baby puppies abandoned in a ditch

mashedbanana

My hubby rang me while ago, to tell me someone had abandoned 2 very small puppies in a ditch. He said they are as small as our own lil doggie when we bought him first (shorter then the sky remote when he was 3 months). They sort of staggered out infront of his truck, and thankfully he spotted them. turned off the truck and jumped out. He was in the middle of no where (literally) no houses around for miles. They must have been dropped off :-( He hung around for a while to see if their mum was hanging around. Nothing.

Naturally, I could see where the call was leading to. so looks like we'll have 2 extra mouths to feed! and spade/neuter. He has no idea what breed they are, probably mongroooooools! Am we doing the right thing? cos God only knows what they'll turn out to be.

él statutorio

You're doing the right thing. Even if you can't keep them yourself you can always rehome them. You've given them a shot at a life after someone had taken it away and that's a good thing. Well done to you!

Whispered

Ah fair play to you both. If at all possible your husband might go back and have a good search through the ditch and surrounding area in case there were more than 2.

mashedbanana

Whispered wrote: »

Ah fair play to you both. If at all possible your husband might go back and have a good search through the ditch and surrounding area in case there were more than 2.

He did, he hung around and started calling. After a poke around, it was time for him to head away. It's just the 2 of them :-( definitely dropped off, cos they are too small to walk that far away from any house/shed unaided. Last I heard he was pulling into centra to get them food! I doubt it'll be tinned food tho (in the back of truck?) sausages/cooked meat probably. Poor lil things.

jimf

well done i know its 2 more mouths to feed but imagine the personal satisfaction when you see 2 healthy puppies fighting for your love and attention in a couple of weeks time it will all be worth it

again fair play to you both human nature is alive and thriving

you will get your rewards i hope

Myrddin

mashedbanana wrote: »

Am we doing the right thing?

Definitely. Don't even think twice about it. Imagine trying to sleep tonight knowing those two puppies were out in below freezing conditions just waiting to die.

On the other hand, some people are utter scum bags. How anyone could just drop off two puppies like that is beyond me, put them on the vets doorstep or something, give them a chance like. To just basically leave them to die says a lot about those who do it.

kylith

If you're planning on keeping both of them then you'll need to read up on 'littermate syndrome'. I've heard that it can be very difficult taking on littermates as they bond with each other more than with you, so training can be difficult.

meoklmrk91

If you guys aren't in s position to keep them then contact your local animal rescue and explain to them what happened, they should be able to help. More than lokely if they have space they will take them and rehome them after Xmas.

You are definitely doing the right thing, while it is an awful lot to take on, I understand your apprehension, if your husband just left them there then they could easily be killed on the road, freeze to death, starve to death, be picked up by some not so very nice people etc. there chances or survival at this age would be very, very slim if left to fend for themselves. Atleast with you guys taking them, even temporarily, they will survive.

Best of luck .

toadfly

Wow fair play to ye. What county are you in, we'll be able to recommend some rescues that might be able to help.

lorebringer

Just wanted to say good on you and your hubby - so many people would have kept going.

Dumping unwanted puppies is very common in this country, I'd love to hear the "reasons" whoever the sh!thead was would give for doing what they did. Gets me so damn angry.

sonichic

Yes of course you are doing the right thing. poor fur babas. you can always give them away to a good home once they are in good health. I can never understand how anyone can hurt an animal.

mashedbanana

TillyGirl wrote: »

Wow fair play to ye. What county are you in, we'll be able to recommend some rescues that might be able to help.

Cork county, close to Kerry too though :-)

mashedbanana

lorebringer wrote: »

Just wanted to say good on you and your hubby - so many people would have kept going.

Dumping unwanted puppies is very common in this country, I'd love to hear the "reasons" whoever the sh!thead was would give for doing what they did. Gets me so damn angry.

Abandoning a lil puppie is really scrapping the end of the barrell. A fully grown dog off loose scavaging for food is bad enough, and breeding with other dogs, but doing that to a pup that can't find food? thats just heartless.

i thought that if they were female they might have been abandoned to stop any more unanted puppies, maybe someone couldn't afford to have them spade. but I was informed that they are both male (so I can only assume that they couldn't afford to feed them, still no excuse)

one is very loving. the other couldn't give 2 Fecks! they have had (so far) sausages, and fresh milk (supplied by one of the farmers on one of my hubbys stops). when they are 'home' and get to meet the '1foot tall 1foot long 'boss' of the kitchen...they'll settle in.

any ideas why they would have wanted rid of 2 males though?

DBB

mashedbanana wrote: »

any ideas why they would have wanted rid of 2 males though?

I've come to the conclusion after years of working in rescue that there is simply no point in trying to figure out why some people are prepared to do something like this to helpless pups. As already posted above, why not leave them somewhere where they'll be found and helped, one way or the other? It beggars belief, and I don't think people like this are on the same planet as the type of people who post in forums like this! Different species.

