Advice please - outside only dog

[caseysmom]

Just keep plenty of water and shade and it should be okay, maybe you could get a mister.

[Kfamr]

I do NOT think it is okay to keep him outside, even if he has shade and water. 120 is HIGH, even in the shade -- VERY hot.
If it's going to be temporarily while you find him a new home -- that's okay. But 'living' outside, in my opinion, is NOT okay.
Is there some way the shelter can 'list' him as an adoptable pet, as in to 'get him out there' so people can see him if they're looking for a dog.. but live with you as a foster?

Why is he not able to come inside? The kitties?
Know of any friends/relatives who want an -inside- doggie?

Originally posted by wolfie

...funny that so far in the poll 100% of people said to keep him as an outside dog, but before when people have said they have an outdoor dog people jumped down their throats and told them to bring their dog inside or to the pound.

This is a far different story.

[caseysmom]

Obviously indoors would be the best option but if it came down between than and that sweet face being put to sleep. Where I live it gets to 110 and I see men out working...no shade nothing...if this dog has shade and water and like I said a mister that seems better than death imo.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by Ally Cat's Mommy

"Of course there are hundreds of dogs here who
live outside in these high temperatures
without the benefit of fresh water and shade!"

This is a very important point! ...

New Pup is almost certainly a Native Dog -
Genetically Conditioned by many generations of his ancestors
to tolerate the heat of his native Bahrain environment.

Given food, sufficient water, and good shade;
he'll think he's already IN Heaven living In the Garden!

GO for it!!
The Garden sure beats the pound!!

[Amber]

I don't think it's a good idea to keep as a outside dog. I agree with kay, 120 F is extrememly hot ecspecially if your covered in fur!

now water and shade is gonna do any good.

Maybe a friend of yours would like to adopt him as a inside dog.

theres gotta be someone who want him

[Uabassoon]

Personally I think having him outside is much better than letting him get PTS at a shelter. While yes, 120 F is hot these dogs are bred to handle the hot weather. The same way Alaskan huskies are bred to handle the extreme cold. Over many generations these dogs have developed a genetic tolerance to the heat. Bahrain isn't like the US where there are so many opportunites for animals to live a happy life. I'm sure that they don't have all the rescue groups and things that we have here. I'm willing to bet that odds are even if he did get adopted from the shelter he'd be an outside dog anyways. Animals are treated differently in different parts of the world. I'm not saying I agree with it, but that's just the way things are. Personally if being outside and well loved and well cared for is this dogs best option then I say go for it.

[guster girl]

Is there any way you could put him at the shelter and ask them to contact you if they're going to put him to sleep? Then you could go and get him before they do? I don't know how the shelters work over there, but, if they would notify you the day before or something.....He's very attractive, and, young, though, so, it seems like he'd stand a good chance of getting adopted. But, if he's a native dog, with food and water and shelter, I think he'd be alright outside. Is there a fenced in yard or does he need to be tied up all the time? Sorry, I didn't read every post. Maybe even just foster him until you could find a place for him. And, as far as it being hot, and, him having fur...fur acts as an insulator, keeping him warm in winter and cool in summer. He doesn't look like he has a double coat like a husky or a newfoundland, he'd probably be alright if he was provided adequate shelter and water. Keep us posted, though.

[dukedogsmom]

As much as I don't like to see dogs outside all the time(down here it's way too hot), I couldn't bear to see that face behind a chain link fence waiting for death. I applaud you for wanting to keep him and give him a good home. He looks so happy there and it's so much better than taking chances. I say go for it!

[Twisterdog]

Well, I've got to side with the minority here. I agree with Kfamr and Amber. I do NOT agree with this: "I think him being an outside dog is much better than possibly being put to sleep. "

There ARE fates worse than death. I'm not saying, by any means, that Ally Cat's home is a fate worse than death. Don't take it that way. I am simply continually frustrated by statements like, "Anything is better than being put to sleep" or "Well, living outside on a chain is better than being killed." People who say that have never worked in the front lines of the animal businesses.

I have been involved with rescue, shelters, humane societies, etc. for almost two decades now, and I have seen a LOT of things. I have seen thousands and thousands of dogs in every different circumstance possible. And there are most certainly things worse than being put to sleep. It is very naive to assume that a humane death is the worst possible alternative on this earth ... VERY naive indeed.

