Moral Dilemma

[Tracer Tong]

For those of you that don't know, that's nearly all of you, I'm raising an Cairo Street Dog puppy here in Cairo and its raising some questions in my mind.

For instance, what is the right thing to do? Get him his puppy shots and then let him roam the farm free with the pack of wild dogs during the day? Or keep him cooped up on the porch for the next eight months?

Take him home when I go? Or euthanize(spelling?) him when I leave? Whatever happens I won't leave him here to starve.

I guess you could say that I had a puppy thrust on me when I wasn't ready and I don't have all the answers. But its tough when you're on the wrong side of the world and all you have to talk to is a puppy that won't look at you unless you're packing treats(and even then not always).

To make a long post short, I'm working through some questions and when they involve the future of an adorable puppy its even more difficult. Know what I mean?

 

[nancy2394]

I must be missing something... cuz I am totally confused. I understand you got a puppy thrusted upon you and you weren't ready for it. But why would you have to leave it behind, or euthanize it?

If you can't raise a puppy can't you do some searching and rehome your pup with a family who can care for it?

I would never let my pup roam free all day long day after day... or cooped up on a porch. I'm not sure of your situation.. I'm kind of puzzled.

I strongly suggest you do all you can to find a home for your pup if you can not keep him and give him the home he needs.

 

[chinchow]

Nancy I think there, not many people want pets. So this would pobably be someone elses decision as well. Unfortunately, I am not in your situation, so I have no idea what type of advice to offer. I've known farm dogs that ran the farm freely and lived fine, but not with a wild pack of dogs, that might be a little dangerous, if they are not willing to accept the puppy.

 

[nancy2394]

Okay, I think I might have an understanding now that I've gone back and read it a few more times. Are you currently living in cairo and planning on leaving in 8 months and can't take the dog with you and you don't want to leave it behind to starve to death?

If I am understanding it right, then you have yourself quite the dilemma. People don't like dogs in cairo?? Maybe you can find someone who will be willing to take on the responsibility of the pup and at least make sure it's fed and safe.

Is it impossible for you to take the dog with you when you leave?

I would hate to be in that situation... makes me sad.

 

[Tracer Tong]

I live in a 'suburb' of Cairo. Nobody here wants a dog. A bag of dogfood costs a weeks salary, that is if you have a dog. So if I were to leave him here he would eat garbage for a while as he slowly starved to death. And the wild dogs aren't that wild but they aren't that tame either. They are the survivors.

I'm having a very unique experience that I doubt anyone else on here is having. Raising a puppy a long way from home in a very non dog friendly country. Thats all.

 

[FoxyWench]

well first i thank yo for your efforts with this pup, most woudl have just turned it away to fade into the past.
how is it going, is the pup anyweher neer trainable? affectionate? is he becomming a pet or is it more of a deal with each other type relationship.
its not realy anything we can answer, the whole take him with you or euthanize him is one of those desisions that only you can make.

what would stop you from taking him with you?! is it simply the relationship is not there or is it cost ect?

So long as hes got food and toys and gets attention and excersize then i cant see any issues with him being kept on the porch. i think leaving him to look after homself with the wild pack could end in disaster if they dont accept the pup, and he would never realy become a pet if in the end you decide to take him wiht you at the end of the 8 months.

this is a tough one...
but your trying! and that in a place so dog unfrinedly is a feat in itself!

 

[gdsgregory]

Tracer,
Sorry to say but you are in a lose lose situation. I can fully understand your position as I myself have spent most of my adult life travelling third world countries and have also been faced with heart wrenching decisions.
I can not tell you the answers but I can share experiences.
1) A street dog is a street dog and will never truly be a typical loving "normal" dog. It will love you only for the food you give it and then it will want out to the street. It will come back when it wants to rest and also to protect its source of food. A street dog is the BEST alarm / watch dog in the world period.
2) If you plan on leaving it to fend for itself in eight months you should not take this dog in and keep it on the porch as it will not know its place within the feeding heirichy of the pack on the street. It will not have learned to fend for itself on the street.
3) If you fall in love with this little burglar alarm and choose to take him home you will really need to look at regulations especially regarding rabies.
4) You may well find that if you feed it "proper" dog food it will get sick with stomach / digestive issues.
5) Friends of mine have had similar situations and success has been found by raising the puppy outside in their yard until the age of 5 - 6 months where it finds its territory and then letting them roam with the street pack. Feeding time was always just before dark and so the dog comes home at that time religiously where it is then locked in the yard.
It gets its food and you get your watchdog while the animal finds its place in the street pack.

