*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!!! 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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.