your case if it went to court.

Some people are genuine assholes when it comes to animals but in a nutshell, sort his feet out, make effort and be seen to make effort and then go quiet and dig in.

I'd be careful about keeping a Frenchie. They need a LOT of vet care, my uncles had three and all of them died young age after thousands of pounds in vet fees.

Just tell her the dog’s died and see if you get a reaction. If not, assume it’s yours and take it to the dog shelter.

She may be in trouble but I doubt it. Obvious answer is she has just extended her holiday and will collect the dog. I would tell her your taking it to the shelter as abandoned. Even if that’s not the case, just to call her hand.

I'd go to your nearest police station and tell them, see what they say. I'd imagine they'd do a safe and well check which if she is ok and just rudely left you with her dog should suitably embarrass her

'He's an expensive dog and she was planning on breeding him.'
She's another person who wants to profit from her pet and has realised they take time and effort.
She's using you as a sort of holding station and will emerge with an illness story when she bumps into some other feckless owner with a bitch they want to impregnate. Meanwhile you're becoming ever fonder of a dog who will be taken from you when someone offers her money for him or his services. If you want the dog contact her saying you assume the dog is now yours, preferably via a solicitors letter.
Don't allow her to use the dog as a commodity.

I agree.
Although I am also concerned that you have no idea what has happened to her. Maybe a police check up is warranted now.

Send a message saying:

If I do not hear from you within 48 you will contact the police about your disappearence and rehome the dog you abandoned with me.

If/when she does respond tell her to send money for her dogs upkeep or you will sue her for all costs incured in his stay.

As above a microchip is not proof of ownership. Things could go badly wrong if the OP follows @CelestiaNoctis advice.

This is the weirdest thread ever!

You say she's a neighbour but you don't know where she lives? Mmmmmm

Poor dog - she doesn’t deserve to have a dog - all she is interested in is breeding the poor thing !

Who is paying for the dog food?

Poor little dog. People who buy overbred brachycephalic dogs clearly haven't actually thought about the animal itself - they just want a commodity.

I hope you get to keep him and have him neutered. The last thing the world needs is more brachycephalic dogs suffering in this heat.

I’m so glad you love the doggie! Check your friend’s ok but tell her you’re keeping the dog because they’re a living breathing animal with feelings and deserve more than just being abandoned!
Poor little pup! But on the plus side - you have a new fur baby! 💝

Keep all receipts that relate to the ddog. If she returns she must cough up..

doubt the Op is coming back.

If it was me I'd send a very blunt message saying the agreement was for x weeks, she's been gone y weeks, she's looking at but not replying to your messages and putting the phone down on you is the last straw. If she doesn't contact you within a day, you will take that to mean she's abandoned the dog and you'll surrender it to the RSPCA.

Text her and tell her that you are going to take the dog to a shelter as you are going away for a few days and can no longer look after it. Tell her to respond by the end of the day if she wants to keep her dog.

I’m not aware of what the legal position is but I’d be wary of getting too attached to this dog as her owner may suddenly come back and demand you return. You could reasonably refuse until she reimburses you for your expenses but you may have to give her up. If she is spiteful enough to abandon the dog she is spiteful enough to demand it back to upset you. Maybe checkout what you need to do to claim ownership legally. Animal charities may advise

It was stupid of you to agree to look after the dog of someone you don’t know well but since you’ve fallen in love with it congratulations, you now own a dog you love.

Tell you've dropped the dog at a shelter.

She'll either respond, or not respond. There's your answer.

If you intend to keep the dog you need to legally sort it out so she can't come back in a year and take it back. No idea how you do this.

All you know is that someone is on her phone , reading her messages - might be her, might be someone else.

I wouldn't get too attached. I think if she was planning not to come back she'd have told you. The fact she's keeping quiet is because she lied to you about how long she was going for to far you to agree to look after the dog but has every intention of coming back and claiming her money spinning status symbol. I also assume you do know where she lives given she's a neighbour and would have noticed if she'd actually moved out.

Fwiw I also guessed it was a French bulldog from the comment - expensive breed that everyone and their auntie are having a go at breeding just now.

Please ignore the suggestion to walk the dog more atm to help its nails. Brachycephalic breeds should not be being walked at all in this heat let alone enough to start wearing down nails.