[Lark88]

I have a friend who lives about ten minutes from my house. He just moved here about a month and a half ago and starting about 3 weeks ago, a dog started hanging around his house. He tried to frighten away the shepherd mix, but it has yet to leave. Now, he doesn't even mind the dog sticking around because the dog is relatively easy-going and is not being aggressive with his Boykin Spaniel.

So, the stray has been dubbed "Fred". Well, the friend has been feeding Fred because he is a bit underweight. He leaves to go out of town every weekend though and since Fred isn't his dog...Fred gets left behind. So, I told the friend I would feed him. I have a love for dogs and can't imagine poor Fred being left without food.

My concerns is the new friend of mine will move again come spring (he's renting the little farm house while he takes college classes down here) I highly suspect Fred will still be around then and will be left when my friend leaves. He has no interest in adopting Fred because he has enough to worry about with his Boykin whom he takes with him back and forth out of town.

I am probably fretting over Fred a little much when it's hardly fall and spring has yet to come around. I am a bit concerned about his vaccinations. Where my friend lives it's slightly rural. I would be devastated if Fred came across a rabid raccoon and ended up biting someone. I just started my job a few weeks ago and I'm a veterinary assistant at a local vet office. I would love to be able to take him up and get his vaccinations and de-wormed. However, I still live at home. I'm 19 and my parents do not want a dog in the house besides the one we have already. I had a dog in the past who ended up causing a lot of trouble. So, they said no more dogs until I move out. So, I can't go around vaccinating a half-stray.

Also, Fred has a flea collar. Which makes it clear that he had a home once. I would hate to adopt him, if I miraculously got the permission. I don't think he was treated well though in his last home. Fred has scars on him which my guess from my friends explanation was he got into a fight. Well, they are suspiciously all on top of his head. I would think if he got into a fight he'd have scars on his ears, face, and neck area as well.

I also would take him to the SPCA, but I don't know about elsewhere, but the one here makes you pay just to drop a dog off. I'm not sure of the cost. However, again I think my parents would get mad if I take him there. I don't see him getting adopted quickly either because he is fully grown.

Well, his demeanor seems to be good. My first impression of him he was a bit standoffish, but I went by the friends house yesterday to pick something up and he was a happy-go-lucky mutt. He even jumped all over my 7 year old brother and was licking my brother on the cheek. The friend did state the dog is a bit food aggressive though more than likely because he wasn't fed well in the past.

I think I am way over my head in this. If I lived on my own already I would simply evaluate his behavior around other animals and people and if he seemed to get along with everyone I'd keep him.

For now, I'll let things move along and try not to bother myself over poor Fred.

Opinions?

[aggy]

Hi there, I can tell you are like me and love dogs and I would hate to be in the position you are. You must feel torn between doing what's right for the dog and not upsetting your parents. Can you not get any advice from where you are working? I really feel for you and when you do decide what to do please pm me and let me know. Good kuck.---Aggy

[Lark88]

I did kind of mention to my mom how I felt so bad for Fred. She seems concerned too, which helps. She suggested SPCA if my friend doesn't adopt him. However, in the mean time I will try to get photos of him for my mom to see and try to get her emotionally attached. There is that one percent chance she might somehow let me keep him. I did mention him to my coworkers and the vet. They never really through in opinions. One coworker said, "Just take him to the SPCA." I know the SPCA is there to take in homeless dogs and give them a second chance, but at the same time I think there should be alternatives. I feel that is the easy way out and when you think about it...it's like you are dumping the dog there and wishing him the best. Fred would be miserable stuck in a kennel for several weeks while waiting on a potential adopter too. He's been accustomed to roaming free more than likely all his life.

[aggy]

I wish you luck with your mum. You never know, you may win her round. Good luck.---Aggy.

[rob7676]

You can always hop your neighbor will become atached to Fred and bring him into his home.

[Lark88]

I really do hope this guy who has been feeding Fred will keep him. I don't think he will though. He's actually not my neighbor, but he lives less than ten minutes from my house down some dirt roads and such. I think if he was concerned enough he would be leaving food out for Fred when he goes out of town every weekend. Instead I have to ask him if I can. He doesn't mind though he keeps telling me how it's just a stray and I should let him fend for himself.
I did talk to my mom and there is a possibility that we might take Fred to the SPCA. However, now I have yet another concern! I have seen where dogs that do not pass the behavior tests on shows such as (Animal Cops/Animal Precinct) are put to sleep. Fred is food aggressive! He didn't actually snarl or bite, but he stood really still and gave me this warning of a stare (naturally I didn't try taking the bowl away from him until there weren't even crumbs left in it) when I waited around for him to eat today. I haven't actually stood around before while he ate, but I didn't have classes or work today. Other than him possibly being a bit mean over food...he is a sweetheart!

I took some photos of Fred though while I was there. You can click the links to see the poor thing.

SA . Fred the Stray
SA . Feed Me
SA . Floppy Fred
SA . Dog Eyes

My question though. Will the SPCA try to train Fred out of his possessive behavior with food or would they put him to sleep? We had a schnauzer when I was toddler that my parents trained this behavior out of before. I have heard and seen that dogs mean over food will be euthanized because they could bite a kid who tries reaching into their bowl.

[aggy]

Hi, I can understand why you like him. He is a cutie. I am afraid like you I have seen the programs where they do put the dogs to sleep when the dogs are food aggresive.Weather they do that in all cases I do not know. Hopefully someone on here will. Do what they do on the tele, get a long object and put it near the bowl while fred is eating.If he does really go for you then I would accept the fact that he will be dangerous around children. Please let me know what happens. If you want to you can pm me. Good luck.---Aggy

[Lark88]

I would have tried that today, but he was not around when I left him food this morning. I don't know when I'll see Fred again unless the friend invites me over. I don't think he appreciates me outside his rented house while he isn't home. I told him straight up I wasn't being nosy and that I'm concerned over the stray who thinks he lives there. I may see him this coming weekend. I do hope so.

[aggy]

All you can do is keep trying. Let me know.---Aggy

[Lark88]

Update-

Fred is still "hanging" at the friends house. I haven't seen him in a few weeks now. I am not sure how to confront the friend (who I am not very close to) about helping the dog. He did make the effort last week to take it to the SPCA, but the dog took off down the road as soon as he saw a rope. I feel sure Fred has been abused.
I offered to help him rope the dog, but he kind of blows me off. The only reason he decided to take it the SPCA was because the dog (somehow...suspiciously in fact) got a huge cut on the base of his tail. He said it kept getting worse and worse, but now he tells me it's getting better. I'm not sure if he is lying to keep me from worrying about the dog or what not.
I've offered to take the dog to the SPCA myself and pay to drop him off. I still worry about him being put to sleep over food aggression, but at this point I'd rather him be there then roaming around and getting injured.
I need closure to this so bad. I don't know what to do! My mom has not offered to help recently and I wish she would.