a sad dog story... now a happy dog story :D

IrishHomer

A year ago I was rushing to work one morning when I noticed 3 Pomeranian type dogs on the middle of road looking lost. I hadn't time to stop but I was thinking they looked dumped abandoned.

Two days later I was walking my dog past same area when I found the same three dogs lying in a ditch beside the same road.

I immediately called the dog warden and she came out. She only managed to get one dog as they were wary of humans and difficult to approach they just run off.

Over the following months I occasionally saw the two other dogs and I used to spot them sleeping in a derelict barn.

Only one dog was then popping up and it always bolted away into the fields when I'd find it. It would also only away from my dog and not wait around at all.

Each time I'd report it on phone messages to the local dog pond and nobody would call back.

Yesterday I went to my shed to get turf and the dog was asleep in my shed! He jumped up and ran out past me. I left food in shed last night and I think he returned and ate it.

Yesterday I also called local SPCA and another local dog rescue charity and they offered no help at all.

I'm shocked and very sad that none of these dog rescue groups care. Very sad

njs030

It's unlikely they don't care op but the truth is a lot of rescues are full to the brim now and can't take on any more dogs.

Perhaps you could continue to leave some food and maybe some warm bedding for the poor dog? You seem to care at least.

DBB

It's a tough dilemma for any rescue that's crammed to the rafters, because a dog like that will take weeks, if not months of rehabilitation before it can be rehomed. So, unsavoury as it is, one problem dog could deny a number of other lovely dogs a kennel space, and a consequent home.
Similarly, a scared dog would benefit from an experienced foster home... But again, that's a foster home that's no longer available for the rescue to place x number of other dogs in for weeks or months.
So... It's a terrible choice for a rescue to have to make, because you can be sure most of them would love to be able to help sad cases like this, but reality bites, and for the greater good they have to turn such dogs away.

IrishHomer

If anyone could guide me what to do I be prepared to trap the dog and try keeper and turn its life around.

I firmly believe this dog has never had close human contact.

It's strange the way it keeps popping up around me only over past year

DBB

Fair play to you op
First couple of things you need to do is make dog feel safe, by giving him a hidden, private spot where he learns he won't be disturbed. Maybe corner off a spot in your shed. He clearly likes the place as it is!
Equally importantly, food! Feed him in the same spot, and I'd suggest you make a specific sound each and every time you place food out for him, this sound will become a predictor of food, and will help him trust you, connect you with good things happening.
You may, with time, have him approach you... Never push this, always let him dictate the pace.
You may, once there's a bit more trust, be able to trap him using a fox trap, though before doing this you'll need to gauge how tame or untamed he is... If you trap a truly feral dog it could all go belly up. However, I've been involved at some level in the capture of 3 "wild" dogs, all of whom are now pet dogs, albeit somewhat wary of strangers even years later.
If he's proving hard to catch, believe it or not, there is a dog trapper in Dublin, a very kind man who helps rescues and people in exactly your situation. I have his number should you ever need it

IrishHomer

Just a quick update.

I am now leaving food each night and he appears to be taking it all each night.

I have been making particular sounds as recommended and tonight the dog appeared as soon as I made them. This is progress but only downer my dog chased him away very aggressively.

Also today while I was away working my wife saw him enter my dogs enclosure and take an empty food can away.

DBB

Aw good stuff op. Well done
Lesson learned with your own dog huh? Can't blame him for wanting rid of the interloper though!

IrishHomer

DBB wrote:

Aw good stuff op. Well done Lesson learned with your own dog huh? Can't blame him for wanting rid of the interloper though!

Next time I'll only make noise to feed after my own dog is secured in his run

volchitsa

DBB wrote: »

Aw good stuff op. Well done
Lesson learned with your own dog huh? Can't blame him for wanting rid of the interloper though!

He probably knows from his smell that that's the dog that's been sneaking into his enclosure when he's out and stealing stuff from it. How would we react to someone we discovered had been snooping around any of our bedrooms?

(Glad you're making progress though, OP, well done!)

jimf

leave an old coat or jacket of yours near where you are feeding him

it will help him to recognise you in time

smell is a very sensitive tool to dogs

and well done

Ashbx

I love this story! Well done OP!

