Adina the Dog Catcher is Back!

[Adina P]

It's been awhile since I've been able to run out the door, leash in hand, chasing down a loose, stray, or escaped dog.  Before kids, I was out there quite frequently, running after dogs walking themselves. But this morning the little gray, scruffy, terrier-ish dog who passed by our house, loose again was begging me to get back into the swing of my volunteer animal control gear ;-)

This was the third time we'd seen it pass and I was determined to find out where it came from.  Since Clark was home and the kids were happy, I got my loopy leash and ran out the door with treats in my pocket.  Luckily the dog was curious and came close several times, but unfortunately any movement toward it resulted in it backing away again.  It wasn't about to let me loop the slip lead over its head and didn't find my treats irresistible :-(

Once I gave up and started back toward the house I saw it pop out again.  I knew it was going to follow me and before I crossed the street I looked both ways to be sure it would be safe if it did. No cars were coming so I dashed across the street and continued swiftly toward the backyard where Rosco was waiting.  The dogs sniffed each other through the gate so I opened it up and led the little dog inside our yard.  I tend to be a little nervous about Rosco and little dogs because I'm always worried about prey drive.  But Rosco proved himself trustworthy, me wrong and Clark right.  He got a little overfocused and excited, but it didn't take long for him to flop over on the ground to rest his big doodley self.  And when the treats came out (for the little dog) again, Rosco's nose couldn't care less about the little furball.  By then I handed the duty over to Clark. 

I was so pleasantly pleased with my Roscodoodle for being so tolerant and cool with stranger dogs.  How was Boca?  Well I missed the greeting between her and the little dog because I was putting the baby down for a nap by then, but I heard it was far more out of control...nothing bad happened, but little dog got overwhelmed it ran back to Clark for safety.  Which is pretty cute considering they'd just met =)

I don't know if his owners were found, he did have a license, but when the police couldn't contact his owners as listed on the license, a cop came by and picked him up. Hopefully everything worked out okay for the little guy.

Anyway, sometimes I would just LOVE to be an animal control officer.  They don't have one for my city...if I had more time, I would be tempted to volunteer.

 

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Im always seeing dogs running down the road - i have given up chasing them, but I always feel bad, because id want someone chasing after Cooper if she got out. But so many people here do not have fenced yards, and leave their dogs outside, sometimes tethered sometimes not... they are just asking for the dog to go wandering

[Adina P]

I should just probably start taking Rosco with me on my missions.  Most dogs like him it seems.  And if it is a dog that would not, then I probably wouldn't be able to help anyway.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Good job, Adina!  I am impressed!  I just saw a little dog pooping in my yard yesterday without any owner.  Looked like a chihuahua to me.  I could see a collar and a tag dangling, so I tried to get the little guy to come to me outside and followed him for a while.  He never would come to me & only kept going farther.  I am pretty sure I know whose he is; we have some neighbors down the street who have about 3 of those little dogs & they are always getting loose.  Next time, I will grab some treats before leaving the door & try that!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Volunteer, heck! Make it a paid position! Haven't you ever heard of "running for dogcatcher"? Well, here you go:

You Can Be Elected Dogcatcher

Good job, Adina, glad the dogs of Walla Walla have you back on patrol!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I love this story Adina, from someone who started out as a not so dog lover you are now rescuing strays off the street, pretty impressive. I only wish you had taken a photo of the little guy, when you start your volunteer work (in about 10 years) for animal control you could have a wall of rescue photos.

[Kimmy & Chewie]

Adina, want to volunteer in Thailand? There are PLENTY of strays in the streets of Bangkok :( 

Just a few blocks from our house, there's a pack of 4-5 strays who hang around the noodle stall. At night, the pack "patrol" the neighbourhood at amazingly regular times, so I know not to walk Chewie when they're near our house.

I called the animal control people a few times and somehow the dogs are able to elude them everytime! They must have a spy within animal control who tip them off and the dogs disappeared from their spot just in time.