So, i found a yorkie on the street...
 

A month or two ago, we found ayorkie crossing the street. He was so scruffy and weak we took him home gave him a bath and fed him. He ate his food like crazy. He clearly has been out on the streets for a while.... My mom has been so iffy about me getting a dog, she doen't like them. She actually let me keep this yorkie though. We took him to the vet, they said he's missing teeth and hes VERY old. (12-15) All he does is sleep and roam around. Also... he pees EVERYWHERE. he has an enlarged prostate because he is not fixed. AND they will not fix him because he's soo old. Also I dont know if hes gotten his shots or anything. This poor dog also is blind in one eye, he has a cataract. I fell in loev with him so fast and my mom and dad are starting to get over him and want him out of the house. I DO NOT want him going to a shelter because i know they will kill him because who is going to take a 15 yr old blind dog. I don't know what to do and he is currently wearing diapers alot. I tried the "sleeping in the cage" thing hoping if he peed on himself in the cage he would know not to do it next time. Nope. He peed in the cage and sleeps in it, and then i have to bathe him everyday. Which, he does not appreciate. He is my baby, bentley his name is,and i want to care for him until his day comes. Any comments on his peeing, ect.?

heres him when we first found him...http://i56.tinypic.com/sb4rys.jpg

I commend you for wanting to give this poor dog a home for the rest of his days. Diapers/belly bands with pads in them are probably your only choices since his peeing everywhere has a real physical cause. Nothing he can do about that and I hope he is not getting punished for it.

Taking on an older dog with medical problems is not an easy task. Every home is not up to the task. If your parents cannot agree with him staying, seek out a Yorkie Rescue in your area that will care for him until they find a home. Here is a link to some Rescue Information: http://www.barkbytes.com/rescue/yorkie.htm

Bless you for your compassion.

I did have questions about ways you may have looked for his original owners. Did you put an ad in the newspaper? Flyers in vet's office, groomers, dog parks? Did you try radio stations for free announcements? How about online "found" sources? I would make sure due diligence was accomplished to find the original owners. It would be a shame if he wondered far from home and his owners had been looking in the wrong areas.

If he is peeing because of a medical condition you won't be able to train him out of it. Did the vet say whether or not there was any medications he could take? If not, a belly band is probably your only option. However, if you are keeping a belly band on a lot of the time, make sure you are changing it frequently and cleaning him very well so that the urine does not start to bother his skin. Also, you could get an expen and line it with wee wee pads and give him some time in there with no belly band to get air to the area. Take him out as often as possible (or to his pads if he is wee wee pad trained) to give him as many chances as possible to empty his bladder without wetting himself.

Lastly, if your parents insist he goes- see if you can find a small dog or yorkie rescue to take him in, he may have a better chance there.

EDIT: posting at the same time Debra- sorry to repeat some of what you said!

thank you!!. the vet never said anything about medication..but he IS house trained. He sometimes will come up to you and jump on you, bark, to get your attention. Once you get up he'll run to the door. Other times, he'll squat right in front of you :/ I swear its because he hates the snow outside..in the spring time he was not this bad. He wobbles alot and crosses his legs as if he cant stand straight, when the weather is bad so is his stance. The doggy diapers are so expensive so he's wearing new born baby diapers right now LOL. I told my mom to get the belly band and washable pads but shes complaining about the washer smelling like pee already. What do the rescues do?

I swear he only does not go out because of the snow. When the weather was nicer he was never this bad. He usually comes and jumps on you when he wants to go out..but other times he just squats in front of you. I insisted on the belly band with the pads but my mom is complaining our washer smells like pee. I will probably stick with the diapers, but Im also going to look into that yorkie rescue place.

I just wanted to say thanks for taking care of him.not many people these days would bother with an old dog! I hope you get to keep him or he finds a good home. Best of luck to you and bentley.

