Doggy Dundee

5/9/10

G’day Mates!

In a previous post, Doggy Dundee moped about the three stray dogs that had eluded capture, and apparently each continued wandering into the lost dog zone; But last week was more successful, and Doggy Dundee actually found three (different) stray dogs! Seems the score was even’d up a bit.

A common theme emerged- again: Owner inattention!

The Pug and Yellow Lab-X were a friendly pair without ID. After locating the owner who’d been out searching for them for 2-1/2 hours, I learned that they get out alot “…if I forget to close the garage door soon enough because that’s the only route they can go where the shock collars can’t affect them.” So, first, fellow DO close the door, and second, get ID on these doggies! Stray dogs can become lost dogs real quick, especially when there’s no ID tags.

The very next day a small, long curly haired black Terrier-X named Neville came sniffing about (looked kinda like a cross between a Scotty and an Ewok). Thankfully there was ID, though the owner didn’t answer for a couple hours coz he was dining in Ashland and left his cell phone in the car (sigh). When the owner did pick up the message, he hustled to Talent to pick up his stray doggy, and he told me “Neville’s usually good about staying in the yard, but we don’t have a fence and if we get distracted with the kids and leave him out too long, he takes off.”  How long has this been going on? More than a year. Duh! That’s taking a big chance with your dogs life – plus that’s lots of other people taking care of your lost dog, fellow. So, first, pay attention to  your dog; Second, fence your yard or at least enclose a section of it for Neville to do his business; Third…thanks for having an ID tag (next time, add an address, too, so finders can bring Neville home quicker.

Craigslist.org Unites Stray Dog and Owner

Tracy Gault of Ashland, Oregon, a buddy of Doggy Dundee, was hailed by a white stray dog wandering near the Ashland Dog Park in the early evening of Friday, April 2. No ID tag (Grrrrrrr…). She added that doggy to her family brood of two all ready in the car, and drove out to the Jackson County Animal Shelter to drop the pooch off, but the animal shelter was closed-gates locked- by the time she arrived. Sigh…Well, what’s a good doggy owner to do, but take the pooch home for the night, right? BUT, Tracy also posted a ”Found” ad on the “Community” listing of Craigs List, describing the dog.

All end’s happily you see, because, though the frantic (crazed!!!!!) owner had not thought about going to Craigs List , the dog owner did know enough to call the animal shelter. The staff took down the dog’s info, but also told the fellow to “check Craigs List” as well as place newspaper lost dog ads, and post fliers. Craig’s List did the trick for this doggy owner, though. The fellow contacted Tracy early today, Saturday morning (4/3), before Tracy could even place a call to the Jackson County Animal Shelter, and the owner and doggy were ecstatic when reunited this morning! “Gosh, it felt so good to see them hugging each other,” said Tracy.

So, whether you find a stray animal or have lost an animal, make certain you post a notice on www.craigslist.org for the state and town/region within which the animal was lost. Place your ad under the “Community” section in that region. They have a category of “Pets” or “Lost + Found,” which are both appropriate in this case, though you may want to change your descriptive heading and terminology in each of those sections least the “powers that be” at Craig’s edit you out of one or the other due to placing a “multiple listing” (though Doggy Dundee thinks such a decision would be ridiculous!).

Thanks to Tracy, and to her tolerant doggy family(Carmen and Bayley) for taking such good care of the stray dog!

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.

Will Owner of This Stray Dog Ever Learn?

Doggy Dundee sometimes ends up finding stray dogs that have been found before, but Shadow is a “favorite” stray dog – a regular of ours. Matter of fact, he was one of the original dogs that resulted in the creation of this blog. However, Shadow’s owners aren’t favorites, though their lack of due diligence borders on laughable – You see, Shadow is one stray dog Doggy Dundee has found wandering the streets of Talent numerous times; We’ve even decided to write Shadow up on at least a couple posts before.

