Le sigh.
Yes, he’s cute. No, we’re not keeping him. He showed up in the side yard, skin and bones, and when Fred called the number on the tag, the guy who answered told him that he’d sold that dog several years back – and not only was he not interested in taking the dog back, he showed up, looked at the dog, and left, taking the collar with him.
After finding out that the guy who owns this dog lives just down the street, we dithered about what to do. This is a dog who has been neglected. His nails are long, he’s skin and bones (the pictures just don’t do justice to how skinny he is). Finally, Fred called the sheriff’s office to see if we could get a deputy to come out and look at the dog and give us advice on what to do.
The deputy came out and after he toddled his 12 year-old self around the house and looked at the dog (“For GOD’S SAKE don’t tell him how many cats we have!” I hissed at Fred before he answered the door), he was spectacularly unhelpful. Basically, all the deputy could do was call the dog catcher, who would come out and get him, and most likely ultimately put him to sleep. “Either way,” said the deputy. “There’s no way he’s going back to his owner. That dog’s in awful shape.”
There’s a no-kill dog shelter nearby, but it has limited office hours, so knowing that he’d be in our possession for a while longer, Fred brought the dog inside and put him in the upstairs bathroom with food and water. Since the food we had was just some cheap stuff that had been sitting in the cupboard for several months, we went to the grocery store.
We bought canned food. We bought dry food. We bought snacks. We bought things for him to chew on. We bought a collar. We bought a leash. We bought shampoo. We bought a dog bed. We bought some of those puppy pee pads.
“You know, this really makes me mad,” Fred said as we checked out. “Any animal that steps one foot onto our land is treated like a king, and that guy can’t be bothered to give him the most rudimentary care.”
“I know it.”
We got home and Fred took the dog outside for a bathroom run. All the dog wanted was to get back inside where it was warm.
(Side note: REALLY COLD OUT THERE. Right now, it’s 18º.)
Fred gave the dog a bath, because that dog smelled BAD. The dog just stood there in the bathtub and let Fred bathe him without whimpering or fighting at all. After the dog was dried off, Fred opened a can of wet dog food and put it in a bowl.
That dog wolfed the food down – he attacked it like he was starving to death, even though he’d eaten a bowl of the cheap dog food I’d given him while he was still outside. He ate half a can of Alpo and then another quarter of the can before he was full. He settled down on the bed we’d put in a corner of the bathroom. We left him with a bowl of dry dog food and a bowl of water, and went off to watch TV.
Before bed, Fred took the dog back outside. The dog’s first act was to attempt to get back inside, and when Fred made it clear that they were going for a walk around the back yard, the dog sniffed around and did his business. Once his business was done, the dog headed right back to the back door.
We left him in the bathroom overnight, worried that he’d come awake at 2 am and start howling because the one thing I know about beagles is that they don’t like to be confined. They want to ROAM.
He was completely quiet, all night long. This morning when Fred went in the bathroom, he found that the dog hadn’t been able to hold his bladder – but he’d gone on the puppy pee pad. Fred took him outside, and the dog peed and pooped and then wanted back inside.
It seems to us – though we’re not dog experts – that he’s house trained. This morning, he was at least a little more curious about the world around him, sniffing around the house on his way back to the bathroom. He actually wagged his tail for me when I went in there a little while ago, which he didn’t do yesterday at all. He’s spending most of his time eating and sleeping right now, but to see him brighter-eyed this morning was nice.
Fred’s waiting until 11:00 to call the no-kill shelter and see if they can take him. If they can’t, we’re going to try to find a home for him.
We are not keeping him, so you can shut up about that. We’re not dog people, we don’t want to add a dog to the household, and that’s that.
Like I said, he seems to be house trained. He’s a very sweet, quiet, docile dog (that’s my impression, though it’s possible he’s just so quiet and docile because he’s exhausted and sick, I don’t know) and I imagine would make a good pet. He’s not showing all that much interest in the cats, though he sniffed at Mister Boogers this morning and got his ears boxed for that; he just responded by looking at Mister Boogers like “Okay, so angry gray kitty is not a friend. Noted.” He walks well on a leash – at least through the house. I put him on a leash and took him outside a little while ago, and he didn’t have to be pulled and he didn’t try to pull away; I don’t know how he is on a leash when you try to take him for a walk, maybe we’ll give that a try this afternoon.
If anyone out there is seriously interested in him, please let me know. We’re willing to drive several hours to make sure he ends up in a safe, caring home. Obviously if the no-kill shelter cannot take him and one of you is interested in giving him a home, we’ll take him to the vet for a full examination and have him groomed (the sight of his nails makes me want to weep).