OP, have you reared impoverished pups before? I know your OH was stuck, but sausages and milk are the absolute last thing a pup should be consuming... milk will really upset their tums.
Would you consider contacting a local rescue, at least for guidance on how to raise these pups, on the assumption that they're not in the peak of their health? At the very least, the first thing that must happen is that they see a vet: they are almost certainly going to need to be (very carefully) wormed, possibly treated fleas (or other parasites), and you need to find out what age they are. They'll need to get onto really good, nutritious food, and they're going to turn your home into a cesspit (all pups do!)
Getting some experienced guidance in all of this would be very useful for you, if not that they'd take the pups altogether and have them raised by an experienced fosterer.

mashedbanana

Right then. They are home. One is pitch black. Looks like a baby labrador..but the legs are 5 miles long! The other is the exact same colours of an alsatian (same proportion as the black, again with the legs that go on for miles)

I fed them, and watered them. Very scared & timid (naturally) Something weird/unusual.One of my lil ones was demanding a plate chippies. Our frier has an alarm on it. It beeps for about 30 seconds to indicate it's ready. when the pups heard this bleeping, they shot out from their hiding spot, full of excitment, and looking up at us like they were waiting for something. Bleeping noises mean something great to them? any ideas?

They are 18" from tip of nose to their backside ( not including tail), front legs from shoulder down is 8". The black one seems like the runt of the litter, is certainy a bit smaller, even her (yes they turned out to be 2 girls) eyes still have that bluey colour to them. No more then 3 months I'd say from experience of puppies.

SillyMangoX

Maybe they could be lurchers? They are quite leggy as puppies. Well done for taking them in!

planetX

or greyhounds? females kept for breeding maybe.

Qwerty Dub

Fair play to you & your husband and hopefully everything works out.

Any chance of a pic of the two wee brats :-)

mashedbanana

Qwerty Dub wrote: »

Fair play to you & your husband and hopefully everything works out.

Any chance of a pic of the two wee brats :-)

I'll have a look and figure out how to do that, I took a few with a view to uploading. Might take a while though!:-)

SillyMangoX

mashedbanana wrote: »

I'll have a look and figure out how to do that, I took a few with a view to uploading. Might take a while though!:-)

If you upload the photo to photobucket.com (it's free to set up an account!) you will see something that says IMG code at the right hand side of the screen, copy and paste that code here

mashedbanana

I think we have black labradors X german shepards.
We have had labs in the past, but never had shepards. they are young, and skinny.

strandroad

Well done for taking them in. I hope you'll be able to rehome them to some good folks.

It could have been that an abandoned/stray bitch gave birth in a ditch and if your husband couldn't find her sadly she may have died, or wandered away in search of food, and the puppies went searching for warmth.

markbld65

fair play to ye both

we have 6 rescues here,

bless ye both karma will repay you

mosi

From the description they sound like lurchers! OP, fair play, you guys totally doing the right thing by taking them in. If you upload pics on Facebook, you can copy and paste as well. There are a few groups in the country involved in rescuing greyhounds and lurchers. They may be able to give you advice, and help in finding homes if you can't keep them yourself.

ShaShaBear

Funny that, because a little black Labrador type pup and black and tan shep pup were abandoned on a beach in Drogheda there last night by someone in a car! She actually dumped three pups, but came back for the last one! Do people not realise how cold it is?

aimee0123

I really cannot believe how anyone could be so cruel to do this to an animal

kylith

mashedbanana wrote: »

i thought that if they were female they might have been abandoned to stop any more unanted puppies, maybe someone couldn't afford to have them spade. but I was informed that they are both male (so I can only assume that they couldn't afford to feed them, still no excuse)

any ideas why they would have wanted rid of 2 males though?

It's probable that they are the remains of a litter that the breeder couldn't sell. The little guys are lucky that they didn't wind up in a sack in a river.

mashedbanana

mashedbanana

Qwerty Dub

Cant see the pics. Can anyone else see them?

RubyGirl

Qwerty Dub wrote: »

Cant see the pics. Can anyone else see them?

No, cant see them either.

TooManyDogs

The pup dumping seems particularly bad this week, we got a call from a guy who saw 5 pups dumped out in a cardboard box from a van on Tues night. They were put out on the side of a busy road on a freezing cold night, people are the animals that's for sure. They're likely lurchers pups, full of worms and starving

mashedbanana

Sorry about the pictures :-( i'm crap at this. I did manage to upload a pic onto photoshack. But then did not have a clue how to get it from there to here. anyway, an update. Look like they are german shepherd puppies, just off the teat. They were so hungry, they were fighting with eachother about 'who would get to eat their poo' Soo bvously as soon as they go, it gets cleaned up.
They vomitted ALOT, and had very wattering poo ALOT and FULL of worms. So have them on good puppy food, endless supply of water, and I have wormed them too. Now they are eating alot more calmer, relaxed, and not fighting eachother for it! :-D

They are ....finally...not afraid, full of life, happy, warm, fed, and get great fun out of teasing our other pooch! (he is spoilt and can't understand what the commotion is all about ..woof!) they love the kids too. typical puppies. We will do the best we can for them anyway.