So, just for the record, Shadow was (again) wandering the streets near  Talent Ave and Wagner Creek the other day. I rushed from the coffeehouse – and left my lunch cooling - to nab the sweetie. Uh-oh, no extra leash, no car, and food on the table! Fortunately, Matt, a coffee and doggie lover who was enjoying his brew outside, used his cell phone to call the numbers listed on Shadow’s tag. As usual no answers, but one number would lead to cues to call other family member numbers,  and eventually a girl answered. Sigh…she was busy in Ashland. Couldn’t we “just take the dog home?  I’ll give you the address.” Meanwhile, another customer had loaned me twine from his car so Shadow could be more easily contained, and Dan, the coffee house owner, was feeding Shadow some chicken salad. Matt told the girl he’d wait so she or someone else she might call could come and pick up their dog. (Are you noticing how many strangers it was taking to take more care of Shadow than the owner was doing in those moments?).

After 40 more minutes, Matt finally gave up (Grrrrr…) and drove the rain-soaked stray dog - in his beautifully emaculate car – back to the “no one at home” house. He managed to enclose Shadow on a porch, hoping Shadow didn’t stand up, knock the knob, and rush away again. Shadow is an expert at leaving – especially when doltish doggy owners don’t lock gates or doors. So, dear readers, who represents the smarter species?

Boyfriend “Forgets” Dog

That Heads Down Highway

The tiny, vanilla-colored stray dog was a chihuahua, happily following his nose along Hwy. 99 in Talent, Oregon, sniffing delightful grass scents along the curb. Fifteen inches or more to the left and he’d be smushed mustard. Finding stray dogs is par for Doggy Dundee so we sacked plans, and pulled our car into a driveway, mindful that if this stray dog spooked and ran into traffic it wouldn’t be pretty. Thankfully, this chihuahua hadn’t been a lost dog long, coz he was curious and friendly rather than fearful or defensive, and ran into my arms and gave Chase a “licking.”

Oscar was his name (thank you ID tag), and since the Anjou Apartments were right there, we headed into their office and the manager called the number on the tag – Yikes! The woman owner was pretty “pissed” that her “pea”-brained boyfriend had let the dog out and “forgot him” (apparently again). Grrrrr…Guys, what’s with you?

Assured the woman would immediately call the doltish boyfriend to pick up Oscar, the manager suggested I let Oscar down to play with her dog in the office. Nice — until Oscar peed all over their carpet. Hmmm…Seems “p” runs in the family.

G’day Mates! It sure is easier finding stray dogs when the stray dog comes to us, especially on hot days.

We’ve had record setting temps of up to 108 degrees in Southern Oregon, so on this cool 97 degree day I was on the front porch balancing on a step ladder to replenish a hummingbird feeder bottle. Taking the last step down and turning, there was a large dalmation standing right behind me, tongue long and panting.  Chase had started a bark alert from her post in the house.

The dalmation was friendly, though tired. Had a license, but no ID tag.  Doltish doggy owners - An ID tag is the easiest way to get stray dogs returned quickly by anyone finding the pooch. So, Doggy Dundee gave her a bucket of water to drink, hosed her down, and leashed her, then decided to take the stray dog for a (hot) walk in hopes the owner would spot us.

We didn’t have to go more than two dozen steps when a neighbor couple told me they thought it was the same dog they’d found wandering a couple weeks earlier; that time, the dog’s owner had posted a note at the local market and the couple had been able to return the dog to its home.  Today, my neighbors were heading to a barbecue and offered to drive the pooch back to its home, and, if the owners weren’t home, leave a note and keep the stray dog till the owners called back. They also said that two weeks before they’d told the dog’s owner to add an ID tag to the dog’s collar – advice that had obviously been ignored.

Doltish doggy owners – Why wouldn’t you ID tag your dog?  Isn’t it interesting that the stray dog stopped for a rest right at Doggy Dundee’s front porch, though?

First We See ‘Em, Then We Don’t

G’Day mates! A pair of stray dogs – cute and curious beagles – managed to evade Doggy Dundee’s attention for six weeks according to accounts from my neighbors; never saw ‘em, never heard about ‘em. Tsk, tsk…Reports said the duo were curious, wary of attention, and quick get-away artists. I’ve gotta ask: Now what owner wouldn’t realize their pair of beagles were nipping off for a romp several times a day for over six weeks?

