I Have a Predicament and I Need Your Input FAST

[pepper636]

Well, I found a stray in my work parking lot today. As you all know, I've lost two dogs this year to the Bridge and have Payton left who is still quite a handful after two years with us (he's 5-1/2 now). I tried to board him at the vet until I found his owner but they couldn't take him because their isolation room was in use. If I boarded him there, I'd have to give him shots and bordatella which would actually give him kennel cough. He's about 1 year old, intact, border collie/husky mix, and seems like a very, very nice dog. Collar, no tags. I hate to take him to the animal shelter because they'd give him kennel cough the same way. So I brought him home and have him kenneled in the garage.

My boyfriend is having a fit and says this could be the straw that broke the camel's back. I have put found ads in both of our newspapers and have alerted the Animal Shelter and my vet. He's not causing any trouble, but I don't know what to do.

PLEASE HELP!

[3-greys-and-a-mutt]

Just because you saved a life doesn't mean you have to hang on to the dog until it gets adopted. The shelters exist to take in strays, provide them with care and safe boarding, and get them into homes. My thought is that, if you can't take care of this dog until you find it a home, you need to take it to a nice no-kill animal shelter where they can neuter him and take care of him and find him a good home. (I've never experienced any dogs actually getting kennel cough from the bordatella shot.?)

Why is your boyfriend upset? What does he want you to do, release the dog back onto the streets?!!! You saved a life today!!! If your boyfriend is upset with you and threatening to end your relationship, simply because you are a humane and caring human being, well, IMHO, maybe it's best that that camel's back got broken!!!
Please clarify why he is upset!

[purrley]

Hurray 3 greys - I couldn't have put that any better than you!!!! Especially about the camel!!!!!

[pepper636]

He's upset because there has been so much stress in our lives this year. First my best friend Bo who turned 42 last December died in March of melanoma. Then my dog Buster died on April 2. Then my precious Bourbon died on October 11. I have been extremely depressed and upset, especially after I lost Bourbon so let's say our relationship has been going through rough times. Plus he's not a dog lover and he does alot of the work with Payton because he's so big and strong. Plus we just got three kittens in March so now we have four cats. He loves cats so even though he was upset I brought home three instead of two, he got over it. How can you leave the last female behind? The shelter here is a kill shelter.

[pepper636]

No, there are no all breed rescues here and the only shelter is a kill shelter. I spoke to both my vet and the shelter and they both said that if they give the bordetella vaccine to him, and then kennel him right away, he will get kennel cough. I guess it's because they are injecting a little of the kennel cough into his system and once he's exposed to it in the kennel, that's like a double dose. They said it takes 10 days to become effective.

[Karen]

Do you know anyone else who might take him? Ask the local shelter or humane society if they have anyone who might foster him for a little while - until the vaccine takes effect, and then he can safely be kenneled. And maybe he will have found a home by then!

Ten days may seem like a long time, but it isn't forever. Wouldn't you feel better about youself if you were able to do this, and therefore be a happier person? More stress for ten days, but over the long run a happier person?

[Logan]

Pepper,
I am no psychiatrist or analyst, and so I won't get involved in the middle of your boyfriend issues. But my goodness, you have done such a noble thing, and it seems like to me that he could be a bit patient while you figure out how to handle this. You say he isn't a dog lover, but you know, and we certainly all know after living through Bourbon's story with you, that you are a dog lover. He needs to be able to deal with this passion of yours, otherwise, you are in for a hard time ahead.

I would go ahead, get the shots, including the Bordatella, so you can expose this dog to your other pets, and start looking for a home for him. Try the newspaper, PetFinders, etc. I frankly hate the idea of the pup being stuck in the garage too. Wish I were closer so I could offer some assistance.
Good Luck to you, Pepper. I sincerely hope that you find a perfect solution for everyone.


Does your vet have any ideas about where he could go temporarally? Like to a foster parent to keep him until a home can be found?

[pepper636]

I spoke to my ex-husband today because they were looking for a dog for their two young boys. I told him I thought this would be perfect for him and I wouldn't worry about him there. He'd have a great home. He said they were thinking about a puppy (which is what I want too down the road) but you look at all the things you have to go through with a new pup. This dog has not tried to mouth me, has not jumped on me, has calmly laid down while I'm talking with someone. What more could you ask?

I went and had him checked to see if he was microchipped - no. I don't understand why my vet didn't do this right away. Maybe because it's such a new thing? I will definitely need to get Payton done. I didn't even think about the microchip until my ex pointed it out. He said he wouldn't want to get attached if this was someone else's pet.

Now here's something strange. 13 years ago I had to send my beloved Pepper to the Bridge. It was in the fall too, just like Bourbon. A few weeks after Pepper died, I found a stray dog in my backyard - no collar, tags, intact. He was a beautiful big boy and a wonderful dog. I got him shots too and put ads in the newspapers. I fell in love with this dog and was crushed when his owners called four days later. I offered to buy the dog from them - they said if they weren't moving out to the country, they'd give him to me but since they were, they were going to keep him.

Doesn't this seem like deja vu?

