Rescuing dog on Saturday please help

[ifonerememberstoturnonthelight]

Hi I'm collecting a dog from our neighbours on Saturday that is in terrible condition. He's 13 ish, cries constantly and bangs into shit in the garden. He lives in a kennel and the rspca is not interested so I'm going to get him on Saturday. Obviously the first thing we need to do is take him to the vet, but he stinks so maybe he'll need a wash first?

He's so passive it makes me so sad, he's never been for a walk and it's only now we're able to talk to the neighbour about maybe giving him up.

Do we keep him away from our other dog? And he's never been inside so how do we transition him? I'm not a green dog owner but I've never actually picked a dog up away from its neglectful owners before.

Hope Keith is doing well. Any updates gratefully received. ☀️

Awww OP this thread is amazing. Keith is so lucky to have you.
We got a 5 year old rescue last month. Like Keith she was so quiet...no barking, or any noise. It didn’t last lol, she found her voice after a couple of weeks....maybe he will too. She was underweight, and we were told to give her puppy food as it has extra nutrients. We also give her three smaller meals instead of two large ones. It’s working and she’s up a few kg. Could you try that?

If he's been stolen I hope you file a police report. What's an utter cunt of a neighbor you have.

Keith and the unicorns! Oh my wee heart

Little bit of an update today. Found out his original name which is Spike, we found that out on Monday but I'm not sure if we'll keep him as Keith or spike, he can't hear either way.

His original owners gave him up to my neighbours son in 2009 when he was 2, so he's 13 years old, they don't want him back. So he's staying here.

Border terrier welfare started a go fund me for him and off the back of that the rspca want to prosecute his old owners sad they didn't want to help him when he actually needed the help! I felt so uncomfortable with the go fund me because it looks like they're begging, but his vet bills are substantial and anything we don't use will go back to them. Our vet has been amazing

He's doing so well on Chappie btw!

Wow, that's a lot of info for you to absorb. Poor Keith (definitely Keith - Spike was his old life) I can't believe they gave him to your neighbour & aren't interested now.

Which of the past wankers are the SPVS looking at prosecuting? I guess the neighbours as I don't suppose technically the original owners did anything wrong

Will that cause you problems do you think?

I'm glad the gofund me is helping with the vet fees you're giving him A home & love, let others help financially.

How much weight has he put on? Was the vet happy with his progress?

Does this mean you're keeping him?

what a lovely post, OP.

fingers crossed with him "only" being 13, he could have up to a year of happiness with you. I doubt he'll live very long due to the years of abuse and the toll they'll have taken on his little body. He's safe and now knows love. You've done amazing to help him.

@Beamur yes he's staying with us :)

@MJMG2015 the rspca are looking to prosecute our neighbours.

He should stay as Keith. He doesn't look like a Spike.

Glad he's doing well.

Definitely a Keith.

This is such a heart warming thread that Keith has found you to live out his final days in peace and comfort, I have no decent words for the people who gave him up or your neighbours, vile despicable human beings. Accept the contributions from the Go Fund, you are doing more than enough and giving that poor dog the life he deserves. Borders love people, they love company, they are quirky as Keith has already shown you some of his quirky ways, Thank god for you, bless you for saving Keith x

His original owners gave him up to my neighbours son in 2009 when he was 2, so he's 13 years old, they don't want him back.

Well his original owner sounds like a cunt as well then. But I’m glad Keith gets to stay with you.

This thread has broke my heart, but its also made me so happy that Keith has been saved and will live out the rest of his life being loved, safe and cared for.

I hope the previous owners (I use that term loosely) are prosecuted. But mainly I just wanted show my appreciation to you OP for saving him.

Poor wee lad. I'm so glad you found him.

You definitely will need some way to pay his vet fees so you shouldn't even worry for a second about the Go Fund me. I'll chuck something in myself if you post the link (if it's not going to out you).

Prosecution - how do you feel about that? You have to live beside them...

I think this is one of my favourite Mumsnet threads ever! So pleased he is in a happy home now! we have a cat from a similar situation and it's totally humbling how trusting animals can be even after neglect/abuse.

Thank you OP for rescuing Keith, I hope he lives out his days in snoozy comfort

Don't feel guilty about the Go Fund Me, Border Terrier Welfare know what they're doing, they're fantastic. There's a huge group of Border Terrier owners on Twitter who raise money for BTW every year, you'll find them using #btposse

I have a Border he's the best dog ever, and he doesn't do cuddles, a lean is the closest thing you get so you're doing well!! They can be aloof and grumpy little buggers but have personality in spades!!

If you're worried about his diet speak to Helen at Feelwells, They have Borders and are family run and manufacture their food in the UK. She gives fabulous advice. They also distribute the yearly calendar that the #btposse on Twitter put together to raise money for BTW.

Thank you so much for rescuing Keith, he's a gorgeous little guy!

@LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett I say neighbours because they're the closest house, they're a 15 minute walk away down a dirt path with a garden full of shit like a washing machine and a red phone box

I would like to see them prosecuted but I don't want that leading to any trouble for you because you are my new favourite person

That dog is SO not a Spike , defo a Keith.

I hope you are feeling better after your operation @ifonerememberstoturnonthelight

just seen this thread. What a lovely person you are. Looks like Keith will hopefully enjoy the rest of the time he has left.

so much new info! I know you feel a bit awkward about the go fund me but it's such a good cause! And totally appropriate that the vets bills get funded.

Hope he's had a good day. Personally I can see him as a Spike but I love Keith.

Thanks OP

I hope you're ok @ifonerememberstoturnonthelight
Sounds like Keith is doing brilliantly.

In terms of prosecution / that's something the rspca and vets can move forward - hopefully you won't need to be too involved.
Yrs it's very frustrating that they wouldn't do anything sooner and iMd be tempted to make my feelings known in that. Either there's a breach of the Animal welfare act that they're prosecuting and in that case they should have acted on it, or there isn't in which case there's no case to prosecute. They can't have it both ways.

The main thing is he's doing brilliantly with you - thank you again for rescuing him

Such sad news that his first owners were so awful too, but that just makes what you're doing even more amazing for him, he must be unbelievably grateful to finally be safe in a loving home. I'm so glad he's staying with you, he seems so settled already (he must be able to sense how wonderful you are!) and I bet over time he'll come out of his shell more and more, and you'll get to see even more of his personality. Its coming up to four years with my rescue dog and she still sometimes suprises me with a new quirk.