Very sad puppy owned by a "traveller"

[thebritt]

I was on my way to watch our local minor league baseball team (the "Crabs") when I saw an all too familiar site with a sad twist. A dread-locked "traveller" (that's what we call the people who come to our town to live in our community forest) was feeding wet food to a TINY puppy he claimed was a pitbull puppy. It was the size of a small chihuahua with a severely extended belly (most likely worms). It had tiny little paws, and was eating voraciosly. I stopped and mentioned the fat belly - worm possibility, and that it seemed too small to be a pitt puppy (unless it was like 3 weeks old), and the guy said, "don't try to tell me about my dog". So I said "Good luck with all that"

:,somad:,somad! and went on my way without looking back. The LAST time I tried to help a "traveller" with a sick puppy, it had DISTEMPER! I was told it had tested negative - the kid's aunt spent $1200 for a vet in San Francisco - and it had pneumonia-like symptoms. It was cold and rainy, so I figured if I took it home with the intention of giving her back to the kid) and gave it supportive care (sub q fluids, warmth, etc), that she might get better. Luckily, I have a spare room, so the rest of my dogs weren't exposed, and I always took her outside the gate to potty, BUT STILL! TALK ABOUT PANIC AND LOST SLEEP hoping that MY dogs didn't get infected! (3rd test was positive for distemper - she had to be put down...VERY SAD!

). In any event, I came THIS CLOSE to offering $40 for the puppy, but there's no way I can afford all the obviously upcoming vet bills!

! I hope the pup's going to be ok - it's owner needs a good!!!

I'm obviously having problems realizing my "smilie" icons!

 

[raroo]

Aw, that's so sad. I've seen lots of homeless people with dogs, too. Their signs say "need money so I can feed my dog." I never quite know what to think. Is it genuine, or are they just using the dog to bring more handouts from people who feel sorry for it? Regardless, I don't really feel its right for someone who can't look after himself properly to own an animal who depends on him for health, food and security. I feel its rather selfish to subject a dog to cold and hunger, and that the person's first priority should be to take care of himself, not own a dog and have it go hungry. Sigh. Things like that just make me feel down!

 

[thebritt]

In our special little town, the county gives $40/month CASH so the homeless can feed their pets! Needless to say, I'm convinced this money isn't spent on the intended purpose. If they gave VOUCHERS, it would make more sense. I've actually overheard more than a couple bums say "I gotta get me a dog!" when told about the "program"! What I do is get dog food samples from one of our feed stores (they have a 10 sample/visit limit, and I give out samples of pet food when I see the need.

 

[raroo]

Quote:
Wow, I'm very surprised that they would actually give cash! They shouldn't be encouraging homeless people to have pets anyway. You're right, I'll bet very few actually use the money for pet food. That's very kind of you to give the homeless people pet food samples though.

 

[pdsavage]

They should give em vouchers and only after they spay or neuter the animal....