[MrsGoo]

Today I picked up a sweet brindle boy that was set to be put down. This guy was dumped out in the country, and where he ended up, just happened to be some (ex) former family members of mine. She hasn't spoken to me in 3 years, but calls me out of the blue, because she has one of "those dogs" and he needs to find a home ASAP. She gives me 2 whole days to find somewhere for this guy to go, or she's having him euthanized. She won't even consider keeping him because he's one of those breeds.

I went over Wednesday to check him out, super sweet, very vocal, just wants a good home. He's covered in ticks, has a really bad eye infection, and starved for attention... So today, I pick him up and bring him home.... to my 6 dog aggressive dogs.... bring him in and dump him in the tub and start pouring soap and water on him. I scrubbed him as good as I could to try to get the ticks off of him, I bet I didn't get a fourth of them off.

I try to talk to him, reassure him that I'm trying to help him... and I start bawling. How can anyone do this to their dog. He's a good dog, he loves to play fetch, I taught him to sit with one hot dog in less than 5 minutes. He's extremely friendly and seems to be a good nature pup, happy, running around, trying to rub the ticks off his neck... you know, those really big fat gray ticks. I couldn't get them off of him without causing him to bleed more than what he was already from where he has scratched them off.

Once I got him toweled off good, I looked in his ears...... and my heart was crushed. This poor guy has so many ticks in his ears that you can't even see his ears for the ticks. They are all the way down into his ear canal. No way I can get them out without hurting him, and possibly shoving ticks further down his ear canal.

He will get a formal dip in the morning, and has a vet appmt to be neutered next week. From there.... I have nothing. I have no idea what to do with him. I know I can't keep him, but I want to make sure he gets into a breed savvy home. I'm not going through all this just to have him end up being a statistic on the news. I know I can't save them all, but I'm trying to help this one.

For now, for lack of a better name, I'm calling him Cooper. We kicked around the ideas of Hank or Jackson or even Jake... but I keep coming back to Cooper. It's distinguished, it fits him.... and I like hanging with Mr Cooper in the back yard.

I don't know if I can get pictures to transfer to here from FB.... it's late, I'm tired, and I'm emotionally drained.... but I'm going to try.

The main reason for this thread is so, maybe... someone that has considered dumping their dog, will think twice. I'm the one that gets to deal with your "trash"... I know people do it every day, and have for years.... this is my first experience to this degree. I've taken in dumped pups before, or gotten dogs that were already cleaned up by the time I saw them. This is my first really raw experience in seeing what people do to their dogs when they dump them.... the flea infestation, the massive amount of ticks, the fear of the dog not knowing where he is, or who you are... and the hopelessness in knowing that in the end.. you may not be able to do anything for him. If people would only realize what really happens when they dump their dogs. But they don't. They dump them, then drive away, and they never look back, never go back to check on the dog to see if it's ok, if it found shelter, food, a home, or if it ended up a statistic lying on the side of the road.

Well, just so you know.... your dog ends up starving, covered in more ticks than is humanly possible to remove in one day, he's scared, he doesn't know me, he wants his family back... but instead, his head is filled with memories of his family.... the family that pushed him out of a car, and never came back for him, no matter how many nights he sat diligently waiting for the sound of your car, the slight light of your headlights coming back for him... he thinks you will return one day for him, for he would never leave you like that... he would never abandon you in the middle of nowhere, and just....... leave. He would come back for you, he would keep looking for you, he would return for you. For in his eyes, you are his world, the sun rises and sets on your shoulders, he would do anything for you.... he would bravely die for you. But he doesn't see it as bravery, he sees it as loyalty, and he is loyal to you till his dying breath. He will always remain loyal to you, because he knows one day, you will return for him.....you have to return for him..... don't you??? Do you not have the same loyalty to him as he has for you? He vowed the first day he say you that he would be by your side for all the days of his life, that he would bravely do whatever you asked of him, that he would be your companion, your best friend, your ally. He knew the instant he saw you that he would spend his entire life loving you and pleasing you and being your number one true fan....... what???? Did you not see that same loyalty when you looked at him? Did you not devote yourself to being the best human a dog could have, did you not vow to him that you would always take care of him and that he would never want for anything, that he would always be fed and loved, and warm and dry?

[OwdBKKHO]

People suck. I'm glad he ended up with you, though, and I hope he checks out all good and ends up with a great family.

Now excuse me, I think I have something in my eye...

[Gooracouppy]

what a beautiful boy, he is so very grateful, and so am I. Good luck puppy!

[Gremlinn]

He looks like a good dog.

I got mine from a shelter, she's been through some tough times with me but when I got her I knew it was forever. Not just when it was convenient.

I can understand why people do what they do, I wish I couldn't understand it. But understanding that aspect of human nature and how we seem to see more and more of it just convinces me everyday that my dog is in so many ways better than we humans will ever be.

I wish I could take him, I would love to be able to tell you he has a home. I really don't think Sasha would mind, she's that way. But the cash flow just isn't there for me to do two right now.

I know that one is in good hands, and for the moment he has a family. I really hope you can find a home for him and that it will be one where you can drop by and give him a belly rub now and then.

Yea, he may be one of "those dogs", but he was owned by one of "those people." I'm really getting tired of "those people." But I still love "those dogs."

