It started a few weeks ago...
My elderly neighbors son-in-law got a stray white boxer puppy. Not sure of specifics, but it was on the street - the police were called - the policeman gave it to my neighbor. My neighbors son-in-law and daughter and their two kids are living with my neighbors. My neighbors also have custody of two children of another daughter. They have a v. full house.
I have been on the lookout for this puppy for two weeks. It's v. friendy, but deaf as a post. I even asked the s-i-l if the pup was deaf. He said no. Well, it's quite obvious he's deaf. Then I asked him if he was going to take the pup to the low cost vet for his shots, and he replied that he was going to the local tractor supply store and give the dog his shots himself. AARGH!
Fast forward to Saturday - I'm talking to another neighbor who said that my neighbors didn't want this pup anymore and were actually leaving the gate open hoping this pup would run away. I tried to convince this woman she should take it...I even offered to help with the cost of shots. Well, she didn't follow through. I talked to a friend at work on Monday who said he'd take the dog...even just to home it while looking for another owner. I told the daughter that yesterday. She goes on to tell me that he's pretty sick, and they just can't afford to take it to the vet. I told her my friend would take him. She said she would have to talk to her husband.
Well...I go home today and the daughter asks me if my friend is still interested in the dog and would he take it to the vet. I said yes, and that I would call my friend to make pick-up arrangements. I called my friend and he said OK he'd pick up the dog today. Well, I get to thinking that this sweet boxer should probably see a vet before I hand him to someone that has dogs himself. I don't want this pup to pass something to my friend's dogs...especially since he's doing me a favor. I called my vet's office and explained the situation to a tech and he did everything in his power to work me in for today. He told me to bring in the pup, board him there overnight and the vet would look at the pup tomorrow. I explained the situation and said this dog has been basically neglected for the last two weeks and is sickly. Well, I go run my errands and go home and the son-in-law is there with the pup and the pup looks like he's at death's door. I asked him if he talked to his wife because she gave my friend the dog and that my vet is expecting him and to go put him in my car because I can't wait and this puppy couldn't wait any longer.
I go in and the tech I talked to went out to the car to get this puppy. This puppy is so lethargic and has a bloody diarrhea episode as soon as they walked in the door. Well, out comes the booties, and gowns and everything else because first thought in everyone's mind - Parvo. They did a test but it came out negative. Anyway, they were going to start an IV tonight and try to get him comfortable. That's all they could do until the vet checks him tomorrow. They asked me how much I wanted to spend for treatment and I gave them a limit that I can afford right now. They can't even vaccinate him until he's in better health.
So I may have to decide to euthanize him tomorrow if the news is bad. Plus, I haven't told my friend how sick this puppy is because I'm afraid he'll change his mind. Also, I haven't told my BF how involved I just got myself because he'd be mad and feel like I was used by my neighbors. But the daughter seems very grateful and even called to see what the vet said. I told her the truth and also told her to tell her husband NOT to bring home anymore strays....especially a boxer.
I have to tell you I prayed and prayed for this dog - and I am not a prayer going gal. I called on St. Francis to send my a sign and am not sure if I got one or if I just did what I did without thinking it all through.
Well, I had to get that off my chest. In my heart I feel like I did the right thing...even though my head is saying "Now what are you going to do?"
My elderly neighbors son-in-law got a stray white boxer puppy. Not sure of specifics, but it was on the street - the police were called - the policeman gave it to my neighbor. My neighbors son-in-law and daughter and their two kids are living with my neighbors. My neighbors also have custody of two children of another daughter. They have a v. full house.
I have been on the lookout for this puppy for two weeks. It's v. friendy, but deaf as a post. I even asked the s-i-l if the pup was deaf. He said no. Well, it's quite obvious he's deaf. Then I asked him if he was going to take the pup to the low cost vet for his shots, and he replied that he was going to the local tractor supply store and give the dog his shots himself. AARGH!
Fast forward to Saturday - I'm talking to another neighbor who said that my neighbors didn't want this pup anymore and were actually leaving the gate open hoping this pup would run away. I tried to convince this woman she should take it...I even offered to help with the cost of shots. Well, she didn't follow through. I talked to a friend at work on Monday who said he'd take the dog...even just to home it while looking for another owner. I told the daughter that yesterday. She goes on to tell me that he's pretty sick, and they just can't afford to take it to the vet. I told her my friend would take him. She said she would have to talk to her husband.
Well...I go home today and the daughter asks me if my friend is still interested in the dog and would he take it to the vet. I said yes, and that I would call my friend to make pick-up arrangements. I called my friend and he said OK he'd pick up the dog today. Well, I get to thinking that this sweet boxer should probably see a vet before I hand him to someone that has dogs himself. I don't want this pup to pass something to my friend's dogs...especially since he's doing me a favor. I called my vet's office and explained the situation to a tech and he did everything in his power to work me in for today. He told me to bring in the pup, board him there overnight and the vet would look at the pup tomorrow. I explained the situation and said this dog has been basically neglected for the last two weeks and is sickly. Well, I go run my errands and go home and the son-in-law is there with the pup and the pup looks like he's at death's door. I asked him if he talked to his wife because she gave my friend the dog and that my vet is expecting him and to go put him in my car because I can't wait and this puppy couldn't wait any longer.
I go in and the tech I talked to went out to the car to get this puppy. This puppy is so lethargic and has a bloody diarrhea episode as soon as they walked in the door. Well, out comes the booties, and gowns and everything else because first thought in everyone's mind - Parvo. They did a test but it came out negative. Anyway, they were going to start an IV tonight and try to get him comfortable. That's all they could do until the vet checks him tomorrow. They asked me how much I wanted to spend for treatment and I gave them a limit that I can afford right now. They can't even vaccinate him until he's in better health.
So I may have to decide to euthanize him tomorrow if the news is bad. Plus, I haven't told my friend how sick this puppy is because I'm afraid he'll change his mind. Also, I haven't told my BF how involved I just got myself because he'd be mad and feel like I was used by my neighbors. But the daughter seems very grateful and even called to see what the vet said. I told her the truth and also told her to tell her husband NOT to bring home anymore strays....especially a boxer.
I have to tell you I prayed and prayed for this dog - and I am not a prayer going gal. I called on St. Francis to send my a sign and am not sure if I got one or if I just did what I did without thinking it all through.
Well, I had to get that off my chest. In my heart I feel like I did the right thing...even though my head is saying "Now what are you going to do?"
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