a stray for what reason?
By quita88
@quita88 (3715)
United States
April 17, 2011 11:32pm CST
A few weeks ago I was walking and a dog followed me.At first it was with another lady but he came on with me.
I didn't need him but that was when the weather was bad and I fed him, gave him a place to sleep and he stayed around. He walked with us , my walking friend and I and he is a nice dog.
Trouble is, he has taken up with the kids down the block.
I don't mind this cuz I can't play with him.
I find myself wondering why a dog has to be a stray?
Does anyone else take in strays? Am I being overly caring or is it ok to take care of a dog with no home?
3 people like this
13 responses
@sizzle3000 (3036)
• United States
18 Apr 11
I didn't when I was still living in Maryland because not all the animals were nice. Some of them were really mean and would bite you for no reason. Here in Tennessee I take care of all kinds of strays. I feed deer and every now and then I'll give the dogs a treat that wander around here. My daughter if she had her way would take care of every animal that was mistreated or homeless. She's just got a big heart like that. It drives her husband crazy because she wants to take all these animals she sees home.
1 person likes this
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
18 Apr 11
I stand clear of all animals til I know they are ok. This guy was just a sweetheart and is still here. There is a family of three girls two houses down who have kept him in their fence all week end. I asked them if they wanted the dog and they said yes, so I told them to keep him but he was back here this AM and I fed him.
I can see why your daughter does the same as I do. It's a part of our heart. we feel we have to.
I told my neighbor who at one point wanted to shoot this dog, whoa! what if this Dog is God and you shoot him???
Well, needless to say, he didn't shoot him......but it's the truth. The Bible tells us to take care of our own and I feel like he gave us dogs too and He also tells us we never know who we might turn away from our home and it could be HIM.
I appreciate your response and I feel better knowing I'm not the only dog or animal lover in the world.
I just wish if someone didn't want an animal anymore they would have the decency to take it to the ASPCA or a humane society..
Thanks and God Bless,
quita
2 people like this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
18 Apr 11
Though I have my own indoor dogs I do still have compassion for stray dogs. Everyday I cook extra so I can feed those stray dogs who usually come by in the evening. There was this dog who looks like he has not tasted food for months. He comes to my house everyday and I took pity on him. I fed him everyday until his skin and bones body grew fat. He stayed put with us until today and has become our most trusted security guard day and night. I think any stray dogs taken in and treated well will take care of their master well.
1 person likes this
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
18 Apr 11
You are soooo right ! These dogs know what it's like to be homeless. I am thankful for people like you who give of themselves to help a lost dog.
I am proud of you for taking the care you take of that dog you feed. He will never forget you, nor will you forget him.
God Bless,
quita 88
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
21 Apr 11
It makes you stop and wonder doesn't it? It's always a problem for me. I cannot bear to see an animal that looks lost, lonely, hungry and frightened. The trouble is they become a responsibility and really change your life.
I always planned to travel and now I have rescued two goats and a puppy and accepted the gift of a cat all that in addition to my 10 year old Lucy.
Taking care of animals can also be very costly because they may need medical care and they certainly need to be fed.
All that said, I think it's ok to take in a stray and I hope you and your dog are happy....the kids down the block can still play with him.
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
24 Apr 11
Animals are a burden............of love ! I feel as tho an animal finds us and chooses us to love it..........as of about three days ago now tho, the dog in question has found a new home.
I should be happy about it, but don't think the dog is getting the care it needs........
So, I'll watch and see what happens...
OH, and the kids down the block are the ones who took my dog.........
hugs, quita
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
19 Apr 11
quita people who love stray dogs and kitties are wonderful people and wish there were more of them. I think its great what you are doing and hope nobody shows up maintaining its their dog as if they had taken good care of it it would not be a stray. most likely some cowardly person did not want to care for it so just dumped it close by.When I lived on the farm when growing u 
we always had several dogs and kitties someone had dumped. we would get them healthy then find a good farm home for them. we also always had a dog and a cat of our own too. I think its so great of you to do this. 
we always had several dogs and kitties someone had dumped. we would get them healthy then find a good farm home for them. we also always had a dog and a cat of our own too. I think its so great of you to do this. 1 person likes this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
19 Apr 11
It's probably considered a noble thing, but that's not why I pick them up; I do it because my heart breaks for them. Why would you need anyone else's permission to give love to a dog? Just do it. Follow your heart!
And yes, I & many friends I have do take in strays!
Maggiepie
"In all affairs it's a healthy thing now & then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." ~ Bertrand Russell, philosopher, mathematician, author, Nobel laureate 1872-1970
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
24 Apr 11
HI Maggie, it's been eons since I heard I from you ..hope you are well.
I always love dogs an cats and God knows what else. But, it's my heart that aches and seems to me there are very few who actually understand this...
LOL, I had the feeling you too took in strays and loved them as well am myself:)
Do take care,
quita
1 person likes this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
24 Apr 11
Hiya, Quita! Been right here, hon! Beavering away so I can make payout!
Yes, I've always taken in strays, from 3 years on. I inherited my dad's soft heart for critters. He did the same thing. I don't even hang out with folks who would never do it (I don't mean those unable to provide a home, I mean people who just don't give a tinker's dam about strays!).
God bless your sweet heart for doing it, too! 
Blessed Pascha! Christ is risen!
Maggiepie
“Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” ~ George Santayana@quita88 (3715)
• United States
24 Apr 11
Quite actually I've been not so active here on mylot and thru no fault of anyones. I just got a case of burn out I guess...........But still glad to know you are around doing great.
If you love birds too, I have my first oriole at this very moment at one of my humming bird feeders....
I will now have to buy an oriole feeder LOL
Beautiful birds !
