Old Dog

sandy2_2

I live in a very small pueblo in Spain. (I tell you this as the Spanish seem to have a different attitude to their animals than we Brits) Any way one of the old ladies who was widowed last year has an old dog, she now has to stay in another town with her son during the week and her old dog is left to fend for himself in the village, until the weekends. I have felt sooo sorry for him as he has been used to some home comforts
so OH and I have started to feed the old boy,(he's deaf and has a cataract in one eye)
He's got quite a thick coat, which hasn't been brushed for some time, so I thought that as I give him is food he'd become more friendly and let me brush him a bit, well he does upto a point, but is a bit 'growl-y'. I'm more a cat person than a doggie one, so I'm not au fait with dog behaviour and I don't want to end up getting bitten. I have managed to brush a bit on his neck, by his ears and a bit down his back, and got out quite a bit of hair. I only do it gently, no tugging, I´m used to grooming our cats who can turn in a minute, but I can spot the danger signs with them. Any ideas as to how I can gradually introduce him to being brushed. Our spanish is not good enough to get involved in a long conversation with the old lady when we see her.

Kimberley

Be careful though when your brushing him. He is not your responsibility but I do understand why you want to help him. When I went to Portugal I saw a few stray dogs that looked in bad condition, but I wouldn't go up to them because you don't know what the dog is like. I hope he takes to you though because I do understand where you are coming from, poor thing.

Fourcandles_3

The language doesn't really matter. Dogs don't really speak a full vocabulary, they go by the tone of voice and body language.

Personally I wouldn't worry to much about his coat for now as long as he is fed and sheltered. By trying to force trust he may become stressed which is when he is most likely to snap. It takes time to build this up and he is probably confussed and distressed enough by his owners disappearence.

By meeting his urgent needs you are doing so much good and sometimes this is all you can do.

sandy2_2

Fourcandles wrote: »

snip Personally I wouldn't worry to much about his coat for now as long as he is fed and sheltered. .

Ahh well shelter, that´s another thing he hasn´t got. Unfortunately we can´t take him in as we´ve got cats. He just seems to hunker down on the flat roof of his house...still guarding it, I suppose. daft really when there´s a house next door which is being renovated and he could shelter over night in there. When his ´Dad´ was alive. they used to go off to their fields every day, the old boy was well into his 80s when he died last year, so I imagine the dog must be pretty ancient too.

Francesanne

That's so sad. Poor old chap must be feeling absolutely lost.

Sagz_2

To be honest if he's not been groomed all his life leaving him now is not going to matter really. You can help by keeping him company when he wants it, feeding him and maybe giving him a cardboard box to sleep in on the roof of his house.

Thank you for caring xx

zaksmum

I don't think you should brush him when he's eating. He might think you're trying to nick his food and that's when he might snap.

I can't believe his owner just leaves him to look after himself, poor thing. You are so good to bother to care for him though. Are there any RSPCA type charities out there that might help the dog? There again, if he's really old, they might just put him to sleep.

Wouldn't you think that after all the years he's been a faithful friend he should be entitled to a bit of consideration and comfort in his old age? The woman's son could look out for him if the woman can't be bothered.

Thank God there are people like you in the world.

Mely

Yes.... i agree with the above comments. Could you put a comfy bed on the flat roof for the poor old boy? I would leave the brushing for now, and especially dont do it when hes eating as he may snap at you! Also the Spanish RSPCA may put him down if you contact them, as hes an old dog.Could you maybe have a word with someone who could speak about the situation with the old lady for you?
Thank you so much for helping him xxxx

pboae

I'd also say leave the brushing, apart from anything else, if he's living outdoors he is better off with a good mat of fur to insulate him. Could you maybe have a word with her about getting him a kennel? Or offer to let him in the house at night and out again in the morning? Is there someone who could help you with translation? If not, maybe you could write her a note, that way you can take your time with the language.

sandy2_2

I'm still wondering about shelter for him, with the winter coming on...we're out in the countryside in the mountains, so it can get windy and cold, so I think we would need something more substantial than a cardboard box which I think would get damp or blow away.
I must admit I hadn't thought about the matted hair providing more protection for him.
Several of our neighbours know I'm feeding the dog, so hopefully the word will get back to the old lady. There is a dog/cat catcher who comes round every so often and rounds up the strays to be put to sleep, but I just think the old dog deserves better than that, but I've got my sentimental English head on and not a Spanish one. (our village is very small so everyone knows the old dog isn't a stray).....yes I do think about it might be in his long term best interests to be put to sleep as I don't think he would be rehomed from the dog pound, although he isn't really my responsibility and has legal owner.........
edit, re letting him into his 'old' house at night...don't think this would work, what would happen if he wants a wee etc in the night time and no one there to let him out (I know how often old men get up for wee.. LOL)

pboae

Is there an outbuilding or something that could be used instead then? What do other people there do? I believe it's quite common to have outdoor dogs in Spain, so maybe you could find out what other neighbours use for shelter (if anything).