Little Gifts Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 This would break my heart too. I can't abide borderline neglect because it means real neglect is just around the corner. Those people might care for their dog in their own way but it doesn't have value to them in the sense that they wouldn't spend money on it to keep it well or safe. And if it became a problem with council - escaping the yard or barking, they would get rid of it before they spent money addressing the behavioural issues behind it. Always the poor dog who suffers the most. I really don't know what the best option is. I'd probably be up front and tell them I'm keeping their dog because they don't look after it properly and have my fingers and toes crossed they just shrug and let it go. Do they actually come over and get the dog at the end of the day or is it you returning the dog to the yard? Why don't you try not returning the dog one afternoon/night and seeing if they come looking for it? If they do you can always pretend you didn't realise the time. If they don't you have your answer. DO NOT GIVE THEM MONEY - whether that be for caring temporarily for their dog or buying it off them. They didn't pay that much and they don't deserve to be rewarded for poor ownership. You've probably spent more on food and toys for it than they have already! If money starts changing hands they will see the dog differently and not in a good way. And yes the risk is always there that they will simply get another dog but you can only deal with the problem that exists now. Cats choose new owners all the time. They start hanging out at someone else's house, getting fed and eventually they just never go back to their previous, shitty home. I wish it was so easy with dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph M Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Can you contact the Real Estate Agent to see if they know that they have a dog? I had this same problem in my last house & called the Agent - turns out they weren't allowed to have any pets, the dog ended up going to live with her parents and was allowed in the house & taken every where with them :D best outcome Dog would.more likely end up at the pound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louise6616 Posted March 27, 2014 Author Share Posted March 27, 2014 Oh Little Gifts! I am with you!! No, they don't drop her off or come and get her. I always ask if she can come and play, and take her home later. I'm not sure if they couldn't be bothered to come and get her, or the fact that my big scary boy dog might not let them in the house hahaha - I shouldn't laugh, but I do trust his instinct about people! The girl that owns her is actually nice, just a young girl with no idea about responsibility. She's pretty laid back. The mum, not so. She's a bit more volatile, she would be the one to cause problems. I messaged them saying I was going to dig a big trench - the reply 'what about your dogs and chickens' hmm, good point. Right now they are expecting me to return their dog, actually I think they expected it a few hours ago. But I asked if she was allowed to sleep indoors while the weather was so wet and cold and miserable - no reply, so I haven't taken her home because I don't want her to freeze all night! So it may get ugly if I don't do a little foxtrot soon!!! My reason for offering $$ is I know her car loan sucks up most of her income, they are always 'broke' - so I know the idea of $$ would be very convincing. But, yes, you are right, I might end up paying a LOT of money just to keep her safe! (which would be worth it!) But they would abuse my gesture. I did have some other 'not so legal' ideas! I am pretty certain they want her, they just have a crappy standard of how animals should live. They rent privately. Have lived next door for at least 12months, they will be here a while. Their landlord is always here, he is well aware of the dog and the cat. (funnily enough I have noticed their cat sleeping at my front door recently too!) They would just sell her on gumtree or something, not desexed if for any reason they felt they couldn't keep her. I think the weather has exasperated the issue, I usually always take her home, but knowing she would be out in the freezing cold I just can't bring myself to allow that. And I can't sleep listening to her howling and trying desperately to get under the fence. She is house trained, she hasn't made any mess ever. In the day if the weather is too hot or cold, I leave her indoors with my dogs when I need to go out and everything is perfect. Not sure what tomorrow will bring, I will probably feel like a fugitive by tomorrow having kept her for 48hours! The wet weather is forecast to stay so we'll see! Thanks everyone for your input, I appreciate your perspective and interaction :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Just tell them what you have told us ;that the dog is unhappy and why.Then ask if they will sell the dog to you. They can only say yes or no.They could be unaware that the dog needs more attention and think the dog is doing fine. If you tell them strait out what care the dog needs then they may try to do better by him. if you insinuate in a any way that they are not caring for their dog it is just going to annoy & offend them. Obviously they think this is an ok way to keep a dog. No way should you pay them to let their dog come over to you. I doubt they would bother getting another dog & would still offer them $50 to sell & say you all love her. Sounds like they're not that bothered anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowanbree Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 I would buy her a