the people stare into their eyes and then they feed them little bribes and then they go

[gyzym]

So, there's a stray dog living in my garage.

I found her this afternoon, though I'm pretty sure she was in there yesterday--I heard noises like something was moving around when I left for work, but assumed it was a raccoon or something. No idea what breed she is, although she looks like she's at least part Weimaraner, and just, augh. I don't think she's more than a few months old, no collar, obviously terrified, and I don't have any idea what to do. I'd like to bring her inside and give her a bath, but I have no way of knowing if she's been given shots or dewormed or anything, and I don't want to get Jerry sick. I'd love to take her to the vet and check for a microchip, get her checked to make sure she's safe to bring in the house, but if I get too close to her she spooks and runs. I've been bringing out food and water for her, left a blanket out there, and she trusts me more now than she did this morning--lets me get closer than she did when I first found her--but I don't want to push her and frighten her more, or push her and end up getting bitten out of fear. I called the Humane Society, but they aren't going to be able to send anyone out today and aren't sure about tomorrow, and anyway the thought of her in a pound makes me feel sick to my stomach. It's not that cold here, for once, and there's plenty of warmth and shelter in the garage, so her, you know, freezing to death overnight isn't a concern. I'm gonna keep checking on her and bringing her food, and I guess we'll see what happens.

If anyone on my flist has any experience with strays and rescue dogs, and can offer any tips, suggestions, pointers, anything, please for the love of god sing out. I'm flying blind here, and I'd hugely appreciate the help.

(Of course, then there's my father, who can always be counted upon to up the ridiculousness quotient of any situation:

My Father: Are you sure it's not a fox?
Me: Am I sure it's not a...yes, I'm sure she's not a fox, why would she be a fox?
My Father: You said she has pointy ears.
Me: Lots of dogs have pointy ears!
My Father: Well, so do foxes.
Me: ...
My Father: I'm just saying!
Me: ...
My Father: This is like that time when I thought the possum was a raccoon, isn't it.

This man is my flesh and blood, folks. No, I don't know either.)

Comments

[chaoticallyclev.livejournal.com]

my experience with stray animals pretty much amounts to, if we're driving somehwere an my mom sees a dog just wadnering around, we pick it up and find it's owner. Actually we do a lot of random stray finding. But they usually have collars.

I think you're doing fine so far. You don't want to spook it too bad and stress it out. since it doesn't seem hurt or anything, I'd just let it chill. That's really all you can do.

[gyzym.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much, bb ♥

[madnessisreal.livejournal.com]

Hi! I'm de-lurking for a good cause:)
I'd suggest sitting with her when you have the time, but to leave alittle distance so she doesn't spook, and just talking to her from time to time. She'll come to you on her own once she's ready.

[ashism.livejournal.com]

Yeah I have a long history with stray cats who adopt me and feeding them and just sitting still with your head down minimal eye contact (eye contact often=aggression in animal kingdom) and hands visible on your lap (but still), the trust will build so they eventually come to you and give you a good sniff.

I have a cat, Mojo, who lives in our kitchen now, but it's taken a good few years for her to let me stroke her, but tasty food and talking goes a long way :)

Not sure how much of that can be translated specifically to dogs but I'm guessing building trust won't be so dissimilar.

[gyzym.livejournal.com]

I will definitely keep all this in mind--I'm dreadfully allergic to cats, but it sounds like you do a great job ♥ Thank you so much!

[ashism.livejournal.com]

:) good luck!

[gyzym.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for delurking! I've been going out there and chilling with her, so I'll keep doing that :D

[shadesofbrixton.livejournal.com]

Oh, man. *heartbreak* I live in New Mexico, where the state motto should be Come And Pick Out Five Strays. It sounds like she's probably had some seriously fucked up shit go down - she might have been abused, if she's spooking like that - so winning her trust over the way you are is dead on. You're right not to expose her to your other animal, though I've heard (at least with cats) that if you can keep them separate it's okay. (aka - locking Jerry in another part of the house, or maybe giving him to a parent/sibling for a few days?)

But, yeah. I'd just keep doing the food thing, and take her to the vet, if you can eventually coax her into the car. If she's chipped, I'd be surprised, tbh, with the way she's acting. If she's *not* chipped, then... I don't know. Would you get her cleaned up and keep her, even if it's just in a foster capacity until you can find her a new place?

[gyzym.livejournal.com]

I think you're probably right about the abuse thing--that was my first thought, based on the way she was behaving, poor little thing :(

I'd honestly love to get her cleaned up and keep her, assuming she and Jerry get on okay--if they don't, I'd definitely want to at least keep her in a foster capacity, because, just, augh, Do Not Want to send her to the pound.

Thanks so much for the info, bb ♥

[shadesofbrixton.livejournal.com]

Ugh, I just read all the comments below and your responses and YOU AND YOUR FLIST ARE SO AWESOME, FOR SRS.

