Dog rescues

On sunday i went to a local dog shelter to find a companion for my other dog. When we got there, they had us fill out an information sheet for liability reasons. As my mom was filling this out, there was a family that had to get rid of their 10 month old beagle puppy. As they left, one of the shelter employees handed me the puppy, Lady, so I did. I feel in love! But this was all coming to a crashing halt!
As my mom gave back the info. sheet, the employees asked my mom one question:where do you keep oyur dog? My mom answered in the garage/ backyard. The employees where horified! (we got our other dog there) they could not believe that we kept our dog in the backyard! They practically told us, except the words, that we abusede our dog by keeping him in the backyard. All of this was going on while I was holding Lady, that we were planning on getting. But, because we kept our dog in the backyard, we could not adopt a dog from them.
Then they had the nerve of asking why we did not keep him inside, we answered because he is really hiper. they answered with- keep him in a crate :mad: :mad:
I am soory, but I am not going to put my dog, why is afraid of cages because he was abused, in a crate, that would just make him nervous and stressed! then they went on saying that they can take Manny away because my mom signed a contract stating that the dog would be inside. Well soooorrrryy, god you must be so full of yourself that you are willing to take away a loved pet form a family that has loved and cared for him for 3years and has payed for the vet bills and the training and all of the devices that we used when he barked at nothing.
As we were leaving, the one employee came out to our car with this to say: why don't you get adog from the animal shelter because they do not care where you keep your dog.
This is what just sent me into a rage/ ball of mush. these people have just told me that I abused and hated my dog because of where he sleeps. I would die for my dog, just like any other dog owner. I love my little Manny-Doodle, and noone will take him away from me.
Thanks for reading my sorrow, but I just needed to get this off my back!

I'm sorry the shelter worker upset you, but they were probably just thinking about what would be best for the dog. Dogs need lots of contact with their 'pack' (aka humans :)) and maybe they though you weren't going to spend enough time with your dog or something? I don't know...

Do you have a fence or something to keep your dog in your yard? As long as he's safe in your yard and has shelter and love (and food of course) then you're not a bad dog owner. :) In fact getting another dog would probably help him out by giving him company when you're not there - and someone to play with.

If your dog is really hyper he needs exercise. Try walking him and playing with him a lot to tire him out. Then maybe you'll be able to bring him in the house later. :)

Wow, well, I don't agree with keeping dogs in the backyard, but, that's just my personal opinion. A crate is a great idea for safety and comfort reasons, and, there are ways to acclimate a hyper, scared of cages, dog to a crate, but, I know it takes a lot of time. I know that they had every right to refuse you as far as adopting Lady, but, they could have been nicer to you. Again, I disagree with leaving a dog in the backyard, but, I don't think it was appropriate or professional for the employees/volunteers to go off on you the way they did. They should have just politely refused the adoption, and dealt with the situation more pleasantly. That sucks that you had to go through that. I hope Lady gets a good home, though, and, that you are able to rescue a dog from somewhere that isn't as rigid as far as the backyard rule.

All my 4 dogs, including Border Collie, are mostly indoor dogs. They just go out in the backyard to go to the bathroom and play. I'd never be able to stand my dogs being only outdoors because I see my dogs like family. I mean, you wouldn't lock your brother or sister or kid out of the house.. ;) :p So I'm with guster girl, but I do still think it was wrong of the employees to tell you off like they did. They could have been nicer about it.

Also, dogs are usually really hyper at first (because they're really happy) but do settle down for the most part indoors. Maybe you could play with your dog in the backyard for a bit to tire him out and then let him come in and chill inside the house afterwards? I don't know.. Just a thought. ;)

I'm sorry they were so harsh to you. But, I guess they had every right to not adopt out the dog. I guess they're just really careful when they adopt out a dog.

What exactly do you mean by hyper? Does he run like crazy? Chew things? After living with two border collies (cousin's bcs) and two shelties, I can honestly say that a tired dog is a good dog. With hyper dogs, regular exercise and practicing obedience can help alot. If my dogs seem a bit antsy and hyper, I either take them for a long walk, practice obedience or play some games that require them to think. It really helps alot with the more "on the go" dogs.

