Last Sunday, I showed you a cell phone (and a bag of trash) that we picked up on the trail. Well, this time we picked up (or truth-be-told, were picked up by) another dog.
This young female bounded out of a side trail and glommed onto the both of us immediately. She wouldn’t leave us, even when we met other doggos (and their minders) that were more her size and amenable to her…ahem…rough, playful energy.
We went to a nearby holiday trailer park resort but no one there recognized “Missy” (as another person on social media named her. More on that later…). I kept hoping that she would bound away again at some point but Missy followed us all the way home. I gave her food (a couple of cups of Bowser’s horrifically expensive schnauzer chow) and water and secured her in my daughter’s yard. I took Bowser to my place and posted about Missy on our community’s Facebook page and also on ROAM (as one person on the trail suggested). I also called Animal Control to come pick her up as she wouldn’t let me touch her – despite her apparent friendliness – and there was no way I could coax her into a vehicle to take her anywhere.
Missy was howling at being left in my daughter’s yard all alone, and when I went to check on Missy then Bowser was barking at being left behind at my house. So we all ended up together, waiting for Animal Control…
Animal Control did show up about an hour later and they were no more successful at getting close to her than I was. Things escalated, and Missy escaped through the back fence and into the neighbourhood. I saw a lot of Facebook postings about her after that, and the next day another person was able to get her secured, and again Animal Control was contacted. By this time, all of us who encountered Missy were thinking along the same lines: that she had been “dumped” – abandoned by her owners – and left to fend for herself.
What was especially heart-breaking about this situation was reading on Facebook about how exhausted and scared, and also that Missy had returned to the trail and was found lying beside a pile of women’s clothing. Which makes me wonder if the clothing contained the scent of her former owners, or reminded her of them somehow. I really do believe she was abandoned, and perhaps that person had left the clothing there to get her to stay near that spot.
This time Animal Control were successful, and (not without a huge struggle) Missy was contained and taken away – hopefully to be adopted into a more loving home than her last one.
As someone who grew up on an isolated property on the outskirts of town, I am no stranger to animals being dumped. At least once a year a car would pull up at our house (usually in the middle of the night) and a dog or cat would be cast out, and then the car would accelerate away. I suppose they thought because we had a large property with pets and a barn, we would welcome more pets. Once in a wee while we did, but mostly we had to take them to the local SPCA as we already had enough animals of our own to care for.
Please love your animals and, if you can’t look after them anymore, take them to an agency that will try to rehome them. Don’t leave it to chance.*
Rock on,
The WB
*I know I am preaching to the choir here. None of my regular readers would ever be so cruel as to abandon an animal. I felt I had to close this post with this message, though. I apologize that it is not my usual cute little doggy post.
Damn. I was hoping this story had a happy ending. People who neglect, abuse or discard animals are truly evil creatures.
The update to this story is good news/bad news. Good news: her owners were found and have claimed her. Bad news: they are addicts who live in their car. More bad news: this is far from Missy’s first run-in with Animal Control. (This explains her violent and fearful reaction when they showed up at my house!) She has been on the loose multiple times all over the island and keeps getting returned to her owners (WHY? 😫), who don’t seem to be able to care for themselves, let alone a helpless animal. Sorry, Rivergirl. 💕
Oh my gosh … that is so sad. I hope she can get a new home soon and that her old owners get the help they need.
That’s infuriating and sad. Poor Missy.
I was afraid it was something like that. So sad…
😰
Thank you for including an update. I wish those “owners” would do the right thing and let her get adopted by a family/person who can truly care for her. Thank you for caring for her when she needed it. – God bless you.
Thank you, Mimi 💕
so so sad. this happens way too often. Bless you and Bowser and all the others who worked to get her safety.
Thank you, Jacquie 💕
I feel so bad for her. I hope she can be adopted.
Me too, but not happening just yet. See my reply to Rivergirl. Thanks, Dawn 💕
Bowser looks a little uncertain to start with but clearly warmed to his new friend.