[ovH9wfSJ]

Wow....

[foonlesse]

Hes damn beautiful. Even if he is *one of those dogs* and even if you haven't spoken in 3 years, I am glad they called you! Even if its just a few nights or weeks, he has a warm place to sleep, someone to help him get those ticks off him, and garanteed food in his dish! Thats alot more than he would have gotten had he not found his way to you!

[Zhgpavye]

I am so glad you now have Cooper safe and in your hands. I have seen alot of animals with what you have just experianced with Cooper's condition(and sometimes MUCH worse).It's allways tough to see,and it can take a toll on you.Its a shame people feel compelled to do this.I really want to thank you-you saved Cooper's life today,and now he knows what a loving person is capable of.It REALLY makes you 'wonder' why these people get companion animals in the first place,and pray they don't have any children now or ever. I am sure Cooper is very grateful for your love and assistance.Best wishes to you and Cooper. Thank you for taking him in.

[fissasste]

excuse me while I go hug my dogs again. For some reason now cuddling with them all last night just doesn't seem like it was enough.

[Buyingtime]

MN, I know how you feel...
as you know we have a place in the country and folks dumping dogs is pretty common place...
I have my dog buddy because someone dumped him and his mother on our dirt road..(we are about 17 miles from the nearest small town)...
I did not want a lab, was not sure I even wanted another dog period...but I could not just let him and his mother starve.... I took Buddy and a friend took his mother....if i had really wanted another dog, I would have gotten another APBT, but now I can not get another APBT because I do not have the time to take care of more dogs...so I have a breed of dog that would not be my choosing because some ass could not deal with his own responsibilities...

[selayeffethy]

Karmic trading, Obed? You took in Buddy and got a home for his mom=good karma. You want an APBT. Labs are easier to adopt out than APBT by far. So, you find Buddy a home and then go adopt an APBT that no one else wanted= more good karma.

Unless, of course, you're really ttached to him and can pretend he's a Pit Bull in a Lab suit. Thats fine,too

Cooper is a handsome fella, Nana. Can't you put some of that flea and tick drops stuff on and the ticks just fall off and die? Like Advantage or Frontline? Seems like that would clear out the ears,too, without risking putting the ticks further in there. I don't know, could be stupid ideas. I haven't ever seen a tick and have no idea how to deal with them.

[Adamanta]

Sounds like hes in the best possible place he could be right now. And you have 6 dogs?? I thought all you had was Mollie and Bella?

[GrileVege]

I feel so bad for him. He reminds me of this guy, some one literally threw him out of the car into the middle of the street and drove off. Some nice lady brought him into our hospital.
He had a massive flea infestation, a huge abdominal mass, and absolutely 0 muscle mass in his hind legs. He had to be put down. I was such a sweetheart. I was going to take home, but when they found the mass they said he probably wouldn't have survived surgery, and it was really expensive. It was best to just put him down. I cried.



Sorry, didn't mean to jack your thread, but I just wanted to share the fact that I understand. I hate people. I really, really do.

[23InetrySypekek]

[ovH9wfSJ]

Poor babies. Just can not fathom how people can just dump a dog.

[payowlirriply]

So, so sad. How wonderful of you to take him and take care of him. I always say if you can't take care of your dog own up to it and at least put it to sleep instead of dumping it.

[enrisaabsotte]

Thank you Lorrie! What happens from here doesn't matter, because I know you will do right by him... Not matter what the decision is. And he's more comfortable and happy right now... You're just a really great person

[surefireinvest]

I think I have something in my eye too...I wish more people would stop and put themselves in their dogs shoes. Would YOU want for your MOTHER to drop you off and just drive away forever? How can you live with and take care of an animal that is so loyal and will love you with all their heart and just abandon them? I dont know how people can be that cruel. Thank God for angels like you MN! Good wishes and hugs sent to you and Cooper!

[VoriEremiagem]

I know how you feel. I don't understand people.

He is lucky to have you there for him. I second what Melody said and you are a really great person and have such a good heart.

I know you'll do right by him, you always do right by every animal that comes into your care. They are really lucky to have you. Please keep us posted.

[slima]

how awful

people are so horrible to animals..living in the country you see them dumped all too often.. ive taken in so many animals over my lifetime and found them new homes..or kept them depending on the circumstances... from cats that have been tossed out car windows at 45 mph to emaciated flea infested dogs to crippled and starved chickens.. seeing those faces so scared and hopeless even when you are trying to help them is more than heartbreaking... and beyond devastating... and knowing they once had people who they thought loved them... people who they gave their hearts to.. and got tossed out like garbage in return.. it doesnt matter how often you see it.. it will always break your heart. and everytime i come across it.. it just makes my intense dislike for the majority of the human race that much stronger

i am glad cooper is in good hands now.. i REALLY hope you find him a special home .. the best of luck to you

[MFSSCW2c]

One of the best BC's we ever had was dumped on our road when I was in high school.

Lily was so terrified that she might get dumped on the street again that I had to carry her in and out of the car the first two weeks she was with me. You should have seen her grin when she figured out this was the real deal.

I took Scout because I couldn't let her go god knows where. She's had way too many homes in her short life and deserves better. Not what I wanted in trying to find a second dog, but you do what you have to. She will always be safe and happy with Lily and I.