Ok, well I'm one of those bad guys I guess. Because I deny people on a daily basis for that exact same reason. I do it in a very nice way, but they still get spitting mad. Then they start complaining to anyone within earshot and exaggerating about the whole thing.

Dogs are pack animals. Putting a dog in a backyard/garage because it is hyper is not a good idea. Why not try agility or something similar to work off some energy and get some training in at the same time? Why not take the dog through obedience so you can learn how to relate to and work with the dog? Why not make your dog a part of the family before bringing in another dog to throw in the backyard? If you have behavioral issues with the current dog, adding another dog is the last thing you need to do at this point. You need to fix the hyperness first.

If you interact with your dog daily, providing mental and physical stimulation and training, he will not be too hyper to be inside.

I hope you don't think I'm being harsh, but I really don't think you are realizing that the shelter workers care about the dog's well-being.

I know of two homes where the dogs are kept in the backyard.

First home is next door to me. Meg is a GSD who is in the shed for, it seems to me, most of the day. The rest of the time she is let into the garden, and never, or rarely, taken out for a walk. It breaks my heart. :(

Second home is a street or so away. Barry has two working Springer Spaniels, Jesse and her daughter Emma. They do spend time in the house most days but live outside. He has fitted out his shed really great and attached a run, they are safe and warm (he puts a heater in when it is really cold!). He takes them out for a walk at least 3 times a day, a bit less maybe when they have been working. Feeds them well and gives them lots of love and affection. They really are happy and healthy dogs.

Speaking for myself I would not ever keep a dog outside. But if someone chooses to do so, for whatever reason, and they do it properly, as Barry has, well, not fine, but okay. But when it is like Meg ..... she is barking/whining right now :(, to me that is just so wrong.

Does the dog ever come in or does he live his whole life outdoors?

Nothing breaks my heart more than to see a dog outside crying to get in and be close to the family it loves.

I'm in an apartment and I don't have a backyard to just let my dog out too, so I have to do that extra work of taking her for long walks and letting her tire herself out. She's a husky mix and boy is she ever energenic. She's in a crate when I'm at work or else she'll chew the house down to the foundations. :)

The shelter was only looking out for the dogs well being. Some rescues/shelters do home visits.

Some shelters would never allow me to adopt from them because I don't have a yard. That's okay by me. They are only looking out for the dogs well being.

I agree with everyone.

Most dogs are hyper, maybe you should have got a less active breed. They all need exercise, and also need to be with their owners and be warm and not lonely.

My personal opinion is I don't think there is any point in people owning a dog if they are just going to keep it outside.

I have to concur with the rest of the replies.

And I know I may come off bad here, but if your Mom signed a contract before regarding your other dog stating he would be kept indoors, and then did not keep with that, that is just the same as breaking a legal promise. It seems to me that the shelter is very concerned for the dogs' well being. They do not know you personally at all, and they see so many dogs that sit abandoned in a back yard or shed with maybe a bit of food and water and that is how it lives its life. They don't know your family personally, and how are they to take your word that your dog doesn't live that way, when your family has broken their agreement in the first place to keep him inside?

They may have seemed nasty to you, because they were threatening to repossess your other dog, but they are only doing their job. Many many purely outdoor dogs are victims of neglect. Not all, of course, but too many are, and the shelter has to assume the worst, especially if the contract is broken.

*edit* Another thought, when they talk about crating, they do not mean shutting him up in a crate day after day, several hours a day... that WOULD be abuse. I think a really good idea for you would be to research a bit on crating and other behavioral issues. A crate used properly should be a dog's den, and an indication to the dog that it is time to sleep awhile in a safe, secure place. Most after being properly crate trained, prefer to sleep in their crate. When my Tasha was a puppy, she would sleep in there with the door open, of her own choice. It is not to be used like a 'cage' at all.

