Stray Dog -- what should I have done?

[Marseeya]

Yesterday evening, DD and I pulled into our driveway and this brown long-haired retriever looking dog came running up to us, all happy and sweet. My dog (a black lab mix) was tied outside barking obnoxiously and freaking out. I checked the stray for tags, but it didn't have a collar. It looked like it had either been loose for a long time, or someone doesn't take good care of it. It tried to go make friends with my dog, but the idiot just went ballistic. She's a moron.

This dog tried to move heaven and earth to go inside the house with us, but we had to push it out. It was just a chaotic mess with my dog going nuts.

It wasn't until an hour or so later that it hit me. Maybe I should have found a way to tie that dog out in our yard to keep it safe! I was just so worried about my dog hurting it, that I just chased it away, hoping it would go home. My dog would have eventually calmed down, but I just wasn't thinking.

If it comes around again, what should I do? We really can't take on another dog, especially a big one (we rent and we're allowed to have the pets we have, but I don't want to ask for another), but I'm willing to take care of it until an owner comes forward. Plus our house is small and our one dog is already underfoot all the time. The shelter's not an option because it's already crowded.

 

[poohandwendy]

Actually, tying it up in your yard would prevent it from getting home...so I wouldn't have done that the first time I saw it. At least not unless it starts hanging around your house on a regular basis. If it does, then I would tie it up and then try to find the owners. You can take pictures and post them around the neighborhood. Check with the shelters, vets offices, stores in the area. That is where people would put a 'lost dog' poster.

Most likely scenario, it got out by mistake and probably found it's way home eventually.

Poor thing, hope he is home, safe and sound!

 

[Marseeya]

Good point!

I have to confess that I have this tiny hope that it'll show up again today so I can take care of it, but that is the last thing we need right now with a 10-day vacation coming up!

It's not that loose dogs are rare. Every day some dog shows up on our street, but they usually have collars and look well-cared for and they're just wandering around. This one was desperate for attention and it was just such a mess that I felt really bad for it.

 

[poohandwendy]

I have to confess that I have this tiny hope that it'll show up again today so I can take care of it, but that is the last thing we need right now with a 10-day vacation coming up!

LOL, I understand. I am a sucker for animals too. Especially the pathetic ones

 

[inaminute]

I would contact the Humane Society. I'm sure they would find a place for it--even in another town or state (our dog came from Connecticut Humane Society via Virginia). If nothing else, the dog would be safe.

 

[Sherri]

Although the dog doesn't have tags, its quite possible that he has a microchip. I wonder if the local SPCA can scan him if he comes back.