Lonely Dog

[milliej]

Ok, just testing the water here, a new young couple have moved into a small end terrace house and it's back yard faces our front across a green. They haven't been there very long but I noticed she's pregnant. Last week he had a couple of his mates knock up a 'lean to' on the wall adjoining their neighbours, it has a covered back part and a very small open part at the front.
I looked over the wall today and there is a blanket and some water but as I support neglected and abused animal charities I'm already concerned that the dog won't have any human interaction and perhaps as time goes on, be neglected. It's only a young dog a lurcher type.
I know I'm a townie who lives in the country but why do people keep dogs (or any animals) only to leave them outside on their own for most of their lives. Am I being paranoid, silly, is this more common that I'm aware of?
Don't understand why people keep animals who are supposed to be companions/pets in back yards or gardens!
Sorry, just a concerned rant really I suppose.

[Deleted]

You're not being silly at all. If they've just moved in it might be a temporary arrangement until the house is sorted. Keep an eye on him/her. If you do have concerns later on them call the RSPCA, that's what they are there for. However, I do agree with you about leaving dogs outside, separated from the family. Doesn't seem to be any point to owning a dog just to ignore it, or isolate it.

[Hezz]

I know I am in the minority here, but I wouldn't keep a dog inside the house. Certainly not with a young family. Just because the dog is living outside, you can't assume that it is being neglected.

[samwiseg]

Its something worth keeping an eye on milliej

Have any of you had much dealing with the RSPCA before? Reason I ask is that I am dealing with them at the moment as I am sad to say that near my area I spotted a neglected budgie on Sat 30th July. I have sent the RSPCA photos (but I wont post them here) as I think it is far too distressing for my fellow budgie members.

But I am finding the RSPCA not very forthcoming with their help or progress of the situation. I am literally hounding them daily to sort it out. Even if it means that they collect the budgie and have it PTS to stop its suffering. Unfortunately the area in question is not actually a friendly area where you could knock on the door as you would probably get a punch in the face (or worse)

Should this progress in a better/happier way, then I of course will report back on a new thread x

[starlingqueen]

There isn't much you can do. if any animal has food, shelter and water they are not considered neglected. This couple are obviously providing the dog with a shelter and you say there is water, I would assume they are feeding it too so the animal is cared for. You say it's a lurcher type dog, these are lean animals so feel the cold more than others. if the dog is out all winter without sufficient warmth then you may be able to make a call to the RSPCA but I doubt you will have much success. They are not at all like the nice cosy programmes you see on TV. To be honest I do wonder what they do with the money they get donated as I have heard so many people say they are just not interested in the reports they have made.

[milliej]

I understand that some people keep dogs outdoors but still don't understand why really We had 3 beagles(she was a mom with two pups) and a little fox terrier cross in South Africa but they all lived indoors, well most of the time!
I will keep an eye out and see how this young dog goes especially as the weather gets colder, it's 'run' is very small and if it doesn't get any exercise it'll get sores! I'm more concerned about the lack of interaction with humans (and other dogs) as one rescue dog we had was unsocialized and although fine in the house a real menace out walking, he was strong and we couldn't cope and sadly had to return him to the centre which really upset me. Hopefully there will not be a problem!

I'm so sorry to hear about a neglected budgie Sam, do hope this works out ok for you, so many people seem to think that because they're tiny birds, it doesn't matter!

[skysmum]

I'm sad about this , why don't they just rehome the poor dog. Like starlingqueen said Lurcher's suffer with the cold and we only have a couple of months before the autumn comes, they also get sores if they are sleeping on hard ground, even if there is a blanket, they need padding.
I would keep an eye on things milliej and although I have no time for the RSPCA, from past experience they are next to useless, they are the only ones you could contact to TRY and get them to check on the poor thing.

[samwiseg]

Oh dear this does not fill me with confidence - I can just see the RSPCA saying that it is "just a bird" in my situation. I hope for the birds sake it has passed on and is no longer suffering

[milliej]

Aug 5, 2016 7:58:52 GMT samwiseg said:

Oh dear this does not fill me with confidence - I can just see the RSPCA saying that it is "just a bird" in my situation. I hope for the birds sake it has passed on and is no longer suffering

No Sam, I don't think the RSPCA would say that about any animal/bird/fish! They do the job because they love all creatures, great and small.
It was a vet (farmer type) who said that to me years ago!)

