posted on September 2, 2005 04:01:22 PM new
If you only get through the 1st paragraph - here is the point - PLEASE PLEASE make sure your dog or cat has a collar and a name tag w/ contact phone # on. PLEASE PLEASE do not let your pet run loose - no matter how well trained, a dog, if allowed in an unfenced yard, can easily be tempted to leave the yard, run out in the road, and be hit by a car.
On my way to the store today, a gorgeous German Shepherd ran out right by my car, she was hit by the car behind me. We were going below the speed limit, as this was a road known for speed traps. There was no avoiding her.
We both stopped, she was laying in the road, still very alert, she could not make her back legs work to stand up. We called the police who got in touch with Animal Control who were dispatched to assist. She had NO COLLAR, NO ID. I ran from house to house looking for the owner. She was finally located by a neighbor about 1/2 hour later.
To get the dog out of the road, we all stood on the other side calling her, as we could not approach her until help arrived (she was too frightened and may have bitten someone) and she was in the middle struggling. We stopped traffic and to watch her pull herself over to us with her front paws left us all in tears. (Since she was pulling herself around in the road, we had her pull herself to us).
The police, animal control and owner then arrived. She was going to be transported to her vet where she will probably be put down. I have a feeling it was a spinal cord injury and she will be paralyzed and may not make it. She could not move from the hips back but was not in severe pain.
It was a sight I will never forget - she was only 6 months old and already weighed 102 pounds! Her name was Daisy. Her life will probably be cut very short because her owner let her lay in the front yard without supervision.
I don't care if they've never ran off before - a dog is an animal, they do not think like humans. If something happens, they need ID on them so you can be contacted. The tags are less than $5 at Petsmart.
I'm sorry to rant, but I hope this makes someone get there dog an ID tag, even if they are a house dog, they can get out, stuff happens. Thanks for 'listening'.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caroline
posted on September 2, 2005 04:16:33 PM new
There's a man from a nearby community with a dog tag stamping machine. He sets up periodically at the local swap meet and is inundated with orders. He hits several of the local swaps. Charges $3.50 per tag. A very good investment to keep your pet safe. And remember, keep them locked in a bedroom with a radio tuned to an all music station at moderate volume on the fourth of July, or any other holiday, such a new years where fireworks are being used. The noise some of thse devices make can cause a pet to depart suddenly into the night to escape.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on September 2, 2005 04:42:47 PM new
My daughter keeps a radio on all day for Summer. This keeps her company while Jenny is at work. Summer never goes out without being on a chain. The chain is inside the kitchen and before the back door is even opened, she's on it. I cringe when I see the dog from across the street running loose. Cars speed up and down our street. The dog was out one day when UPS came to deliver a package to me. The driver wouldn't get out of the truck. I had to go out to the truck to get my package.
Caroline, I can relate to your story. When I first got my driver's license, a dog ran right out in front of my car. He came out from between two trash cans so I never saw him. Fortunately, my car was going slow and I was able to stop enough to just bump him. He was okay. However, I was not. I was so shaken up one of the people living on the that street had me come into their home to calm me down.
posted on September 2, 2005 05:09:34 PM new
I didn't even think of the chip - I might look in to that. I think my rant was what I really wanted to say to the owner. It just wasn't the time, of course.
Our brindle was born in France and brought to the US by his owner who took him in to the SPCA because his new wife really didn't like dogs. He has a tatoo of his ID# on his thigh from France - I believe they have a National registry for dogs. Not a bad idea - would put an end to theft and help ID lost dogs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caroline
Caroline