Great minds......actually I went back and added more so I may have been adding while you had posted. Good part is -- the info is there for her. :) I actually like your expen lined with pee pads idea better than keeping a diaper or belly bands on him. Hving a prostrate problem may make him pee with more frequency and make keeping him dry more diffcult. So changing pads in the pen might be an easier way of keeping him dry. Also an older, partially blind dog might need to be contained so as not to hurt himself.

I hope your parents will let you keep him. I took in a 15-16 year old male about a year ago and he has done well training to pee pads. He needed surgery to have all his teeth pulled and gum work done and did very well. It's too bad he can't have surgery. Neutering him and fixing his prostate problem would probably help with housebreaking him. I know many rescues that have been able to place senior dogs so if you can't keep him please call a rescue.

Thank you for taking him in and maybe find a good home for him

Think lost not abandonded!
 

Whoa! You never took him to get microchipped scanned? Think lost not abandoned (stray)! My princess takes a bath goes outside and comes in half matted-f she were out and not brushed for two days I know she'd be dreaded and filthy.

Recovery Tips: Think Lost, Not Stray | Missing Pet Partnership


I think what you are doing is noble and out of kindness but consider this for a moment please:

You may be the reason someone is distressed over their missing furbaby! Any veterinary office should scan him for free for a microchip...post fliers, craigslist, ebay classifieds...you can report a found dog to a shelter (animal control) and let them know you will foster...until you do any of this you can easily be considered a dog thief.

I just feel so bad cnsidering all the people that post their lost baby on here-and judging by his condition...he could have been a rescue someone adopted several years ago! My pup mill pup rescue was adopted at 5 months-he has issue for the rest of his life due to his treatment prior to me...and reverts really easily imagine how he would have been if I had gotten him when he was say 3 years old and then lost him what he was 6...he may look a lot like the guy you found.

Okay saying you could easily be considered a dog thief was a little much,- but that's my second biggest fear with my dogs getting lost-#1 they are lost #2 they are found and kept! I don't want to be rude to you considering I just wanted to get your attention-

You could always take him the pound and then when the (each state has a different time period so check yours here it is up to) 45 max days are past and no one claims him-he's all yours, legally indisputably...you pay a small fee but the pound will health check him for you, microchip him, spay/neuter, vaccinate-that compared to the adoption fee not to mention they do dental care and feed while he's there-SUPER DEAL FOR YOU...just putting that out there...that seems to me the obvious right thing to do here.

You could even take him to a no kill rescue and they by law have to report the found dog to the pound and then they will either keep him or take him there and later rescue him from the pound after time period is up...
***Anyone know Yorkie rescue groups in her area? Please post them for her also...

I agree. I think this is the only time I will ever think belly bands are ok to use as a long term solution. The poor boy has a physical ailment which can cause him to have frequent accidents. You can double up on the belly bands and keeping him in an expen lined with piddle pads. Belly bands are relatively inexpensive. If I were you I would buy 3 or 4 and then line them with maxi pads so you can just toss the pads away and he can stay relatively dry. You don't need name brand pads either and you can wait to stock up when they're on sale. I used the belly bands and the pads when training my boy not to mark.

I paid no more than $12 for each belly band I have. They were custom made to fit my little boy. I had found some belly bands at PetSmart, but they were $16 and they had an elastic all around that I know my smart little yorkie would have found a way to get out of that. :)

Bless you for not wanting to just toss him back out on the street. It takes a very caring person to love and care for an older dog. May god bless you for all the kindness you've shown Bentley. He's lucky to have found you.

1. Yes, saying she could be considered a dog thief was a LOT too much.
2. I would not take this dog to the pound. I would worry that the dog would be PTS. You might tell them not to, might tell them you would take him before they would PTS, you might even say a rescue will come before they do that but IT MAY STILL HAPPEN! Especially an older, blind dog with other health problems -- chances are way too good that he would wind up put to sleep at the pound. Healthy family pets with tags have accidently been PTS at pounds, so I am sure it is possible with an older, dog in poor health.
3. That has already been done earlier today. Not only was a list of rescues provided on this thread, but suggestions for finding a possible owner were mentioned previously too.

