I was a little humiliated...

[Miss Z]

Please don't make me look like a bad doggy parent for taking my dog with me. Thank you.

Because once upon a time the members of this forum were like a family and a bit more understanding and comforting than what is being displayed in this thread.

I'm a bit surprised by the rather vehement repsonses to those voicing their concerns. No-one was being deliberately rude or hateful. The topic of leaving dogs in cars is highly controversial, and as Grace says, everyone should be aware that some Pet Talkers will disagree with the action that was taken.

I do not doubt Cookiebaker is a very responsible dog owner and Malone was fine. I'm glad the situation was resolved and that the police were doing their job well.

[MoonandBean]

In this case, it is obvious that Malone has great parents and his well-being was clearly saw to.

I just find it comforting to know that where you live, the police WOULD get involved if they saw a dog left in a car in the summer had it NOT been a safe place for the dog. I often see people leave their dogs in the car to "run in" the store and I end up waiting around to make sure the dog is ok...I've yet to have to break a window but don't count me out

[shais_mom]

Because once upon a time the members of this forum were like a family and a bit more understanding and comforting than what is being displayed in this thread.

Apparently so, it's not always like that anymore.

I dunno, I disagree. B/c people have been arguing on this forum since I joined. About one thing or the other.
I think dogs in cars is a hot topic just like declawing cats. I take Keegan with me a LOT and always make sure she has ice water. She is a hot dog, she is always panting, once spring starts I don't think she stops panting until November. To see her in the back of a car with all the precautions taken that Anna did she would still be panting and someone would think she is in distress when she isn't. I've left her in the car before with the windows up and the AC on full blast and she was fine. The other day at the pawsfest, I had to go to the bathroom, and no one was there to hold her, and the stalls at the park are too small for her to be in there with me, so I gave her some water, left the window down and ran to the bathroom. Granted it wasn't hot that day, and in the wind it was down right chilly to my skin. She was fine.
I see Anna's point and I see Grace's point. Malone wasn't in distress, but it is good that the police were involved, it wasn't too many years ago that a police dog died, b/c his handler did exactly what I did, left him in the car with the AC on.
Sometimes, as pet owner's we are d**ned if we do and d**ned if we don't. You shouldn't have your pet in the car in the summer time when its hot, you shouldn't have it in the car in the winter time when its too cold, so what are you supposed to do??

And quite frankly, if someone else's dog is saved from dying a horrible death in a hot car b/c Anna and Mark were called on the carpet at a festival, then the embarrassment was entirely worth it, and I'm sure that Anna would agree.

[Pam]

(((Hugs))) to you Anna. All of us here know you so well and know that you would NEVER put Malone in a dangerous situation. I guess the positive way to look at this particular situation is that a cop was "on the ball" in trying to find Malone's owner, although if he had consulted Pet Talk first he would have known beyond a shadow of a doubt that Malone was in excellent care.

Grace, I think Anna just wanted us all to learn from her situation. Not everyone knows that we are all responsible pet owners and I am happy there are those out there looking for pets in trouble. Of course Malone was not one of them. Let's hope that every time a dog is found in a car on a summer day that there is someone there to notice and get help if needed.

[boomersooner]

Bottom line.....Malone is fine....his owners would never do anything to purposely put him in harm...they love him too much for that.....glad the police did care to be concerned for his welfare....I think some of this is situational, too. Here in Dallas, it is always so hot in the summer, I couldn't do what someone in a cooler environment might be able to do. (and I know it gets hot in the northeast, but the chances of having a cooler day are more than the chances here) I've lived here all of my life so I'm not of the mindset to ever leave one of my dogs in a car just because it is too hot. I think good judgment and common sense are always needed every minute of the day for our children, our pets, and ourselves. Malone you are a sweetheart!!

[Ginger's Mom]

If the owner knew the dog could not get out of the car at whatever event then why take the dog? I am NOT attacking the person who started this just asking a simple question.

If you had read through the initial post you wouldn't have needed to ask this question and give the appearance of "attacking" the OP. She indicated that their intention when they took Malone with them was to take him out of the van and into the festival with them. However, when they got there they found that it was too crowded for her to feel comfortable doing that.

[Lady's Human]

This argument has been had so many times on this board I'm surprised someone hasn't searched the forums and bumped up old discussions on this topic.

1) It's not against the law everywhere, so the "it's against the law" argument doesn't necessarily fly.

2) The pupper in question was fine, the owner(s) were a little embarrassed, but that's all the damage that was done.

Stop being so ********** judgmental about situations like this, and realize that there are individual circumstances which apply in every case.

Funny, as others have said, this used to be a place for lighthearted discussion about pets, (with the exception of the dog house), which is why many of us are here. Check the attitudes.

[boomersooner]

2) The pupper in question was fine, the owner(s) were a little embarrassed, but that's all the damage that was done.

.... realize that there are individual circumstances which apply in every case.


Thanks Lady's Human....this was what I was trying to say in my post....!!

I'm very new to PetTalk, but I have to say, I LOVE the lighthearted topics of our dogs playing, new acquisitions, celebrations, etc.

[sasvermont]

Well, of all the folks here, I think Anna is the one person who would NOT put her pup in harms way. I am glad the police were on top of things. What the police DIDN'T know was that Mark and Anna were nearby and that they were not planning on spending the day away from Malone, etc. etc. etc.

This might just be a little lesson for all of us. I have left a dog in the car with the a/c running. But what if the car stalled? Well, I was in the grocery store, buying dog food, so was gone for only about 10 minutes. It seemed reasonable to me. I was dog sitting in an emergency situation and didn't even get food with dog.....

I get it that the general public is much more on top of the car/heat/animals and children issue and would report the car ... that is good. It will save many lives, for sure but it will also "report" some people who's doggies are safe, sound and watered!

I watched a couple leave two dogs in a car, in the spring, in the shade, windows cracked....... but I still said something to them....for the dog's sake. The couple was a bit put out about my commenting, but I just didn't know and could not be sure they were being careful enough...... How was I to know their plans? I just saw two dogs locked in a car!

I am glad Malone is fine.... I just know Anna and Mark would never let anything horrible happen to Malone. He is their fur-child.

Hugs to Anna.

[cyber-sibes]

The thing that impressed me & I want to comment on is how nicely the police handled their concern. They didn't try to embarrass anyone, they didn't lecture, they didn't just take the dog, and as far as I can tell, they didn't hand anyone a ticket. I think it's great that everyone had Malone's welfare in mind. Seriously, I'm sure if Anna had any concern that this would have put Malone in danger, she would have made different choices. And I think most of us here (me included) have run into similar situations. No harm done.
Anna & Mark, I hope you had a great day!

[lizbud]

In defense of the posts that showed a lot of concern about leaving
Malone alone in the car,they were legitiment concerns and well meaning.

I too would be greatly embarrased if I had to be singled out by the cops
over treatment of my dog.

I probably would have left the event if my pup couldn't be with me outside.


p.s. I did take both pups with me in the car to drop off some mail in the
drop box. I went straight back home after. They were going through
"withdraws"( with all the hot weather we've had, they never get to go)


PS. Kudos to the cops for doing their duty.