stray dog

[westerngirl]

I was outside my house this evening and a young golden labrador (maybe 1yr) came up my driveway. He had a collar but no tag or contact details. He has also been neutered. I gave him some food. He stayed in the garden with my son for around an hour and showed no signs of leaving. I live in the country, so put him in the car and called to a few houses to see if anyone was missing such a dog. There was no joy and we came back to my house. On getting out of the car he chased my poor cat who is now hiding in a hedge.

I then put him in my garage. This is where my cat usually sleeps. The vet won't be open 'till monday (to check if he's been reported missing) so it appears I'm topsy turvey until then.

I can't face taking on another dog ( i took one on for ca 1 month last year. He was dumped i think. It took ages to get him to a shelter. he was a fabulous dog but an absolute nightmare to mind. Taking the arms off me on the lead. Very unsocialised towards other dogs.driving him to a forest very early to walk (no other dogs).

I the welfare of this lab my responsibility. He is a lovely young boy. I'm trying to convince myself he was on his way home. Don't want the cat litter in the house again as my cat's sleeping area has been taken. Feel a bit of a louser for wanting to get out of it

You don't have to take him on. You're doing the right thing in taking care of him for now, but he probably does have an owner who will be delighted to get him back. He may well have absconded from being walked nearby.

The thing is, if nobody is looking for him, he does become my responsibility. Even if the owner has written a mobile no. on the inside of his collar..but no. I'll have to pay for vaccinations if I can get him to a shelter. I'm a bit overwhelmed at the mo otherwise. this is a bit of a crown topper. Of course it's not his fault.

He's on his own in the garage. Feel bad about this. I think he's lonely and unsure about things. He stinks to high heaven. He was in the stream beside my garden and very mucky.

Even the blasted cat just turned up at my door one day and insisted on installing herself in our home. Cats are much easier though.

Some critter must have spread the word of easy pickin's at my place.

I have a nasty feeling that you're not in the UK are you? In which case I wouldn't know what to advise. :(

I have SOME overseas rescue contacts (assunming I'm correct here). If you want to tell me where you are I can see if I can find someone to help.

Thanks for the offer Vallhala. No, I'm not in the UK, (but don't know why that would give rise to a nasty feeling).

I would probably contact the shelter that took the previous dog. I would give a donation with him if it comes to that and this would cover his vacc's and keep until he was rehomed. Did this with the last one. Gosh, this is getting to be a habit. I'd have to hold on until they had a place though. They are brillant and I try to give donations e

It's the minding of the dog that I difficult. I can't leave him outside in case he just runs off and strays further. There are farms nearby as well and he may bother livestock. This means I'll have bring him with me and leave him in car when I go shopping or else leave him alone in garage. Feel like the turnkey of the Bastille. Don't know if the cat would survive it though. Brought lab out for a wizzle just now and he made a growling beeline for cat's location in the hedge.

Hope it doesn't come to that and his owner will be frantically searcing for him and contact vets and put posters up.

sorry, I seem to have an aversion to the definite article, pronouns and also to finishing my sentences. I would to believe my fingers can't keep up with my brain but...sadly, I can't fool myself.

Just thought I would say I know how you feel I have had a few injured or stray animals. I always get stressed trying to help and care for and worry, but couldnt not help. No advice really but wanted you to know I can sometimes feel overwhelmed to. The DC can make things worse by getting to attached

I know, Crawling. 'The dog' has become 'Goldie'. I was told to apologise to 'Goldie' for hurting his feelings by insinuating he was a threat to the cat. . Guess I'll muddle on.

Well done you for keeping him secure until you can get him to a shelter. No need to feel guilty - not everyone is in a position to keep every stray that turns up at their door, and it's really good that atleast he will be warm, fed and safe until he can go to a shelter (a no-kill one I assume?). Are dogs generally microchipped? If so perhaps your vet can scan for a chip for you to see if his owners can be traced like that.

Ok, happy ending to my dog dilemma. After contacting 4 vet practices, police and local spca (who would not take dog) with no joy, the owner finally rang the spca and was given my phone number. 'Goldie' is now back with his own family. I also rang the dog warden to see if anyone had contacted them. God, I hope they put their no. on his collar by scraping with a scissors or/and in marker.

My cat has been hanging on by a thread but now back to normal. Although relieved at the responsibility being taken off me, I'll miss him. He was a labradorX, and was a little horse really (and still only 1year). He was very busy chasing cock pheasants this morning on our walk. I'd never seen them fly before. I hope they weren't nesting. Forgot it's nigh on breeding season. Whew. Thank goodness we met no other people or dogs.

I like a happy ending :) If my dog ever got lost I hope he meets someone as nice as you

Great news!

Oh, and my "nasty feeling" was because had you been in the UK I would have had the knowledge, contacts and resources to help you. I am not particularly au fait with stray legislation and rescue set-up in a great number of countries outside of the UK and my contacts outside of the UK are limited too.

It wasn't a slur upon your country and certainly not praise for mine. :)