You also could use belly bands with disposable pads! Just get the Poise pads at Target and cut them in thirds. They are urinary incontinence pads. That way you would not be smelling up the washer! :)

Bless you for saving this poor little guy. I love the seniors...makes me so sad to see them get away from their homes.

Belly bands are great...I bought one and the pads that go with it-save yourself the money and use a maxi...yes a typical maxi-the "dog pads" I got were expensive and basically a panty liner with a dog company's label An immediate alternative is a simple infant diaper with a hole cut for the tail you are doing now-honestly that's what I do for my female when she is in heat and we have to go out where ugh she can't leave a mess!

Not directed at anyone other than the OP, please no comments to or about me here...

1. Technically speaking most states have laws specifically governing the finding of animals...the law is not finders keepers...it can actually be considered theft. I still apologies to you for saying that though. Be sure to check your local laws regarding this, I hate to see you in trouble for an intended good deed.

2.Again check you local laws regarding NOTIFYING animal control.

3. I see you were given one link of minimal rescues...on National rescue that has fosters in NJ and one NJ rescue with some outlying fosters. Hopefully other YT members may know of several many in your area!

You got mine for the second time today. What is up with this stuff? I am totally confused. :confused: Do you like causing a bit of a stir or is it me misinterpreting your posts? I mean referring to one person as a possible animal hoarder when she has ONE dog...and now this one is a thief? Yes, I am confused for sure.

Super deal for her? Take the poor thing to a pound where he can get kennel cough and whatever else is in that place. ... Oh, and perhaps deemed unadoptable and euthanized. Super deal for him isn't it? UGH Oh...and as to the pound taking care of him, I dont know what pound you know of that would do all of that vetting you mentioned. I have never heard of such a pound.

Rescues were suggested.

My rule of thumb in posting is basically to stick with things I know and/or have had experience with.. Leads to less confusion. Please do not tell people to take dogs to the pound so that they will get all of their vet care done...that is just not a fact.

If you don't want people to respond to your posts, you are in the wrong place. That is the nature of bulletin boards.

2. Notifying animal control is one thing. Turning a dog into the pound is yet another.

To the OP: My suggestion, if you have not already done it, is to place a call to your local animal control and give them the description of this dog. That way they can see if anyone has been looking. I don't know the laws in NJ, but here in TX if we find one, we can notify animal control, hold the dog for three days and if no one comes forward, legally they have no claim and we can keep the dog. Not that I would want to keep someone's dog..simply saying how it is done there. Most pounds are overrun with dogs and would be happy to have you hold the dog. I see NO reason to put that poor old man in a pound. :(

Also to the OP: if you need referrals to rescues my suggestion is to go on Petfinder and search to see what is in your area...you can search for yorkies in your zip code. BUT beware: If you want to turn him over to rescue please ask them their policy on seniors with health issues. Sadly some will euthanize him rather than spend money for vetting. Not that euthanasia is always a bad thing...but you need to be very aware.

If the dog WAS lost then the owner obviously was not doing a very good job of taking care of it. Not to be ugly but he was "scruffy and weak" and very hungry. If he is blind in one eye, I would have had an extra watch on the little guy to make sure he did not get lost.

Brenab, my hat is off to you for taking this baby in. Not only have you given him a home but you are giving him love that he needs. Kudos to you!

Having him scanned for a microchip is not a bad idea; however, not to offend anyone, there is NO way I could take him to a shelter. That is just me. Any stray that comes my way ends up with a home. If I can't take them in I find somewhere for them to go. But I just can't take them to a shelter (I do understand it was for legal issues). Most of the people around here will have collars on their dogs if they are owned. The strays do not. But that is just in our area.

Again, I think it is great what you have done. Good luck with this little guy.