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Originally posted by DogLover9501
My personal opinion is I don't think there is any point in people owning a dog if they are just going to keep it outside.

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Exactly.

I volunteer for a rescue group and we never adopt out any of our dogs to people who do not keep them in the house. We advocate crate training, which ALWAYS benficial to the dog. If they're afraid of it, you help them overcome those fears.

If a dog is hyper your job is to wear him/her out, not just turn them loose in the backyard to wear themselves out. Dogs don't wear themselves out, instead they act out in destructive ways.

I have 2 EXTREMELY hyper dogs that I wear out each evening. We go for walks, play fetch (Chetser can do this for about 45 mins), work on tricks and obedience (you'd never know if you met then, though ;) ) and they get lots of chewies, too.

The Humane Society shelters have different rules for adopting. It is much easier to get an animal from the City Animal shelter. I don't go to the Humane Society to adopt at all. Their rules are too stringent and don't relate to reality. Here there rules are that cats are NEVER to go outside. (Cats need grasses to eat for their digestion) Dogs MUST have FENCED in yards. What if I live on a farm and it is a hunting dog? Hello - Reality!!!
The City Animal shelter is friendlier and warmer. You almost have to be stripped search to see the animals at the Humane Society. They bring the pet to you. I once saw their "cages" and they were kept much nastier than the City Shelter. The dogs were soaking wet and the cages had crud all over. It smelled horrible. I wanted to adopt the dogs just to get them out of those conditions!
The City animal shelter now has the animals spade/nuetured prior to adopting. They treat them with shots. They also will follow up if you haven't gotten your dog spade/nuetered within the 30 days of adoption and verify the conditions. They do request a fenced in yard but no crate. You must also get a license for your pet and have a Vet's name.
You can also adopt pets from your local Vet. Some people will drop of their pets at the Vet and not pick them up. Check with your local Vet to also find good homes. I hope next time you have better luck. I know I did.:) :cool:

If your mom signed a contract when she got your first dog, that the dog would be kept inside, I'm sorry to say this, but they can take that dog away. It's called a breach of contract.
The local resuce organization here goes through a lot to match up a dog with the right home. My neighbors adopted a dog from them last year, and had to sign a ton of papers. When we adopted Abbey from the Beagle rescue, it was the same thing.

I can't imagine leaving my dogs outside all the time. Yes, my yard is fenced, and totally secured, but I want them in here with me because they are my family.
I don't understand why anyone would even want to get a dog if they want to leave it outisde all the time. That is a concept totally lost on me.

I don't think the shelter you were at did anything wrong--they do have the dog's best intentions at heart, and that's what is important.

I have to agree with everyone else here.

Your dog might not be hyper if it was accustomed to being indoors. It would still be energetic, but might not hyper.

It seems to me as if your resentment towards your dog's behaviour is more hurtful to him than a crate to help him through his problems would be. Crates are miraculous. They give a dog a safe haven and a sense of security. If your dog is too hyper, then maybe you should have considered a different dog, when you were in the adoption process, that would be more suitable to your own lifestyle. It just bothers me that a member of the family has to be outside day-in and day-out.

Alot of times there are dozens of names on a waiting list for dogs at shelters and rescues. To find the best one possible, they are goign to do things like this. They might not be saying that it's terrible for you to keep your dog outside, but they might be saying that there is a better more suitable way to keep your dog, and somebody else does it, and that's the reason they pick one person and not another.

To be honest, they have every right to take your dog. By signing a legal contract, your mother stated that the dog would be kept indoors. Because you are now breaking the law, they have the ability to take away your dog, or even make a law suit against you. I'd read the forms more carefully next time.

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Originally posted by ScoobyDoo-Doo
. Here there rules are that cats are NEVER to go outside. (Cats need grasses to eat for their digestion) Dogs MUST have FENCED in yards. What if I live on a farm and it is a hunting dog? Hello - Reality!!!