Keep us updated how this little dog gets on!

Kamili

This is heartwarming! Keep up the good work and dying to hear how the little guy gets on in future...

IrishHomer

I am still leaving out a big bowl of food each night and he's taking the food like clockwork.

I've the weekend I'm going to try putting the food out during daylight and see can I tempted him to get closer to me.

august12

Another thread added to my 'followed' list, love these stories.

njs030

You're a lovely person op, thank you for doing this!!

.......

This post has been deleted.

IrishHomer

UPDATE

It's all positive

The dog is now coming to be fed twice a day and always within seconds of my call whistle.

Up until yesterday it was only under darkness of night but today he reacted and came out in broad daylight. I am now progressed getting within 10 meters of him while he eats.

I even drew him to my back door this morning and he let me take a photo and he's a beautiful dog.

I'll try and upload a photo later.

He's still very wary and he won't stay if he sees my dog.

I think he hides all day every day in the hedges it's incredible how he survived the past year.

jellybear

Awh what a lovely update. You're a wonderful person OP

njs030

How wonderful!!! This is such a heartwarming story op.

Kamili

Wow well done, you've fantastic patience. Looking forward to see what he looks like

SuperSean11

You know you’re going to end up keeping it don’t you. Good work

august12

Looking forward to the photo,

IrishHomer

SuperSean11

Oh god

njs030

Awwwwwwwwwww

Kamili

He's adorable!

Well I think IrishHomer has just become my all time favourite boardsie!

IrishHomer

I have the most incredible update!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I called the dog tonight she immediately appeared and lately is coming from dense hedges and trees right behind my turf shed.

When she left that area I could clearly hear the cries from new born pups!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was dark and late and I know tonight is to be mild so I'll leave them alone for now.

What the hell do I do now?????????

This is incredible surely some dog rescue group will become interested now??????????

IrishHomer

IrishHomer wrote: »

I have the most incredible update!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I called the dog tonight she immediately appeared and lately is coming from dense hedges and trees right behind my turf shed.

When she left that area I could clearly hear the cries from new born pups!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was dark and late and I know tonight is to be mild so I'll leave them alone for now.

What the hell do I do now?????????

This is incredible surely some dog rescue group will become interested now??????????

Do you want to say what area you are in and perhaps anyone with knowledge or connections with rescues local to you can help.

That's certainly quite the development and time for some help. Hopefully now you've laid the groundwork for a rescue to catch her and pups with minimal fuss.

Knine

Wow all that coat was hiding a big surprise. Firstly change her food to puppy food and keep the food bowl full.

Be aware that she might be quite protective of her little family.

fritzelly

IrishHomer wrote: »

I have the most incredible update!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I called the dog tonight she immediately appeared and lately is coming from dense hedges and trees right behind my turf shed.

When she left that area I could clearly hear the cries from new born pups!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was dark and late and I know tonight is to be mild so I'll leave them alone for now.

What the hell do I do now?????????

This is incredible surely some dog rescue group will become interested now??????????

Probably not, they weren't before, highly unlikely this time of year. They won't want a new mother and pups who seem to be doing well under your 'tutelage'

But great story I've been subscribed to

Kamili

Wow, what a little surprise. Keep the puppy food out for her, she'll be a hungry momma.

Hopefully a rescue will help now.

IrishHomer

I am based in Clara Co. Offaly. I was originally contacting Tullamore Dog Pound, [mod edit] and local rescue groups.

DBB

Folks, please take care not to refer to individual rescue groups by name.
Any recommendations for individual groups to be made by pm.
Thanks,
DBB

DBB

DBB wrote: »

Folks, please take care not to refer to individual rescue groups by name.
Any recommendations for individual groups to be made by pm.
Thanks,
DBB

Sorry, I should have specified by PM when I suggested it. Offaly is a complete blank spot in my knowledge of rescues OP but I hope someone can point you in the right direction.

IrishHomer

I had a very busy weekend with work.

Unusual thing happened this morning.

I called the dog to feed her and she popped out of my dogs kennel and dog pen.

I have been keeping my dog in the house at night in order to give her space as normally if she sees him she bolts off for the fields.

When she came out this morning there was no sound from any pups.

