Do you every help a stray?
By tcycharmy
@tcycharmy (102)
United States
March 27, 2009 7:52pm CST
I feel so good inside right now. I came home from doing errands with my mother and one of my neighbors two houses down asked if a dog that was in the yard was mine. I said no, then kept walking. I then decided to stop and see what they would do as the dog was a gorgeous silver yorkie. They did nothing and looked like they were just going to let it be. As we live right next to a busy street where I just seen a boxer a week before get hit, I decided to go over there and ask if they want me to take care of it. I knew that if the dog was left it would either get killed or someone would take it for selling purposes as these dogs are easily worth $600. My mother was mad at me for taking the dog as she knows I am an animal lover and would most likely end up keeping it if the owner wasn't found, but I assured her it wasn't the case. The dog was really friendly and I noticed no collar, but I decided to give it a try and post some signs. I then decided to take the dog to my local animal shelter to see if it had a microchip and found out that the dog was from a city 80 miles away plus had been missing for two months. Either someone stole it or it ran away and no one took the time to see if it was microchipped. Either way I called the owner and she was so estatic. She came the next day to pick up her dog and she was literally crying becasue she thought he was lost forever. She and her husband were constantly thanking me and said that if she was gone they hoped she was with someone good. They even tried to slip me a wad of bills that I believe was over 200 dollars (but I slipped it back). In the end my mother said she was so proud of me not only for what I did, but that I did not take their money as they were just doing it out of kindness. Needless to say, the best gift I recieved that day was my mother's approval and that I made a difference in a stranger's life. I hope that they will see a stray differently and do as I did to help others like themselves. I was just wondering if others have had the same experience?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
10 Apr 09
Thats really great!! You not only saved a dog from possibly ending up in a worse situation but you helped two ppl who were heartbroken over the loss of their dog. Way to go!! It was really smart of you to check on the microchipping...not many ppl would. I hope that the family that got the dog back will be more careful and it won't get away again.
[b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]
@tcycharmy (102)
• United States
11 Apr 09
Thanks for responding. I recently got a thank you card in the mail from them. It made it extra special. I was afraid they were going to send the money back, but they didn't and the card alone made me happy that they are good, kind people out there. My mom said I should keep it forever to remind me of the moment and I agree. I miss the little dog though.
@xbrendax (2662)
• United States
28 Mar 09
My mother and I have been in the animal rescue business for over 30 years but as of last year we no longer do it because of health reasons and our ages, but still we would never turn an animal down who needs help! We have 30 cats, (we are keeping those) and we still feed stray dogs that come around but as for the way we use to do it, no, we are no longer doing it on a large scale!
@tcycharmy (102)
• United States
28 Mar 09
Thank you for your response as well. Have you ever fostered an animal from the shelter? If so, what is the maximum length of time that the animal is with you. Sorry that you are not longer in the business as it seems you really enjoyed your job, but at least you are still helping animals in need (people too).
@dfinster (3528)
• United States
28 Mar 09
I think that was great what you did for that dog and I'm glad your mom was proud of you. I'm a huge animal lover and have done that myself with a pregnant momma cat that came around here a few years ago. She was so friendly and we live in the country and when she came to us she looked like she just had kiitens and was so skinny you could see every single bone in her body sticking out, evven her spine so I started feeding her. A few weeks later she brought her little kittens here and we built a nice warm cozy carpeted box for them so they hashelter outside on our deck during the summer months. I the winter we brought their little house into our heated garage and set up a litter box for them. As the cats grew we knew we couldn't keep all of them so we placed them with my mother on her farm. She feeds them twice a day and they are doing well on the farm. We did however keep the three male who are named Munchkin, Stormy and Piddlesqueek and they have been with us for almost three yers. They like to hunt outside, we had them neutered so they wouldn't make any other kittens that may not be taken care of by other. The like to sun on the deck everyday and stay in then heated attached garage in the winter. We even bring them in once in a while for just a half hour or so and they're just the most loving little guys. It's almost like they are just grateful to have a home where the get fed, loved and plenty attention.
@carann (260)
• United States
28 Mar 09
What a wonderful story. I over the years have taken in several strays. I already have pets so if I can't find the owner I find them a good home. Once i was driving home and holding up trafic was a little sheltie. I was running right down the road and holding up traffic. it ran the way i was driving home and by luck it ran into my yard. I tried to get the dog to come but it was so scared. I finally caought the dog because it got caught in some brush and weeds. I took it in the house. The next day I put an add in the paper and got a call the same day. It was an elderly lady. She was crying over the phone. When she got to my home the dog reacted to her right away. there was no mistakeing that it was hers. She thanked me and even gave me a hug. She was surprised i coould even hav e caught the dog and she she said the dog had a heart problem so one night outside would have probably killed him. That was the best feeling ever. Being able to help two friends get back together.
@tcycharmy (102)
• United States
28 Mar 09
Thank you for your response. If feels really good to help someone, especially a strange. My mom said it felt like "Pay it Forward," where the lady was so happy by what I done for her that she might turn around and help someone else. My only problem is that I live with my sister. She loves animals, but not enough to pick up a stray so I always have to leave alot alone when I'm out driving with her. The good thing is that our house is one of the only house in the neighborhood that allows their dogs to freely rome(sp?) the whole yard. In essence, our house is a becon for strays. They literally come to my door. I can only help the ones that will get along with my dog or cat. Those that are too aggressive or hyper towards my animals, I have to call the animal shelter right away.
