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. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I really do not know what else you might have done or done differently.  You were good to stop and do all that you could at the moment. It is really hard not to be able to have a perfect outcome and one will always have guilty feelings that you might/should have done more, but you really thought out what you could do and you did it.

[Elizabeth & *Kosci*.]

Thank you for trying. At least you cared, and the dog now has something in her tummy.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Valarie, I so respect what you tried to do for this poor dog.  Please know that you did everything that you could, which is so much more than many people would.

[Amy and Lily]

Valarie,

What a kind soul you are to try and help this poor animal.

           

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

There is nothing worse than that sick feeling you get when you see an animal in distress. What you did was so much more than most. Perhaps feeding her gave her the strength she needed to get back home or have a restful sleep until tomorrow in the morning when she can be seen and rescued by another.

Please don't feel bad, you did a very good thing.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

There's a lot of people out there that would just drve by. At least you cared and got some food to her and if she's still around will have food and water, hopefully the shelter will find her. Are you going t call Monday and find out? It's good to protect Sophie, sorry you were alone in this. You should feel good for what you did.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Valarie, I think you did everything you could and tomorrow call the gas station and check on the dog. Hopefully, the woman follows through with calling the Animal Shelter. It is so sad to see an animal in need and not be able to help. Thank you for trying.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

You did a wonderful thing feeding her and caring about her.  As pointed out by others, lots of people would have just kept going.  I hope Animal Control will try to rescue her and that this will have a good outcome.  You needed to take care of Sophie first and foremost.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I think you did what you could, don't beat yourself up! Hopefully someone else was as kindhearted as you and picked her up.

[Valarie]

I have called the Shell Station and they have not seen her again.  They are watching for her.  I left a voicemail and sent an email to the local Humane Society. I requested that they let me know if they find her and offered to help with her vet/care expenses.   I will keep everyone updated. 

[Valarie]

Received a response from the Humane Society saying that they will help as much as they can.  Please pray for this little dog.  She needs help asap.  

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

We'll keep the little one in our prayers!