One thing I thought I should mention, though - apparently the nutrients in wet food don't quite help with bulking the same way nutrients in dry food do? So if she's seriously malnourished, make sure you're doing a combo of dry/wet (since I see you've got wet in the mix now) but DON'T eliminate the dry. That's what'll help her put poundage back on, if she needs it. ♥

[ashism.livejournal.com]

And dry biscuits = good for the teeth! (And wet food good for hydration). Aah animals, we luvz them.

[sorrynotsorry.livejournal.com]

You met one of my friends who actually rescued a stray downtown! If you'd like, I can put you in touch.

[gyzym.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I may well take you up on that--I'll ping you if I actually end up being around tonight, or call you tomorrow if not ♥

[viennajones.livejournal.com]

I don't have any experience, hence no advise, but I hope that it'll work out ♥
Would you want to keep her if you could get her to a vet and have her checked over?

[gyzym.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I would, assuming she and Jerry get on okay :D I'm hoping I can get her to the vet at some point tomorrow.

[viennajones.livejournal.com]

Awwww. Maybe she's the love of Jerrys life! :D :D :D Okay, I'm just weird now. But in my head, there's a love story happening right now! Fanfiction has done some serious damage to my brain, I suppose.

[queenklu.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you're doing all the right things (as far as I know). Have you tried just sitting out there with her for a while? Don't watch her, bring a book or something, just sit there and let her know you're not a threat, stay low to the ground and let her decide if she wants to come to you?

[gyzym.livejournal.com]

I've been sitting with her, staying low and talking to her in as, y'know, calm and soothing of a voice as I can, so here's hoping I can build her trust up that way. Thanks so much for chiming in, bb, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it ♥

[oaktree89.livejournal.com]

Aww! I wish I had advice for you, but I don't know much about dogs, having only ever had cats. Good luck!

[gyzym.livejournal.com]

Thanks, bb!

[jesseofthenorth.livejournal.com]

Hey
I spent 20 years in dog rescue and everything your doing is great. The most important motivators to her are going to food and clean water,the fact that she already feels safer around you is a huge plus. In the comments above madnessisreal suggested being around her to get her more used to you. I would strongly stress that you not look at her directly or attempt to touch her, but also do not make your body physically lower than hers. At this point she is really scared and being young she is really unsure about everything, if she trusts you it will make her feel safer if you are the "bigger" dog. Check to see if a potential shelter has a no kill policy because in all honesty if they don't and they have a lot of animals to deal with she wont last long there. It is a harsh fact bu t true none the less.
Good for you for caring enough to try and help her instead of just chasing her away as a pest

[gyzym.livejournal.com]

Thank you so so much for all this info--I didn't know about the eye contact thing, so I'll be avoiding that from now on. And I'll definitely check about the no kill thing, although I'm thinking that if she and my other dog socialize I'll keep her.

And, on another note, thank you so much for spending all that time and energy working in dog rescue, that's a brilliant thing you've done for so many animals ♥

[winter-rogue.livejournal.com]

omg *dies*

'are you sure it's not a fox?'

>.>

[gyzym.livejournal.com]

The man is just crazy :D

[jayecoc.livejournal.com]

Hi, I'm another dog lover de-lurking to add my two cents. I've had dogs all my life, one was a stray and the others have been rescues. I think you're doing the right thing by giving the dog shelter and food but being wary. If you plan on keeping her, building trust by sitting with her is a good thing. Once she gets used to you a bit, you can have dog treats with you, the stronger smelling the better. Let the scent of the treat lure her closer rather than actively trying to call her to you. Once she's comfortable with you, you should be able to slip a leash around her neck to eventually get her to the vet, which is hugely important. Of course, all this may take time and effort, so it's certainly a commitment and an expense. What does your labradoodle think of her? If you bring your dog out to the garage and the stray has a truly negative reaction, it might help you decide about keeping her or not. However, it ends up, I commend you for your effort. You're doing a good thing, and I wish you the best of luck.

[gyzym.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for delurking! I'm definitely going to try all this--I've been going out and sitting with her, talking to her, staying low, but I didn't know about the eye contact thing. I just went and picked up a bunch of dog treats (as well as some wet food to mix in with the dry, as it might be easier on her system, considering how skinny she is) and a small collar, as Jerry's extra one would be way too big on her. Thank you so, so much for de-lurking, this information is so helpful ♥

[arineat.livejournal.com]

LMAO! I really do love your family. xD

[gyzym.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty fond of them myself :D

[sometimesalways.livejournal.com]

just keep bringing her water and food -- one stray i'd rescued didn't have a collar but belonged to someone -- i actually went to the supermarket to check to see if there were any signs up and sure enough there was.. you may want to check your local supermarket -- if there's a corkboard or some place where people put up missing ads then you never know.. good luck, hon!!

[gyzym.livejournal.com]

I'll check around at all the local places, that's a great tip. Thank you so much ♥!

[ancientreader]

check out www.fearfuldogs.com for many helpful tips. Advice to let her approach you is good. There is also an excellent Yahoo list called shy k-9s.

