Doggy Dundee

Lost Dog Found Again – “Shadows” Always Follow Us 

Regular readers of Doggy Dundee know about stray dog “Shadow,” a shephard-mix with the wandering spirit who has been a regular “find” of Doggy Dundee on the streets of Talent, Oregon, day and night, over the last several years; also, often “found” by other residents, too. Seems like the only ones not able to get a hold on this dog is the owner(s), who have earned the dishonorable title of “Doltish Doggy Owners.” They’re nice, mature people, and they seem to really love their dog, but “don’t have a clue,” apparently, when it comes to controlling Shadow.

So, Shadow was wandering along the dark Wagner Creek Road in downtown Talent about 11 p.m. the other night again, and this time, rather than just come over to me (as normal) he was intent on teasing us, coming within inches but then running in circles or up and down and across the street, etc. Cars had to stop. Chase (who I had tied to a fence post) and Shadow had a grand time with this bounding game, and I finally sat down on some grass and reconciled myself to letting Shadow “play it out” and he finally came over (20 long minutes later) and nudged my arm.  I leashed him (remember that all good doggy dundees carry an extra leash for saving stray dogs), and we walked him to our home.

After receiving my call, the wife owner of Shadow drove over to pick up her lost dog. “How’d this happen again,” I wondered? Seems she’d taken Shadow out after dinner, he looked up at her, she instantly sensed his “spirit” was up, but before she could do anything, Shadow had raced off. Now, three things are off-kilter about this excuse: First, Shadow obviously wasn’t leashed and when you have a dog with a wandering spirit, leash him before you open the door! Second, “after dinner” time was, what?, three, four, maybe five hours earlier? And were they out looking for Shadow? Obviously not – again. Third, this stray dog act has been going on for years – Get a clue.

Well, Shadow, you can count on us! Doggy Dundee is always grateful to be in the right place at the right time for finding stray dogs – especially our doggy pals who are momentarily lost dogs.

Separation Anxiety: Report Lost Dogs To County Animal Shelters!

The two gorgeous Husky-mix lost dogs pictured on this post were renamed “Silver” and “Juno” by the Jackson County Animal Shelter. They were found together and brought in together, both dogs were obviously “house-mates” and best friends with each other. However, no lost dog report was filed with the shelter, there was no ID on either dog, and no response to the usual “found” listing the animal shelter placed in the Mail Tribune newspaper for several days. Finally, the staff placed both very well-trained dogs in adoption.

Two Reasons This Dog Story Is So Sad

First, Juno was adopted, but, unfortunately, the people did not also adopt Silver. We know Silver (the lighter-colored of the two, who seems to be a Husky-x, and Doggy Dundee is guessing some American Eskimo, too) misses Juno, and also is not very happy about being in the animal shelter versus a home. Silver is a beautiful, joyful, and obedient dog who’d obviously been well-loved and cared for.

Second, several days after Juno’s adoption, someone spotted a Craigs List “lost dog” ad  with those two dogs pictured. “Why didn’t they call us?” the staff wondered, and the staff immediately pulled Silver out of the adoption area, and tried contacting the “lost dog seekers” using the contact information provided via the Craigs List ad. They tried several times. No owner response. For days. Finally, Silver was returned to the adoption area this week, where she is, as of this date, still awaiting a home.

This tragedy of separation could have been avoided and resulted in a happy ending for both dogs if the owners had:

• Reported their lost dogs to the county animal shelter
• Licensed, or ID tagged, and/or a Microchipped on each dog
• Placed “lost dog” ads in the local newspapers (shelter staff will often check those).
• Not assumed that everyone would check a specific (or any) internet site to locate owners of a dog they’d found.

It’s the responsibility of owners to “get the word out” – not the responsibility of stray dog finders to scour the earth for the owner of stray dogs! Your dog will love you for it! Meanwhile, if you’re interested in possibly adopting Silver, contact the Jackson County Animal Shelter on Hwy. 99 in Phoenix, Oregon (Case #K0487). Phone number is 541-774-6654.

Doltish Doggy Owner Story – #1 of Several

Accidents happen and dogs get out/lost. Also, some dogs are escape artists. Lots of times, though, the owners of lost dogs are simply dolts – Take it from Doggy Dundee. Here’s one, short and sweet:

Before Doggy Dundee had taken on the mantle of “Dundee,” we were just two shaggy beings out walking (albeit, one human and one canine). In that guise, we first met Chucky (name changed to protect the innocent dog – and ‘guilty’ owner) on a “dark and stormy night” in Autumn 2007. Chase and I walked along a grassy park bordered on one side by a wooded patch and stream, and on the other by a new housing development. The racing-like-a-maniac brindle pug-kinda-pooch leaped out of the forested darkness at us, shocking the s-_-_-_ outa me. Fortunately, it was just a small pooch having a fine time teasing Chase and spinning me in circles. “What a great, fun dog,” I thought.

Fortunately, I carried a spare leash, and the pooch’s tag allowed me to tease it homeward several blocks beyong the woods.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the address; finally, ferreted out the structure beyond a locked fence, hidden beneath overpowering trees. Dripping wet, cold and a bit agitated, we brought Chucky back to our house for a few hours,then walked back later to return Chucky. “Oh, thank you. We just got him a few weeks ago,” the woman explained. Okay!

A Thanksgiving weekend car accident whacked me off-kilter a couple weeks later, and I lacked even the strength to handle Chase comfortably for long stretches. Unfortunately, Chucky tore out from the trees and at us one weekend afternoon. Fortunately, the Chief of Police was driving by as I snagged the pug. My prostrate pose brought the Chief’s car to a screeching stop. I gasped the dog’s address and the Chief drove Chucky to his owner’s while I limped homeward with Chase. The Chief passed me on the way back and stopped. “They were relieved,” he said. “The dog’s never gotten out before, and they’d just gotten home and found him missing. Good job, mame.”  Hmmmm…

Repetitious Lost Dog Pattern (more…)