A Plea for HELP!!

[zippy-kat]

Guys, this wonderful dog in need of a rescue is my grandfather's...PLEASE HELP!!!

About a year ago, grandpa was placed in an assisted-living type environment. He is not allowed pets. His youngest child (my mom's sister) -we'll call her "E"- took his cat (Midnight) and his dog (Bowser).

Long story short (I'm not sure of all the details yet), we received a call yesterday from E's landlady; E moved on months ago but left Midnight and Bowser.

THEY ARE STARVING TO DEATH!

The landlady will be calling the dogpound today to pick up Bowser; we're still not too sure what will happen to Midnight as the pound does not accept cats.

Here's the scoop:
Bowser is a (neutered) brown husky/shepherd mix (he has the "big-dog" build but short legs - think basset hound). He's an older guy; at least 10 years. We're not sure of his health but we know he was getting arthritic.

I have a few of his puppy pictures, I can post once I find them.

My mind's racing and I'm not sure what else to type...

Location:
Jumbo, WV (Webster County)
As of this morning, I assume he'll be at the animal shelter there. I have yet to find a phone number/address for them.

I'll post more info as I get it.

I feel locating/springing him is only half the battle. Even if there was a way to get him down here (NM), I'm not in a position to take him. If someone can bail him out and either give or find him a good home, I can help with the adoption fee.

I'd appreciate *any* information on him - even if it's bad news.

Feel free to crosspost.
PLEASE help me save a childhood friend!!

(Will be cross-posting to the cat side at lunch time -I'm late for work- if anyone's interested in Midnight.)

[lbaker]

I already told Zip (via private message) I will do all I can. May need help with transport if this place in WV is too far from me (just outside Washington DC). Let's not let Tonya and Bowser (and Tonya's Grandpa who must be frantic!) down!
Laurie

[lute]

the only thing i can do is help with transport. only if they go through the Nashville,TN area(i don't think they are though.

i would post this on the petfinder message board too. they are REALLY helpful there.

[shais_mom]

Darnit - I don't know anyone in that area
But I will keep you all in my prayers.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Zipp ~

I NEED some more "details"... But here's what I've found so far >>>

IF "Bowser" was abandoned in JUMBO, WV, which is in Webster County -

He hasn't been "arrested" an put in jail, YET!

THIRTY minutes of calls later -
I gotz me a New Buddie =

"Butch", da "Dawg Ketcher" for Webster County,
West-by-gum-Virginney!!

Butch "tawlkz a lil phunnie", but we gotz us a DEAL!

Butch hasn't had a Dawg Call in Jumbo since "way back in December"...
And Butch is Da MAN fur pickin up Dawgz in Webster County...
So I guess it's safe to say that "Bowser" hasn't been reported
to either the Sheriff OR Butch.

Here's our DEAL ~
Butch is "supposed" to only hold dogs for a MAXIMUM of 5 Days
in his At-Home Kennel;
THEN he's to take them "Over to Summerville, in Nicher County;
but they put em to sleep over there."

The DEAL is Butch has MY Phone Number and is supposed to
call ME if and when he gets any calls about Bowser!

AND Butch "will KEEP him fur ya" -
A quote = "I gotz me Bear Huntin Dawgs; and I don't
like ta see dawgs get put down!"

I offered to "pay" for him keeping Bowser.
Butch sez "NO ya won't!
Me-thinks Butch is Oh-KAY!!

Further research...
Ain't no "Nicher" County...
Summersville is in NICHOLAS County...
Gotta werk on my Hill-Billy affore we get down there!

So Zipp -
Can you PM or E-mail me some more INFO >>>>

Auntie's NAME and former Rental Address??

NAME or Phone of Landlord??

ANYTHING Else you have or can get??

PS: Dunno 'zaktly' where Butch LIVES -
but Webster Springs is about 5 hours and 255 miles from me.

/s/ Phred
.

[lbaker]

Webster Springs is about 5 1/2 drive for me too Phred. It 'pears iffen Butch lies raht tween us. Of course that's some pretty serious mountain country so weather would have a lot to do with the drive. When the Zipster gets back online maybe she can provide more details. If I'm going to drive that far (and I'm not saying it's a given yet...) I'm certainly going to want to stop by and visit Grandpa. Even if he doesn't know me, a smooth soft stroke across the brow would probably feel soothing. I'll try to keep up with things but still have that nasty old "work" I'm supposed to be doing. Phooey.

[zippy-kat]

I've sent an email to Laurie and Phred (Thank you both for any help you might be able to give!)... I'm SO late for work so I'll respond/update this post a bit later!

[bckrazy]

oh my gosh. what a sad, sad story... if I were you, I would seriously kick E's butt. that is unbelievably heartless, I'm sure the rest of your family isn't like that at all, it's good that you want to help Bowser. I hope Butch can help Bowser out!

[zippy-kat]

First and foremost, a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone for their prayers and well-wishes - especially(!) to Phred and Laurie.

I've been corresponding with Phred via phone and he wanted me to let ya'll know that his computer is busted. Hopefully, it will be on the mend soon!


Uppy-dates on Bowser:
Phred (God bless him!) is traveling 5.5hrs to the Mountain State tomorrow to pick up Bowser (and possibly Midnight if they can capture her). PLEASE say a prayer that his travels are safe and that everything runs smoothly!!

Once Bowser is in the hands of Phred, we need help getting him into the hands of a rescue. Does ANYONE know of a nonkill shelter in the Youngstown/Warren, Ohio area that might take him in?

Please let me know via here or PM.
I'll pay what I can on transportation costs and/or fees.
Thank you guys soooooooo much!

[Karen]

Yay for Phred!!!!

Can your family disown "E"? Or maybe shut her in a room for a few days with no food at least ... GRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr some people should not be allowed to own animals ever ever ever.

[lute]

phred is so wonderful for helping! prayers are definatly comming from here!

[shais_mom]

After reading Phred's post I had tears running down my face!!
I know of a rescue more local to me that Might take them if Phred wants to bring them half way I could pick them up somewhere's.


http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/OH284.html

Not sure if she would be able to take them since she is in desperate need of foster homes.

[wolf_Q]

Wow, that is so wonderful of you to do that Phred! I hope things work out with Bowser and Midnight. Please keep us updated!

[zippy-kat]

This is Bowser granted the pic is about 3-4 yrs old:

[lbaker]

Spoke with Phred last night and he was going to leave at OH-Dark-hundred this am to head to WV. His directions weren't the best.. "go to this here hollar past the red barn and the dirt road that used to belong to Bubba" etc. but he has some phone numbers. If anyone can manage this Phred can. He has my work number and I'm on my computer looking for emergency help twix WV and Phreds locals in Ohio. Zip told me poor old Bowser has basically always been an outside dog and although no Katz have been known to disappear in the immediate area she could not guarantee his behavior in "civilized society" (such as my abode is ). Now that poor baby has been fending for himself for awhile and there is also no telling what trauma has befallen him (or body critters on his furry self). Phred's going to check it out. I'm sure this isn't the end to this sad tale/tail of woe but let's keep hoping.