What should I have done?

[Michael Romanos]

Connie is an 8 year old Pembroke Corgi in good health, who was a comformation show performer for six years. She became a rehoming Corgi some two years ago and an elderly lady not far from where I live took her over. Now the lady recently had a stroke which followed quite serious hip problems and she left Connie at her house to be fed etc by a close by neighbour. Apparantly Connie has not been exercised (walked etc) for well over two months nor groomed or bathed, and when I looked on her, she was considerably overweight. Anyway I found out all this when the owners daughter phoned me. The daughter has two young children and has only very recently acquired two (yes, two) 'designer' puppies. The daughter wanted me to take Connie over for possible rehoming or at least fostering until her mother could decide if she could continue coping with Connie if she was sufficiently recovered. The daughter actually lived about a five minute drive away from her mother in an upmarket suburb.
Now I decided that the daughter could/should manage Connie who is a typical Pem though apparantly not well disposed towards men. The daughter is a novice with dogs even though she had puppies but in my opinion, Connie would give her some valuable insight into caring for dogs. Connie was in need of a bath, grooming and the poor thing urgently needed a programme of exercise and attention. And she was the daughter of the owner and Connie was not unknown to the daughter. So it was resolved that the daughter would at least take Connie over for Xmas, give a bath etc. Bit it never happened. Connie continued to be neglected. Another neighbour of the elderly owner was 'looking after Connie - but no bath, no grooming, no exercise - no collar or leash could be found and the neighbour had no financial arrangement to buy a collar and leash. I wiped my hands of the matter becaise it wasn't a rescue matter in my opinion - there was the rich, young daughter............
What do you think?

[Chip's Mom]

Michael - I think you looked at the wrong side of the coin here. It is obvious that Connie really needs someone that knows dogs to help her out of a bad situation where it seems the daughter isn't going to take on the responsibility of Connie while her mom gets better. Many times with a stroke, the patient can resume normal activities after a period of time. Do you have a spare collar and leash laying around your house you could have donated to Connie. Connie's best interests should be forefront and forget about the rich spoiled daughter. Is there someone you know that may have the time and patience to help this unfortunate little dog. You or her daughter should also contact the breeder of this dog. Normally, people will take their dogs back if a situation arises where the owner cannot properly care for him or her. I would suggest this to the daughter.

[MyPemCharlie]

Maybe you could call some of your friends from your Corgi group to help? Or get the phone number of the original owner who showed the dog for six years? She might take the dog back temporarily while waiting to see if the new owner recovers enough. Or she may have an interest in rehoming the dog again. If there is a Corgi rescue group in NZ, maybe someone could help as a foster home?

[PupsnPonies]

Originally Posted by Chip's Mom

Michael - I think you looked at the wrong side of the coin here. It is obvious that Connie really needs someone that knows dogs to help her out of a bad situation where it seems the daughter isn't going to take on the responsibility of Connie while her mom gets better. Many times with a stroke, the patient can resume normal activities after a period of time. Do you have a spare collar and leash laying around your house you could have donated to Connie. Connie's best interests should be forefront and forget about the rich spoiled daughter. Is there someone you know that may have the time and patience to help this unfortunate little dog. You or her daughter should also contact the breeder of this dog. Normally, people will take their dogs back if a situation arises where the owner cannot properly care for him or her. I would suggest this to the daughter.

I would have to say "Ditto"...
In all likelihood, the rich spoiled daugther is not going to change and do you really want to entrust someone like that with Connie's care?
If not you, then surely there are people you know who would love to have her. Our Tucker's dam was in need of a new home a few weeks back and although I did not need another dog, I took her to keep her from continuing to be bred. She is an older dog but she is a joy and I'm so glad we took her.
I hope something can be worked out for Connie.

[Chip's Mom]

PupsNPonies

Please start a new thread on your new dog? I would love to hear all about her and maybe a pic. Unless you already have and I missed it. Good for you for taking her.