Up again at 5.30 this morning washing the kitchen floor which i dont mind, I'm always up early anyway to let the pooch & cat out for a piddle.

Qwerty Dub

mashedbanana wrote: »

Sorry about the pictures :-( i'm crap at this. I did manage to upload a pic onto photoshack. But then did not have a clue how to get it from there to here. anyway, an update. Look like they are german shepherd puppies, just off the teat. They were so hungry, they were fighting with eachother about 'who would get to eat their poo' Soo bvously as soon as they go, it gets cleaned up.
They vomitted ALOT, and had very wattering poo ALOT and FULL of worms. So have them on good puppy food, endless supply of water, and I have wormed them too. Now they are eating alot more calmer, relaxed, and not fighting eachother for it! :-D

They are ....finally...not afraid, full of life, happy, warm, fed, and get great fun out of teasing our other pooch! (he is spoilt and can't understand what the commotion is all about ..woof!) they love the kids too. typical puppies. We will do the best we can for them anyway.

Up again at 5.30 this morning washing the kitchen floor which i dont mind, I'm always up early anyway to let the pooch & cat out for a piddle.

Fair play again on all your hard work.

Use http://imageshack.us/ to upload pics. After you upload just copy the 'Forum Code' & paste it here like the image below shows. Dead handy.

mashedbanana

http://www.photoshack.com/displayimage.php?pid=11037

Gillian1

My heart has just melted looking at those pics.
Well done op if only there was more people like you in the world

teggers5

Wow they are gorgeous! I've just read this thread, fair play to you and your family for what you're doing for these puppies. Pretty good chance they would have suffered a cruel death by now from cold/hunger if your husband hadn't pick them up. Tough job ahead of you but with lots of rewards

mashedbanana

the 2 of them are definitely sisters. the other one is completely black. Just did the school run, came back to yet another 3 Poops. I had forgotten how much they poop. Eat, Sh*t & sleep. Lucy (the one is in the pic) is 'the boss' and has developed a taste for curtains, cardigans, and oven mits. .... Elle (da black wan)is alot quieter, but man can she poop. Air freshner in one hand....mop in other... Even the pet cockatiel has stop his chatter.
i can't see myself buyin bakers complete puppy every week, it's a tad expensive, But I do it to get the starvaation off them. then i'll get them their shots. After that it's pot luck! :-)

SillyMangoX

Could be the bakers that's making them poop so much, it's not the greatest of foods to be honest!

ncmc

mashedbanana wrote: »

the 2 of them are definitely sisters. the other one is completely black. Just did the school run, came back to yet another 3 Poops. I had forgotten how much they poop. Eat, Sh*t & sleep. Lucy (the one is in the pic) is 'the boss' and has developed a taste for curtains, cardigans, and oven mits. .... Elle (da black wan)is alot quieter, but man can she poop. Air freshner in one hand....mop in other... Even the pet cockatiel has stop his chatter.
i can't see myself buyin bakers complete puppy every week, it's a tad expensive, But I do it to get the starvaation off them. then i'll get them their shots. After that it's pot luck! :-)

They are so cute mashedbanana, you and your OH are absolute heroes, it would renew your faith in humanity to see there are still decent people like you out there.

Just one thing though, I have heard awful things about Bakers dog food recently, there was an article in one of the papers lately which I just can’t find, but if you do a quick Google, there are plenty of articles about it. Maybe that’s what’s causing them to poop so much.
http://www.jack-russell-terrier.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,272828

ncmc

Silly Magoo beat me too it!

mashedbanana

Gillian1 wrote: »

My heart has just melted looking at those pics.
Well done op if only there was more people like you in the world

Isn't she only gorgeous? She's gonna be a right old madam!

mashedbanana

ncmc wrote: »

They are so cute mashedbanana, you and your OH are absolute heroes, it would renew your faith in humanity to see there are still decent people like you out there.

Just one thing though, I have heard awful things about Bakers dog food recently, there was an article in one of the papers lately which I just can’t find, but if you do a quick Google, there are plenty of articles about it. Maybe that’s what’s causing them to poop so much.
http://www.jack-russell-terrier.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,272828

I don't know is their a good alternative though for the puppy food. Going to the vet and getting the expensive stuff is outta my range. Do pedigree have a puppy range? I'll have a look at super valu tomorrow, maybe even tinned meat might be better for them. (my kitchen smells so bad! i'm boiling orange with cinnamon & cloves to mask the smell of sh*te, they both pee together & poop together...)

ncmc

mashedbanana wrote: »

I don't know is their a good alternative though for the puppy food. Going to the vet and getting the expensive stuff is outta my range. Do pedigree have a puppy range? I'll have a look at super valu tomorrow, maybe even tinned meat might be better for them. (my kitchen smells so bad! i'm boiling orange with cinnamon & cloves to mask the smell of sh*te, they both pee together & poop together...)

