What do I do now??? UPDATE -- Good news!!!

[MushyMushy]

As if I weren't dreading the holidays enough, now my husband is up in our room, not speaking to me.

DS and I went shopping for some last minute things and we found a dog running around near a highway in a parking lot, so DS put him in the car. I couldn't exactly let the dog back out after that, so now we've got a whining dog on our back porch, two barkers inside, and an angry hubby.

He's the nicest dog -- a chocolate lab who seems to be well cared for. He's young, but calm and fairly obedient. Obviously somebody's pet. He had on a shock collar, which I removed, plus a nylon collar. I know he's got a home, but we're kind of stuck with him until I find it.

 

[manning]

Take it to the vet and see if it has a microchip. Here's a long shot if it doesn't have one. Check the shock collar and see if it has a brand name and serial number. Maybe it was registered.

Husband---get over it, they did the right thing!!!!!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

If he's not speaking at least he's not saying something stupid. You did the right thing. Can you go back to that area and ask around, check for signs, and put up a Found Dog sign if you don't have any luck. Make sure you don't put too much identifying info on the sign so the wrong person doesn't try to claim him.

 

[kirbsam]

if the dog was well cared for, they did the wrong thing by taking it, since the family was probably looking for it, and now that family will be having a lousy thanksgiving looking for a member of its family.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Good Job!

And BTW, if I did something like that DH wouldn't be speaking to me either, but you and DS did the right thing.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

if the dog was well cared for, they did the wrong thing by taking it, since the family was probably looking for it, and now that family will be having a lousy thanksgiving looking for a member of its family.

I can't imagine that finding their dog splattered on the highway would enhance their Thanksgiving, either.

OP - I am sure you will manage to find the owners soon, and they will be grateful that you didn't leave the dog to be injured or picked up by someone with plans to KEEP the dog.

 

[Youarehere]

if the dog was well cared for, they did the wrong thing by taking it, since the family was probably looking for it, and now that family will be having a lousy thanksgiving looking for a member of its family.

She took it to keep it safe and help find it's owners. Not to steal it.

 

[Evil Genius]

Call the police and have them come pick it up.

 

[binny]

if the dog was well cared for, they did the wrong thing by taking it, since the family was probably looking for it, and now that family will be having a lousy thanksgiving looking for a member of its family.

as opposed to finding it dead on the highway instead? That would make for a happier Holiday?


You did the right thing. Hubby needs to deal with it. You saved a life. Good on ya. I agree put signs up, an ad on Freecycle maybe, check for the chip. If they have a shock collar on him they would likely have him chipped as well.

 

[freckles and boo]

Our animal shelter is always open for emergencies. If you have one nearby, take the dog there. That is the FIRST place I would look if I lost a pet.

 

[L107ANGEL]

if the dog was well cared for, they did the wrong thing by taking it, since the family was probably looking for it, and now that family will be having a lousy thanksgiving looking for a member of its family.

You have got to be kidding me?! She probably saved the poor thing!

 

[Talking Hands]

if the dog was well cared for, they did the wrong thing by taking it, since the family was probably looking for it, and now that family will be having a lousy thanksgiving looking for a member of its family.

I honestly would prefer someone that my dog home and look for us than have my dog wandering and possible getting hit by a car. ANd I agree with having a vet check for a microchip. Our black lab has a microchip. Hope it is never needed but if something happens they can find us and retrun her.

 

[MoniqueU]

Take hubby, drop him off in the parking lot by the interstate, come back and keep the dog!!!

Just kidding but I am sitting here enjoying my chocolate lab hershey and I would have a hard time even trying to find that dog his home. I would do it but it would be a struggle. Your husband should understand why you didn't let the dog wander or worse.

 

[MushyMushy]

I just put a call in to the humane society and the dog warden. Obviously nobody's around answering phones today.

The shock collar has nothing on it -- no brand name, no numbers, nothing. It looks to me like a cheapo.

Good idea about the microchip. I'll call the vet and leave a message there too.

I did what I would want someone to do for my dogs if they ever have the misfortune of getting lost.

DH finally came out of our room, but he's still pretty grumpy.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Its probably going to be hard finding someone on Thanksgiving Day.

When my dog wondered off, the woman who found her called the animal control officer. She kept her and didn't turn her over to the shelter because the officer told me she knew the dog belonged to someone by the way she looked.

It is very very scarey to lose a dog. Mine was 14 years old and never ever left the yard. But we found out later she was starting to get dementia in her old age. She wondered through the woods as she often did and forgot how to get back is what we are thinking.

Poor pup and poor family. Mushy , could you go back and look around? Maybe the family is out looking for him?

 

[Val]

our local AM radio station has a pet hotline. Could you have a similar hotline in your town? Call the station that is the BEST for snow/weather warnings- you know they are on the air. Tell them your situation and play up that it is Thanksgiving....ask them to announce on the air that you found the dog- with the description. Have them announce to call the station to get your information (NOT your number over the air)....maybe a friend of a friend will let the owners know you have their dog. It's worth a shot- maybe a holiday miracle!

I would be a basket case if my dog was lost on Thanksgiving.....thank you for rescuing the lab and keeping him safe. You just earned some points toward heaven....and I agree, take your husband back and drop him off by the side of the road!

 

[DMickey28]

Why exactly is he mad?

Are you willing to introduce your dogs to the new comer? Do they take well to vistors? Maybe if he has a shock collar he is well trained and would be happy in the house?

I hope the vet has a chip. If he is young and from a breeder he may not have a chip. Our dog from a shelter has a chip.

 

[MushyMushy]

DH is softening up a bit. He heard the dog ( I've been calling him "Buddy" just for something to call him) whining outside, so he said we could let him in. We put our lab mix upstairs in a bedroom and let him wander around the house. I don't know if he's just an outdoor dog or what, but he's having a heckuva time walking on the kitchen tile and hard wood floors. It's like he's on a skating rink with all four legs going every which way.

I think what we're going to do if we can't get hold of the warden is see if my dad will let him stay the night there. I'd gladly let him stay here if my oldest dog wasn't such an idiot.

I'd planned on staying home all day tomorrow, but it looks like we'll be busy trying to reunite "Buddy" with his family. Aside from DH being mad, this dog has been good for me today. First holiday without my mom, and I've been really distracted with him.

 

[L107ANGEL]

Mushy I had no idea about your mom. I hope you have a nice day

 

[Mickey527]

I can't believe not one person here suggested putting up signs in the area where you found the dog.
I know if he were my dog I would be driving around the area all night and day looking for him. I did that with my cat who finally came home after a 3 night binge.
Get those signs up and put your home or cell number and wait for a call.