I inherited my soft heart from my mama. I know a lot of those who don't give a tinker's damn too...........and by the by, you are the first one I've heard in years say "tinker's " damn !
How enlightening!
I love all animals and take care of those who find me... I did find a kitten a few days ago all alone by the road behind my house and bless my neighbor's (they are not nice to me) but they loved this little, hissy, scratchy thing :) and have named her Miss HIss :)
So, I"ve now saved another one LOL
I do know NOW where the entire litter is.........underneath my old shed LOL that means I will have a few mouths to feed:)
Now, off with me. I'm going to the casino...
God ever be close to you and dwell in your heart as an animal lover...
hugs,
quita
1 person likes this
@neenie (343)
• United States
18 Apr 11
My house is like a shelter for lost animals or strays! My boyfriend is constantly finding strays and bringing them home! Right now, we have 2 dogs, 5 cats and 3 kittens. I really only bought one dog and one cat. The dog was because we wanted a puppy and wanted that specific breed. The cat we got from a pet store one random day. The other animals either we found or heard they needed a good home.
One of my dogs, the Boxer, we actually found. My boyfriend picked her up one day, walking down the road. We tried for days to find her owners... and finally we found them. We gave her back and remained friends with her owners. About a year later, they called us up and said they were moving out of state. Since she was 13 years old, they didn't want to take her on that trip and didn't think she could handle the climate change. So we took her in because she fit into our house so nicely!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157710)
• United States
19 Apr 11
If you can spare the time, attention, space and love, why not. It does leave you open for heartbreak if he strays or is hurt, but at this time you know that he has a place to stay. food, and someone who cares for him.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
19 Apr 11
You said it in such a way that I have to agree with you! No animal should ever be a stray but unfortunetly with irresponsible people in this world, there will always be strays. Hubby and I taken in strays. All of ours have been just cats so far. We did have a dog and took it in till we could find it a good home and thankfully we did. You're being a wonderful caring human being by taking that dog in! No I wouldn't call it overly caring. Somebody has to or should.
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
24 Apr 11
Thank you . I feel I'm doing the best thing for the dog. I always seems to attract the strays and I guess there must be a reason for this that I don't understand.
WE all should care and care enough to take care of our own animals and not let them run wild and give them their shots as protection, etc.
but, there is always a you and me who do the right things.
God bless you quita
@tlb0822 (1410)
• United States
18 Apr 11
You are a very wonderful person for caring so much for the dog. We have two strays now that are around my house. The one has been around for almost two years now. I know whose dogs they are, my neighbors, but they do not take care of them. So my husband and I feed them, but we do not allow them in the house because we already have four dogs of our own. The poor strays though are covered in ticks, and are very thin. Last year my husband and I even bought flea and tick collars for the poor dogs. It is so sad that someone could treat their animals this way and not even care. So these two come and go and all we can do is give them a bit of food when they come by and they are hungry. I do think that you are doing a great thing by caring for this dog, and I'm sure the dog is loving you for it.
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
18 Apr 11
Thank you for the compliment but I am just a person with feelings like animals have. And, also there was a black lab who came to my house about a year ago now and is part of our family and I've even given her one of my couches LOL
I found out she was being mistreated at her first known home and ventured away and came here.
I took her in and we are a family now.
I still have this stray here, we have named him Walker cuz we met him when we were walking !
He hangs around and I feed him and now it's flea and tick season and I have to get him a collar.
You and I are just alike and I am thankful for people like you.
God bless,
quita88
2 people like this
@Angelgirl16 (2171)
• United States
19 Apr 11
I used to live in a neighborhood where stray dogs were common sights, however, I have being living in town where you see no stray dogs and when you do see one, you know that it is someone lost pet. It is a shame that dogs and cats or left on their on to survive on the streets. If you can't take care of the dog, maybe the neighborhood kids that it has taken up with can look out for it. Otherwise it may wind up in the pound.
@eurekafemme (5877)
• Philippines
18 Apr 11
You are so kind, dear, to have taken care of such hapless animal.
There are so many stray dogs here in my country, used to. But, due to a law passed by the government to catch all stray dogs and put them in a temporary shelter or worse euthanize them eventually, only few of them are found on the streets.
They are stray dogs because their owners literally abandoned them. some of them are litters of old stray dogs. Other ran from cruel owners or dog traders. There could be a lot of reasons.
I am pretty sure that such dog needs a home and someone who will look after it and love it just like an equal being. 
There are so many stray dogs here in my country, used to. But, due to a law passed by the government to catch all stray dogs and put them in a temporary shelter or worse euthanize them eventually, only few of them are found on the streets.
They are stray dogs because their owners literally abandoned them. some of them are litters of old stray dogs. Other ran from cruel owners or dog traders. There could be a lot of reasons.
I am pretty sure that such dog needs a home and someone who will look after it and love it just like an equal being. @quita88 (3715)
• United States
18 Apr 11
thank you ! I don't often take in strays tho. I usually don't have one. I've had two during the last year and one is now a member of my inhouse family...her name is Annie, as in Orphan Annie and we love her like she was our own. We've even given her a couch :)
I hate to think of the animals out there who were just puppies and when they grew the owners no longer wanted them. I know the dog's hearts have to hurt.
This is cruel and unjust to any animal. I would think a person would take their animals to a shelter , humane society or the ASPCA.
Yes, we love our animals, all five of them:)
You take care and I hope to hear more from you.
hugs and God Bless,
quita
2 people like this
@kingparker (9673)
• United States
19 Apr 11
I don't mind to take in a stray dog, but the only problem is that he should not make a messy in my home though. I just hate to clean up after he made a mess. And I am not a caring person for an animal though. I don't forget to shop for dog food for it too. That is a bit problem and responsibility with me.
