Hey everyone

Okay so here's the deal...

I have taken in a lost puppy.

I saw hime running around my daughters bus stop yesterday and he almost got hit 3 times. Some boys called him over then eventually made their way down to my sister-in-laws house (where I was) because they are friends with her daughters. They said this dog has been running around for a couple days and thier parents wouldn't let them take it it. My sister-in-law thinks she saw it running around last week as well. At any rate, they asked would I take it.

Of course I did, because the poor thing obviously wasn't "street smart" and was going to wind up getting hit.

I know it's someone's pet...or at least used to be.

He is a black Scottish Terrier. He had a collar on, but no tags. The collar looked old. But for being a Scottish Terrier, he was still somewhat groomed. I mean, he face wasn't overgrown too bad. I brought him home, and gave him a bath. He was FILTHY!

I am going to make up flyers today and post them around the neighborhood and in local groomers etc.

I don't want to put too much info on the flyer, because I don't want just anyone to "claim" him who is just trying to get a free dog. I am willing to keep him.

My question is....is it unreasonable to ask for photos of the dog in order to be claimed?

I was going to put on the flyer:

FOUND
Black Scottish Terrier
Call to identify

When people start calling I was going to ask questions, like is the dog male or female (male), is his neutered (no), did he have a collar (yes), what color was the collar (green). But if he has been running around the neighborhood, observant people could know these answers.

I know I have tons of pictures of my dog, does everyone have pictures of their pets?

Is it unreasonable to ask for photos?


Thanks!

bushg

He certainly is a fine dog. If you get to keep him you could name him George or G.W or even W after our president....he has one named Barney...j.k. that may turn him into a biter. yes, please post back with what the vet says.

macksmom

haha

thanks so much for your advice

I will post when I get back today

labman

I have waded through 23 posts and don't think there is any mention of checking with the local shelter. Although some of the other ideas are good, the shelter is the first place people will check for a lost dog. The shelter should know you have the dog. It is quite possible he is from well out of your neighbor hood. My friend's dog escaped after being stolen. He wondered the city crossing a big river and a number of busy highways for a week or more before somebody that found him sleeping on their porch called the vet's number on the rabies tag.

I am not sure about the picture either. What would keep somebody from using this to falsely claim a black Lab?



Or a yellow one.



Anybody could download them and print them out.

The real way to sort out the owner is the dogs reaction. There is a big difference in how a friendly dog greets a new person and somebody they know. The real owner will also know a name the dog should respond to.

A week may not be enough. My same friend gathered up a dog from the highway on her way to work one morning. She had him almost a month before his owners returned and found out they made a poor choice of who to leave their dog with. The dog guide school insists you spend 30 days trying to find the owner before evaluating any stray.

bushg

Labman you are right about leaving dogs, with poor sitters. I found one last year that was the case. But as for the Aspca whenever I have called with a lost dog they just tell me to bring it in. I am not going to do this because, he may eventually get put down if no one claims him, also then to save it, I would have to spend money to get it back. At least in my area that is the case...that is why I never brought up calling the pound.

labman

Unfortunately some shelters get very possessive of stray dogs. They are still a lost dog's best route home.

Tuscany

The micro chip is a good idea. Another thought is to watch the dog's reaction to the people when they come to see if it is their dog. I know that my Tuscany gets all happy and crazy when he sees my husband or myself no matter what he is doing or who he is with. If this little guy has been without his family he might show some excitement to see them.

On the other hand, bushg makes a good point. There are many signs that he is not in a responsible home.

Taking in a stray pulls on the heart strings. Put up posters, see if you get a response, check with local shelters and the local papers for lost pets. If nothing turns up he may be better off in your loving home

katieperez

Look at those ears!! He sure is a doll. I agree with labman in that a week doesn't seem long enough. I know if my Abram or Brandy got out, they could very well be clear across the state of Texas just meeting people, eating trash, and chasing birds. Abram especially gets so excited when it comes to meeting new people and smelling new things that I don't think he would realize if he was filthy, cold, and lonely. At a minium, you should post some flyers at the pound. So many dogs and people go in and out of there, you may get lucky. Definitely check for a chip. Heck, I've even got my cats chipped. It's worth a shot. There may be a family hundreds of miles away hoping for his safe return. At least he lucked out and got you to take care of him Best of luck to you both!!!!

macksmom

I am going to be calling local shelters today to see if anyone has called in about a lost Scottish Terrier...if not, I will leave my info in case someone does. I won't take the dog there as there is the chance that he could be put to sleep...and really there is no reason to take him there, as I am willing to give him a home with me if his owners never show up.

I do see the point as far as anybody being able to print up pictures, but I do think that added resource will help me narrow down who I invite to my home to see the dog.

I just got back from posting flyers and from the vet.

The vet took a look at him for free She scanned him and unfortunately he doesn't have a microchip, so no luck there. She said he is over 6 months old, but under a year...so that too will help me as far as having his owners identify him. She informed me that a male dog can smell a female up to 5 miles away (since he isn't neutered), so it is possible he could be far from home. She gave me business cards to local groomers, and the websites to local radio stations (as in this area, local radio stations have links for lost pets). She agreed with trying to locate the owners for a week because even if the owners didn't lose the dog, and a relative or sitter did...regardless, someone knows he is gone and should be looking for him if they want him.

So I will keep checking the newspapers, and radio station websites, and see what the week and weekend brings. If I hear nothing by Monday I will be taking him to the vet to get shots and get schedule to be neutered

katieperez

Awww...... that's really great of you to do what you're doing. Even though I would wait a little longer for an owner to come forward, the most important thing is that the dog is being taken care of properly, and it seems like you've already gone above and beyond what the average person would do. Glad to hear he's healthy overall.

Tuscany

You are a wonderful lady!