Sunday, September 7, 2008

being obsessive

Okay, I am a little worried.

A little back story here... So these 2 bastard stray dogs show up a week ago. And I, being stupid, have really fallen for them.

And just a little after falling for them, Ellie and I both realize: we really cannot keep them. While we have plenty of room for them outside, we have no fence beyond a 30x40 pen. And inside, well we are 2 humans, 3 cats and 2 small dogs living in 600 square feet. Its cozy. And while they spent the greater part of the first 4 days hanging very close to us, they have now started exploring the rural neighborhood. And pissing off the neighbors. Oh, and did I mention they are heart worm positive? Freaking great. So they have either been "on the lam" for months (according to the vet) or they have been living with someone that has not bothered to give them basic minimal care.

And tonight, for the first time in a week, they missed a meal. So now I sit and worry about dogs that aren't even mine and I cannot even keep.

If they miss our morning walk (and breakfast) tomorrow, I am going to be seriously worried.

[EDIT 9:30am 9/8] ...and this makes me officially worried. Having never missed a meal in a week, they now have missed 2. Harold would forgo a meal anytime -- especially if he could get affection instead of food. Maude on the other hand does not appear to be a girl that misses meals -- both in her stature and her actions.

And they missed the walk this morning. This was a concept that appeared so new and cool to them that I cannot imagine they would miss it. It was clearly the most fun they had all day.

[EDIT 5:00pm 9/8] An odd ending to the story. So when the dogs left here Sunday, they went home. They live about a mile from here. Probably less as the crow flies (or the dog roams). The dogs real owner called our vet (seeing as the dogs now had tags) and through the vet got in touch with us. He reimbursed us for the veterinary bills and was quite shocked to learn that his dogs had heart worms.

If you've tuned out, this is where you should start listening. These dogs were treated monthly with Revolution (which we also use). The real owner was told (after the fact) that the dogs must stay dry for 24 hours after application. Well, the dogs live near a 10 acre lake and swim every day rain or shine. Be warned: revolution washes off.

So Harold (Sam) and Maude (Daisy) are home.

7 comments:

Og Make Blog said...

Probably veteran refugees.... get what you can, then move on. They probably started in the Katrina days, then showed up on your doorstep for Gustav.

Continue with the veterinary and emotional capital at your own risk.

Spork In the Eye said...

Judging from the gut on Maude, she hasn't been a refugee long. Though we had considered they might have been dumped by Gustav escapees.

The odd bits: someone cared enough to spay/neuter these animals. They cared enough to shear the long haired one in the summer. But they didn't care enough to give them a damn heart worm pill once a month. That is a strange combination.

All we can wildly guess is that it was someone in a financial bind that started cutting back by stopping medication, then cut back further by dumping the dogs and no longer feeding them.

LogoGirl said...

Do you have an active dog catcher out in the boonies?

Spork In the Eye said...

"Active?" I'd say no. But one does exist as a department under the sheriff. I've called them before with loose problem dogs. I called every day for 3 days and left a message each day. I never got a callback. So I'd say they are not active.

We did get a message on the answering machine from the vet saying they actually found "home" (wherever that is) and someone is wondering why they are collared and tagged. We shall see how this plays out.

Spork In the Eye said...

post updated. Story over.

Enos Straitt said...

At least you got your money back that you spent on the vet. Hopefully you were not so attached that you lose weight now that they are gone.

Spork In the Eye said...

No, while we were attached to the buggers, we were already searching for a home for them. We sort of had accepted that this was not the right time for us. No fence means the dogs will roam and be subject to cougars, bobcats, angry farmers with dead chickens, etc.

When there is a house (instead of a tool shed with a bed in it) we can figure out fencing for a big dog.