What should I do?

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

A dog came to our house today. He looked like some kind of poodle mix. He had a collar and tags, so we called the number, and got an answering machine.

We told them where we saw him, and gave them our number and said that if he was still here when they called we'd catch him and keep him for them 'til they could come get him.

We would've put him on our tie-out but it was about to rain, and with two other dogs, my mom didn't feel comfortable letting him inside in case he was sick. He acted fairly healthy, but had poo caked on his bottom, and really bad tear stains. The poo could've been due to his long hair, but I was afraid it might be diarrhea.

Anyway, the issue is, he 'tried' to poo in our yard (I don't think anything came out - like I said, his bottom was caked with poo) and peed several times. What should I do in case he was sick, to make sure our dogs don't get sick? I washed my hands really well after petting him, and changed my shirt. I'm paranoid especially with Violet that he might've been sick, and might make my dogs sick!!!

Also, I feel bad just leaving the dog outside, but he ran over the hill where a bunch of other houses are, so maybe he knew his way home?

 

[RD]

If your yard isn't covered in grass, then just take a mild bleach solution and spray it over where the dog peed (if you can remember). If you have a grassy yard then just hose everything off.

If it rained, the rain probably already did this for you.

I really wouldn't worry too much. He probably belongs to someone, they just don't keep up with his grooming. =/

 

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

Thanks! I have a grassy yard, and it hasn't rained yet, but will very soon. It was drizzling some, but no real heavy rain yet. I'll try not to worry to much, but I'm still gonna keep an eye on them! Thanks again!

 

[Athelas]

Hi Lauren,

Did you happen to call your animal control office? My old westie near the end was deaf and not seeing very well and wandered away one night when I had my back turned for a few minutes. I didn't worry about her doing that because her days of running anywhere were behind her, but sure enough she disappeared. AND -- to make matters worse -- I had just given her a bath and had not yet put her collar back on -- the collar with my phone number emblazoned on it!

I was so scared and searched all night (how hard can it be to find a 17 year old white dog who can't move very quickly?) and could not find her.

I called animal control first thing in the morning, and sure enough someone had found her walking down the road and called animal control.

I was so relieved when I drove down and picked up my old girl. If the A.C. officer comes to fetch the poodle, at least it will be somewhere safe and warm until the owners get your message.

Scott
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[~Dixie's_Mom~]

We didn't, but that's a great idea, and something I'll keep in mind for if I see the dog again! I did briefly consider it, but I was afraid that the dog might not even really be lost (that it might've just been let out to potty, and ran off, but was headed back home). But what you said made sense, and I didn't really consider the fact that if the owners called us back, we could just tell them where the dog was. Thank you, and if I see the dog again, I will keep this in mind! (We didn't get a call back from the owner yet, so maybe the dog was just headed home).

 

[oakash]

I hope the little guy headed home. I don't know what I would have done, but one time we found an older dog and we stuck him in our godless neighbors yard with her permission because he wouldn't get our animals sick that way.