[tatsxxx11]

Hi, Sandra here. You dear, sweet woman you! Oh, Diane, I really think what Logan says is true. You and I kind of talked about this before after the passing of Bourbon. If you plan to live your life with a person who does not share your true passion, or someone who will not allow YOU to fulfill your heart's song, you are cheating yourself, and I think, will ultimately be very sad and unfulfilled. Only you know the priorities you must place upon yourself and your life. But I do know that what you have done in rescuing this beauty is one of the most loving acts of kindness possible. Personally, I would find it very difficult, if not impossible, to place him in a kill shelter. Having gotten to know you these many months, I think the harmful emotional ramifications to YOU, in the event that this boy is put down, would cause you great distress and feeling of guilt. A very sad dilemma for you. For now, I would try to "foster" him at your home, or anothers' as Karen suggests, get him vaccinated, and try your best to locate the owners. I too think it is very coincidental and eerie that the circumstances are similar to those following the loss of Pepper. Follow your heart Diane. But most of all, do what is best for you and your well being. Finding a home with your ex-husband would be the perfect answer, if of course, they truly want and will love him. I hope that works out. I am behind you 100% Diane, whatever you choose to do. I am so sorry, in light of all the sadness and stress you have been faced with lately, that you find yourself in this situation. Still, I am so happy, and grateful to you, for giving this boy a chance. My thoughts are with you Diane. Hope to hear some good news. Give the boy a big hug for me, OK?

On another note, I am SO surprised to read what you wrote about the bortadella! I have never heard of that before! All kennels and vets around here, including the one I work at, require bortadella before boarding. However, there is no mandatory "wait" period, and I have never heard that after vaccination, boarding will cause the dog to become infected, as no dogs with active infections, or unvaccinated dogs are allowed to board. I'll have to ask around about this. Still, better safe than sorry.

[Rottie]

Originally posted by pepper:
<STRONG>No, there are no all breed rescues here and the only shelter is a kill shelter. I spoke to both my vet and the shelter and they both said that if they give the bordetella vaccine to him, and then kennel him right away, he will get kennel cough. I guess it's because they are injecting a little of the kennel cough into his system and once he's exposed to it in the kennel, that's like a double dose. They said it takes 10 days to become effective.</STRONG>

It was my understanding that the only reason they call it "kennel" cough is because it spreads very quickly, and when dogs are closely confined in kennels, it's spreads even faster.

As long as he is kenneled somewhere where all of the other dogs have the bordatella vaccination, I would think he would be fine. I could be wrong though.

[Angels3]

Pepper, I think you are a wonderful person, too...a genuine, caring, responsible dog lover. And your ex-husband sounds like a true dog lover, too... It'd be great for that sweet dog if it can go live with him.
People have given you great advice. But would you specially think about what Logan has said?

[ November 16, 2001: Message edited by: Angels3 ]

[pepper636]

Well, my boyfriend has changed his tune, not alot but a little. I think he saw the difference in me having another dog around who apparently absolutely adores me. I am not allowing myself to bond with him because the last time I found the stray, it took his parents 4 - 6 days to call about him. What's up with that?

This dog is a no maintenance dog if you know what I mean. This morning I had him in the house and he laid down right next to me on the floor. He is soooo mellow, especially for not being neutered. He doesn't chew which is a wonderful, wonderful thing. He knows "stay". I just can't understand why anyone would let this dog go. I told my boyfriend about his possible new home (didn't tell him it was my ex) and I told him I would feel very comfortable with him there. I would know how he's doing and could possibly even see him or at least pictures. Then he told me to keep him if I wanted, and then I could get a puppy in the spring. What's up with that?

[lizbud]

Pepper,
Hi..Glad this new 'found' dog is so easy to
live with,and seems partly already trained..
Could you tell me a little about Payton??
Does he stay in the house? Does he seem to get along with the new dog? What kind of
dog is Payton? Continued Good Luck with the
'new fella'!!!Liz.

[pepper636]

Payton is a black lab that I rescued from the pound about 2 years ago. I happened to be there looking to get two kitties and I saw his owner surrender him. He said it was costing him too much to solve his ear infections. His ears were so infected the shelter was afraid they were going to rupture. I couldn't get him out of my head. I called the vet his owner said was his and he said he bought one tube of salve to put in his ears. I went and got him three days later and we went straight to the vet. His old name was Ranger. He has now not had an ear infection since the first one after I brought him home. I've never had a dog whose ears I had to clean so frequently but now I know what to do. He was intact, no manners whatsoever, weighed 97.2 pounds, no heartwork meds, no vaccines except outdated rabies. He has been a handful, quite a high maintenance dog. The first time I brought him in the house, he jumped on the kitchen counter. I took him to two obedience classes and he has improved 200% but he still needs work. He still pulls me when he WANTS something. He likes the new dog but yesterday was humping him. I really think the new dog might bring some mellowness to Payton; I hope so. He doesn't like my cats but we are still working on that. Because of this, he is kenneled in the heated garage when I am not home. We also have to alternate times between he and the cats. He is never off lead in the house but we do have the 16 foot retractable on him. My boyfriend really didn't want me to keep Payton and I think he thinks this new dog is going to be the same way. I told him I would never adopt a 3-1/2 year old dog again. Well, this one's only 1 (she says with a doglike expression).

No calls on him yet. I still haven't decided if I'm going to keep him or let my ex have him. Time will tell since he can't take him until after the first of the year.

[pepper636]

Well, it looks like I have a dog. Not one person answered my ads.

My boyfriend named him little dummy because he calls Payton big dummy. I of course didn't like the name, but ... he did name him so he is now LD. It stands for little dummy, little dog, lucky dog and little dancer because he dances when he wants to eat, go out, etc.

I swear this dog has lived with me before. He is just the perfect dog. And being a border collie/husky mix you sure wouldn't think he'd be mellow. He's getting neutered on Wednesday and chipped. (And of course my ex wants him now too, oh well, too bad.)