What a turmoil!!!!!!!!! Need advice if possible

lil_me

Last night was the most bizarre night ever, we had a call from my sister saying the RSPCA had been trying to contact me about a missing dog found, microchipped with my details. When we found out what was going on it was a dog we'd looked after for the police 7 years ago!

She's been found tied up outside a vets surgery. This has sent my partner into a complete turmoil, he had her from a puppy 9 years ago. He was ready to go down and collect her immediately, but the kennels as they know we haven't had her for so long have said she has to stay there for 9 days to allow her owner to come forward.

They now have my details, if in 9 days she is not collected my partner wants to go and get her! I'm in 2 minds, emotionally it's as if a pet has died, buried it then been told it's alive again, but trying to think practically. The way he put it was - I don't want her being put to sleep because of lack of a home or spending her last years in a kennel.

Truth is we don't know if her owner will come forward, if they do there is a massive fee payable at the kennels, suppose that's when we'll find out if someone really loves her. I am extremely doubtful she will be claimed. Just a feeling.

How my other dogs will react to her and she will react to them I don't know, my dogs are brilliant with other dogs usually, not nasty at all, but they are both quite young and she'll be an old girl now.

Any advice on bringing dogs together appreciated, I have a cross female (can't use the b word on here!) who is coming up a year old, a male dog who is 4 both big bigger than springer spaniel size (dog is spaniel/lab cross), both neutered. The other dog is a German Shepherd and like I said she'll be about 9 now. I do have some old paperwork of hers which I am going to dig out to find out exactly as it has her date of birth on.

Justie

well firstly find out what the policy is - usually in the UK dogs aren't put down purely because they're a stray. If she can go to a rehoming centre then she may be there for a long time though but she may not... What you could do is offer to foster her whilst she is put up for adoption through a breed specific rescue organisation.

As for introducing her to your other dogs - ask the current kennels to do a behaviour assessment and to make sure that there's no obvious problems with other dogs or with guarding food etc then put all the dogs in the garden and let them sort themselves out...

There should be fewer isssues with introducing another female but it's not always the case if one of your dogs is very territorial but it sounds like they won't be a problem.

Penny_Watcher

We introduced our last dog in a neutral place rather than in the garden which was already the territory of our first 2 dogs. That way the newbie wasn't seen as too much of an intruder before they got to know him.

We took them separately to one of the local dog walking fields that non of the dogs were too familiar with. Luckily they got on like a house on fire They are pretty much the same age though which I think may have helped.

lil_me

Policy in the kennels up here is usually 14 days in rescue centre for rehome then they are put to sleep. It's awful and a friend of mine knows after working there a kennel which puts dogs he doesn't think he'll be able to rehome to sleep immediately, hence the concern.

Thanks for the replies.

Well we went to see her today at the rescue centre, more to set our minds at rest that she was ok than anything else. She was found at the vets, someone had called the kennels to say they found a stray the night before but they don't take them off the street so maybe the person was sensible and thought take her where someone might look after her. She of course didn't recognise us, I don't think. She's in good shape, if anything a little overweight. We took her for her walk as she was due to go out, when I had to give her back I cried She's still got lots of energy for her age, still as affectionate but in serious need of a good grooming and a bath.

It's a serious rollercoaster of emotions for us, we never thought we would see her again, all of a sudden we get that call, weird as 2 weeks ago I found her paperwork we were talking about her.

Kennels are going to call me if her owner comes forward, if not they will call me in 9 days and we get the chance to take her first. My oldest dog took to the puppy straight away, puppy is a little boisterous but very friendly and sociable. Kennels suggested taking them up there to meet her first. When we were out with her she just ignored all the other dogs being walked which I think is a good sign, no agression etc.

A 9 year old+ GS dog being rehomed, the kennel hand there said her chances are slim to zero of finding a new home

Justie

it's definitely harder with older dogs to get them rehomed which is why a breed specific rehoming organisation would probably be better if you can't keep her. It sounds like you'll end up with her though if her owner doesn't come forward... it's very hard when you have an emotional attachment to a dog to turn them away but don't take on more than you can cope with. I hope there's a happy ending one way or another :beer:

ShirleyPark_2

lil_me wrote: »

A 9 year old+ GS dog being rehomed, the kennel hand there said her chances are slim to zero of finding a new home

Some people do want them though, my parents have rehomed 2 9yo+ German Shepherds, both of which have been absolutely adorable.

lil_me

That is good to hear Shirley, well done to your parents, most are scared because of fees, bills etc with the age (I know she isn't as prone to the usual GS problems, that is why she was bought and so much was paid for her) her value isn't there now as the price which was paid was for her breeding, they wanted the best they could get. Another issue is we're on holiday just after the '9 days' is up, don't want to bring her home then her have to be back in boarding for another 5 days so thinking maybe say to the kennels, if someone comes along offering a new home before we get back then that would probably be easier, surely they will keep her until then!

Psykicpup

Lil me, I'm sure if you explain the situtation they will hold her untill after your hols & probably pamper her tooo - its not like she's unclaimed is it. It struck a chord with me that you had recently found her paperwork... bit like when we find an old address book & wonder what happened to so+so, just to have them call the next day...)- If I can help at all give me a shout - cant home lil Lady but I can offer ((((hugs))) when needed lol

lil_me

Psykicpup thank you, was very emotional going to see her, but pleased we did. Have said to kennels if she does find her owner please ask them to contact me. Like an old friend isn't it, once they get back in touch you don't want to loose touch. Wondering if she's been missing since when we found that actually as she had casts of fur all over due to lack of grooming and had a greasy feel to her coat, maybe she was even more overweight before going missing/being dumped.

Psykicpup

They dont seem to have updated her microchip either ... but never mind shes safe now....

ailuro2

Aw, poor dog- a 9 year old German Shepherd tied up outside a vet?

I'd prepare yourself for the hind legs/hips being on the way out and someone who cares for her but can't afford the vets bills,has left her hoping the vet will look after her.

Looks like you have a new old dog, better make room for another dog bed!