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I am sorry. I really have to disagree with you here. I think perhaps your concept of reality isn't what most people's are. Cats do not NEED grass to assist in digestion. They do enjoy chewing it however. It is very easy to grow the appropriate grass in a small container indoors.

As to the fenced yards....I see NO reason whatsoever that ANY dog should be chained by the neck for ANY reason. And if you lived on a farm then you would have plenty of room to fence in a section for a yard. Also kennels can be purchased at any home improvement center that can house dogs without them being chainedif you have a smaller yard or need less expensive housing. So to quote.....HELLO...Reality!

I think strict rules in the shelters are the one way that we can try and protect our animal friends from abuse and neglect. A very small but simple way. And a contract is a contract.

Denyce

Ok, just a question....the person's mom signed a contract that the dog they were going to adopt would be kept indoors, and, then stated that she kept her dog outdoors. how can they take the dog they already have away from them because they signed papers saying they would keep the beagle (lady) indoors? I can see not letting them take lady, but, how could the shelter take manny away from them? Sorry, i got confused!

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Originally posted by manny doodle

As my mom gave back the info. sheet, the employees asked my mom one question:where do you keep oyur dog? My mom answered in the garage/ backyard. The employees where horified! (we got our other dog there)

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From what I understand from what she posted here, they got their current dog from the same shelter.

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Well soooorrrryy, god you must be so full of yourself that you are willing to take away a loved pet form a family that has loved and cared for him for 3years and has payed for the vet bills and the training and all of the devices that we used when he barked at nothing.

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I don't think it has anything to do with being "full of theirselves" dogs should be inside, also do you mean like shock collars? I don't like those, your dog was probably barking because it wanted to be inside(where is should be), it was scared, stressed..etc.

Also if your mom signed a legal contract, they aren't going to just forget about it just because you cared for him for 3 years..etc

And everyone pays for training, vet bills...etc, that is part of owning the dog, you say it like you didn't have to do it but you did anyway, but its a huge part of the responsibility of owning a dog.

I know manny doodle in real life....and her dog is NOT kept outdoors 24/7. She loves Manny (her current dog) just as much as everyone loves their own here. He is in the house ALL the time, so don't think he doesn't get any attention what so ever.
She told me she visited another shelter (the one I visit) and filled out an application for a dog and the volunteers said she would be the perfect applicant for one! She's going to look at a puppy today....so I'll let you guys know how it goes, if she doesn't beat me to it.

I don't agree with dogs being kept in the back yard, either. The shelter workers could have handled that with more tact, however. Dogs are very personable animals and don't like being by themselves, especially for long amounts of time. I don't have a fenced in yard but even if I did, I couldn't bear to have my dog outside all the time. And down here, it's way too hot in the summer for dogs to be outside.
Oops, sorry, just now saw the msg above me.

Personally, I wouldn't have a pet and keep it outdoors, ever, but I don't think you can equate keeping a dog outdoors to abuse. It depends on how its done, what climate it lives in, how much interaction it gets, etc.

We *used to* have these next-door neighbors who had a golden retriever, that was kept outside. They had built a huge area in the backyard just for the dog, with an insulated room, a dog run, lots of toys to play with, etc. Their kids were outside with the dog all the time after school, for hours, and in the morning, their mom was with him. He got tons of attention, always went for walks and everywhere else with them, and was a very happy and healthy dog. The only thing was, they kept him outside. While I do think keeping him inside would be much better, I still cannot say they were wrong in what they did, because to be honest, he was better cared for than many inside dogs that I know. He was spoiled, loved, and got everything he needed.

I know the folks at the shelter only want what's best for the dog, but it also depends on what sort of care/attention the animal is getting, which perhaps they weren't aware of, or freaked out just at the thought of the animal staying outdoors. Seeing that Manny doodle lives in CA, the weather really shouldn't be an issue either. I'm not saying I think it right to keep pets outdoors, because I don't, but in certain situations, its not always bad either.

