Rescued Dog

Rescued Dog
Originally uploaded by killy

This is 'puppy'. He had been wandering around the house for the last few days. I noticed him in the front yard this past wednesday and asked him (politely) to please not poop in my yard. He gave me a brief, deep bark and turned away. He looked mostly well kept, didn't necessarily look like a stray - but then again, i don't know much about dogs. I figured he had just gotten away from someone for a bit and didn't think of it again.

He showed up in my backyard the next day. I went outside and said, "Excuse me," and pointed towards the missing board in my fence. He looked up at me, turned and carefully stepped over the bottom 2x4 and exited peacefully. He was too careful and i at this point i realized he was injured and most likely a stray. I didn't see him for a couple of days. It rained. It got chilly.

Saturday was a wonderfully productive day for me. I mowed the grass, i cleaned out the garage, i finally attempted to sweep the multitude of water oak acorns from my driveway. Overwhelmed, i decided to vacuum them instead. I used my shop vac to vacuum my yard. I don't think i'll ever rake again.

Then, standing in my yard was puppy. "Hey puppy. Where have you been?" He stood there. I put out my hand and he came carefully to me sniffed and licked my hand. He had been traumatized by someone, mostly likely a male. When Carol came out he went to Carol without hesitation. We got some dog food from a dog owner across the street which he ate quickly. The fresh water carol left out was lapped up just as quickly. As he ate, it was only then i realized he was skinnier than he should have been.

I didn't know what to do at this point. I didn't want to take him to the SPCA or the Humane Society. I didn't want him to be put down. I called my boss, a known dog rescuer, who just so happened to be shopping in the Heights. She came over 10 minutes later. She got out of her car and sat down on the sidewalk. Puppy came right to her. J put a leash on him which he accepted quickly and began to point things out:

You can tell by his skin he's been out for awhile.
He's been scrounging
He's paws are sore
He's arthritic
He looks like a Daschund / Basset Hound mix, it looks like.

Jeanne lifted him into her car with her doggy lift (a little velcro belt with a handle on it) and drove him home where, apparently, he slept most of the day. He is going to the vet this morning for an evaluation.

I hope these are not his last days. He was adorable.