Better Off Lost Than Found?

Today while my husband, son, and I were driving home from the mall, we found a golden retriever-ish puppy trotting through neighborhood streets. My husband pulled over and, because the dog had a collar on, I got out to see if I could help. Unfortunately, if a dog has no ID on, I generally can't stop to help unless the dog is in peril because I can't just bring home (any more) stray dogs, and I figure if I leave him in his neighborhood he is more likely to find his way home or be rescued by a neighbor who knows who he is. Unfortunately some people just let their dogs run loose - you just never know.

Anyway, so I got out of the car and could immediately tell that the pup was very submissive and frightened. As I walked toward him, he moved away, and I was afraid I would scare him into the street. I stopped, outstretched my hand as if I had a treat, squatted down, and made "nice doggy" noises. He came over, the picture of submission: head held low, slinking, tail low and wagging. As I petted him and checked his collar for ID (there was none), he rolled over.

I decided that my best bet was to carry him to some nearby houses and see if I could find where he belonged. I thought I'd start with the lady blowing off the sidewalk nearby. I started to pick the pup up, and he spun and smacked me with his teeth, scratching my skin. He was either in pain or frightened beyond belief. Clearly he was a good dog, because he exhibited bite inhibition - he could have bitten me but chose to warn me instead. I let him go and went back to petting him. I opted for shouting at the lawn lady.

At first she said she didn't know the dog, but then she said she thought it could be her sister's puppy. As she started over to see the dog, he ran - her body language and leaf blower were both intimidating. He crossed the street and nearly got into my open van before he ducked into a nearby yard. The woman acted like she didn't know what to do. I said, "Close him in there!"

Just then, several people appeared in the yard. A gruff looking, smoking man said that the dog was his. He walked over to the dog, who submitted by rolling over. The man tried to pick up the pup, who in true submissive fashion, was as limp as a sack of potatoes. The classy gentlemen hoisted the dog up by his collar and tried to carry him that way (I'm not sure if he had something in his other hand or if he was trying not to lose his cigarette or what. Clearly this puppy, who I estimated to be four months old or less, was big enough to be carried with two hands). The dog escaped and ran away from the man in half-hearted fashion. At this point, I knew I had to get back into my van - I was too far from the action to do anything, and too chicken to say anything (I really didn't feel like I had anything productive to say. Of course, in retrospect, I have lots of ideas. Sigh). My husband pulled away slowly and watched in the rearview mirror and confirmed that the guy eventually got the puppy back in the yard.

I predict big troubles for this dog and his family. If my estimation of his age is right, he's going to be a very big boy. I can't imagine that he is going to stay behind the fence that they have up for him - it's very low. The pup also obviously has a fear problem. I'm not sure if that's his inborn temperament or if he has been undersocialized and/or abused. It appeared that the family needs major educating in order to avoid a potentially huge problem. Just because he didn't bite today doesn't mean he won't later.

Sometimes I wish you had to pass a test to own a pet.

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