Should Have . . .

[Valarie]

I wish I had handled this situation differently but here I am regretting that I didn't.  I was traveling back from a visit with my parents this morning, just Sophie and me.  Preparing to get onto interstate 75, I saw a very thin dog crossing the road in an area with gas stations and restaurants.  I saw her go into a vacant lot.  Pulled into McDonalds and bought a couple sausage biscuits.  Went back and she was still there.  She was pitiful - so thin and with some type of skin problem.  She has a piece of rope around her neck which she had broken or chewed loose.  She was very skiddish but wagged her tail and tentatively took the food.  So I'm trying to figure out what to do.  I called my parents and got phone numbers for the local authorities.  No one answered at the animal shelter,  theman who answered at the local animal rescue place said that they had stopped rescuing some time ago, the police would not assist me either. So I'm trying to figure out what to do - I hatched a plan to ask my sister in law if I can borrow her fenced back yard for tonight so I can keep her safe without exposing Sophie until I get her to my vet.   I decide to try to load her up.  My parents are almost 80 so I really didnt want them chasing a stray dog on the side of the road.  I'm on my own.   I have Sophie in the back seat of the truck and it is warming up so I am worried about her.  I can't put the little stray in the back seat with her for obvious reasons.  I have a topper on the bed of the truck and I'm worried it will not be safe for her in there but that seems my only option.  So I'm trying to think of how I can get her into the bed of the truck without hurting her or getting bit.  She seemed docile but very skiddish.  Once she ate the food she would not let me get too close.  The more I tried the further back into the bushes and trees she retreated. Until finally I could not see her anymore.   I tried for 20 minutes or so but here's where I made a big mistake . . . I gave up.  I was worried about Sophie in the truck and my husband who I cannot reach and I got back in the truck and left.  I'm upset and crying for twenty miles when I just have to turn around and head back.  My Mom calls to see if I am okay and I tell her I'm coming back to look for the dog.  She and my father insist on meeting me at the gas station and we look for the dog for 30 minutes.  She is no where to be found.  I spoke with the attendant at the gas station and she said that she would put out some food and water for her and call the shelter tomorrow (Monday) morning.  I am heart broken.  I so wish I had not left her . . .

I am home now, two hours away, and I am distraught thinking about what I could have/ should have done. . .I am praying that someone else will be there for her.. 

I won't be offended if anyone would like to offer advice about how I or anyone could handle this situation differently .  I want to be prepared for a better outcome if this happens again.

Thanks for listening. 

 

Update 9/19/11 - Called Shell - They have not seen her again but are watching.  Left voicemail and sent email alerting the local Humane society.  Asked them to notify me if she was found and offered to help pay for vet/care expenses. 

[KAHLUA]

Don't beat yourself up, you did EVERYTHING possible!

 

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Valarie don't beat yourself up.  You did everything you could under the circumstances.  As Karen said it can take a long time to entice skiddish dogs.  DRC was lucky that Lucy (now Lacey) was hungry enough to go into the humane animal trap, but she was loose for 2 weeks.  I too will keep an eye out for updates.  And again, thank you for what you were able to do for this poor girl.

[Valarie]

Spoke with the Humane Society Rep today.  Very nice and helpful.  She assured me that they will patrole the area frequently and let me know if she is found.   I also spoke with the Shell station attendant, again very nice and concerned about my little friend.  They have not seen her again since Sunday but are watching.  Another Shell employee has also tried to catch her to get her medical attention.  So lots of people are concerned and looking for her.  Keep praying.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thank you for all of your effort. Hopefully, she will be found soon.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you for the update.  See what you did started the ball rolling and now there are lots of people trying to help.  That was YOUR doing.  Give yourself a pat on the back.