Daring rescue

Daring because I totally brought an unknown, stray dog into my house (gah) today. Rescue, because this dog has been wandering my neighborhood since January 23, and NO ONE else has done anything about it. Oh, one other person called animal control, but no one has tried to catch him, I don’t think anyone has been feeding him… nothing. We had 13″ of snow fall in my neighborhood Tuesday night, and some really cold temperatures, and yet he was out there sitting on my cross-the-street neighbors front porch and yard, shivering, all week long.

I first called animal control Tuesday morning, but with the impending snow and subsequent chaos because of the amount that fell, no one was able to come out until Thursday. Evidently they did make a trip, but couldn’t find Stray anywhere. Friday night was really the first opportunity I had to do anything for him… I had tried to offer him a bowl of water earlier in the week, but he wasn’t interested. Cat food, however, he was interested in. This morning when I opened the front door he came flying across the street to see me! I fixed up a spot in the garage, led him through the house, and installed him out there with some more cat food and a bowl of water. A friend (thanks, Amy!) brought a spare collar and leash and some actual dog food, and for the rest of the weekend I’m keeping him in the kitchen, gated or crated away from the cat, rabbits, and guinea pigs.

He seems like a nice dog – he’s not terribly skinny, so he’s been eating something, but his coat is long and thick, so he’s probably been an outside dog for a while. He doesn’t like being left alone, so I’m kind of trapped in here. He also hates the crate, so much so that he destroyed my kitchen curtains while I left for an hour to get some supplies at PetsMart. Crazy Stray. I’d take a picture, but that means I’d have to leave the kitchen and right now, he’s flat out on the floor sleeping up against the gate in the kitchen doorway. In order to get out, I’d have to step over him… he doesn’t want me to leave. Unfortunately for him, I have other animals to care for, as well. He’s going to have to get used to it.

I’m not terribly excited about taking him to animal control Monday morning, but his chances there are better than if he remained a stray. I know he’s just as likely to be euthanized there as to be placed for adoption; they have too many animals and not enough room or staff to care for all the animals surrendered there. Taking him there buys him 4 days of warmth and safety, though, with guarantees that he won’t be hit by a car or injured by another animal. It’s sad; I don’t know why he’s a stray, but I’m a rescuer. I had to do something. Doing nothing, just waiting to see what happened, just wasn’t an option… it never is. I may be apathetic about many things, but animals are not included in that list.

If you live in the Indianapolis area and are looking for a nice Lab mix, check with Indianapolis Animal Care and Control next week… he’s an adult dog with some scars on his nose, black with a white chest, ears that stick up and then flop at the ends, and a curly tail. He needs people, and probably a fenced yard…

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