[milliej]

My plan is coming together (I think, hope!) Today is nice and sunny and my husband saw the woman sitting in the back yard having a ciggy, so I popped over and asked if she ever needed any additional bedding, we had some. She said her mom was bringing the dog a new bed from her holiday in Blackpool
I met the dog too, a beautiful jet black lurcher called 'beaut' who was eating her meal, until I disturbed her of course. She came bounding up to the gate, leapt up and gave me (what I took as) a big grin....ok....perhaps not!
I'm so glad I made contact, I feel so much better but I'll still keep my eye out because in the winter....who knows. It seems as if it's the woman's dog and when she has her baby? Looks so young too
So progress and I'll make a point of saying hello every time I pass the back (or even if I don't) and try to befriend the family and the dog and hope they don't just think I'm a nosy old biddy!

[ffiscool]

good plan Milliej.. hopefully if it is getting a new bed, there might be other home comforts going on

the clampetts as I call them, who back onto the back of the carpark here, have two dogs, quite often out in the day yelping and crying, if they are all out.. They are in at night though. Hard to know sometimes whether animals get good care or not.

[milliej]

True Fran, what I call good care probably isn't to the majority of my neighbours who are 'country types' used to a different way to me altogether, some of them. Some of them go hunting with terriers, lurchers and air (I think they're air) rifles!
It's a good job I don't work for the RSPCA I'd be taking everyone's pet off them who I thought had the slightest problem. Thankfully (in this case) my husband takes a different view, it was him who said one rescue beagle we had, had to go back to the rescue centre as he/we couldn't cope! I used to walk him early when no-one was around but when we did meet other dogs he was a real menace and I was stronger (physically) then. Even a couple of male dog walkers remarked on his aggression!
No socialisation, no human interaction, no praise and positivity makes for a dog with problems! I won't start on those ijjeets who let their dogs fight
I'll be watching for a proper 'greyhound' type bed across the front now, for 'beaut'

[milliej]

I'm feeling rather optimistic, I think the lurcher opposite has been given a new home! Unfortunately I missed it but my husband was looking out of the kitchen windows (which he does quite a lot ) and saw a young couple talking to our neighbours, they walked the dog up and down he said then it and they disappeared.

I will be overjoyed if this is so and must express my delight to the couple when I next see them, acting in a responsible way like this warms my heart when we hear of so much negative talk amongst our neighbours.

[matecito]

Aug 3, 2016 19:32:54 GMT milliej said:

Ok, just testing the water here, a new young couple have moved into a small end terrace house and it's back yard faces our front across a green. They haven't been there very long but I noticed she's pregnant. Last week he had a couple of his mates knock up a 'lean to' on the wall adjoining their neighbours, it has a covered back part and a very small open part at the front.
I looked over the wall today and there is a blanket and some water but as I support neglected and abused animal charities I'm already concerned that the dog won't have any human interaction and perhaps as time goes on, be neglected. It's only a young dog a lurcher type.
I know I'm a townie who lives in the country but why do people keep dogs (or any animals) only to leave them outside on their own for most of their lives. Am I being paranoid, silly, is this more common that I'm aware of?
Don't understand why people keep animals who are supposed to be companions/pets in back yards or gardens!
Sorry, just a concerned rant really I suppose.

I too, find this situation a terrible injustice. Dogs must be with humans.  If you can't or don't want to keep a dog with you and interact with it, than don't get a dog. 

It's ok for a dog to stay and play outside, but it should have access in the house, with it's family/pack, whenever he wants.  A dog is a pack animal, keeping him isolated brings extreme frustration and a lot of problems and depression... all of you dog lovers know what a smiling dog looks like. You'll never see an isolated dog smiling. 

I like to be with my dog at all times. I like feeling it close to me, walking with him, etc. Like this, everyday feels like an adventure. With a dog, you have your own Wonderland/ Narnia/ Middle Earth. 

Ok, all that aside... I saw several of these cases. If the dog has food, shelter and medical care in case of need, there's nothing you can do.  Of course, you don't notice behavior changes or subtle signs of health issues if you keep a dog far from you. And a lot of issues can arise from the fact that the dog is kept isolated. To fit in a human society, a dog needs to be socialised with humans, other pets, encouraged to get past it's fears like storm sounds, screams, dinosaur noises from tv, big shadows, loud music, buses, etc. Again, nothing of that is noticed when a dog is dismissed in such way.  But... nothing to be done, unfortunately. 

[matecito]

Aug 16, 2016 21:31:52 GMT milliej said:

I'm feeling rather optimistic, I think the lurcher opposite has been given a new home! Unfortunately I missed it but my husband was looking out of the kitchen windows (which he does quite a lot ) and saw a young couple talking to our neighbours, they walked the dog up and down he said then it and they disappeared.

I will be overjoyed if this is so and must express my delight to the couple when I next see them, acting in a responsible way like this warms my heart when we hear of so much negative talk amongst our neighbours.

so glad to read this.  A rare happy ending.