Need more help if people can

beth.stephenson2009

I made a thread about a fortnight ago about my aunt getting my Grandad a dog. He is 85, asthmatic, can't bend down properly and can't walk without his stick.

At first he seemed OK- apart from not really listening when I told him the dog needed treating for fleas.

We saw him on Xmas day, all was fine and the dog went off with my aunt for Christmas.

We have been on holiday since and we went round today. Dog was locked outside and the garden was covered with poo- didn't think much of it, dog seemed OK and I just assumed maybe it got a bit much and picked the poo up for him.

Went to the shop to get some milk, and bumped into a neighbor of his and told me that the dog had woken her up 3 times in the week barking outside in the middle of the night, so concern number two.

Went to see Nan in her care home, and one of the girls in there took me aside and explained that Grandad hadn't been in with the dog at all for a week, and was everything OK. So concern number three- the walk to the care home was the dogs walk for the day.

I told Mum about it who spoke to Grandad- but no, insisting he is coping fine and it isn't too much for him.

I'm now convinced it is. He obviously isn't picking poo up, leaving the dog locked outside all night (it can't get out of the garden though- high fences and hedges) and it doesn't seem like he is taking the dog out for walks.

What do I do? Grandad loves the dog, I know he does, but it is clear he isn't looking after it from my perspective and I have to think of the poor thing

Kinda a rock and hard place situation..

meritaten

Is grandad perhaps feeling a bit poorly? he may not admit it because he is worried about people feeling worried about him? sorry, bit convoluted, but elderly people often disguise when they are poorly precisely for that reason!
is his inhaler being used more than usual? are you picking up his prescription earlier than usual? I would watch for this. could you perhaps pay a local youngster to walk the dog for a few days to give the poor thing some exercise?
I would be concerned too - it sounds as if something is wrong - any chance of either you or mum staying over at grandads for a day or two? to judge the situation over a 24 hour period?

zaksmum

Poor dog. Gone to a really inappropriate home there. No walks and left outside alone all night.

Something needs to be done sooner rather than later.

Person_one

He can't keep leaving an elderly dog outside all night. You need to sit down with him and really tell him that's not on.

Can you get him a book about caring for a dog maybe? Times have changed, my 80 something year old grandmother used to turf her dogs out to roam the streets all day and would have looked at you like you'd gone mad if you'd mentioned neutering, flea treatment or vaccinations. We have a much clearer idea of what constitutes responsible ownership these days.

I wouldn't worry too much about the poo, if he can't bend down then maybe one of those long 'grabber' thingies could work, or if not then as long as one of the family can come round and 'minesweep' the garden once a week its not the end of the world.

How's his asthma?

Beckyy

If he likes the dog then he'll never admit to it being too much. However, I can't see why he has it outside at night time. Is it fully toilet trained or causing any problems that would make him put it outside?

I would have a chat with him and explain kindly, but firmly, that it's not okay to leave the dog outside. It's the coldest time of the year and the dog is elderly. Maybe buying a nice new bed for the dog to have inside if it hasn't already got one? If he keeps leaving otuside though then I would get very worried.

Could you find a local dog walker to do a short walk every other day, just to ensure that the dog is getting some exercise? It shouldn't be too expensive for a short walk, and would take the pressure off Grandad.

southcoastrgi

i agree with all the above it's not fair or right to leave a dog outside in this freezing weather young or old, & sooner or later someone is going to report him & then he will have the RSPCA knocking on the door

zaksmum

southcoastrgi wrote: »

i agree with all the above it's not fair or right to leave a dog outside in this freezing weather young or old, & sooner or later someone is going to report him & then he will have the RSPCA knocking on the door

Sorry but someone NEEDS to report him if this situation continues.

hethmar

I dont understand - has anyone said to him",Look the neighbours are complaining about the dog barking in the night - surely you dont leave him outside in this freezing weather? It will kill him".

For all we know, he gets up to let the dog out and the dog barks to go back in. But without asking the man, how will anyone know what is actually happening.

pinetree

Hi would it be possible for a member of the family to take on the dog and visit your grandad so he gets to see the dog etc without all the hard work, its very hard for elderly people to admit that they cant manage im afraid, I hope it goes well.

southcoastrgi

zaksmum wrote: »

Sorry but someone NEEDS to report him if this situation continues.

i don't disagree with you, maybe the aunt (who's b1oody stupid idea it was in the first place) could look after the dog rather than it going to a rescue shelter

zaksmum

southcoastrgi wrote: »

i don't disagree with you, maybe the aunt (who's b1oody stupid idea it was in the first place) could look after the dog rather than it going to a rescue shelter

Good idea...but I bet she won't! Poor dog.