I do NOT like dogs living outside only, especially one dog living alone outside. Even if someone in the family pays some attention to the dog every day, it is most generally heavy at first, and as the kids grow up or lose interest and the cute puppy grows in to a big dog, it gets less and less. A few minutes, even an hour, a day of attention still leaves 23 hours of solitary confinement. Dogs are pack animals. It is their instinct and nature to never be alone. A wild canid separated from its pack dies, and our domestic dogs have retained that instinct - "alone = dead." It is against every fiber of a dogs being to live alone all day and night. It is the equivelant to you or I spending the rest of our lives in a prison cell, in solitary confinement, with the warden bringing us a bowl of food once a day.

Also, dogs have no concept of "death" ... NONE. They don't comprehend the meaning of life or death. It is NOT the same for the dog as it would be for us ... we would KNOW we were going to die because no one wanted us. Dogs live entirely in the moment - a dog being euthanized will be deliriously happy getting petted and talked to until it falls asleep, and just never wakes up. There is NO fear, trauma or realization in a humane euthansia.

Now ... having said all that, let me add this: I am speaking from an American perspective. I have no idea what life is like for dogs in Bahrain (heck, I don't even know where that is!) or what shelters are like. I know in some countries, there really is no such things as a "humane" shelter. If that's the case in Bahrain, and I sincerely hope it's not, then that might change things somewhat.

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to respond. I appreciate ALL your viewpoints, and am really taking everything into account.
The reality is that Bahrain does not offer much hope at all for homeless animals. I volunteer at the ONLY shelter on the island, and I see first hand how animals are treated here.
I could tell you stories that would make you sick, and that is why I am not optimistic about placing this dog - I cannot hand him over to someone responding to a flyer,
as I will never know what his fate is.
I have already asked everyone I know without success, and most peaple are reluctant to own animals here, as they (like ourselves) are here on work contracts,
and they do not want the expense of taking a pet back to their home country.

Last month our shelter took in over 70 dogs and puppies, and Put To Sleep 81. We homed 11 So basically we are looking at a maximum capacity of around 100 dogs and puppies,
therfore there is a one month "turnaround" during which the dog has a chance to be homed, otherwise it will be euthenased to make space for the next one.

There are also a HUGE amount of incredibly cute puppies there, and let's be brutally honest, they have the best chance of being adopted,
along with "novelty" breeds like Jack Russells and Dalmations, which are usually in high demand.

I have faxed my land-lord for permission to erect a fence, and also asked the shelter to make sure that he isn't PTS without letting me know.
Of course if someone DOES go down there and pick him, they will let him go!

I know it's really hard to understand the situation here in Bahrain, so thanks for trying to! (Uabassoon summed it up pretty well in her post). Like Phred and others pointed out,
its IS incredibly hot here, but the animals have adapted.

The problem we have now with our Dilmun cats (which are well adapted to the hot climate) is
that they breed with stray DSH and Persians, and end up with fur which
is unsuitable for the climate. I even see German Shepherds etc living outside here, and they really suffer in the heat.

Here are a couple of pics:

This is the puppy enclosure. It usually has around 20 dogs in it, but they were all being flea-dipped in the other enclosure when I was there)


Some of the other puppies, who may or may not get the homes they deserve:





My garden (which in comparison to the above does not look TOO bad!

[ChrisH]

Originally posted by Uabassoon
... While yes, 120 F is hot these dogs are bred to handle the hot weather. The same way Alaskan huskies are bred to handle the extreme cold. Over many generations these dogs have developed a genetic tolerance to the heat. Bahrain isn't like the US where there are so many opportunites for animals to live a happy life. I'm sure that they don't have all the rescue groups and things that we have here. I'm willing to bet that odds are even if he did get adopted from the shelter he'd be an outside dog anyways. Animals are treated differently in different parts of the world. I'm not saying I agree with it, but that's just the way things are. Personally if being outside and well loved and well cared for is this dogs best option then I say go for it.

Couldn't put it better! And I think the key words are "well loved and well cared for" for I know for certain that with you, Julie, and your family, he will be. Bless you for caring and wanting to help him.

Chris