Puppy the rescue dog.
Some weeks ago while we were having an estate sale, a filthy, dirty, flea-bitten, stinky and the list could go on, dog ran into the yard at my dad’s. The small puppy was frightened and appeared lost and possibly abused. Whatever the case, several of the folks visiting the sale were concerned as were those of us running the sale.
A person living behind my dad’s was willing to try to catch the puppy even though the dog was growling and unhappy to meet his acquaintance. As it would turn out, a fairly large dog carrier was on the porch at the sale and was used to keep the puppy contained until one of the ladies visiting went home and brought back dog food.
The puppy, a girl, ate and drank until her heart content.
Having several animals of my own and seeing the condition of the dog, I knew I could not take the pup home until provision had been made to wash her, clean her, de-flea her and the like. The sale was on Saturday. Food and water was put down for the pup and a friend of mind agreed to have her husband stop by daily or I would come and put out feed.
Pictures were taken of her and I listed her on Facebook in hopes to find a home for her. The blogosphere went wild with various comments on the pup. There was one woman from a place hours away that felt it may be her dog. It was suggested that I go get the dog scanned of which I had planned already but not before getting her body really clean, fleas contained and ticks removed. She was in such bad condition the feces from the hosts created piles and sores on her skin. In some places it looked as if she may have mange. Still, when she was picked up fleas would jump all over my clothes so I was not at a place to put her in my car at that point.This caused several people online to take issue with my decision but I knew it was the right one at this time.
Tuesday, I spent the day with my brother in his classroom as a volunteer and that afternoon went to dads. The pup was there and I took her, washed her really good, fed her again and brushed her coat. I went to the store and bought her a flea collar.
Thursday, I went over to the property and the pup could not be found. The food was gone and water was obviously used but she was not to be seen. I called, called and called and that day put signs out looking for a “Gray Wirey Puppy” with my number.I traveled up and down the road calling her but to no avail.
On Saturday, we had another sale and a police officer from our local police department called questioning about the pup. I explained that the reason I had not taken her to a vet in the week that she had been on my dad’s vacant property being that it was due to the health and safety of my own animals. She told me that if the dog returned that I could call her back and she would take her to a vet.
That afternoon before the estate sale ended, the man who caught her the first time came back inside the house in the late afternoon when we were closing down the sale and said that he had again seen the pup. Within a short time, he trapped her underneath a neighbor’s home. On that day, fleas and all I took her to my home, again washed her, put flea medicine on her and a flea collar. The next weekday I took her to the local vet to have her scanned. “No ID Found”, the scanner reported.
It looked like I had a dog but the story was not over. Even after I had someone post the “no ID found” scanner photo, someone still thought it may be her dog so the police called again. I met the officer at another vet in the neighborhood where the puppy was scanned again and with the same results. “No ID found” putting the investigation to an end.
My own Sophie cannot understand why we have a tag-a-long with us in the house. Wherever I go, “Puppy” goes as well as my own Sophie. I didn’t want another dog. I have too many pets as it is but at the same time, I could not let this pup run free without someone to love and pet her.
She goes to her first “Doggie Do” appointment this week and will see a vet for shots and care next week. Most of all, she’s so happy and contented not to be running scared anymore. And, after at least a dozen baths, she’s beginning to scratch less and the fleas are under control. She’s truly a rescue dog that has a new home. Her name is “Puppy” and she shows no signs of fright.
Josie