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Found: Small Black & White Dog (see Avatar photo)

(54 posts)

Started 11 months ago by kj
Latest reply from gracie

kj

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Wandering & hiding in Fred Meyer parking lot (Fremont). Red newer woven collar, male, no chip. Store had no report of missing dog, so taken to Seattle Animal Shelter @ 2061 15th Ave W, Seattle (206)386-4294. They are open today (Sunday 17th) until 6:00pm & will reopen on Wednesday. Dog will not be put up for adoption until Friday. Dog was a little nervous, but is in good condition.

Posted 11 months ago #
LovrienS

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This reminds me of a dog that would wander with its owner sans leash around the Fred Meyer parking lot. I couldn't tell if the man was homeless or not, but the dog was really bonded to him. Didn't really like approaching strangers, but seemed content otherwise.

Posted 11 months ago #
kj

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It was a bit nervous (hiding under various cars) but was friendly and approached after a bit of coaxing. No aggression.

Posted 11 months ago #
LovrienS

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Yep, sounds like the same dog. Shy, but eventually friendly. Hope the owner turns up!

Posted 11 months ago #
kj

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LovrienS not sure what to do with your information? Perhaps if you see/recognize this man you could mention it to him (if he is without dog)? It would cost him some money to get his dog back probably (he will be put up for adoption on Friday). I earlier notified Fred Meyer that the dog was at the shelter if anyone asks. Seemed like a logical action to take considering he was unattended, running under cars and very far from the building in the western parking lot.

Posted 11 months ago #
gracie

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This does look like the dog I saw with a homeless guy. At that time he was sleeping under the Ballard Bridge. I don't know what he looks like as I wasn't close enough & I was more focused on the dog. I hope he is reuinted.

Posted 11 months ago #
kj

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I dropped a flyer off at the Starbucks at F.M.- they said they thought it was possible it was the above mentioned man's dog, but they hadn't seen him in a while.

Posted 11 months ago #
faura4

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Maybe put up a flyer under the ballard bridge, where the homeless people hang out?

I think the shelter charges $20 for pick-up. Do they charge for kenneling? Anyone care to chip in if it does end up being the homeless guy's dog?

Posted 11 months ago #
teigyr

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Am maybe going to get a whole lot of flak for this but wouldn't a home be better than being homeless? I'm not advocating the dog being put down instead of being homeless but I often see homeless people with pets and I ponder it. As much as I love ours, and I do, I think I would rather see them in a stable home than be out in the elements if that's where I was. I guess everyone "deserves" to have a pet and we all know there are enough out there in excess but I still wonder if people do what's right for the animal. I think I'd have to say if we could no longer provide a good home, as much as we love our pets, we would try to find them a good home where food wasn't in short supply and they could live a good life.

Posted 11 months ago #
Alferd Packer

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teigyr, Good thoughts, I've often wondered the same. On the one hand, I think about the welfare of the animal and on the other, I'm thinking about the welfare of the homeless person. If the animal is showing signs of abuse, I tend toward finding a better home. I also wonder in this case if it is the homeless person's dog, what might have happened to him.

faura4, I'm willing to chip in if it does turn out to be the homeless guy's dog, and no signs of abuse.

Posted 11 months ago #
great idea

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how would a homeless guy even get down there to pick it up? I mean it's only a mile or so, but still a far walk for someone who might be malnourished?

I would chip in if he absolutely promised to keep that dog on a leash. I think he's abusing it by letting it run wild in a parking lot.

Posted 11 months ago #
great idea

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oops- the dreaded double post.

that'll teach me to be patient!