I’ll keep y’all posted on what happens, of course.
Previously 2007: That damn sponge will never glare malevolently at me again, I’m sure of it. 2006: “Thy-y-y-yme is my crack! Yes it is!” 2005: He emailed me back immediately. You’re already too old to die tragically young. 2004: No entry. 2003: No entry. 2002: And Mildred and Myrtle were hanging out merrily in their very sheer bright yellow bra, waving at all and sundry. 2001: Just thinking about it makes me grumpy. 2000: Y’all stay warm, now!]]>
Good for you and Fred-damn your neighbor. You’re building good karma.
Your neighbor needs to be shot.
Thank you for being so kind to that sweet sweet little boy.
Oh My God! He is so cute, I could cry just looking at those pictures. You guys are so nice. That is probably the best food he’s had in ages! Just wondering – has he seen the cats?
I just about wept last night when I read Fred’s entry. Bless you both for being such good people. I have to believe that dog found his way to you because he needed to be saved. I’d be happy to send a little money to help defray the costs you’ve incurred on his expense so far.
How far are y’all willing to drive? Halfway to South Carolina? 😉
There should be more people like you in the world. You probably should reproduce a lot to counteract all the idiots I see out there having idiot children.
Thankfully that dog found you…this story just brings tears to my eyes…thank you for being so kind hearted to love this dog enough to get it the help he needs…
What a pathetic-looking creature! I’m so relieved that he’s going to be saved! Yay for saving animals! Good job Robyn!
You should just put a giant St. Francis of Assisi statue in your yard now….word’s getting out that the Anderson home is the place to go for some lovin!
Or maybe a plaque- “give me your poor, your tired….”
What a sweet guy, I hope someone will give him a good home…
Oh man, those pictures (and the ones on Fred’s site) are breaking my heart. If I didn’t already have four dogs and five cats in my house, I would take him in a heartbeat. I hope you are able to find a good home for him, with someone who will love him and take care of him the way he deserves. Poor old guy. I’m glad he wandered onto your land, where he would get some help.
I agree with all of your readers, your hearts are bigger than Closeville and Smallville COMBINED. Thanks for loving the dog and caring enough to do right by him!
Yesterday was that puppy’s lucky day! I am sure someone would love to take him in. I wish I could, but I rent and I live in Maine (as you know, Robyn!)
Frankly, with the good work you guys do with your kitties, your karma must be a million percent by now!
There is a dog recue in Alabama that may be able to help you guys out.
http://www.aarescue.org. Thank you for taking such good care of this little guy. He is adorable and needs the love.
How could someone look into those eyes and mistreat that sweetheart? I couldn’t look at the pics Fred posted without tearing up. Thank you for taking him in and giving him a second chance.
It is COLD as BALLS today. I hate it. It keeps tripping the breaker to my heat pump.
Why do you have a little nook in your bathroom? Whatzit for? (other than stray dogs)
God bless you and Fred. I adore the two of you and we’ve never even met.
Sometimes the only ray of light in this crappy world is knowing that there are good, kind souls like you. And there’s a special place in Hell for people who abuse children and animals – of that, I’m certain.
Some dog person will take this little guy and give him a good home.
For fucks sake, how can someone treat an animal that way?
Seems like the week for strays, huh? He looks like an old guy, too, with all that gray on his muzzle. Gypsy, our Beagle, is the BEST DOG we ever had. When she kicks it we’re going to get another one. After a suitable period of mourning, of course. If we lived closer we’d take the little kipper! You guys are awesome.
Okay, I just went back and read Fred’s entry. Look at how much better he looks after just 24 hours! He can stand upright, he’s got more sparkle in his eyes. I know you don’t want to keep him, but… oh man. You guys are the best thing that ever happened to wayward animals.
Great idea for donations — where can we send you guys some dough to help out? I could not stop thinking about this poor dog after reading Fred’s entry and I’m so glad he found you guys for some R&R and TLC before going onto his wonderful new home, wherever that may be. You guys are the Animal Spa. Strays and fosters from across the world will start showing up to dry out, kick their catnip addiction and rehab. I love it. Betty Ford would be proud.
I cried when I saw Fred’s entry last night too. We are dog people more than cat people (Scott and Scott H are extremely allergic to cats…I love them) and seeing a dog in that shape was appalling. I must say though that he does look much better this morning. He looks to actually be standing and his tail isn’t as stuck between his legs as it was. You and Fred are such good people. I hope that the no-kill shelter can take him and that he finds a good home. The owner should be shot…or at least treated as he did the poor dog! Bless you and Fred and your animal lovin’ hearts!!