kennel and pop it over there. At least that way she will have a warm bed. You can just say a friend offered it to you and you thought with the colder weather coming it would be ideal for her Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 I would buy her a kennel and pop it over there. At least that way she will have a warm bed. You can just say a friend offered it to you and you thought with the colder weather coming it would be ideal for her Great idea, smear a bit of dirt around it and say your friend didn't need it any more and you don't really want it but they can have it ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdie Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Just tell them what you have told us ;that the dog is unhappy and why.Then ask if they will sell the dog to you. They can only say yes or no.They could be unaware that the dog needs more attention and think the dog is doing fine. If you tell them strait out what care the dog needs then they may try to do better by him. if you insinuate in a any way that they are not caring for their dog it is just going to annoy & offend them. Obviously they think this is an ok way to keep a dog. No way should you pay them to let their dog come over to you. I doubt they would bother getting another dog & would still offer them $50 to sell & say you all love her. Sounds like they're not that bothered anyway. I'm not talking about insinuating ;just tell them strait out in a friendly way that the dog needs more attention and a warm bed and that's why he is heading next door to get it.The dog belongs to them and it is up to them to look after him and not have him dig out and escape. The more you help out the less they will do for the dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 In Victoria it's more expensive to register an undesexed dog. Perhaps report them to council. They needn't know it was you who dobbed them in. Sometimes the council do random checks. They might not want her if they have to register her and it's expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra777 Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) In Victoria it's more expensive to register an undesexed dog. Perhaps report them to council. They needn't know it was you who dobbed them in. Sometimes the council do random checks. They might not want her if they have to register her and it's expensive. Um, in Victoria reporting a $200 "staffy" has the very real possibility of ending up with a dead "staffy". Edited for clarity - I realise OP isn't in Victoria.... Edited March 27, 2014 by Sandra777 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 Not sure what tomorrow will bring, I will probably feel like a fugitive by tomorrow having kept her for 48hours! The wet weather is forecast to stay so we'll see! Thanks everyone for your input, I appreciate your perspective and interaction :) Lets hope the police don't knock on your door for stealing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 This all feels so uncomfortable ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RazorBlade Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 I think you need to mind your own business. Different people have different standards when it comes to dogs. They might not align with your standards or the way we would all like to see dogs treated but that doesn't necessarily mean the dog is being abused or mistreated. If you continue on the way you are going then I suspect you are setting yourself up for much heart ache and technically your actions are in the wrong. I also live next to a family that, in my opinion, don't treat their dog the way it deserves. That doesn't mean it's within my rights to try and take the dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosmum Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 (edited) Agreed. I think in your shoes I would 1st, stop offering money for spey etc. I think it will cause offense. Id likely still offer a shelter though. :) as a basic requirement. I would explain to the owners I genuinely thought I was helping out, but dogs thrive best when they know, and are comfortable with their place in a pack and she has now bonded with mine, and mine with her. I am sorry. Can I please give you what you paid for her to buy her? Because to reverse that, you need to put a lot of time into it. Again, I am very sorry, but if you allow me to buy her from you you could borrow her back when ever you want her. But thats me. Edited March 28, 2014 by moosmum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 I think you have made a massive rod for your own back and in showing the neighbours dog a glimpse of a better life, made a bad situation worse for everyone including the dog. Whoever said "the road to hell is paved with good intentions" nailed it as far as this situation is concerned. Either offer to buy the dog, buy it a kennel or back out of this situation completely and quickly. Ideas about paying ongoing money for "access" to the dog are, quite frankly, strange. If you have genluine concerns about the dog, call the RSPCA the rangers or both and expect that your neighbours will be seriously pissed off. By law they are required to offer adequate food, water and shelter. That's it. Yes, this sucks but you can't keep on the way this has gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louise6616 Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 Thank you so much to all of you for offering some great tips, I will buy a dog kennel and pretend I got it for free. You know what I love the most about DOL? THere are some really geniune, dog loving people, offering constructive advice. And of course, there are others that