Someone Just Left a Dog on My Doorstep... UPDATE

[Camilla and Darwin]

So I just got a knock on my door. I took a few minutes to open it and when I did, there was a dog tied to my front rail. It is a small terrier/chihuahua looking mix, maybe about 7lbs? I brought him in and tried to give him food and water, neither of which he is taking. No collar, no tattoo, nothing. I called the local humane society, the vet and animal control, nobody has heard anything and nobody can pick him up. Obviously I will keep the little guy overnight if I have to, but I haven't ever done this type of thing. Suggestions? I have class really early tomorrow morning, before the shelter opens and I'm not sure I should just leave him here in the apartment. Darwin's unbridled excitement is scaring the little guy to death so I have Darwin outside on the patio. Anyone have suggestions for the steps I need to be taking?

 

 

UPDATE: Well, I got in touch with a private rescue who advised me to take him to the local shelter. I wanted to take him to the humane society over a local animal control facility, but apparently they will not accept strays, only surrendered pets. If you go in and say it's a stray, they will immediately direct you to an animal control shelter. She advised me to not to try and claim he was my pet because they take that pretty seriously, so the humane society option was out

 

She said to take him to my local animal shelter, and tell the manager of the shelter to contact her. When I got there, they were looking at me a little bit suspiciously and meanly. I can't really blame them though, I don't think they believed my story. I don't know that I would have believed it either!

 

Anyways, I asked for the manager of the shelter, told her the name of the private rescuer and she immediately knew who I was talking about. Apparently they know each other well, and she frequently pulls dogs from their shelter. She informed me that he would be kept over the weekend, and the private rescue would come pick him up after that. After inspecting him and his teeth, she noticed that he still had baby teeth and might be around 5 months old. She said he was cute and would be very adoptable. The two workers thought he was adorable and assured me he would be well cared for until the private rescue picked him up. By the way, he wasn't neutered or microchipped, we found that out as well.

 

It's been kind of a crazy night/day, and I'm running on 4 hours of sleep so I may end up taking a nap. :-) I am SO relieved he is in good hands, and I think he's going to find a great home. Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions and encouragement. What an adventure!

 

[Diane and Alma]

Wow, what a story.  Can you try leashing him tonight so he doesn't get into trouble?  And Darwin can stay in his crate as usual.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I really do think this was totally intentional.  I mean the poor baby was tied up to your railing and someone did knock on the door.  If they thought it was Darwin they would have knocked and waited until you opened the door.  Only then if you didn't open it they would have tied him up thinking you would be home soon and find him.  Also, by the time you opened the door whoever it was was long gone.  I think it was a ditch and run!  Obviously, like everyone has said, who ever this horrible person was, they have observed you with Darwin and knew you were the perfect dog Mom and that you would never put this baby out in the cold.  I hope Karen has contacted  you by now privately and has arranged something with a rescue or foster.  I can't understand people like this that can give up such a sweet thing.  Keep us posted on the outcome!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Alright everyone, I have been in contact with Karen and she helped me find some no-kill fostering rescues in my area. I have e-mailed all of them and I'm going to call them as well tomorrow. let us hope that one of them gets back to me tomorrow and will take this little guy! We are going to have him sleep in our bed with us so he doesn't whine/cry, let's hope it works out! I am just going to skip my class tomorrow so I don't have to worry about leaving this little guy. I will keep you all posted on what happens!

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Camilla - if you keep him we will throw you that puppy shower!!!  j/k... you are doing a wonderful thing.. I would love to see a pic of Darwin with him just so I can see his true size!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Sorry Suzann, I'm a big dog person. :-) He is cute though. Here is a photo of them together. 

 

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

O-M-D Now THAT is THE CUTEST!!  He really is a tiny little guy!!  Darwin, you are a good rescuer just like your mom:) 

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Oh, how cute is that!!!!  How did you ever get them to sit like that and stay?  I know Darwin is trained so I am guessing the little guy must be as well.  It looks like they are getting on very well and also like they are from the same family!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

The little guy hasn't shown the ability to do a sit stay, no. This was a sit-stay on Darwin's end, and a place, let go and take the picture quickly on the little pup's end. :-)

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

It doesn't get much cuter than this ..... it is almost like he is trying to look just like Darwin with his little head sort of up at the same angle!  A D O R A B L E ..... Good thing he wasn't dropped on my doorstep, I'd be in big trouble!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

This is just adorable!!

[Kim]

:(  I hope he finds a great home.  He is adorable.

[shelly]

OMD, Camilla!  what is it someone just said... these dogs can read your mind.  When I titled my discussion earlier and said I should learn to keep my mouth shut.. that's what I meant... once you SAY it - it blows in the wind and 'somebody' makes it happen... didn't you comment not that long ago that you would LIKE another dog?  LOL

This is just TOO cute for words!  They look like they've been buddies for a long time!  "Little man" looks like he wants to be just like the "big, cool guy in town"!  He does look 'doodley'

Also, I've been thinking... aside from the 'no bark thing'... do you think maybe someone thought he WAS yours.. and except in size, they do resemble each other a bit... and I don't think Darwin knows how big he is!