Le sigh…I love old dogs. Somehow I think a drive to Texas might be a bit far though otherwise I’d take him in a minute.
Thank you for caring.
I will be happy to send a bit of money to defray any travel costs you may have in getting him to a new home.
You and Fred are definitely reserving some sort of wonderful niche in paradise for yourselves … thanks for taking care of this sweet boy.
Okay you are not dog people (or so you claim!!) but you and Fred are wonderful people for doing this!
1) You rawk
2) Please consider getting him at least a rabies shot (or more) and having him tested for intestinal parasites. This way you’ll have concrete proof that he IS vaccinated (I’m guessing previous owner was lax about that as well), and if he’s got parasites, he may pass them on to your kitties.
3) Please consider a full check-up with your vet, including having bloodwork done- if he eats a high-fat diet (which pretty much anything will be to him at this point), he may develop pancreatitis, which is bad juju for dogs (especially older ones). Also, your vet will be able to guide you on how to properly care for an emaciated dog (it really is so much more than feeding them, depending on his condition.) Also have them check to make sure he doesn’t have heart worms.
Some of this may seem like ass-vice, but I work as a vet tech in an emergency hospital, and we see a lot of emaciated dogs that can’t be saved despite everyone’s best efforts- they are so riddled with parasites, or have developed or contracted horrible diseases that are costly to treat and put more stress on the animal.
Having said that, good luck with him! I look forward to progress pictures of him building up and the story of how he gets his new home!
Cheryl – Yeah, if the dog rescue place can’t take him, we’ll get him to a vet this afternoon for a full exam and shots and deworming and all that. If he’s going to be around here ’til we find him a home (even if that’s in the next few days) he’s going to have to have seen a vet before I let him out around the cats, that’s just good sense. 🙂
Ah damn. He looks like an older guy too? If I wasn’t literally on the other side of the country from you, I’d take him in a heartbeat. We already have (counting on fingers…) 6 dogs, so what’s one more?
You guys are so sweet for taking care of him. Seriously — if no one steps up in the next day or two to take him or the no-kill shelter can’t take him, I’ll post it over on the Homesteading Today forum, and I bet someone would take him right off.
I haven’t read Fred’s entry yet but I just want you to know that I think you are both such incredibly loving people. I will contribute to his care as well- a few bucks from everyone would really help. SO much love to you, Robyn.
Oh, that poor little dog. I hate seeing any animal suffering, and this seems to be such a sweet-natured little thing… he must have wandered off in despair to find someone who might feed him. He looks so emaciated and so sad… That was how I got my first little dog, Napoleon. He was emaciated and badly groomed and sitting in the pound and I could not rest until I got him out of there.
I love cats, really I do, but somehow since then I’ve ended up with dogs. Cuddly dogs. Little dogs, like my current two dachsies.
He already looks better your pictures than in the pictures on Fred’s post. I know you will find the very best possible home for him. God bless you and Fred for your kindness. I swear, there is a special place in heaven for you two and a special place in hell for people that abuse innocent animals and children. Ok I better go because I’m not supposed to be cryin’ at work!
Robyn ~ If I didn’t live so far away (in NY), I’d take him in a heartbeat. I already have an 8-year-old beagle, and she looks like a puppy compared to him. My heart is breaking reading the posts by you and Fred. And the photos…
One thing I should probably point out…beagles are gluttons. I know he is starving, but I wouldn’t give him too much food at once.
Thank you for your efforts on this guy’s behalf.
Diane – Yeah, we’re not giving him unbridled access to food – about half a can at a time, every three hours or so. He actually doesn’t eat all we give him at one time, just eats until he’s full (I guess), then goes off to sleep.
http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute_overload/2008/01/im-never-gonna.html
Just to lighten the mood!
He is so sweet. I almost cried thinking of what the poor guy went through before he found you kind souls. I wish my landlord would let us have a dog- I want to give him a big hug and a kiss on top of his adorable head!
Well… if I ever lose my home and get lost, I know where I’m going!! The world needs more people like you and Fred. I hope you can find him a nice home really quick 🙂
Robyn,
You and Fred are so good! You will be blessed ten fold I am sure! He looks like he is an old guy, who knows how long that idiot had him.
I’m thinking that the animals talk to each other and say “Hey! The peoples down the street with them there chickens will treat you like kings!” So, they all rush over to the house. Heh.
I hope you find a home!
You guys are my absolute heroes! I hope that you can find him a good home (or the no-kill shelter can). He looks like a sweet boy too. The bastard that did this should be shot, strung up by his privates, shot again, dipped in boiling tar, flogged and then shot again!