Posted 11 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

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I think feeltheburn should have to take care of the dog til the owner is found.

http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=13522

Posted 11 months ago #
gracie

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I had thought before when seeing a homeless person with a pet what care the dog was getting. This dog, when I saw it, looked healthy & didn't appear to be abused. And as far as homeless having a pet, that might be their only companionship. I've seen homeless in the past feeding their dog over themselves. I know how I feel now without a pet in my life & it can be very lonely. So I do hope the homeless guy is found and that money is raised to help this guy get his dog back. Maybe buy the dog a leash so this doesn't happen again.
Putting a sign by where the homeless live under the bridge is an excellent idea. I actually drove under there yesterday hoping to see someone & ask them but no one there - just their stuff.
And great idea - 15 and 18 bus go right by the shelter.

Posted 11 months ago #
great idea

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can you bring a dog on the bus (if not a service animal)?

he doesn't even need a leash-- a length of rope will do.
I see a guy walking his dog regularly with what appears to be a clothesline.

Posted 11 months ago #
gracie

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Yes, you can bring your dog on the bus. Have seen it all the time. As long as under control. And suppose a length of rope would do but a leash would be nicer & easier to take on and off.

Posted 11 months ago #
kj

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I just posted a couple of flyers under the bridge this morning (Tuesday). Yes, it also makes me feel sick & conflicted since hearing this may be a homeless persons animal. I had printed on the flyers (posted before reading these posts) that there may be impound fees associated with claiming, so owner could/would be able to prepare if possible since there seems to be a limited amount of time to claim (at least if their policies are firm) before dog is available for adoption on Friday. If any of you would like to donate towards those costs if he does show up, the case number is #6822, (206) 386-4294. They reopen tomorrow (Wednesday), and aren't yet aware of the homeless owner speculation. Here is a link to fees- unfortunately it looks like it could be $200-300 to get the dog back. (just guessing worst case scenario- vaccinations were mentioned as something they would do + how much else for impound/license/control categories?)
http://www.seattle.gov/animalshelter/fines.htm

Posted 11 months ago #
kj

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As far as the dog's condition & behavior: was sniffing around (could just be sniffing as dogs do or looking for food?), running around through busiest portion of western parking lot for several minutes, a man about 40 feet away away yelled loudly to a neighbor in a passing car (unrelated to the dog situation) and the sound of his voice sent the dog under a car hiding & took a while to get him to come out, he smelled a little "doggy", but coat and feet appeared quite clean and collar looked new. Hard to tell if he was underweight with all that fur- definitely not overweight. Still a mystery and hope it gets resolved for the best of all involved. The woman at the shelter greeted him with "hello little underbite!", and said he wasn't too old (good looking teeth at first glance).

Posted 11 months ago #
Monorail Driver

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KJ, I emailed this post to a friend that is involved with a group that feeds the homeless under the bridge on Sundays. He believes the dog's name is Outlaw and belongs to a guy that goes by the name "Tex." Tex is in his 40's to 50's with dark greying hair/beard and he usually wears a black baseball hat. Not sure if the link below will work or not, but it is a photo of Tex that he sent to me. Hope it all works out.

bhttps://www.facebook.com/ajax/messaging/attachments/photo/dialog.php?uri=%2Fajax%2Fmessaging%2Fattachment.php%3Fattach_id%3De9bd8647bdd6820f7c11ad2658eb85dc%26mid%3Did.394371153943372%26ext%3D1340132174%26hash%3DAQDX-mc9l6L5DCW9&ext=1340132174&hash=AQAY9xn77M1aobhiaseball hat.

Posted 11 months ago #
gracie

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Maybe it's just my computer but couldn't get link to open. This is very sad that they are separated.
kj - you've done so much for this dog. Hope it works out somehow. hate to see the dog adopted out to someone else while this guy is looking for his dog.

Posted 11 months ago #
kj

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Thanks Gracie. Monorail Driver I also can't get the link to open. I don't feel comfortable personally trying to find Tex beyond what I've already done, but I will copy information from the posts here that might be useful and pass it on in an email to the Animal Care Officer at the shelter who accepted the dog when I brought him in. I'll update if I get more info from her.

