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Originally Posted by red98vett I know we'd all like to take in all the strays we find and Jenn you have a big heart - but make sure any strays or neglected dogs get a vet check first - with parvo & other contageous illnesses out there you don't want to take ANY chances |
I guess to take in a stray you have to really consider what is all involved (medically and financially). One night, Jim and I were walking Codie and Katie (rest in peace little angel) and we saw a black poodle all beat up and hobbling by a tree. I made Jim walk the dogs back home and told him get in the car and come get me and the dog (I didn't want my dogs to have contact with the stray until he was vet checked). We then brought the poodle (who we named Mugsy) to the vet.
Turns out Mugsy was an older dog, around 10 or 12, blind, had a severe eye infection, had terrible teeth and desperately needed a bath and major TRIM. So I had the vet give him all his shots (booster, rabies, etc.) and do a blood test. He also gave him anti-biotics for the eye infection. Then he had one of his staff completely shave the dog (trust me, there was no saving his coat). He was shaved practically to the skin. They also cut his super long nails (each step must have been painful). After paying a huge vet bill, we took him home.
When we got home, I gave Mugsy I bath (had to shampoo him THREE TIMES). Then we blocked off a section in the kitchen and put down a pillow (for a bed), food, water and a few toys. Boy did that poor boy scarf down his food, he practically INHALED it!!
Anyway, I then found a no-kill shelter and brought him there. I just felt compelled to clean him up first because he was such a mess and I was afraid he'd be put to sleep on the spot if they saw him in the condition he was in when I first saw him (he was pretty awful looking). But I know not everyone can do this. But this story does have a happy ending because Mugsy was adopted by an older person and is now a very happy boy.