I volunteered for awhile at our local no-kill shelter and it’s a great place. (I quit because there were too many volunteers, which is a good “problem,” on the day I was available.) I started feeding a stray cat over four years ago. First my neighbor was going to take the cat, then Neighbor changed his mind because the cat was too skittish. If the cat had assertively moved into Neighbor’s condo and made himself at home, that would have been fine, but Neighbor wasn’t interested in working with the cat. So I called the no-kill shelter and was told that they don’t take strays. I got the impression that someone had sued a shelter somewhere when his pet ended up there and he wasn’t the one who relinquished it.
Anyway, you might want to google Beagle Rescue. If there is a chapter anywhere near you they will help find your guy a good home.
By the way, Toby-the-former-stray-cat is now a fat happy house cat who sleeps on the queen bed with everyone else.
That sweet little doggie sure is lucky to have found you!
I went and looked up old marks made by hobos in during the Depression and I think y’all need to check your fences for marks. (http://www.worldpath.net/~minstrel/hobosign.htm) I’m guessing y’all may have the animal equivalent of Can Sleep In Barn or Good People Live Here or Care Here if You Are Sick.
At any rate, I’m sure there’s a special circle of hell reserved for the sort of people who mistreat animals. I suspect the keepers of that circle (the animals) just sit and stare sadly at the inmates.
I can’t stand it. My mom has always been kind enough to allow me to care for strays as a child. That’s how I came to have my best dear cat Lucky (R.I.P.).
Now, my husband is kind enough to allow me to do the same and we’ve fostered animals for a no-kill through the years.
I will never understand how people can allow this to happen. God bless you AND that little dog.
I would so take him if I weren’t so far away! Even though I have 2 dogs in the house that I have a love/hate relationship (but mostly the lurve,I have to admit) 😉 I know I would probably have to get a divorce but Beagles are one of the best dogs out there. He sounds so sweet and housetrained? What a bonus. I wish the best for this little sweetie and bless you and Fred for being the big hearted people you are! 🙂
My dad had a beagle that was so fat it was nearly perfectly round, and to think that these two dogs are the same breed is just insane.
I’m glad I can still make it for the question day! What are the specifics of the medicine you’re giving spot? Do you give it to him once a day or twice? And how’s he doing, poor guy?
And question 2: What did you name the dog (c’mon, we know you did!)?
If I was closer, I would go over there and take all that man’s food away and let him starve to death. What a asshole.
Seeing an animal like this breaks my heart. People astound me sometimes. We have two dogs and two cats (all of the portly persuasion,) and it kills me to think how that poor little guy got so bad. Thank you for taking him in and making sure he’s taken care of.
Robyn, according to this site, one of the members of the board of directors of the Beagle Rescue Foundation of America is in Alabama. Maybe she’d have an idea? (Her e-mail address is listed on that site, assuming it’s still current.) Good luck — you are awesome.
Such a cutey! My brother had a beagle that mated with our neighbor’s doberman pincher, her puppies were the cutest ever.
I’ll have to go over to Fred’s site and read the entry now.
I’m adding my thanks to you two to all the rest out there. You’re such wonderful people.
Oh my gosh, that breaks my heart to see how skinny that poor thing is. I’m so glad there are people like you and Fred in this world. I have a little beagle and she’s just the joy of my life…she’s the best pet I ever had. I hope you find a loving home…if any of you out there are thinking about it….believe me…beagles are excellent indoor dogs, they are cuddlers…give this little one a home!
OMG – how people could treat their animals so badly? We know why he came to you – animals can smell pet lovers for miles… My aunt would get a new cat just because it would show up. We’d kid that her cats were gossiping on how good they have it and tell them to come to their home. He’s in excellent hands now. I cannot believe you bought him a dog bed to lay on. I’d stop at the treats and give him a pile of old blankets or towels to nest in since it’s short-term housing. 🙂 I’d tell you to give him some lovin’ but I know that’s already happening even if you aren’t dog people.
Oh, that is just so sad for the poor guy, but I’m so glad to know his story is turning happy now. You and Fred are so kind, you’re just absolutely wonderful people. On behalf of all the animal lovers in the world, thanks for helping out another one.
I sending very bad, hateful, painful thoughts in the direction of the man who did this to this poor animal.
Poor thing! looks like one of my dogs when we rescued her (only she was also covered in ticks), these days you’d never know she was once in such bad shape – there’s plenty of hope for this little guy to make a full recovery thanks to you & Fred taking him in & helping him find a home. You are awesome. Long live Bitchypoo!