Posted 11 months ago #
kj

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Monorail Driver, I tried removing the "b" (thought this might be a typo and the problem) from the beginning of the address and copying it when my facebook page was open, but it still doesn't seem to work.

Posted 11 months ago #
Monorail Driver

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Kj, my wife couldn't open it either, but I think he's the owner. I go past there frequently. If I see anyone there, I'll see if any of them know where he is, or, if he is missing a dog.

Posted 11 months ago #
kj

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I heard back from the Animal Control Officer who accepted the dog:

"I am off work until Saturday but wanted to respond to your email. The best course of action if the dog does in fact belong to who people think is the following: the owner will need to be located and come to the shelter to identify the dog, if there is a problem with him paying to redeem "Outlaw" we are willing to hold onto the dog longer to give him time to find the money, but this would only happen if we have made contact with him first. Outlaw came in on Sunday so he wouldn't go up for adoption until Saturday, giving the owner the rest of this week to come to the shelter. The fees for him to get Outlaw back would be broken down as such : $45 impound fee, $30 mandatory microchip, $10 for every open day the dog is at the shelter (kennel fees), $10 for a vaccine given at intake and a license fee. The dog isn't fixed so the owner would pay $69 for a 2 year license or we offer to fix people's dogs for free which would then be a license of $37. So $85 as a minimum before adding on the other variables.

We don't mind how the owner raises the money so if people wanted to contribute to help this person or pay on his behalf that is fine. We wouldn't take it as a donation though the payment would have to occur at the actual time the dog is leaving the shelter.

The dog is happy, house trained and well cared for. We always want to reunite an animal with their original owner so if there is any way to ascertain if this dog does belong to Tex that would be best. He will also have to provide a picture ID and possibly some kind of proof the dog is his. I hope by posting flyers you will have prompted him to come into the shelter. I will forward your email to my coworkers in case Tex comes in on my days off."
----
I have asked her what they would consider "proof" that the dog is his- will update if any more news.

Posted 11 months ago #
kj

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Monorail Driver thank you so much for your efforts.

Posted 11 months ago #
great idea

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I'm still willing to donate, but only if he puts it on a leash AND gets it fixed.
there's no reason that dog should not be.

edit: you guys are superb in your attempts to reunite these two.

Posted 11 months ago #
gracie

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I wish there was a picture of Tex. I wonder what happened to him. He must have seen those flyers or some of the street folks there told him. Hope nothing has happened to Tex.
kj - I keep thinking the day you found little Outlaw. How he reacted to that person yelling causing Outlaw to hide. I'm hoping this Tex person was in fact a good owner to this little guy & didn't yell at him. In my heart I want to think not.

Posted 11 months ago #
kj

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gracie, hard to know answer to yelling response. I could imagine that it could just be a reaction to the environment he lives in in general which certainly has potential for volatile moments.

Posted 11 months ago #
gracie

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That would be very true. Did the shelter indicate what breed Outlaw is? He looks like either all or part cocker spaniel.

Posted 11 months ago #
kj

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No they didn't, but he looked like a Shih Tzu to me (similar size and shape to a neighbor's purebred). The picture distorts him to look a little bigger than life- when I picked him up I remember thinking he didn't feel as heavy as my tomcat who comes in around 18 pounds.

Posted 11 months ago #
gracie

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kj - What a situation - I keep thinking about this little dog - maybe adopting when available - but then the whole Tex thing. If the Humane Society does hold him longer for Tex to come forward & still no results, I'm seriously thinking about adopting him. I usually prefer female dogs but this litle guy deserves to be out of that shelter.
I'm getting two kittens in a month and between Outlaw and then the kittens - would be a housefull but a wonderful housefull to me. I so miss having my dog. She was the best (died 3 months ago yesterday)

Posted 11 months ago #
kj

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gracie, they will not hold the dog longer specifically for the owner (beyond closing on Friday) unless the owner shows up and says to do so for him.