You are in a tough place right now with regards to the decisions you will have to make and to be honest, with all due respect to the many wonderful people on this forum, I do not believe you will get many members who will be able to understand or relate to your position.
Unfortunately not all of us live in a pink fluffy world.
Whatever you do I wish you good luck and hope your little friend has a long happy life.

 

[Julie]

Since I am living in my "Pink Fluffy World"....... I am really trying to understand how the dogs live in your area.
And I would believe anything you can do to help the dog while you are there is better than nothing.
You mentioned taking the dog home with you in eight months? What restrictions and regulations would be placed on the dog and how much time and money would need to be put forth?...... If this is a consideration, then I would start now and try to gain complete trust with this dog.......by feeding, providing shelter, and training....... leash training, introducing to your living quarters, and ensuring the dog is comfortable. If the only option is staying on your porch when your not home, then try it. ??
If there is no option of taking the dog home with you then, I wouldn't try to "domesticate" the dog very much,......for when you leave the dog will suffer more, for knowing a different way of life.....that it will never have again.
I hope you can make a decision that will be in the dogs best interest.
Best Wishes,
Julie.

 

[skyeboxer]

Tracer,

I don't know if this will help you at all but here are some people you could speak too...

http://www.sparealife.org/html/adoption_stories.html

 

[rij73]

Tracer,

I just went back and read over all the threads you've started since you joined. Java is adorable-looking, and I am really hoping things can work out for you two... I'm thinking that since you had him from 5 weeks old, he really should bond to you and be able to be a good pet. He looks like a basic mutt, no different from any other normal dog, and since he never really lived out on the street, then I don't see why he wouldn't be fine.

It sounds to me by all you've written that you're doing a wonderful with job with the limited resources you have.

My only question is whether you will be able to take him home! Where is home, by the way? Have you looked into the regulations about transporting pets?

 

[Tracer Tong]

Thanks for all the support guys. Tonight I'm going shopping(yeehaw) and I'm going to get the littlest collar they've got at the store and hope it fits him(I already found a leash). Despite successes in the past with off leash walking its time for him to be on a leash, quite the independent little puppy lately.

gdsgregory, said that a street dog is a street dog and will never be like a fully domestic. And rij73 said that since I've had him since five weeks that bonding is possible and probable.

Conflicting opinions. And I've been thinking the exact same two things for a little while now. So here is what I'm going to do. I'm going to do my best to give this puppy every chance to become a good bonded loving puppy dog, and I'll reserve judgement until such a time as it becomes obvious(or at least more clear).

Once again, thanks for all the support guys.

 

[rij73]

I still would love to know if taking him home with you will even be possible? Have you looked into regulations and such?

Also... the link Skyeboxer posted looks great! Maybe if you socialize the dog well, he will be able to find a good home through them!

 

[Tracer Tong]

I just checked out the link and I'm hugely surprised that such a thing exists here. I'll remember it. I bookmarked it even. Wow, I never would have guessed.

 

[bubbatd]

Good luck and let us know !! I'm glad that you care !

 

[skyeboxer]

I'm glad it helps Now at least you can do your research on bringing him home without the fear that the only option is euthanasia.

Just a thought - the little guy's aloofness may be also caused by him being 5 weeks old when you got him. 5 to 7 weeks is the socialization phase with mama and the rest of the litter and missing this might have made it harder for him to connect...

 

[squirtsmom]

I have never been in that situation, and am no help. Good luck though anyway.

 

[Whisper]

I'm wishing you luck! Keep us updated!