Well, let’s just say Bowser “tolerated” his new friend. Thanks, Sheree 💕
😎
Abandoned dogs and cats are a huge problem in Portugal. This is always heartbreaking. Good for you for doing all you could, Deb. 💜
Yes, it is heartbreaking! See my reply to Rivergirl for an update on Missy’s story. Thanks, Natalie 💕
I just don’t understand how people can be so cruel. She looks like a sweet girl, I hope you’ll post a happy update about her if you get one. Props to you and Bowz for all your good deeds!💕
So far no happy update. See my reply to Rivergirl. I’d like to think that her owners are not intentionally cruel, but they are definitely not in a position to be caring for an animal. Thanks, Bobi 💕
A tragic story but you did good to try to help Missy. I cannot imagine dumping a family pet but people are cruel. Hoping Missy finds a good forever home filled with love.
Not in the cards for Missy at this moment. See my reply to Rivergirl. Thanks, Ally 💕
I don’t want to defend these folks dumping Missy, but I feel I must mention for those who assume her owners are cruel that a lot of people are really experiencing financial hardship. I personally had a coworker who owned a Chow Chow and during the 2008 recession she had to turn him in at the shelter. She was guilt ridden, but she had 4 kids and couldn’t stretch $$ enough to feed that big dog. Anyway, Missy was lucky to bump into you and Bowser, and you should feel good about your role.
Thank you, Nina 💕 I have an update on Missy – see my reply to Rivergirl’s comment. Your coworker did the responsible thing in taking their pet to a shelter. So many do not, though…they just abandon them (usually in a rural area) and THAT is what is truly cruel. I hope that Missy’s owners eventually do the right thing and surrender her to a shelter.
What a heart-wrenching story! When you first mentioned the clothing I thought the owner was a victim of a crime, but victims don’t pile their clothing in a pile. Glad Missy is in a shelter now. Do they chip pets in your part of the world? Heck, I’d get myself chipped if I could. As I age I could get lost and a chip could get me back home again.
My husband grew up on a farm and could have backed you up on people dumping cats and dogs on the road in front of the farmhouse. So sad!!!
Yes, Bowser is chipped. See my reply to Rivergirl re: update on Missy. I don’t think Missy’s owners are in a position to get her chipped as they are living out of a vehicle and suffering from addiction. Thanks, Jean 💕
Glad she is safe and a big thanks to you, Bowser, Animal Control, and all others involved! Hoping 🤞🏻 she finds the home and people of her dreams!
I gave an update on Missy when replying to Rivergirl, if you want to look. She is back with her people according to Animal Control but I doubt she (or they) are safe. Thanks, Sis 💕
Such a sad story all around. I saw your update in the comments. I hope her owners do the responsible thing and surrender her to the shelter 😥
I do too, and I hope they get the help they need as well. Thank you, Sharon 💕
I saw your reply to River. I am so sad for Missy. Thank you for trying. 😘
Yeah, me too…and her owners. Thanks, Kari 💕
Read your update. Isn’t doing the same thing over and over with the same unwanted results insane? I wish someone would come forward and adopt her (or maybe steal her away from the car people).
I wish for that too! Thanks, Kate 💕
I am so sorry to read this, Deb. I have no answers but tons of questions. Wishing Missy some peace, happiness and stability after all that she has been through.
Yes, me too. Thanks, Donna 💕
Hi Deb – so sad, I do hope those clothes weren’t from someone who’d perhaps committed suicide. Poor Missy – I’m glad she’s being cared for now … and hope there will be a happy outcome for one and all; Bowser will be easier – with thoughts – Hilary
Thank you, Hilary 💕 I hope Missy is being cared for, too.
How sad that Animal Control kept returning Missy to the same owners – presumably because they are obliged to do so. No wonder she follows people in hopes of a good meal. Thanks Deb for doing what you can, and for updating us.
I think they are obligated to, as well. I am sure the animal shelters are quite full so if an owner steps forward I am sure the shelters are relieved to have one less animal to care for. Thanks, Debs 💕
Oh, this is so hard to read. You were such a good soul to take care of her and try to help. – Marty
Now I feel like it wasn’t near enough. I should have kept her until I could find a more responsible owner. Thanks, Marty 💕
Poor Missy!
Why do people do this? I just can’t imagine. Praying she finds a loving home.
Me too! Unfortunately she was returned to her addicted owners, who live out of their car. Thanks, Suz 💕
Darn it!! 🥹