Well, everything I would say here has already been stated, so I'll just say that I'm SO happy to see most of my fellow-PTer's agreeing that a pet belongs in the house with its family, not in the yard. If you want something to live in your backyard, plant a tree.

Without a single doubt, I would absolutely deny an applicant one of my rescue dogs if they were going to keep it outside. I wouldn't go any further on the application - end of story.

And I also know, without a doubt, that if found out someone had violated my rescue contract, I WOULD take the dog back. I would, and I have. Breach of contract is illegal.

In case anyone missed my post....

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Originally posted by GoldenRetrLuver
I know manny doodle in real life....and her dog is NOT kept outdoors 24/7. She loves Manny (her current dog) just as much as everyone loves their own here. He is in the house ALL the time, so don't think he doesn't get any attention what so ever.
She told me she visited another shelter (the one I visit) and filled out an application for a dog and the volunteers said she would be the perfect applicant for one! She's going to look at a puppy today....so I'll let you guys know how it goes, if she doesn't beat me to it.

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Originally posted by lovemyshiba
From what I understand from what she posted here, they got their current dog from the same shelter.

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Ah, I see. I misread it, it seemed like just improper grammar to me (like she was saying that keep their other dog outside). Oops, gotcha! Yeah, they completely had the right to even take the other dog. Wow. What a mess.

I agree with everything Aly said.

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Originally posted by GoldenRetrLuver
I know manny doodle in real life....and her dog is NOT kept outdoors 24/7. She loves Manny (her current dog) just as much as everyone loves their own here. He is in the house ALL the time, so don't think he doesn't get any attention what so ever.
She told me she visited another shelter (the one I visit) and filled out an application for a dog and the volunteers said she would be the perfect applicant for one! She's going to look at a puppy today....so I'll let you guys know how it goes, if she doesn't beat me to it.

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So, why was it told to the shelter people (ESPECIALLY the shelter people) and to us that they keep their dog outdoors, if it's not where he's kept for the majority of the time? I mean, heck, that would be awesome if he spent most of his time indoors, but, that wasn't the impression I got.

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Originally posted by guster girl
So, why was it told to the shelter people (ESPECIALLY the shelter people) and to us that they keep their dog outdoors, if it's not where he's kept for the majority of the time? I mean, heck, that would be awesome if he spent most of his time indoors, but, that wasn't the impression I got.

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Yep, same here. :confused:

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Originally posted by guster girl
So, why was it told to the shelter people (ESPECIALLY the shelter people) and to us that they keep their dog outdoors, if it's not where he's kept for the majority of the time? I mean, heck, that would be awesome if he spent most of his time indoors, but, that wasn't the impression I got.

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The shelter she went to first I believe was a rescue. This one that I just mentioned, was a regular animal shelter where the puppy is.
I, personally, don't have a problem seeing a dog sleeping outdoors as long as they get the attention and time they need. Some people on here are making it seem like she's a bad person for keeping her dog outdoors, and that her dog should be taken away, when she's a good dog owner. Where a dog sleeps doesn't determine whether he/she gets the right amount of attention and care.

Both of my grandparents had outdoor dogs and I can tell you they didn't lack for love. We tried to take them inside and both of them ate through the doors. They had wonderful setups in the garage, and both of my grandpa's would get up at night to but more logs on the wood stoves they had in the garage. Snoopy had a large fenced yard that he and my grandpa spent the day in together, and Pal got several long walks a day as well as lots of attention. I like my pets indoors, but I don't think that if you have outdoor animals that means you abuse them. Both dogs lived 16-18 years and were put down for different health reasons (they were in lots of pain and couldn't even get up). Thats just my opinion though. I think that a dog can live a great life outdoors if treated right.

I'm confused too.
Why on earth would you tell the people at the shelter that you kept your dog outdoors, when you specifically knew that they were going to have a problem with it.

While I don't necessarily think that a dog living outdoors is equal to abuse, I just don't understand it. My dogs are members of my family, and they deserve to live inside with the humans.

I like what Twisterdog said (if I may quote you): "If you want something to live in your backyard, plant a tree."