I volunteer with a local shelter in Ohio. We regularly transport dogs for other rescues as well as ourselves. Someone does the organizing and sets up folks to each do a leg (30 to 60 miles generally). A beagle rescue even if it is not very close to you would probably do the same, or any other shelter for that matter.
Robyn, with all of the readers you have, it would be awesome to set up transport with your readers to get the pup to Texas or wherever the best home would be. That would be so awesome to be a part of and I am sure everyone would jump right in to help! *grin*
Just a thought. Keep up the caring that you are so well known for (even all the critters know).
That face! It’s killing me! Bless you two for taking him in temporarily.
Give me a baseball bat and a dark alley. I’d like to explain a few things to that dog’s owner.
Robyn, oh boy! I’m just a full-on animal lover becuase no one told me that I needed to pick side in the great cat v. dog debate. I’m basically Switzerland. 🙂 Our family fostered a pit bull (we have one of our own and he’s the sweetest thing you’d ever meet) for almost 9 months and shewent to her perm home on my birthday (Dec 23rd). I v;e always felt if I ever ended up like Albert Brook’s in Defending Your Life, I’d use her as an example of my generosity. You’ve gone beyond the call of duty for this skin and bones example of a beagle. Bless his heart and bless yours!
– Tricia
Oh Robin–delurking here just to say that I wish you could put that puppy in a box and mail him to Buffalo, because I would keep him in a second.
Some people; can’t wait for the Karmic Boomerang to come around on that asshole. He reminds me of my late Lord Chester Bean The Pooping Machine (beagle/whoops mix), who we adopted when he was a senior. He was a great dog and I know he enjoyed his last years with us and we with him, he was so happy to be loved and doted on that he was never without a smile, even when he developed diabetes, had to have twice daily insulin shots, and eventually went blind. Losing him was so hard. I think you guys are so wonderful to be giving him a chance to be loved and doted on and to enjoy his “golden” years! All my 4 legged companions (4 cats, 1 dog) have found our house; neighbors say we have the invisible pet neon sign that blinks “soft hearts here”….you know, the same one you have on your house!
You will update us even if it is a weekend right????
Yours and Fred’s entries about this dog’s state are absolutely heart breaking! I’m so glad he found you two of ALL people. He’s a VERY LUCKY puppy and I look forward to hearing more about him.
Bless you, Fred and Robyn. He’s adorable. If I didn’t have a 15 year old dog and a rambunctious 3 year old dog and a 14 year old cat, I’d have you ship him up here to Alaska. I love beagles! All I can say is thank God for good people like ya’ll.
I hope you find a good home for him. Such a dear 🙁 He couldn’t have wandered to a more caring home.
Damn you for making me cry like a freaking baby (your entry and the pics on Fred’s site). That poor dog is in HORRIBLE shape and deserves a good home. I wish lived closer to you, as I’d take him in a heartbeat. Not that he’d want to live with the Freaktard, but I’d give him his own bedroom (you know, like the cats have their own ;-))
He should be given basic comforts (and of course I’d go a step above and beyond with a teeny, tiny bit of spoiling….but not much, I swear!) and a TON of love.
Someone please write the rest of this song for me:
Sung to the theme of “Cops(Bad Boys,Bad Boys).”
“Old dogs,old dogs,whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come to you?” You can see why I’m asking for help with the lyrics.;o)
That sweet doggie is very old – my pointer is white in the face like that – which comes with age. This is probably the best he has ever been treated by folks (you/Fred) and he is most probably feeling like he died and went to heaven. You are some good folks.
Robyn, you and Fred are saints. God bless you guys for what you did for the little fella. I hope he finds someone who loves him and will treat him with kindess.
I dreamed last night that I went into the combination convenience store/animal rescue society that you run from your back yard (stop in, top off your tank, get a nice refreshing beverage, and take home a kitten!) to pick up Mr. Droopy there, and you told me you’d already found him a home, but you had a really cute pygmy elephant that needed a place. Turned out not to be an elephant at all, we decided upon closer inspection, just a grey cat; you’d gotten the tail confused for a trunk.
By the way, don’t ever dye your hair blonde. Trust me.
Anyway, I hope that part of the dream was prophetic.
Not the blonde part, though.
Thank you. For giving him such good care. I know so few people willing to do that. We’ve done the same before, and, sure, it was very inconvenient, but knowing that dog will be safe now is so very worth it. I hope you can find a good home for him! I’ll post a link to the rescue network I’m on.
i am thankful that dog wondered to your home, acts of kindness like yours give me hope for this weary world
Look at that adorable face. You can see he’s grateful. He’s so skinny. You and Fred ROCK!! I know Buddy will have a good life from now on cause you two will make sure of it. I’m glad he showed up at your place.