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

............What do you think?

I think, no I know, you need a serious reality check as to what is rescue and what isn't. In the simplest definition, a rescue dog is one that through no fault of its own finds itself in need of a new home. Connie qualifies on all levels - she is a rescue. The ONLY human element in this equation who holds any relevance is Connie's elderly ill owner and she can no longer care for her. Those she has trusted to care for Connie in her absence are not taking the responsibility and as a result Connie is neglected, overweight, and even her simplest needs are not being met. That's the reality in a nutshell.

Your opinion of what Connie might be able to teach the daughter in terms of dog wisdom doesn't matter and is totally irrelevant. My guess is the daughter is never going to "get" what dogs mean on deeper planes and levels anyway; I don't care how many designer puppies she gets. It doesn't matter how much money she has or room she has or monetary means she has to keep and care for Connie, she doesn't want her plain and simple. She isn't even going to put in a little effort for her mother's sake.

With Connie's background, has her breeder been contacted to assist? In the States and any number of other countries as well, if for anytime during the lifetime of the dog the owner can no longer keep the dog for any reason; it comes back to the breeder. Should you decide to revisit and rethink Connie's situation, that is another avenue to explore; get in touch with her breeder.

As Bonnie said, rescue is about the dogs and what is in their best interest. People, to a large degree, aren't high up on the priority list. I had one owner say to me; "You care more about the dog than you do me!" My thought was, "...and your point?" This was a couple who were educated, had a well paying job; bought a pet store puppy on impulse, who had no time in their life to raise a puppy, nor willing to make time for puppy ownership; gave the dog to a family with a young child, (NOT the right place for this puppy with her behavioral issues due to lack of training); family returned her. This owner played the blackmail card of threatening to dump the puppy out in the country if I didn't take her ... and just continued to grow increasingly irrational as the conversation went on. It was the middle of summer here, 90 degree days and 100% humidity; the owners left her out on their apartment deck, in her crate in which she had defecated, no water; for us to pick up. She was treated for beginning stages of heat stroke at the vet's where she immediately went after pick up.

Michael, you've not begun to see the tip of the ice berg when it comes to the stories and actions on the human side. I've lost count of the times I've had to have my tongue reattached from nearly biting it off. I have a permanent indentation in my forehead from my head hitting my desk when dealing with some of these owners and there is a hole in my wall from where I've hit my head against it so many times. It takes a lot of patience, finesse, psychology, wiliness - a big bag of tricks and tools to deal with the human side many times. I do understand and empathise with your frustration with the daughter, but she doesn't count here, Connie and what her true owner would want for her does. You've just become another name on the growing list of people who have failed Connie.

I would recommend you network within your Walking Club and recruit some foster volunteers who might have time and room in their homes and hearts for cases like Connie's.

Debbie

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by MyPemCharlie

If there is a Corgi rescue group in NZ, maybe someone could help as a foster home?

Michael is supposed to be corgi rescue in NZ or at least his immediate area. And yes the original owner/breeder should have been contacted for assistance and help. Hopefully some in the Walking Group will step up and offer to be foster homes for any future Connie's that might come along.

Debbie

[Michael Romanos]

All is working out well for poor Connie. Her owner is back at home after around 8 weeks in hospital, has almost fully recovered from her stroke and is almost walking again after both hips operated on. She had Connie taken to the vet who trimmed Connie's fluffy skirt and cleaned her up because with no exercise, she had some feces stuck to her bottom. The owner now has a friend walking Connie regularly and she is now on prescription Hills Science dietary food for senior dogs. The owner hopes to be able to walk Connie herself in a month's time. Prior to her stroke and hips problems, Connie was walked for an hour a day. Needless to say, Connie was stressed with her mum being absent for so long. Connie is devoted to her. The owner recognises that her daughter is basically hopeless when it comes to dogs.

The WWCWC does promote itself as also being a purebred Corgi rescue and rehome search operation. But in the case of Connie, it was the daughter of the owner who got in touch with me through a church affiliation.

