[2tall]

When we went to train this morning, as we left the asphalt and turned into the sand road that takes us into the sod farm, we noticed two dogs sitting beside the road. One looked like it was caught in the chain the farmer uses to close off access on occasion. We made note, and went on to our work. After about an hour and a half of training, my training partner and I both headed back out.

I stopped to check where the dogs had been. There was an open bag of dog food laying beside the road. At first I did not see the dogs. I stopped the truck and got out to look. They were huddled up in the brush. One dog was chained to a tree, and the other was just there staying with his buddy. They were in really bad shape, thin, mangy, sores, etc. When I approached they came towards me, nervous and frightened but not aggresively. Of course as soon as they stepped out, my dogs went nuts barking and scared them. I was afraid to try to touch them for disease or biting. I called 911 and had them put me through to the animal shelter and described the situation. After I got home, I got a call, (they had my number because I had used the 911) and the shelter employee was out there looking for them. I directed her over the phone to where the dogs were and she found them!

At first I was just angry over what had been done to the dogs, then I got to thinking about it. Someone in the area had obviously seen us day after day go out there with our nice trucks, custom kennels and happy black dogs. I think that the owner was someone desperately trying to care for their own family, and put the dogs there because they knew we would see them and do something.

The dogs were both black, looked like bully x lab mixes. I know that euthanasia is probably in their future, but it was better than a bullet to the head or just pure abandonment. I think this whole thing is just another sign of the toll hard times are putting on people. I believe in my heart that the owners were doing the very best they could.

I will call the shelter tomorrow and try to find out the status.

 

[Rainmaker]

Good for you for doing what you did and thank heavens that shelter employee found them, a quick painless end if that's the result is better than being abandoned, terrified and starving.

 

[Pals]

Just leaves me with a heavy heart. Sad

 

[Certainty]

This is a very sad situation and probably more common than we know. Poor dogs. I feel for anyone who thinks that this is what they have to do to get help for their dogs because of hard times.

 

[1st retriever]

Being they were left with a bag of food I think your thinking is correct Carol. They were hoping it would tide them over until someone found them and saved them. Good for you!

 

[Fowl Play WA]

I agree with Steph, they wanted you to find them. I'm glad for their sake that you did. Sure, they'll likely be put to sleep, but it is a better faster, less suffering way than the alternative. Good for you.

 

[Socks]

Ya did good.

 

[louisianadukdog]

Good for you!!! My job takes me to remote places and I can't tell you how often I come across stray / abandonded or lost animals. I try to keep dog food with me to give to them because I can't always help them otherwise. Breaks my heart to see an animal in that position. They haven't chosen to be in those situations and it is up to us to try to help them and more importantly to try to prevent it from happening. I guess this is why I spoil my dogs so much.

 

[windycanyon]

I thought the economy was better here, but while trying to update some links for rescues this past week, I am so saddened to see how many purebreds are now in the local system. I've sent out offers for financial help for the spay/neuters, as fortunately, our kennel club rescue fund is decent at the moment. Earlier in the year, we gave $1000 to the local SNAP (spay neuter assistance program-- helping low income folks by offering a $15 or less copay for neuters). I was told that money was gone w/in a week. With spays at my own vet clinic avging over $300 (I've heard double that in Seattle/Portland), it's no wonder.

I'm glad you could get those pups into the shelter system, regardless of their end fate as at least it'll be a painless death. Anne

 

[Kris Hunt]

Yeah, I'd much rather have a painless death than a chance to make it on my own.

Kris

 

[2tall]

So Kris, do you think I should have unchained the dogs there beside the highway and let them run free? Serious question, I have been second guessing myself ever since.

 

[Guest]

So Kris, do you think I should have unchained the dogs there beside the highway and let them run free? Serious question, I have been second guessing myself ever since.

I would have untied them and taken them to the shelter, IF that's where I wanted to take them (knowing me, I would keep them).

I would be concerned leaving them tied because they could get hung up, hurt by another animal and/or just be exposed to the elements...

Were you able to find out if animal control went and got them?

 

[Guest]

oh, sorry, Carol, I see where the animal control person found them...

 

[Pals]

Carol-

You did the right thing. Turning them loose to make it on their own? They would have likely been hit by a car. Ever hit a dog with a car Kris? It's not a quick painless death-its awful and as dog lovers it is so incredibly hard to deal with. Let alone get that image out of your head. They would ha ve suffered greatly, these are domesticated animals-being "free" almost never ends good. Shot, accidents, wild animals, starving. So be careful with the careless quips, she made a choice that was humane and I would have done the same.

 

[Mark Massey]

That was the ONLY right choice, Carol.

 

[dnf777]

Most of the times there's not, but sometimes, there's a happy ending. You did the right thing. Domestic animals that have come to rely on us, usually do not do well on their own.

Maybe it was the "best they could do", but it sure put you in a painful, depressing situation. For the dog's sake, it was darn good of you to shoulder someone else's burden.

 

[Kris Hunt]

You did the right thing, no doubt. It just doesn't seem right when people say they will have a 'quick painless death' and that will be the 'best thing for them'. There wasn't anything else you could do. I'm not questioning your response, just the fate of the poor dogs is all.

Kris

 

[2tall]

I called the shelter today to try to find out the status. They took my name and number but no one called me back. I think I will ride over there tomorrow to see what I can find out. I can not adopt these dogs, but I would like to know what happens. I think the alternative would have been that these two would have died of dehydration, heat or stress. I just could not take them with me for fear of disease for my own dogs. I was up all night thinking about it. I am still not sure I did the right thing.

 

[Rainmaker]

You did the right thing, no doubt. It just doesn't seem right when people say they will have a 'quick painless death' and that will be the 'best thing for them'. There wasn't anything else you could do. I'm not questioning your response, just the fate of the poor dogs is all.

Kris

No, in that respect, it isn't right. It isn't right for anyone to put someone else in the position of determining their pets' fate. There are other options but people are just too lazy or ignorant or maybe ashamed to ask for help. I was holding a stray for the vet to PTS after he'd failed the temperament testing, I remarked that it was an awful way to go and the vet replied it was the easiest way for him to go. I said I meant awful because the dog didn't have his people, someone he knew and loved to be with him at the end. I still think of the pitbull I picked up on the way to training last summer, running down the middle of the road, trailing a shredded rope. I dropped him at the pound on the way, knowing his likely fate if not claimed, but not wanting him just running til he got hit, suffering in a ditch or something. The ones we help probably leave a deeper imprint on us than they did the ones who abandoned them. I know Carol feels awful and is second guessing herself, I doubt the ones who tied up those dogs have given them a second thought, there's some wicked irony, but I believe in some other life or hereafter, the dumpers will reap what they sowed, tenfold. I hope when they get to the pearly gates, St. Peter is there with a couple of dogs sitting next to him, waiting to give them the news.

 

[Kris Hunt]

I doubt the ones who tied up those dogs have given them a second thought, there's some wicked irony, but I believe in some other life or hereafter, the dumpers will reap what they sowed, tenfold. I hope when they get to the pearly gates, St. Peter is there with a couple of dogs sitting next to him, waiting to give them the news.

I tell everyone that the Pearly Gates are going to be guarded by DUCKS!!! And we are ALL in trouble

Kris