Update on the dog!!!

Abc123

Ok so as some of you know, a stray dog literally walked into our house today.  Then when we got it out of our house it made it's new home in the garage.  Well the storms are really bad here and after a little bit of talking my husband and I decided to keep it (for now).

Well our neighbors are letting us borrow a kennel for him.  And my husband didn't feel right leaving him in the garage (which I COMPLETELY understand, but really I'm sure the dog is just grateful to have a place with cover because I've come to realize I think he's been a street dog for at least a month).  Well that meant my DH had to give him a bath, and dry him so he could stay inside.  This poor dog has probably never had a bath. 

He's a very hyper, very playful puppy.  However, he doesn't realize that he's not small and has knocked my DD and another little girl over.  This is when we realized that he's going to take a lot of training.  So after my DD's bedtime we talked. We've decided we can't keep the dog forever, but we won't just send him to a shelter.  So we've called the few people we already know in the area to see if they want to take him or if they know someone who can. 

He's young, we think less than 6 months.  But we really have no idea.  His balls haven't dropped yet, so anyone who knows when that happens could probably give me a better guess on his age.  He hasn't been eatting well and he's sorta skinny, but not TOOOOO skinny.  You really only notice when he lays down.  We think that he's part lab, maybe part boxer, maybe part pitt...but we aren't sure. 

We really don't know what to do, I'm going to take a better picture of him tomorrow and list him on Craigslist and see if I get any takers.  I really really really don't want to send him to a shelter, and I know as long as he doesn't chew anything up my DH is completely on board with that.  But we had a realistic talk about having a large sized puppy right now that is hyper and needs a lot of attention, and honestly we don't feel comfortable taking that on right now.  Flame if you feel you must, but we're making the decision that's best for us.

Anyhow, if ya'll have any ideas of how I can find a home for this guy...I would really appreciate it.  He's a sweet dog....and when he's tired and just laying there I think that he's calm enough to handle.  But then he starts getting hyper and I remember "Ohhhh no!!"

His name for now is Bullwinkle...and for now his bed is our floor.  :-) 

karelaorange

A thought is to find a foster group in your area.  If you go to petfinder.org and search for dogs in your area, you'll also the organizations that they're listed through.  You should be able to track down contact info for one of them.  They can either place the dog with a foster family until it's adopted, or you can offer to foster him until he's adopted.  Good luck, it's good to hear you're not turning him over to a shelter! 

NewLerma

Maybe you can find out from a vet what exactly he has in him and find a rescue that specializes in that breed/mix. That's what we did with a rat terrier, the rescue was called ratbone and they had foster homes that were more qualified to find good homes for them. Other than that, if you can't find someone on CL I would suggest a no kill shelter...*shrug* that's all I got

sam19

Send him my way! Ok so I'm not allowd to have a dog (stupid apartments) but I think what you are doing is great. I totally understand not wanting to take on the responsibility of a hyper puppy right now. I would talk to your local animal shelter or vetrinarian and see if they know of any local foster homes and just spread the word that you have a dog you are looking to give away. I suggest taking him to the vet but I'm not sure if you want to spend that kind of money on a stray you aren't keeping. Good luck with the dog.

IselaCid

I was pretty shocked you were considering taking him in the first place...no way would I have considered it!  But we already have a big dog and it would be pure insanity...

 Anyway, I would try CL like you said, but state it as a FOUND dog, maybe somebody lost him and is actually looking for him?  Also, you can take him to a local vet to check if he has a microchip.  If someone got him really young from a shelter or something he is most likely microchipped.  They also may have heard about a missing or lost puppy in the area. 

I would also try and pay for any needed shots, so that if you have any takers on CL you can charge them an adoption fee...minimal, but it keeps those who just whord animals or those who use them for not so nice things at bay.  

If worst comes to worst, do you have a local humane society?  He's a young cute pup, he'll get adopted. 

You have a small child and a baby on the way, while I think it's nice of you to try and hold on to him...I think it would be super hard!

Abc123

Thanks ya'll.  I think we're going to have to wait til Monday to find out about foster care/vet care.  Hopefully someone can help this guy out. He's going to make a great, fun dog for someone!  Just not us. 

I'm headed to bed now.  I'm so tired and my heartburn is making me a dragon! 

Night!

IselaCid

Also, I'm not sure how big your city is, but lots of places have free or low cost clinics for shots and fixing dogs, especially if they were found or stray etc.  You could look into that as well. 

Jen2004

I agree with foster families, we actually found our cat in a shopping cart in the middle of an October rain storm when she was 8/10weeks old. 5 years later she is the best cat we could ever ask for. She and our Lab (who is 5) are the best of pals too...

DMBMamma

That is so nice of you to take him in for now, and to make sure he goes to a good home! About the balls question, I bet he was already fixed. I don't think it takes very long for dog balls to drop, but then again I am not a dog ball expert. But I used to work in a pet store and volunteer at a humane society, so I feel like I have seen a lot of young dogs.