Minor dilemma- a dog came visiting just now

[Serena]

This adorable black lab, maybe a mix, came to our house tonight. It's really friendly, at least to women. He's scared of men, a raised hand, and loud or sudden noises.

Now, I was thinking of taking a walk around the block with it to see if we can find the owners, but this dog has been mistreated, and I'm not sure I want to return it.
But, this isn't our dog. No one put me up for judge and jury around here.

I don't think we'll be able to keep him, but I can take it to the Humane Society in the morning and I know someone will take it home.
Our plate is full right now and I don't want to add any more stress or I'd try and keep him.

What would you do? Try to find it's owners, or take it to the H.S.?

 

[Kermit]

I'd ask people who you know aren't the owners. It's possible that it belongs to a nice family now and was mistreated in the past. Maybe someone will know who it belongs to, and you can find something out from the neighbors.

 

[helenabear]

I think Kermit might have the right idea. A friend of mine has a dog (mut of sorts) who was mistreated in the past. Even though she is about 3 or 4 now, she still is edgy and I know my friend is just about the sweetest thing in the world to the dog. Hopefully the dog does come from a loving home now and just is still shaky from the past. Good luck

 

[LGM]

That a tough one. HOwever being an animal lover I would probably take the dog to a shelter. Of couse I am one to talk I rescused a cat from some abusive owners and said I will take it to a shelter or find him a good home as we already had 4 cats and did not need one more. Well the next day I decided to keep him just for a week or so and well it has been a year now and yes I still have Brutus---he is so friendly now and I just hate to think he moght end up with someone else who might not treat him well. If I could not have kept him I would have taken to a no kill shelter though. Good Luck

 

[Serena]

Kermit, I hadn't thought of that. Thanks, you may be right.

Since it's late, we're putting him in my inlaws backyard, (sshh, don't tell, they're out of town) for tonight and we'll ask around tomorrow.

 

[Serena]

I love doggies too. But we have one already and dh really didn't want that one. But, he loves her anyway. lol

We'll see.

 

[catsrule]

If you can't find the owners, keep it and give it lots of lovins.

 

[marlasmom]

My daughter rescued a dog we have had for about 3 years and she still cringes from time to time. When she got her we took her to the vet who wouldn't give her her shots because she was so underweight the vet did not think she would live. She was 20 pounds then and is now 48 pounds, but still very thin. She is a German Shephard mix. She barks ferociously when someone comes, but then is friendly. She is terrified of women, a woman abused her. I remember my daughter lifting her hand to brush her hair off her forehead and the dog dropping to the floor and crying. She is still somewhat edgy of new people and it might appear that we abuse her. We don't.

 

[Kallison]

Ask the mailman, they know all the dogs. Most dogs are skittish around new people, maybe it is not abused.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

First, our mailman doesn't know all the dogs because he delivers to the box in the street and never gets out of his little car!
But that said, I think if the owners care about the dog at all and you take it to the shelter, they'll be there looking for it. Or if they did care he would have a nametag or a license--our dog has a tag with his name, our name, our address, and phone #.
I think there are all kinds of ways to mistreat a dog. Two weekends ago my neighbors were chasing a dog and I thought it belonged to their friend, so I called it and it jumped right into my van! It was a very friendly dog. They told me it belonged one block over and the kids had been looking for it. I drove over and another neighbor knocked on their door--the boy came out with a leash and got her out of my van. They had a sign on their fence that said "Norweigan Elkhound at play". Those are NOT cheap dogs! But she had no tag or license, and the owner is a doctor!
What if I had been some freak just driving through the neighborhood and called her into my car, then driven away?? People need to be more responsible.
Robin M.