A Happy Ending To My Dog Tale!
By jillbeth
@jillbeth (2705)
United States
September 10, 2007 11:54am CST
I posted last Thursday aboout a stray dog that was in my neighborhood. I felt sorry for him because he was dragging a big log chain and wearing a choke collar. I kept him overnight, gave him a bath and some food, put a regular collar on him,and was trying to find the owner when he got away from us Friday afternoon. I hoped he would either go home or come back to our house, but hadn't seen him all weekend.
Last night my friend Jannette called. Her brother-in-law had told her that his dog got away but that he came home with a different collar on! She asked Bill if the dog had been bathed, and he said yes, how did she know? She told him she knew where he had spent the night! I had told her about finding the dog but she didn't realize it was Bill's dog until he talked to her Sunday night! So Bill stopped by and asked if he could have the log chain back, so I gave it to him but expressed my concern about the choke chain with such a heavy chain attached.
Bill told me that the dog had broken five cables, so he put the log chain on, and this time the dog pulled the stake out of the ground! Then he told me that he was going to try a different type of collar and stake-out arrangement, it sounded like a good idea to me. I hope it works! Bill told me he had to bail the dog out of the pound to the tune of $80 one time, so I guess I don't blame him for using such a heavy chain, but hopefully he will find a better alternative for the future!
Anyhow, I am happy that the dog found his way home and that all will be well. He really is a nice dog, and Bill's kids will be happy to have the dog back.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
11 Sep 07
I am torn between happiness and sadness on this story. Not sure if I would have given him the chain back. That chain would have been long gone the same day or at least the next day after finding the poor dog.
Does the man not have a fenced in yard for the dog? I think he should invest in a fence and stop with the chains and stakes. This is just my opinion.
Thank you for sharing and letting us know the dog is home again whether or not we think that is the right place for it. I am glad that you told him you were concerned about the chain. But like I said, he needs a fence, if he can't afford a fence then he needs to give the dog to someone else who has one or has many acres for the dog to run free in.
At least I feel the dog had a wonderful but short lived time with you and the attention you gave to him. For that I thank you.
1 person likes this
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
11 Sep 07
I did give him the chain back because I knew the man. Even a fenced-in yard won't contain a dog who really wants to go! He told me he would not use the same chain on the dog; that he was going to use a different type collar and chain. And he only lives three blocks away so I can stroll by and check on him! I didn't realize he lived so close, he just moved back in with his mom recently. I have known Bill for many years so I hope he is good on his word. He is someone I would not be afraid to confront if he does the same again!
1 person likes this
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
27 Sep 07
Well, that would have been nice, but Bill decided to keep the dog at his sister's house so he wouldn't have to be chained up. She has a kennel where she lives, about 20 miles away. The kennel has a dirt floor and the dog dug himself out and ran off again!!! As far as I know, he hasn't been seen since! Oh well, at least I tried....
1 person likes this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
27 Sep 07
I'm glad to hear you found out where his home was and that he got back there allright.
My Mom used to have a dog that was Dobie and something else. It was a massive dog. We lived in Detroit at the time and kept it chained in the back yard. We had to use a towing chain and chain it to an old car that previous owners left in the back of the yard. That dog managed to pull that car around the yard...not fast but everyday we'd come out and the car would be moved more. Talk about a strong dog.
**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
1 person likes this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
28 Sep 07
Not only would they stay away from the dog but our whole yard. What's funny is she would come in the house and play with us kids and walk around the yard...we even took her to the corner store a few times...never on a leash and she was fine...although ppl did give us alot of space when she was around. LOL The only time we had to chain her was when she stayed in the yard by herself. My Mom named her baby LOL She was a beautiful dog. I asked my Mom today and she said she thought she was part great dane or mastiff.
**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
13 Oct 07
I am glad Bill got the dog back. I do wonder about the choke collar and what kind of dog he was that he had to be chained up that it was not a proper dog chain. It must not have been a dangerous dog if you were able to take care of it.
Maybe dog training school?
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
11 Sep 07
I'm glad that came to a happy ending. But, like you, I dont think keeping dogs on a chain is a good idea. I think it would be wiser if he took his dog to school. If a dog is properly trained there should not be a need for this. Of course I am a great fan of Ceasar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, on the National Geographic Channel. As a dog phycologist he has advised many people how to train their dogs. I have enve used some of his tips with my dogs.
@lightningd (1039)
• United States
5 Jan 08
That is kind of neat that it turned out that you knew the owner. I have had dogs that could escape at will. I have one dog who you cannot keep a collar on. He's kind of a Houdini when it comes to chaining him up. I live in a rural area, but I have sometimes chained my dogs to keep then out of the way while I was training horses. With Grady, that didn't work. He would get to the end of the chain, then sit down, put his back feet up on the collar on both sides and push the collar over his head. He could even do this with harnesses. Now that was a sight to behold. He would hook his back feet on the harness right behind his front legs, lay down and push it up over his head.
I have a few suggestions for Bill though if you would like to pass them on. Dog kennels are easy to assemble and sometimes you can find them fairly cheap through classifieds or craigslist. Instead of putting the dog on a chain, try a kennel. Much safer for the dog. Another option is an underground fencing system. I have seen a few of them and they really do work, although, again they can be expensive. You only have to remember to check your batteries frequently because when the batteries get low, your dog may escape. Those are the best options I can pass on that might eliminate the need for heavy chains or cables.
