to be annoyed about this situation with neighbour and her dog?

[CantGetBackToSleep]

I’m lying awake because I don’t know what to do about this situation.

On Sunday our neighbour came to see us visibly upset. Her mum had been taken into hospital and she had been told to get there asap. Her mum lives in Scotland and we are in the South of England so she was panicking about getting there on time and also about who would look after her dog. We helped her book a flight as she was in a state shaking and in no state to think properly. She asked if we could have her dog for a few days. Reluctantly we agreed but said we were leaving to go on holiday on Friday evening so she would need to make other arrangements by Friday morning for him. We went and collected the dog and he has been with us since. We have our own dogs and they are all getting on well.

Our neighbour text me on Monday to say her mum had died. We had a brief text conversation and obviously I said how sorry I was to hear about her mum.

I text her on Wednesday morning to say that I know she has a lot to deal with but we really need to know what she’s doing about her dog as we are due to go away. I didn’t hear anything so I text her again yesterday to ask what she wanted us to do with the dog and got a text from another of her relatives from her phone saying our neighbour is very upset and isn’t in the right place to sort this out. I replied to say I understood but that when we agreed to have the dog, it was on the condition that she made other arrangements for the dog by Friday morning as we are due to go on holiday. I didn’t get a reply. I tried to call last night but it went to voicemail. I had already called our nearest boarding kennels who do have space so I told her on the voicemail that I could drop him at kennels but she needs to give them her payment details. I still haven’t had a reply from my neighbour.

What do we do? I’ve asked other neighbours and they won’t have him. My parents are having our dogs while we are away but are not willing to take the neighbours dog as well.

A friend has suggested I drop him at our local vets which is the vet my neighbour uses but I don’t think they would be ok with that. Another friend said if it comes to it to call the rspca, explain the situation and say he’s basically been abandoned.

I’m so stressed. I know my neighbour has lost her mum but we are not missing our holiday.

You have been put in an intolerable situation and are quite justified in being furious. If you don’t get any success with the options suggested on here, is there any possible way your mum would be prepared to change her mind on taking in this third dog? I know it’s not ideal (at all) but if the alternative is you miss your holiday….?
And if she does, I think I might go radio silent and forget to tell the neighbour where her dog is. (Probably not in real life but I’d be tempted).

I know it would be pretty sick but Is it even true? She’s not just pissed off on a jolly with her mates?

I'm hoping the neighbour has since been in touch, apologised profusely and made arrangements.

You have not been stupid - you did a kind thing in an emergency situation... and if your neighbour was a decent person then she would be getting back to you now with a plan. Despite her grief, she is an adult and the dog is her responsibility.
What a stress for you when you should be preparing for your holiday.
Is there another neighbour that could take the dog in the meantime?

Surely the kennels would need proof of vaccinations etc before boarding? I cant believe she has left you to try and sort this out, surely someone in her family or immediate circle should be taking over this if she isnt able.

You would need his vaccination record for the kennels, so I think your only option is the dog warden and report as a stray dog. They take time to come out though so you need to be on the phone asap.

Yes,
loosing a parent can be the worst thing in the world. But if you have children, you have children. If you have a dog, you have a dog. At the very least her bloody relative should have sorted this for her. Poor OP.

I’m also furious for you. Would police be able to put it in their kennels if you tell them she’s abandoned it with no food or water and you’re going on holiday?

I’d leave them with your parents, as they have your other dogs. I really don’t think the vet is going to accept him.

OP as a last resort can you text her and tell her you are dropping the dog off at the RSPCA as she’s clearly abandoned it - at least that might get a reply even if it doesn’t solve the problem.

The RSPCA would take the dog due to it being abandoned. Unless their policy has changed from years ago.

They would want all details you can provide about the owner of the dog.

It would be up to them whether she gets it back or not though. What else can you do.

I doubt a vet would get involved tbh (?)
When I found a ddog in my street the council ddog warden arrived within the hour and took it away.
Owner paid £70 to collect him.

Poor Doggy 😢

I agree with others who have said take the dog to the vets. At least they will care for the dog properly until it’s resolved.

Dogs need so much looking after, it’s dreadful that you have been left in this position.

Hope the dog gets proper care and that you get to your enjoy your holiday

OP’s already said her parents have refused to have the extra dog.

Maybe the council dog warden because she has technically abandoned it. Let them call her.

Her parents don’t want to take the neighbour’s dog, though, which is perfectly reasonable of them.

i’d be reporting it as a stray at this point if the vet can’t / won’t help.

The owner is of course being totally unreasonable. Losing a parent doesn’t mean you can just ignore all your other responsibilities and her dog should be a priority for her. How is she going to manage all the other death admin if she can’t even sort out paying for the kennel that OP has managed to find for her?

council ddog warden?! 😂

I think the dog warden would be your best bet now. They can collect the dog and kennel him unless or until the neighbour collects him (up to 7 days I think) and will have better access to rescue/rehoming services than you do.

Poor dog, most people in grief want to hug their beloved pets.

I think this is probably the best option to be honest. As you say, the RSPCA wouldn’t just hand the dog back - they would want to know the circumstances in which it was effectively abandoned, as on the surface of it, the neighbour isn’t fit to be a dog owner if she can do this to the poor creature.

🤣

Why is that funny. This is exactly the sort of thing they deal with. Stray dogs.

Read it again

You haven't done anything wrong but neither has the poor bloody dog. Your neighbour is an absolute selfish twat. No matter whether her mum's died, she has responsibilities. And her friend is just as bad. I would just keep calling and texting and not stop until you get a reply that she's coming back. Don't fussy foot round her just because her mum has died.

Dog warden for sure. They will charge her.

Have you tried phoning rather than texting?