I actually closed the door of the dog pen while she was feeding within it and I realised wow here's my moment to catch and contain her. However she quickly stopped her meal and wanted to get out so I realised I better let her out if she needs to go feed pups.

She went into hedges where I usually heard pups crying but within few moments she came back finished her food and then returned to the kennel.

I then went off as I had a job to do and I called few more dog rescue people and once again a waste of time.

I'm after putting out more food and calling and no sign of the mother dog. I also went into all the hedges where I had heard pups and I found nothing.

It's not unusual for her to be missing during the day as it's normally nights when I see her.

Not looking good for the pups at this stage unless she moved them. It was cold last night I think it was -2 degrees.

Actually just went out again as I noticed food gone and she is in my dogs kennel and I think she's feeding pups as she made no effort to get up or leave and I was standing 1 meter from her.

DBB

I had a very similar situation to you a few years ago op... Granted, the momma dog was probably a shade tamer... But only a shade. She'd whelped in a hedge as it happens, but we didn't know where, because she had moved the pups once or twice. We ended up getting a noose around her neck, with a long rope attached. Then from a distance, she led us back to her pups. All 7 pups were gathered up and the family got into a maternity suite with a local rescue. It was critical to get the pups early so they could be handled and socialised. Momma dog came around too, and all were rehomed as pets.
There's no gigantic hurry to move the pups for another fortnight or so. I just posted this as food for thought. I'll pm you with some possible options, but if anyone else here thinks they can help out anyhow, shout!

Flibble

A little trick to get her to lead you to the pups OP is to play the sound of puppies crying on your phone, her instincts will kick in & she'll lead you to them. Best to have a long leash attached as DBB suggested in case you lose her!

IrishHomer

UPDATE

The dog warden actually came and we discovered 4 healthy 2 week old pups with her.

She was quiet and we easily managed to take them all out and put them in a dog carrier and are gone to the pound.

I only agreed to this as they assured me very clearly that they will be cared for and given full medical vet care and injections. They said no does are put down unless they are killing livestock or attacking humans.

I said I'd pop in to see them in a few days and that is want to re-home the mother when she's ready to be released.

I took a couple of snaps will upload shortly.

IrishHomer

DBB

I know that pound has a good reputation with rehoming dogs, and although it's not often the case, a kennel environment will suit momma for another couple of weeks anyway.
Well done op... They're safe now

Aawww your amazing IrishHomer! Actually so emotional looking at this. Thanks so much for caring about this little girl. Imagine you thought you were helping one dog and you ended up saving five!

I know earlier this month the Offaly pound warden made sure a pregnant dog got out of the pound and into a good rescue. I believe she went out of her way to get the dog sorted, so hopefully your little ones are in a good spot.

njs030

So many people would have turned their back on that dog and instead you fed her and saved all their lives!!

Congratulations op you're a hero in my eyes

IrishHomer

I intend on visiting the pound regular to monitor their progress.

I also indicated to the warden that I wanted to take the mother when she's ready to be released.

I have an unforgettable memory of her looking up at me directly from the cage in the back of the van I really want to give her a great life when she's ready

jellybear

What an amazing outcome! Well done OP

gmisk

I am only seeing this thread now....wow OP, such a lovely thing to do am so glad it all worked out in the end

JustShay

This should be renamed, 'A Happy Dog Story'.

OP - Fair play, well played. Thanks to you the dogs will have good long healthy lives and a warm home!

And who knows, they may even bump into each other in the near future in the local parks / fields. And what if two of the owners of the dogs befriend each other, or you befriend one of the owners and it turns into a beautiful friendship

IrishHomer

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1542206645832723&id=615556945164369

Michelle_b

Omg seriously welling up reading through this thread. Wish there was more people like you and lovely pics on Facebook. Keep us posted x

Macker1

Fantastic news to hear...... Kudos to IrishHomer for doing such a wonderful deed. An example to everyone on what a bit of kindness can result in.

Duvetdays

Aawww so happy for them, you’re my Christmas hero!
I’ve been following this story and I’m so glad it has a happy ending. And looking at the Facebook post the second dog who you know longer saw was also rescued.
I’m seriously glad it was your garden she chose as you went above and beyond what most people would’ve done for her. I hope she has a very happy life you and your family.