I wish there was something I could do to keep Jack, but I really don't think I have any legal rights here.
Jack has been here with us about 3 weeks now. His owner only FINALLY mentioned him yesterday, when he called to say "I'll be by to pick up the motorcycle and Jack at the end of the month." It was the first time in THREE WEEKS he'd even mentioned Jack. He's never called to check on him or ask how he's doing. He hasn't offered to help with the cost of food (which isn't really a big deal, it's more the principal of the thing). If it were MY dog that I couldn't have with me, I'd be calling and fussing, making sure whoever was taking care of her knew exactly HOW to care for her, had emergency vet info, etc. I don't even know where he was taking Jack to be groomed!
It's been very frustrating, and of course, you get attached. I know that I would take better care of Jack than his owner. But his owner has had him for eleven years. And if he insists on having him back, I really don't think there's anything I CAN do...
The upside is that aside from not having food in the house, and his overgrown nails, Jack seemed to be pretty well taken care of. His coat wasn't significantly over-grown, and was only matted around the face. And I understand he got daily walks. He was a good weight. So I guess I feel a little better knowing that while he might not be as carefully taken care of as he would be in my care, he's only being mildly neglected.
As for the other dog, he's a HUGE, 7-month-old black lab who's had absolutely NO training. He's got to be close to one-hundred pounds and is still jumping on people. We went and bought food for him, and left it out for him. He was my bf's ex-wife's dog (Jack was HER bf's dog), and she returned the next day and was able to continue caring for him - as much as I may think she really shouldn't have a dog, he's not being "neglected", and so I can't do anything about that either.
Jack got stuck with us because his owner had been living with my bf's ex-wife, and when the arrest incident occurred, he was not allowed back in the house. We let him know that we had Jack in our care, and that Jack could stay as long as he wanted to, and that's pretty much the last we heard from him - presumably he's still getting living situation stuff worked out? Who knows... :-(
But if Jack doesn't stay, I'm looking for a yorkie! I put posted a thread in the Yorkie Wanted section already. Just in case
I'll try to get some pics up soon...