Ask Me Help Desk - Found a dog - should I keep her?

Found a dog - should I keep her?

I found a half starved chi-terrier mix. Vet says she's healthy with no chip (she just need anal gland squeezed - I noticed she was scooting). Called Humane Society, posted flyers, put ad on Craigslist - nothing. I will not risk sending her to shelter and having her put down. She's very sweet and seems to be bonded with me. Vet says she's about 3 years old. She peed and pooped a couple of times indoors, I said NO, took her out and from then on she either goes out back or when I take her for walks.
Here's my concern - I work. She's very sad when I leave and goes nuts when I get home. Should I try an find her an owner that is not away 10 hours a day, 5 times a week?
One more thing, I can't imagine that she hold her pee for 10 hours but I can't find any pee when I get home. Is it possible she only pees 1 or 2 times a day? She poops 2 times a day - once in the morning and once at night.
Thanks,
Sheila
PS, I adore her - she's sweet, smart, loving, and playful.

Do you have any friends or neighbors who would come in while you are gone? Or a relative who would do doggy daycare? Or even find a place that does that? I say keep her and figure out how to give her human company and a potty break while you are gone for the day.

Post pics!!

Many dogs have to spend the work day alone while their owners make a living. At 3 years of age it's very possible that she does hold it for the entire time you're gone, but I'm sure she's doing the pee pee dance by the time you get home. ;)

Do you know what she does while you're gone? Does she howl for you, or does she spend the day resting waiting for you to come home? Her being excited when you get home is normal. All dogs are happy when their owners come home. In fact, you could leave for 5 minutes and she'd be just as excited when you got back as she is when you're gone all day.

It sounds like you're very attached to her. I think you should keep her. If you're concerned about her being home alone all day maybe ask a neighbor to pop in during the day, let her out for a potty break and a little run.

I'd love pictures. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Do you have any friends or neighbors who would come in while you are gone? Or a relative who would do doggy daycare? Or even find a place that does that? I say keep her and figure out how to give her human company and a potty break while you are gone for the day.

Post pics!!!

Thanks for responding. No relatives but maybe I can find a neighbor - just moved in but met a few when I was trying to find her owner.
I just took a cute pic but can't find a way to upload on my iPhone.

I don't know what you see on an iPhone. Does this help?

1. At the bottom of the box that you type in there's a link that says "go advanced". Click it.

2. A paperclip symbol will show up on the top option on the box that you type in. Click the paperclip.

3. A new box will pop up called "manage your attachments".

4. Hit the "browse" button.

5. Find the picture you want to post and double click on it.

6. Hit the "upload" button beside the browse button.

7. Under the section "Upload file from a URL", a link will appear. That's your picture.

8. Close the manage attachments window.

9. Click on the paperclip again. Your link for your picture will be there. Click on it.

10. Post.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alty

Many dogs have to spend the work day alone while their owners make a living. At 3 years of age it's very possible that she does hold it for the entire time you're gone, but I'm sure she's doing the pee pee dance by the time you get home. ;)

Do you know what she does while you're gone? Does she howl for you, or does she spend the day resting waiting for you to come home? Her being excited when you get home is normal. All dogs are happy when their owners come home. In fact, you could leave for 5 minutes and she'd be just as excited when you got back as she is when you're gone all day.

It sounds like you're very attached to her. I think you should keep her. If you're concerned about her being home alone all day maybe ask a neighbor to pop in during the day, let her out for a potty break and a little run.

I'd love pictures. :)

Thanks for responding. I'm going to check into neighbors and maybe take her to Daycare every now and then.
This morning I took her for the first 4 laps of my power walk/run. I took her back in and when I passed my door on the 5th lap (3 minutes later) I heard her howling. She had stopped by the 6th lap. I came back on the 9th lap and we walked the 10th lap.
BTW, I'm thinking she is quite fit - she walked/ran well over 1 mile in 20-25 minutes and looked liked she could have gone more - she wasn't even breathing with her mouth open till the end. Is that good for a 5 lb dog? I'm thinking of taking her out even longer (build it up over time).

Sounds like she enjoys her walks with you. Do make sure to bring water along for long walks. Dogs can get dehydrated very easily. If it's hot you can also sprinkle some water on her while you're walking, it will keep her cooled off.

You both seem to be very happy together, and attached to each other. It would be a pity to give her up seeing as you care about her and she cares about you.

Some things are meant. I think you two were meant to find each other. You may find that you need her just as much as she needs you. :)

I have two dogs. You should keep her, you can walk her in the morning before work, walk her after work and at night.

You may want to get a dog walker or friend to walk her mid-day.

If you truly want her you will work it out. I wish you and the new pooch good luck!

1 Attachment(s)

Couldn't upload a pic from my iPhone but can at work. Her name just came to me about an hour ago - Tina. Teeny tiny Tina.

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww!! I would have kept her too. She looks like a real sweetie!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

I don't know what you see on an iPhone. Does this help?

1. At the bottom of the box that you type in there's a link that says "go advanced". Click it.

2. A paperclip symbol will show up on the top option on the box that you type in. Click the paperclip.

3. A new box will pop up called "manage your attachments".

4. Hit the "browse" button.

5. Find the picture you want to post and double click on it.

6. Hit the "upload" button beside the browse button.

7. Under the section "Upload file from a URL", a link will appear. That's your picture.

8. Close the manage attachments window.

9. Click on the paperclip again. Your link for your picture will be there. Click on it.

10. Post.

Thanks. I just posted her pic.

What a cutie pie! She's definitely a keeper. :)