Doggy Dundee on the Scent

But one day, there they were sniffing around the driveway entry while Doggy Dundee was heading for the mailbox. Clean, and well-fed they were! A call, a whistle, an offer of a treat got nary a nod from either of ‘em, before the stray dogs were strutting down the road. By the time I got to the driveway entry, the pooches had vanished.  Spotted ‘em again later - once sniffing my front lawn – but again they just seemed to evaporate from sight despite my determined searches. This was a sure sign the stray dogs were simply adventuring from their home, and they had a variety of routes to and from home mapped out. 

A Miraculous Disappearance

Next day, I coordinated with Jackson County Animal Control (JCAC) when I spotted the happy pair of prowling strays.  The JCAC officer set up a picnic of treats next to him on the grass that lured the pair of stray dogs close enough to lassoe one beagle, but the other made a very hasty getaway. When last seen, that stray dog was racing behind apartments, shimmying beneath a fence, up an embankment, and high-tailing it northbound on the railroad tracks – Which had probably been the pair’s personal “freeway to freedom.”

How odd that ever since that day - after the owner had had to pay a steep fine to bail out his stray dog – neither beagle has been wandering the streets - They’ve simply vanished!  That wasn’t so hard now, was it, Mr. & Mrs. Dog Owner?

Be Prepared to Rescue Lost Dogs & Stray Dogs

Heads up, Mates!  How can you go about helping stray dogs and lost dogs if you’re not prepared? Kind of like being a scout without a compass and flashlight, eh!

That’s why I’m wanting everyone reading Doggy Dundee to be in a good pozzy (that’s “position”) to find out all the steps to being prepared like a Doggy Dundee would – That’ll be the main topic in this month’s newsletter. 

It’ll be a right spiffy newsletter, so head over to the SUBSCRIBE page, and enter your email to receive the newsletter regular. I don’t normally promo the doggy newsletter like this, but my cobbers (that’s “friends”) deserve special notice. It should be published by Sunday, June 7, 2009, so get  your tails waggin’ that way.

Stray Dog Akita Takes Advantage of a Loose Gate for a Stroll and Swim

Timing is everything and if I hadn’t forgotten my ’half-a-chicken’ order at the grill at Tark’s Market in Talent, we wouldn’t have spotted the stray dog Akita taking a “walkabout.”  These northern breeds simply have to wander!

Akitas like to wander

Tark’s Market is a supermarket in Talent, Oregon that features an all day outside grill. I ordered half a chicken and went inside to shop for other things; the idea being that when you check out, you tell the cashier of your grill purchase, she rings it, and when you exit, you show the grill cook proof of purchase and take home your chicken order (or ribs, etc).

Instead, Doggy Dundee exited the store and plodded to the car with bags filled with groceries.  Almost home, I remembered the chicken and was about to make a U-turn (“Hold on, Chase!”) when I spotted the Akita sniffing along Talent Avenue. So, instead, I pulled the car ahead of him and attempted to entice him (“Where’s half a chicken when you really need one?” I grumbled). He wasn’t interested – What’s so exciting about a leash being dangled from a strange hand?

Instead, the Akita picked up a prancing pace, crossed the street and headed (more…)

What Happens To Wanderin’ Stray Dogs?

It’s a heartbreaker for Doggy Dundee to spot lost dogs we can’t help – The stray’s mind is so focused on “find home” that the dog just gives quick glances back at us and keeps on trucking full-tilt down the road.

Chase and I’ve been known to hop in the car to out-race the stray dog so we can set ourselves up ahead with treats to entice him, but all that does is get the dog running across the street and keep his pace and direction, checking us out in a panic. So, we’ll sometimes watch long enough to see the pooch eventually pause for a breather and stare all around, desperate for any bearing, undecided where to go next, and then opt hesitantly for a new direction. How long can this desperate journey go on?

Doggy Dundee doesn’t own a cell phone, however, this is the one instance I really wish I could have one, so I can call the animal control officers, even download an image to help them.  A stray dog gets exhausted, thirsty, hungry; they burn their paw pads, get hit by cars, eat food scraps that make ‘em sick; their health can be further hobbled when foxtails become embedded beneath their skin, or dozens of ticks start feeding on them.

Worse yet, there’s been times lost dogs that have avoided Doggy Dundee actually slow to a walk and hesitantly sidle over to some other person (“Oh, good, grab the pooch,” I’m thinking) only to have that person “shoo” the dog away, and off he’s trotting again.

Take a minute to help lost dogs.