simply state their opinion or insults to make themselves feel better. I get what you are all saying: rock - me - hardplace. But I already knew that! Maybe to some people listening to your neighbours dog howl and cry and be yelled at etc is ok, but I can't just ignore it. Yes, I still have the dog. No they have not 'asked for her to come home' or phoned or messaged or come to collect her. There isn't much point putting her back in her yard so she can wiggle under the fence right at the minute. And no, I don't care who knocks on my door -I am not sending her home to sleep out in the cold, wet, mud. I will get her a kennel, that way they will hopefully still let her come and play in the day, and we can send her home knowing she isn't going to freeze to death overnight. So thank you so much for the great idea!! I will get her a little jumper too, and pretend I 'had it spare' so they she doesn't freeze to death in winter. Hopefully it will al settle back down soon. One person may not be able to change the world - but for this one dog I have changed her world! the last thing this world needs is another undesexed, unsocialised, scared staffy finding her way into and even worse home! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 (edited) Edited - technical difficulties. Edited March 28, 2014 by Haredown Whippets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 (edited) Thank you so much to all of you for offering some great tips, I will buy a dog kennel and pretend I got it for free. You know what I love the most about DOL? THere are some really geniune, dog loving people, offering constructive advice. And of course, there are others that simply state their opinion or insults to make themselves feel better. I get what you are all saying: rock - me - hardplace. But I already knew that! Maybe to some people listening to your neighbours dog howl and cry and be yelled at etc is ok, but I can't just ignore it. Yes, I still have the dog. No they have not 'asked for her to come home' or phoned or messaged or come to collect her. There isn't much point putting her back in her yard so she can wiggle under the fence right at the minute. And no, I don't care who knocks on my door -I am not sending her home to sleep out in the cold, wet, mud. I will get her a kennel, that way they will hopefully still let her come and play in the day, and we can send her home knowing she isn't going to freeze to death overnight. So thank you so much for the great idea!! I will get her a little jumper too, and pretend I 'had it spare' so they she doesn't freeze to death in winter. Hopefully it will al settle back down soon. One person may not be able to change the world - but for this one dog I have changed her world! the last thing this world needs is another undesexed, unsocialised, scared staffy finding her way into and even worse home! I'm glad you feel that you've done the right thing. But some genuine dog lovingpeople are looking down the road and the view isn't sunny. You have not changed this dog's world if she is returned to her former owner. She will have shelter but she won't have attention. What you have done is show her how much better how her life could be and in all likelihood how it won't be from here on. She will now do anything and everything to keep returning to a better world, only to be sent back again. So sorry, for all your good intentions, I think you've potentially made a dog with a very ordinary life into a dog that will do anything to escape it. You've created an escape artist. The moral high ground is a very rocky place - suggest you resist the urge to claim it too readily. I look forward to her owners surrendering her and you claiming you've "saved" her for good. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to have my Cassandra prediction blown out of the water. Posting like this doesn't make me "feel better". Believe me when I say that the only feelings I am interested in are the dog's. And for the record, if I was hearing a dog crying constantly I'd call the rangers - they have the capacity to take action about the dog legally. Direct action was never your only option. You can't keep applying bandaids to a gaping wound and expect it to heal. Edited March 28, 2014 by Haredown Whippets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 For what it's worth I think everyone's getting wound up over what the neighbours *might* be thinking when it's fairly clear they don't think much at all if they are not coming over to collect their dog. I was in the car yesterday and caught Richard Stubbs saying "there's no reason 2 dogs in yards next door to each other need to be miserable while their owners work 9-5 all day, talk to your neighbour, say, hey, how about our dogs have play dates while we're out working? (after all the right introductions etc etc.)." I was cheering! Talk to your neighbours, explain what is happening, tell them you like her and now she would prefer to be at your place full time. Because she is a dog and because she is a Staffy and they crave companionship. Offer to buy the dog if you sincerely want another dog. Don't offer her purchase price, offer half. Get them to sign a receipt that you have handwritten. End. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 I agree with Haredown. What if they don't want to sell the dog? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louise6616 Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 thank you haredown - I'm trying to take your opinion with a pinch of salt, but frankly I think you're just downright rude. Why not find another topic? One when you can be helpful rather than offensive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now