*SIGH* Why do people get dogs????-Rant

[shihtzulover850]

My next door neighbors have a chocolate lab. She is very pretty and loves to play. She has asthma but it doesn't hinder her any. The problem is they leave her on their back porch all day long!!!!! In the hot sun!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: She gets little exercise and is kind of heavy looking. They don't abuse her and they love her very much. She has a small kiddie pool with water and a large umbrella for shade. but still it is hot and the porch isn't extrememly small or large either. They want to get a smaller dog. She asked for my help in looking for one. I won't help because they don't take care of the current dog they have. She is fed taken to the vet regularly and is played with a few times a week. It just makes me so mad. She manages to some how get of their back porch. I think she jumps. I have been putting her back but the last time she got out I didn't put her back. I let her stay out to get some exercise. I am glad I did too. Poor thing. :( :mad: :( :mad: :( :mad:

[IRescue452]

I'd consider that neglect, a form of abuse. The dog's health is in jeopardy mentally and physically. Next time she gets out maybe you should take her to a humane society or a rescue. I bet they won't even look for her since it sounds like they want to replace her with a smaller dog anyway.

[shihtzulover850]

they aren't really cruel to her and they don't want to replace her. they are gone most of the day and in my opinion don't have time for a dog. she is doing better with the shade and the kiddie pool but still it isn't big enough for her. I just wish people would think before they get a dog :(

[elizabethann]

Maybe this dog will do better once it has a companion to play with? I think if the dog has food, shelter and water and isn't being physically abused, it may be hard call this case "abuse". Do they have a fenced in yard so if they were to get another dog, they can both run around the yard and play and get some exercise? I think it would be a shame if they got another dog with no fenced in yard and didn't bother walking either one of them.

Keep us posted.

[shihtzulover850]

i will but i doubt things will change much. they want a small dog. I think it would be better to leave her in the air conditioned house but i also think she gets into mischief and that is why they don't. she has food and water and every evening when they are home they let her in but that is it. poor thing. what gets me is the fact that the porch is small and the shade only covers part of it. it isn't really small but it isn't big either

[lute]

labs need lots of exercise and being obese isn't good for any dog. if the dog has a pool with water and plenty of shade i don't think where they are keeping her is a problem, but they just need to spend more time exercising her. have you tried talking to them about this? maybe offer to take the dog for walks.

[Jessika]

I'm confused because at first you say they don't take care of her but in the next sentence you go on to say she is fed, has shade, and is taken to the vet regularly? And they love her very much?

Have you tried talking with them and explaining the situation? Maybe they just want her to be an outdoor dog? I mean, if she has food, water, shelter and shade on hot days.... the local ASPCA or human society can't and won't legally do anything. And really, there is nothing wrong with a dog being an outdoor dog at all.

[Alysser]

I'm confused because at first you say they don't take care of her but in the next sentence you go on to say she is fed, has shade, and is taken to the vet regularly? And they love her very much?

Have you tried talking with them and explaining the situation? Maybe they just want her to be an outdoor dog? I mean, if she has food, water, shelter and shade on hot days.... the local ASPCA or human society can't and won't legally do anything. And really, there is nothing wrong with a dog being an outdoor dog at all.

I have to agree completely with Jessika on this. If she has food,water,shade,and medical care then there is really nothing the ASPCA to do. I don't really see anything that can be done at all for this dog. If your not going to explain to the owner, then the dog has to stay like this. Many people my parents know have farms, and there dogs are outside dogs. I see nothing wrong with it if the animal is well cared for.

[zoomer]

That's neglecting, pretty much as bad as abuse. Poor thing :(

[mruffruff]

It doesn't sound like they are abusing her, just neglecting her some. If the dog has food, shade, water and shelter from the rain, they aren't legally abusing. I'm sure they would like to spend more time with her since they let her in when they come home at night. Maybe volunteering to walk her while they are at work would ease your mind and give her some exercise. You don't say if their yard is fenced or if she is tied up.

An insulated dog house would help for both heat and rain.

It sounds as if they are doing the best they can if they both work. Hopefully she has enough room to potty and get away from it to lay down. A lot of dogs do fine in these circumstances.

I don't think another dog is the answer. They probably think a smaller dog will need less time and can be kept inside. The size of the dog is less important than the training it gets.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

I'm confused because at first you say they don't take care of her but in the next sentence you go on to say she is fed, has shade, and is taken to the vet regularly? And they love her very much?

Have you tried talking with them and explaining the situation? Maybe they just want her to be an outdoor dog? I mean, if she has food, water, shelter and shade on hot days.... the local ASPCA or human society can't and won't legally do anything. And really, there is nothing wrong with a dog being an outdoor dog at all.

There is a lot more to having a dog than just feeding and trips to the vet as we all well know. I think the issue here is that dogs are sociable pack animals and this little girl is being excluded for most of the time. My boys are part of the family and are given a lot of time and attention - this dog isn't technically neglected but they just don't seem to understand her need to be with her "pack"

[dab_20]

They play with her a few times a week?? It should be a few times a day! :( That's a really sad situation. I doubt animal control could do anything. Maybe you could talk to the owners about it, before they even think about getting another dog. Hope everything gets better for that poor girl.

[shihtzulover850]

okay there is some shade not alot. a lot of days the only exercise she gets is walking on the porch which is small and being let out for potty. she has water and a small pool but she is still large and doesn't get much exercise. she is on there all day. she tries to jump out and does escape at times. but I just don't like seeing her confined like that. she is in good shape but is overweight and gets little exercise. sorry for confusing. they love her but not like you love sassy or molly or charlie or anyone elses dog. the yard isn't fenced and she isn't tied. she is well trained but... you know

[Jessika]

All I am saying is that from a legal point of view, nothing can be done.

The only thing it seems like is they don't have AS much time for her as you would like to see. Have you talked with them, offered to maybe walk her for them a few times a day while they are at work? I agree if you don't have time for a dog, definitely do not get a puppy, but from what you described she does not seem abused, maybe a LITTLE neglected, but the family does still pay SOME attention to her, correct? That is what you said, anyway.

In any case, maybe talk with the family, offer to walk her for them. That will also get her some exercise she needs.

I don't think they realize it, I do think the family loves the dog and is caring for her, but maybe dont' realize just how MUCH attention she really needs.