I really rate the James Wellbeloved range, it's not cheap, it's about €12.50 for 2kg, but because it's really good quality, you can feed them less of it. Some of the cheaper foods are a false economy cos it runs right through them (as you are discovering!) and you have to feed them loads of it, so a bag doesn't last long.

SillyMangoX

Pedigree would be just as bad as bakers and if you think the smell if bad from them with the dry stuff stay well away from the wet stuff! Boil up some chicken and rice for them, easy on the tums

meoklmrk91

Would agree with the others regarding the food. I know it's a lot to pay out at first but it really is grand when you realise how long the bag lasts. Wouldn't rate hills or royal canin, the two most popular foods that are sold in practice, they are way too expensive for what they are. But look if you can't afford it, you can't afford it. But just so as you know bakers pedigree etc. are all false economy, cheaper to buy in first place and then you have to feed a load of it because its so low quality. Whatever you do stay away from the tinned food, it's a waste of money and ads nothing but palatibilty.

Oh and just wondering are ye planning on keeping the little ladies or are ye going to try and a rehome them? Just put if curiosity really. Regardless, well done for taking them on, it's a serious amount if work with 1 nevermind say 2!

strandroad

I think that whatever they get to eat it may be a while before their bellies settle as it may be their first time they are eating solids at all.
Bakers is not great and I understand how others may be expensive; if you look at mid-range foods such as Red Mills though it should be affordable and it goes a long way as there is not that much filler as in supermarket foods.
Some manufacturers will send you samples before you commit to buy full size package so perhaps it's something to try!

mashedbanana

meoklmrk91 wrote: »

Would agree with the others regarding the food. I know it's a lot to pay out at first but it really is grand when you realise how long the bag lasts. Wouldn't rate hills or royal canin, the two most popular foods that are sold in practice, they are way too expensive for what they are. But look if you can't afford it, you can't afford it. But just so as you know bakers pedigree etc. are all false economy, cheaper to buy in first place and then you have to feed a load of it because its so low quality. Whatever you do stay away from the tinned food, it's a waste of money and ads nothing but palatibilty.

Oh and just wondering are ye planning on keeping the little ladies or are ye going to try and a rehome them? Just put if curiosity really. Regardless, well done for taking them on, it's a serious amount if work with 1 nevermind say 2!

i thought bakers was the best, cos it the most expensive in the shops! Oh well... shur i have it bought now, i'm sure the other pooch won't mind having it instead. I had wondered, if they had been whipped off the teat too fast, and that ANY solid food might do the same thing..run straight through them. Ill have to play it by ear, and keep them hydrated in the mean time. I don't know if worming them might have added to the excessive watery poos too? Mind you...all the worms are coming out, dead.

Tbh i don't know for sure if I'm going to keep them or not, still undecided. in the mean time, I'll nurse them back to health. :-)

ncmc

mashedbanana wrote: »

i thought bakers was the best, cos it the most expensive in the shops! Oh well... shur i have it bought now, i'm sure the other pooch won't mind having it instead. I had wondered, if they had been whipped off the teat too fast, and that ANY solid food might do the same thing..run straight through them. Ill have to play it by ear, and keep them hydrated in the mean time. I don't know if worming them might have added to the excessive watery poos too? Mind you...all the worms are coming out, dead.

Tbh i don't know for sure if I'm going to keep them or not, still undecided. in the mean time, I'll nurse them back to health. :-)

I think the previous advice about rice and chicken might be be best at the moment as it does sound as if their little tummies aren't used to solid food. Maybe try them on that for a few days and see if the poo situation improves!

meoklmrk91

If your worried that they have been taken from the mother too soon then buy some milk replacer for them, not too expensive and a tin lasts a good while, anytime I have seen any very young animal I have always recommended this and they come on leaps and bounds, they wouldn't need more than a week or two at this stage by the looks of them, but wouldn't do them any harm if they were very wormy.

Watery poos aren't great because they will get dehydrated, not saying they will die or anything but it is less than ideal, I would do a mix of the replacer and some decent quality puppy feed for a week and see how they go. If there is a maxizoo near you pop in, I have always found them fairly helpful, and they have a massive range and often have offers on. Just go in with a budget in mind or if you want through your budget up here and we can help, midrange food should be fine, miles better than pedigree and bakers, I can't understand how they can sell bakers it's just rubbish put into colourful shapes, full of sugar and salt too.