1. I have volunteered over the years with two local rescues, adopted from two pounds, and had several other interactions with them..a lot involving fund raising...I do speak on what I know or have experience with as a rule of thumb. Humboldt County Animal Control, Ukiah Animal Wellness Center, two I have experience with that do "all that vetting" it is basic care here...is it not where you are from, if not that's sad, I'm very sorry.

2.First I would never recommend anyone take their dog to animal control for veterinary care that's sheer nonsense. I first noted the legalities and then the vetting as a bonus...please reread. I do venture to say I cannot beleive any animal control would PTS a dog that simply has medical issues when they have an adopter willing to legally adopt the dog immediately, even a small agressive dog would be apt to be adopted out with health issues for the revenues of the adoption fee.

3. "If the dog was lost" ye, well how would anyone know if they didn't properly report the dog found>? I just went through that ( I posted fliers, on craigslist, with the local PD,, highway patrol since we are a tourist community, with animal control and on the local bulletin board) and there was a good reason the owner didn't respond at first. I recently contacted Humboldt County Animal Control over a found dog, they asked if I was willing to foster the dog...the only stipulation was they get my contact information, a description of the dog and I follow basic legal requirements in animal care. I also did quite a bit to get in touch with the owner-I even posted a thread on here about it..imagine that... http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...arcata-ca.html

4. Stirring..? I read what I wrote didn't like how it may sound and immediately reposted correcting it apologizing for how it may sound, but what I said was fact (here at least) and said the OP should check local laws-for their protection also...how is suggestion people do what is morally and legally right stirring things? I even over explained why I said it...

5. Yes it is you, I mean that in the nicest possible way though. It is either your comprehension or just not understanding my way of speaking with either or...I'd appreciate not becoming the topic of the thread, I do expect responses on a bullet board...just to the topic of the thread. Obviously people make comments about comments and back and forth to people but I said what I did because of a continual situation...not to do with you BTW.

6.But since you brought up the other thread...
I said to a woman whom was called obsessive and abnormal in her love for her ONE DOG, by her son "1. Are you an animal hoarder-sorry I had to mention that!" It was sarcasm-she has one dog-sorry you didn't get that (so were the other questions in part due to the situation she described) perhaps you should have asked specifically instead of just quoting me, and saying "Huh :confused:"..then later after I tried to clarify whatever you didn't get, you took what I said out of context lie I was being mean to her and not pointing out how ridiculous her son was in his accusation, but I wasn't about to just blow smoke at her like most people and blindly say how unjustified he was, it was her son, he obviously made a point to really impress on her his strong feelings about the issue-I suggested they find a way to work out the issue and also pointed my experience-hence once again I comment on what I know about or have experience with...

I just wanted to restate.... every veterinarian whom offers micro-chipping services will scan a lost dog for a chip...consider it was a Yorkie found and Yorkie have collapsing trekia issues...he should have had a harness on...the likely hood of a collar..hmmmmm maybe there was a break away collar on him and it broke off...maybe his owner is elderly and couldn't get him as he got away or they are in the hospital, or maybe they are traveling in an RV...just waiting for animal control to respond their baby was found...no one will know if he isn't reported properly...as far as the legal issues...can you imagine if months later the owner sees someone with their dog who disappeared during a break in at their home and assumed the one who found their dog had been the one whom had broken into their home-

It happened-same thing happened here when a car was stolen with a Yorkie-poo in it...right in front of the courthouse,...later the dog was recognized by a friend and the person whom had found the Yorkiepoo wondering had assumed stray not stolen...what a mess that was-they were technically in possession of stolen property and could have been in serious trouble for never having reported the dog found to animal control where she was listed missing...good thing the people were just so happy to get their dog back they didn't want any charges pressed..I'm searching for the article online but don't see it anywhere online. Here's an old missing post though from the local bulletin board.... STOLEN DOG (McKinleyville) | citytheft.com Myers Flat where the truck was found is over an hour away from Eureka and the owners live in McKinleyville another two towns over from Eureka...I believe Jack was found about 3 hours away from the Myers Flat area...