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Originally posted by GoldenRetrLuver
Some people on here are making it seem like she's a bad person for keeping her dog outdoors, and that her dog should be taken away, when she's a good dog owner. Where a dog sleeps doesn't determine whether he/she gets the right amount of attention and care.

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The point being, however .... if you adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue that specifically states in a legally binding contract that you signed that the dog must be kept indoors .... then the dog must be kept indoors. Period. End of story.

To do otherwise violates not only a legal contract, but also an ethical agreement with people who trusted you to tell them the truth and abide by their regulations in order to adopt a dog from them. If someone signs a contract saying they will do something, then turns around and do the opposite ... would you really expect the organization to trust them again? If you loaned $100 to someone and promised to pay you back - and you never saw the money .... would you turn around and loan them another $100? Only if you were an idiot. I find it unbelievable that this person is shocked and angry that the shelter would not give them another dog, after they admitted to violating a signed contract and lying about the first dog they adopted there!

The shelter person was absolutely right in telling them they should consider getting a dog from another source. I tell people that all the time. If you don't like my rules, then you won't get a dog from me. Period. Go down the road a couple miles ... there is a humane society and two animal control facilites, perhaps you'll like their rules a little more. My rescue, my rules.

Some people might not have a problem with a dog living outside, or a dog being chained up, or a dog being left alone for eighteen hours every day or a cat living outside. If they don't, that's their business. Lots of people, however, DO have a problem with these things, and others. If these people happen to own a shelter or rescue, they then make the adoption requirements fit their own personal beliefs about what is right and wrong. That is their choice. If someone doesn't like it, then their option is to do business with a different facility or start their own rescue or shelter. It's not like these requirements are some hidden secret - they are right there in black and white on the adoption agreement.

I know I, personally, would not sleep at night if I knew one of my former rescue dogs was living outside in someone's backyard. I would be distraught. I would get that dog back. That's how I feel about it, and it's my right - my rescue, my rules. I would be so very angry if someone lied to me about a dog I adopted to them. It's a matter of ethics.

The point it NOT in any way, shape or form whether or not a dog can happily live outside or not. That could be debated until everyone is blue in the face, and we are still going to walk away with our own differing opinions. The point IS that these people signed a contract stating they would keep their dog inside ... and then they put the dog outside in the yard. They also signed a contract stating that if they violated the terms of adoption, the dog could be reclaimed. Now they are acting shocked at the thought? They signed it!

GRL, you personally know this person, and say she loves her dog. I'm sure she does. Fine and well. But the shelter workers, and the rest of us, don't know her personally.

The shelter workers are doing their job, following the rules. The shelter owners or board of directors are doing their job, following their hearts. Bashing a shelter whose policies you don't agree with doesn't help at all. That shelter is doing good things, working hard to save animals. Just because you don't happen to agree with every detail of their operations doesn't make them "bad." Bash the BYB's and puppy mills that caused the problem in the first place, not the shelter doing it's best to clean up a little of the mess.

And no one should sign any agreement that they don't intend to keep. Period.

While I agree that dogs can live a good life outside, I also have to agree that if they signed something saying that the dog was to be an indoor animal, then they have to stick to it. It's honest to do so, and I believe in rules and they are made for a reason, and this one is made because some people just leave their dogs outside to suffer, without love etc., and how are they to know who is who. You can't. Abused animals can live inside with their family, but from what I've seen, most poorly treated animals are outdoor pets. I know its a generalization, but I'm sure there are statistics to back every reason. These people work at a shelter and see horrible things everyday I'm sure and they are just trying to make it better for the animals.

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Originally posted by Twisterdog
The shelter workers are doing their job, following the rules. The shelter owners or board of directors are doing their job, following their hearts. Bashing a shelter whose policies you don't agree with doesn't help at all. That shelter is doing good things, working hard to save animals. Just because you don't happen to agree with every detail of their operations doesn't make them "bad." Bash the BYB's and puppy mills that caused the problem in the first place, not the shelter doing it's best to clean up a little of the mess.