As an aside, being someone with plenty of shelter/rescue experience, I get very angry about the "kill shelter" thing. So-called "kill shelters" are the municipal & other governmental shelters that are obliged by law to take in every animal that comes. They don't "kill animals" because they want to but because they have no choice (space, budget, the animals suitability for normal homes with people who don't make a living doing behavior modification).

As for the so-called "no kill shelters," given money and space limits and how many homeless animals there are, they can either (1) take in only a few select animals; (2) turn into hoarders; (3) adopt out animals no matter how sick / dangerous to any home no matter how crummy; or (4) be "no kill with an asterisk," that is, "we don't kill adoptable animals" (but of course we have to euthanize animals that are sick or behaviorally problematic).

There are many, many more homeless animals than there are homes, many of those homeless animals are, unfortunately, not safe for people and other animals to live with because they're so behaviorally disturbed, and until that changes someone has to do the dirty work.

[chaiilatte.livejournal.com]

delurking because something like this just happened to me over the weekend! there's this small dog that looks like a chihuahua and a mini poodle walking together around my neighborhood (my family says it's lady and the tramp irl). they have no collars. i approached them once to give them food, the chihuahua came up 2 feet away from me and no closer. the poodle, however, hid in the bushes and when i come up 7 feet to her, she ran away. then the chihuahua followed her and they both ran into a park in front of my house. i asked my dad if we could take them to the humane society but he says, "the dogs will just run away from us," and he doesn't want to call them because "they'll most likely put them down." D: but he was okay that we can leave food and dog beds (we have our own dog, but she's aggressive to other dogs..) outside of our house for them. but after monday, we didn't see them anymore and i hope they're both okay... ):

long comment is long. i hope you find a solution for your new housemate and that she'll completely trust you! my admiration for you has grown tenfold :D

[photoclerk.livejournal.com]

Dogs usually respond well to you being on their level. Maybe put some food in a hand a lay on your back with the arm outstretched? If you have patience and move slowly but naturally and speak or sing in a low calming voice you may have luck getting the pup to come closer. Everything in slow small increments. <3

[surreal-44.livejournal.com]

You could also get her a kong toy and fill it up with a treat. She'll have something to do while you're hanging out with her besides be wary of you. :-)

Good luck! <3 <3

[kleat.livejournal.com]

Just, I love your f-list. They're all so resourceful! And helpful and open-minded (this referring to your previous post) and it baffles me how much in such a good way (I may or may not be ones of those 'I wanna save the world!' kinds... Ya know, BA in political science and international development included *cough*). I learn so much just from reading your posts and the replies! Refreshing and completely restores my faith in humanity. :)

Btw, your dad sounds awesome. And he's right, foxes do have pointy ears. I honestly love his logic. (maybe because I'm one of those 'that made no sense, what did you just say?' misunderstood logical people too). And raccoons are kinda like possums... They have tails.

[kellifer-fic.livejournal.com]

Just on the finding the owners thing - local vets usually keep books of reported missing pets and that's definitely somewhere I would let know if I lost a pet (in Australia anyway - I'm assuming it would be universal) so maybe try calling around to the local vets as well to make sure no one has reported her missing.

[(Anonymous)]

You can also call your local shelters/rescues and see if they have the ability to scan for a microchip and may be willing to pop out to your car for a drive by scan once you get her to trust you.

[wattle-neurotic.livejournal.com]

My Nana has a rescue dog, she is skittish and terrified of everything, it's heartbreaking :(

Because of that, I'm thinking your new friend may have had a bad experience *sigh* but I think if you just keep feeding her and leaving water out she'll come round, especially if you spend a bit of time out there with her, letting her know you're there and just doing whatever, she'll get the message that you won't hurt her ♥

It just takes a bit of time to gain their trust. That was the same with our puppy, she took a good week or two to realise this is where she now lived and we weren't going to send her back to the RSPCA.

*lol* your Dad sounds like an amusing man :P

[aphelant.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately I have nothing useful to say, but I need to tell you that

This is like that time when I thought the possum was a raccoon, isn't it.

made me lmfao, hahaha.

[deedlit50.livejournal.com]

Hey love! I've had some experience with dog rescues and working with strays but most of the advice I was going to give you other flisters have already covered. It sounds like you are doing a fabulous job with her and I just want to personally thank you for being willing to open your home and heart to a stray. The only other thing I think to suggest at the moment would be to ask your friends for a good vet recommendation or to look up local non-profit dog rescues in your area. Both would be able to give you more advice on any questions or problems you might have as they come up. Also don't be afraid to call more than one vet if your unsure about the answers your getting or are worried about her behavior. I've even known a few vets who have been willing to make house calls in similar situations when the stray could not be brought into the office.

[kourtain.livejournal.com]

Don't smile! Smiling = showing teeth. Smile with your lips closed if you need to!

I agree with everyone who has mentioned staying low, talking conversationally, and not making a ton of eye contact. You could take your laptop out to the garage, sit on the floor, and write us fic while narrating the process!