[Vannette]

Originally Posted by glencorgi

I think, no I know, you need a serious reality check as to what is rescue and what isn't. In the simplest definition, a rescue dog is one that through no fault of its own finds itself in need of a new home. Connie qualifies on all levels - she is a rescue. The ONLY human element in this equation who holds any relevance is Connie's elderly ill owner and she can no longer care for her. Those she has trusted to care for Connie in her absence are not taking the responsibility and as a result Connie is neglected, overweight, and even her simplest needs are not being met. That's the reality in a nutshell.

Your opinion of what Connie might be able to teach the daughter in terms of dog wisdom doesn't matter and is totally irrelevant. My guess is the daughter is never going to "get" what dogs mean on deeper planes and levels anyway; I don't care how many designer puppies she gets. It doesn't matter how much money she has or room she has or monetary means she has to keep and care for Connie, she doesn't want her plain and simple. She isn't even going to put in a little effort for her mother's sake.

With Connie's background, has her breeder been contacted to assist? In the States and any number of other countries as well, if for anytime during the lifetime of the dog the owner can no longer keep the dog for any reason; it comes back to the breeder. Should you decide to revisit and rethink Connie's situation, that is another avenue to explore; get in touch with her breeder.

As Bonnie said, rescue is about the dogs and what is in their best interest. People, to a large degree, aren't high up on the priority list. I had one owner say to me; "You care more about the dog than you do me!" My thought was, "...and your point?" This was a couple who were educated, had a well paying job; bought a pet store puppy on impulse, who had no time in their life to raise a puppy, nor willing to make time for puppy ownership; gave the dog to a family with a young child, (NOT the right place for this puppy with her behavioral issues due to lack of training); family returned her. This owner played the blackmail card of threatening to dump the puppy out in the country if I didn't take her ... and just continued to grow increasingly irrational as the conversation went on. It was the middle of summer here, 90 degree days and 100% humidity; the owners left her out on their apartment deck, in her crate in which she had defecated, no water; for us to pick up. She was treated for beginning stages of heat stroke at the vet's where she immediately went after pick up.

Michael, you've not begun to see the tip of the ice berg when it comes to the stories and actions on the human side. I've lost count of the times I've had to have my tongue reattached from nearly biting it off. I have a permanent indentation in my forehead from my head hitting my desk when dealing with some of these owners and there is a hole in my wall from where I've hit my head against it so many times. It takes a lot of patience, finesse, psychology, wiliness - a big bag of tricks and tools to deal with the human side many times. I do understand and empathise with your frustration with the daughter, but she doesn't count here, Connie and what her true owner would want for her does. You've just become another name on the growing list of people who have failed Connie.

I would recommend you network within your Walking Club and recruit some foster volunteers who might have time and room in their homes and hearts for cases like Connie's.

Debbie

OMG I was choking here myself
Thank you Debbie

[Vannette]

I really hope for the sake of Connie, that you follow up on this. I know what rescue would do here. I'm flabbergastered. Basically, Connie was living by herself for 8 weeks. Beyond sad.

[glencorgi]

Glad to hear the happy ending and three cheers for Connie's owner who, in spite of her stroke and other health issues, has displayed far more clarity of mind and responsibility than anyone else in this situation.

IF there is hope that an owner can be reunited with their beloved corgi, then yes, I have taken them in for temporary boarding/fostering. I kept a corgi for a family devastated by hurricane Katrina for nearly nine months until they could get their feet back under them. It was the least I could do for victims of that terrible storm. I've kept a rescue a family adopted from me while the young mother was treated for cancer and I was thrilled when he was able to go back home to them. When a breeder acquaintance had very serious health problems, I kept some of her dogs for her.

One can use any kind of rationalization one wishes to excuse the lack of action here, Connie and her owner were failed by the corgi community which could have been a great help and comfort to her.

Debbie