Although this is not a "no-kill" shelter, the shelter employee said they would have absolutely no problem adopting out a dog like this- he's highly desirable as a pet.

She said that anyone can call on Saturday and find out status using the case number #6822 if they are interested in adopting.

Posted 11 months ago #
Ballardbuzz

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teigyr, why do hate on the owner?

Posted 11 months ago #
teigyr

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Ballardbuzz, why do you say I do? I don't know who the owner is, actually.

Posted 11 months ago #
onederfullone

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You said you'd get flack, fwiw. ;-}

Looks like a cock-a-poo to me.

Posted 11 months ago #
teigyr

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oneder, yes I did and there it was :) Though what I got was an accusation of hating on the owner when, in fact, I just pondered the quality of life for the pet of homeless person and at the time we didn't know that this WAS the pet of a homeless person. It was speculated but not known.

I still think that were I to ever be in that situation, I would find homes for the animals. It would be selfish of me not to.

Posted 11 months ago #
PDaddymom

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teigyr - I volunteered for a couple of years for the Doney Memorial Pet Clinic which occurred two Saturdays a month at the Union Gospel Mission in Pioneer Square. They provide vet care and food for animals living with the homeless or low income persons. I also had mixed feelings about homeless people having animals with them. We saw many who got hurt as the result of life on the streets - hit by cars, hurt during fights - including one poor thing that got stabbed trying to protect her person involved in a fight with another homeless man. Also, if their person gets incarcerated or hospitalized, the animals are left alone (this may be what happened with Outlaw - telling name by the way - gives you some insight as to his lot in life) or they get impounded to a shelter. On the other hand, for the most part, those dogs were some of the best behaved and most loved dogs I have ever come across - they are with their people 24-7 and they were well fed - thanks in part to Doney. Better than some dogs who live with homed persons. But given all of this, the homeless situation is forced upon them vs. it being a choice. So, as much as I hate to say this, in my opinion, if a good home can be found for Outlaw, that would certainly be best for him. Sad situation all around :-(

Posted 11 months ago #
kj

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still there is a chance that this is not Outlaw...given that it had been a while since the Starbuck's employee had seen Tex etc. It would be interesting to know if the dog responds to Outlaw- I'll email the shelter employee when she's back in on Saturday..perhaps Tex may have shown up by then.

Years ago I lived on an island and I would get phone calls that my dog was hanging out downtown at the burger joint, when she was in fact laying at my feet. My dog loved a good burger, but it was a look-a-like that was downtown waiting for an ice cream cone to drop.

Posted 11 months ago #
pennygirl

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Did you give the dog a bath kj? My dogs get filthy (white legs and paws) after running around for a couple of days in the back yard. If that's how you picked him up he doesn't look like a street dog to me. (If you addressed this upthread I apologize)

Posted 11 months ago #
kj

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pennygirl, that's ok. No bath- just took him right from Fred Meyer to the shelter as I realized they were open on Sunday. His paws and legs were quite a clean looking white. Long facial fur- I had to part it to see his eyes.

My initial thought was that he might have gotten away from someone during the Solstice festivies in Fremont the day before. I posted Sunday on fremontuniverse, phinneywood & craigslist, but haven't gotten any comments.

Posted 11 months ago #
teigyr

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PDaddymom, you do an amazing amount of volunteer work, thank you. You bring up some really good points, too. Things I had never thought of. I'm sure the pets are loved too, it's just I keep thinking back to mine and as heartbreaking as it would be, I would rather they have a safe and comfortable life. I see a guy selling Real Change who has a dog and the dog looks well fed, happy, and comfortable. I've also seen dogs (and cats!) who look malnourished and frightened.

The above dog, whatever his name is, looks adorable. I hope he has a home or finds a home, poor guy.

Posted 11 months ago #
pennygirl

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He also doesn't look matted at all. This could very well be a 'home' dog. But if that's the case, why the heck aren't the owners looking for him all over the area?