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Is this directed towards me, or manny doodle?
If it's directed towards me, I never said I didn't agree with the shelter, or call them 'bad'. I just meant they could have handled it differently, and not accuse her of being a 'horrible' dog owner. But, like you said-- people have their own opinions, and we could argue/debate all day about the matter and wouldn't get anywhere.
I didn't know her mother signed a contract saying they need to keep the dog indoors, no exceptions. If that's the case, then yes, I would have to agree with you on that point.

Lissa,
You're absolutely right. Most dogs that live outside 24/7 aren't kept in the best care or treated the greatest. But hers doesn't 'live' outside, nor is it kept there the entire day. I think she's a good dog owner--nobody else can convince me otherwise, but I respect everyone's opinions.

I posted before that both of my grandparents had full time outside dogs and I don't think its wrong. There are certain ways of working with it, and I think Grandpa spend more time a day with Snoopy then I get to with Layla, he spent probably 14 hours a daywhith Snoop! I was supporting her in saying that in some cases it works. I think its good that she does some of both, and it sounds like the dog is living the good life. :D I hope she gets her new dog. Just read what is signed, we don't want to have to have the dog taken away and find another new home, even though her's is a good one, for something that could have been advoided!

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Originally posted by GoldenRetrLuver
Is this directed towards me, or manny doodle?

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It was directed towards the original poster. I'm sorry I wasn't clear on that. My entire post was directed to her, except the paragraph I addressed directly to you.

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Originally posted by GoldenRetrLuver
The shelter she went to first I believe was a rescue. This one that I just mentioned, was a regular animal shelter where the puppy is.
I, personally, don't have a problem seeing a dog sleeping outdoors as long as they get the attention and time they need. Some people on here are making it seem like she's a bad person for keeping her dog outdoors, and that her dog should be taken away, when she's a good dog owner. Where a dog sleeps doesn't determine whether he/she gets the right amount of attention and care.

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Ok, I can't speak for anyone else, but, I never once said that she was a bad dog owner. I said, based on the original post (which made it sound like the dog spent the majority of his time outdoors), that I didn't agree with keeping a dog outside. If anyone read betweent those lines, I can't help that. I say what I mean, with as much tact as I can muster. If I thought she was a bad dog owner, I'd have said so. She hasn't given enough information for me to make a judgment like that. From what you're saying, the dog only sleeps outside, but, that's not the impression I got.

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Originally posted by GoldenRetrLuver
Is this directed towards me, or manny doodle?
If it's directed towards me, I never said I didn't agree with the shelter, or call them 'bad'. I just meant they could have handled it differently, and not accuse her of being a 'horrible' dog owner. But, like you said-- people have their own opinions, and we could argue/debate all day about the matter and wouldn't get anywhere.
I didn't know her mother signed a contract saying they need to keep the dog indoors, no exceptions. If that's the case, then yes, I would have to agree with you on that point.

Lissa,
You're absolutely right. Most dogs that live outside 24/7 aren't kept in the best care or treated the greatest. But hers doesn't 'live' outside, nor is it kept there the entire day. I think she's a good dog owner--nobody else can convince me otherwise, but I respect everyone's opinions.

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I'm not at all trying to be nasty, but, have you read the original post at all? The comments made from all of the posters to this thread are directly because of things she, herself, said....such as.....


"As my mom gave back the info. sheet, the employees asked my mom one question:where do you keep oyur dog? My mom answered in the garage/ backyard."

and....

"then they went on saying that they can take Manny away because my mom signed a contract stating that the dog would be inside."

The reason I ask if you read the post was because you stated you didn't realize she signed a contract. And, the reason I defend the comments of at least myself is because of the first quoted comment that they keep the dog in the backyard. And, because of this statment...."Then they had the nerve of asking why we did not keep him inside, we answered because he is really hiper"

I'm still standing by what I've said. I admire you for sticking up for your friend, but, it would ring truer if it was her responding to our comments.