:confused::confused::confused:Whats a "trekia"?:confused::confused:

To the OP, I commend you for taking this poor dog in. :)

Hello and welcome to YT~thank you for taking care of Bentley and giving him a safe home to live. :) Last year I had a little foster by the name of Truman. I am noticing quite a few similarities between Bentley and Truman. He too was very old, picked up by animal control, dirty, weak, blind and had occasional potty accidents in the house toward the end of his life. He also had an anal adenoma that caused problems because when he came to me he was also not fixed. So I would like to give you my interpretation of what might be happening with Bentley.

First, you should assume that he is lost and as stated previously try to find his owner. There is a real possibility that he wandered away from home. Unlike a younger dog Bentley is blind and would not have wandered far from home. The condition that you found him in does not mean neglect by his former owners so please do not assume this as a fact. My suggestion would be to take along a friend and go door to door in the area that he was found and you might be able to find where he lives. I don't think that he would have wandered miles from home.

Secondly, you need to consider his vet care which could become costly. Please discuss this with your parents if you would need help with costs if he were to need medical attention in the near future. I will speak from my experience with Truman since he seems to be similar to Bentley in these aspects. He was vaccinated, neutered, chipped and had 9 teeth removed once in my care. What did the vet do for him when you took him for a vet visit?

I'd like to address the issue for peeing inside the house. I'm wondering if he is suffering from dementia which happened with Truman toward the very end of his life. He too began to have accidents and there was nothing I could be to prevent them other than him wearing a belly band. The poor little man didn't realize that he was inside my house when he would squat and pee right in front of me. He would walk right through it afterward and not think anything of it at all. When he was in the yard he would walk through poop too. Crating Bentley or putting him in an Xpen will not solve this problem. He just is very old and senile. My suggestion would be to always keep him in a belly band while he is inside your home. You also mentioned that he is wandering your home. This is also a sign on dementia and what Truman did too. He would just wander from room to room and then find his bed and sleep all day. Please know that this behavior is not something that you can expect to change. It will most likely get worse with time. I commend you for wanting to help with little guy and hope that if you cannot find his owners that you will be able to take car of him for the rest of his life. My suggestion would be to sit down and have a long talk with your parents to explain why Bentley has been acting the way that he has. Sadly, I think his days with you are very small.

I'd also like to address the idea that he could be taken to your local shelter for vet care. From my experience and what I see all over this country every day a sick, old, blind dog would not have a chance if dropped at your shelter. It would be cruel to do this to him. He would be scared and alone. Even in NO KILL shelters dogs are still PTS because of medical issues and his cards are not stacked in his favor. IF you do decide that he needs to be placed elsewhere a rescue would be a better choice but even then I would think it would be difficult because of all that is going on with his health. This is a sad fact of reality~but is the truth. :(

I would also like to offer a few belly bands for Bentley if you thought that this would help you to be able to keep him with you. Please PM me and I will make get make arrangements for my offer. You seem to be a very sweet and caring girl :hug:

And, if you go with belly bands, don't use feminine hygeine maxi pads as they are not made to hold large amounts of liquid such as urine and will leak. You need to get the urinary incontinence pads....I use the Poise pads that I buy at Target.

I agree~ :thumbup:

I am going to call those two facilities later today to verify that they do dentals....then I can let other rescuers know this! That is just wonderful! :) Never heard of a shelter doing dentals and it would be just amazing if perhaps they could help some rescues out. :)

Good for you for trying to help this dog. Like others here, I have a special place in my heart for the older dog....then again, I am an older dog. Listen to LadyJane, she knows what she speaks.

Hahah...me, too. Must be why I love the seniors! :)

:thumbup::thumbup:

I echo the sentiments. I think the OP was great for taking in this poor little boy. Hopefully you'll be able to do what you have to do to make his final years good. It would be great if you can find the owners, but he's really lucky to have found somebody like you. I don't know alot about taking care of older sick dogs but most people on this forum are wise and they wont steer you wrong.