Posted 11 months ago #
PDaddymom

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oh and p.s. thank you kj and everyone else helping this guy - you all rock! Teigyr - thank you - I love volunteering with and for animals. Have always been able to relate easily to them - often better than I can with people! When I was a kid I wanted to be a vet but due to life circumstances it was not to be. So I feed my soul with volunteering. And hopefully I make a difference here and there :-) thanks again everyone - please keep us posted as to this guy's outcome if possible ( I think Gracie should adopt him!)

Posted 11 months ago #
Ballardbuzz

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teigyr if you got some your education good for you. it is not always about a rule you love to talk about. sometime in life it is about the heart and the heart will help you find a way for the best for those you love. maybe you will not give your pets up when you end up on the street. oh and afraid of yelling does not mean the owner yelled at him

Posted 11 months ago #
teigyr

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Ballardbuzz, who said anything about education? You mean like college transcripts? Or GED? Or better yet, work certifications? I'm not so sure that has anything to do with it. What rule? And did I ever say a thing about yelling?

And no, the heart doesn't always help you find a way. That is an unfortunate truth. I love my pets but I would never want that life for them and if that was the only way I could live, then I would find something better for them. THAT is how much I love them, I don't think they would fare well out on the streets. It is selfish to force a stressful or hazardous lifestyle on an animal because of the "heart".

Posted 11 months ago #
Monorail Driver

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KJ, A happy ending...

After quite the adventure yesterday in search of the mysterious "Tex", whom I never did find, I went by the shelter. They told me to go and look at the dogs and bring the paper work off of his kennel back up to the reception area. The first kennel in, there sat "Outlaw." He didn't have any paper work on his kennel. When I went back out and asked about it, I was informed that Outlaw's (who will now be known as Fred Meyer) owner was at the desk making arrangements for his safe return home. I'm not entirely sure how this happened, but he had gotten out of the car or she had lost him at FM.

After a couple of shots and a micro-chip, Fred Meyer will be heading home with his owners.

All is well in the world again.

Posted 11 months ago #
teigyr

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That is fantastic! And to think "Outlaw" had an entirely new existence created for him while he was incarcerated. I am glad Fred Meyer found him and I hope next time he/she is more careful next time. Am glad about the chip too. While our cats don't go out, they are still chipped just in case someone breaks in and they run out or there's a fire and they get out, the list goes on. I just figure it's better to have everything covered just in case :)

Posted 11 months ago #
gracie

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That is super! PG was hitting it on the head when she said the dog appeared too clean to be out on the streets. My dog, when I first got her & very young, jumped out the window of my car & took off. We were at Golden Gardens & she played "cat and mouse" with me - the little brat. I got her in the car eventually & wanted to boink her one I was so angry. Of course I didn't and she ended up being the best dog in the world (to me, at least)

Posted 11 months ago #
kj

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Monorail Driver THANK YOU so much for that report! And thanks to everyone for ideas & help. Glad Fred Meyer got back home!

Posted 11 months ago #
gracie

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And thanks to you, kj, "Fred Meyer" was reuinted with his owner. Love these endings. You have earned a giant gold star!

Posted 11 months ago #
onederfullone

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We needed some good news.

And it's not even Friday yet ;-)

Posted 11 months ago #
Ballardbuzz

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onder, agreed... some much needed good news.

Stay glued to your momma, Fred Meyer!

Posted 11 months ago #
PDaddymom

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yes, thank you KJ and everyone else who went above and beyond for Fred. And Gracie - sounds like you are ready to give a sweet pup the best home ever :-)

Posted 11 months ago #
gracie

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PDaddy - thanks. I am ready for a new pup. Haven't found one yet but looking. But this weekend I picked out two kittens. They are so incredibly cute. Not ready to come home with me yet. They are being raised around dogs so no issues when I get my puppy. Right now it's figuring out names for the two kittens!

Posted 11 months ago #