STRAY DOGS (WHAT TO DO)

By Monday, May 22, 2017 12 No tags Permalink

Before I just dive into the subject of stray dogs, indulge me, while I tell you about my whirlwind weekend experience which led me to this topic.

I call it “whirlwind” for a reason. Our Mother / Daughter / Doodle trip to the 2017 Blog Paws Conference in Myrtle Beach was postponed by one day and ended twelve hours early!

Thursday morning flights from DCA were randomly cancelled. Spiraling us into a late Friday afternoon arrival…
STRAY DOGS (WHAT TO DO)Refusing to leave my daughter, I waited for her. Now we had a little more than 24 hours to cram and convert 72 hours into memories.

Even for two optimistic people this was going to be a challenge. #gostrongorgohome

But sometimes in life –

Less is best

That’s the pawfect way to describe the weekend. I wasn’t there long, but every moment was incredibly special.

NOW FOR THE STRAY DOG STORY

Twenty six hours after our arrival it was time to depart again. As time drew near to check out, these public displays of affection were continuous…

STRAY DOGS (WHAT TO DO)

With only 45 minutes left for Mother / Daughter / Doodle silliness, a gentleman walks over to our table to meet the Boys.

MEET SCOTT SMITH –

STRAY DOGS (WHAT TO DO)

A Community Editor for Consumer’s Advocate, his assignment at the Conference is to write about pet people and of course – our pets!

It took no time at all to sense Scott’s passion for animals.

He and his wife have several pets – “six” with the possibility of a seventh.

Tiffany and I sat like mannequins as he shared this amazing story about finding a stray puppy in the streets of Puerto Rico…

 

The dog was laying in the middle of a ramp where dozens of people walked past, over and around him. Scott said he looked frightened, hungry and thirsty but was still smiling. He kept waiting for someone to come for him, but no one ever did.

CAN YOU GUESS WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

Scott took him to the vet, then took him home in hopes of finding where he came from…

 

He knows a seventh dog in the house could really tip the scales with both his wallet and his sanity, but what was he to do? He couldn’t step over the dog and leave him on that ramp.

TIME TO GO –

45 minutes felt like 45 seconds and it was time to hit the road if Tiffany was going to make her flight. Time flies when pet obsessed people start talking about animals.

As we motored the 92 miles back to Charleston, two exhausted Doodles in the back, my mind replayed Scott’s story, which made me wonder –

STRAY DOGS (WHAT WOULD I DO?)

Finding a stray dog in your neighborhood is a situation many people don’t know how to properly handle. Before approaching the dog, trying to catch it (to see if it has a dog tag), or introducing the dog to your other pets, you need to be sure that the dog is not a threat to your own safety. You also should know what types of rescues and animal shelters are in your area so that they can possibly house the dog until the owner is found.

Taking the stray dog to a veterinarian or shelter is also recommended because they can check for a microchip and link the dog to its owner. Often runaway dogs are found very close to their home, so it is good to check within the neighborhood that you found him in to see if the owner is close. Here is some other advice to help. Source: Expert Beacon

HOW DO YOU GET A STRAY DOG TO TRUST YOU?

This puppy was quite comfortable with Scott, and trusted him instantly. But what if I saw a stray dog and needed to gain his trust, how would I do that?

I ❤️ Dogs wrote an excellent post on 3 ways to build trust with a stray dog.

Scott has promised to keep in touch and let me know the final outcome of his new love.

Hopefully he won’t forget us and we’ll find out if the puppy –

  • found the home he came from
  • remained with Scott
  • was placed in another “forever” home

Have you ever encountered / assisted / kept a stray dog? #share

CONFERENCE CLIFF NOTES

Because I wasn’t able to attend all the sessions I’d planned – I have some catching up to do online. #bitter

But come back on Wednesday. What I lacked in pet blogging academia I made up for in my social skills introducing the Boys to many humans whose blogs I adore following.

I can’t wait to introduce you to a few incredible pet bloggers and couple of their four legged friends.

ONE MORE THING –

Pet Blogging Conference highlights for Harley and Jaxson seemed to be the hotel lobby. They liked to “human watch” #allnightlong …

STRAY DOGS (WHAT TO DO)

Coffee in one hand – Confidence in the other – that’s me! 

12 Comments
  • Scott Smith
    May 22, 2017

    Cathy hi,

    This was such a great blog post. You published it beautifully. Thank you for bringing awareness to Stray Dogs. It’s a very important topic and needs more attention.

    As a human dad to six dogs, and maybe a 7th as you wrote, I think your website is incredible.

    I can see you’re a big time animal lover and a very professional blogger.

    Sincerely, Scott Smith

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 22, 2017

      Thanks Scott – you are too kind! It was a true treat to meet you as well. Please keep in touch, now we will ALL want to know the “rest of the story!” Take care and blessings to you for your generous and huge heart.

  • All Things Collie
    May 22, 2017

    Yet another reason I regret not making the conference…I could have met you and the doodles! *sigh*
    Someday

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 22, 2017

      I have no doubt that one day, our paths will cross. This year it did for me and Jan K – so who knows next year may be our year.

  • Monika & Sam
    May 22, 2017

    What a great post and how cool is it you were able to meet Scott Smith?! A short but very sweet conference indeed.

  • Emma
    May 22, 2017

    Well, Mom says a few hours is better than no hours, but we just couldn’t take all the time off this year. We have 11 months to plan for next year and by then Mom should have her systems in place to make it happen with her business.

  • Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom
    May 22, 2017

    I’d say you, Tiffany, and the Doodleboys made the best of your shortened time. I wish I could have gone but it just wasn’t meant to be. And Ducky didn’t feel well over the weekend, so it’s best I couldn’t be away from home. (She’s feeling much better now btw.)

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 22, 2017

      Well we just decided to go all in, especially since her flight and everything else was already paid for. It just made sense. Sorry to hear about Ducky. I am happy to hear all is well. Was it something she ate? Dogs can be so difficult to figure out sometimes.

  • JeanneP of bichonpawz
    May 23, 2017

    I truly enjoyed this post and of course I just love seeing pics of your boys! I think you and your daughter did quite well…fitting in as much as you could!

    I think my house would be quite chaotic if I had seven dogs! I’m so glad he was able to help though. So many people really would have just kept on going…

  • Tiffany Bennett-Cuartero
    May 23, 2017

    Thanks for making the 28 hours a blast Mom, Jax, and Harley❤️!

  • Jan K
    May 24, 2017

    I’m so glad you ended up making it to the conference, even if for such a short time! What a great story Scott has. Not long after we moved into our new house, two dogs wandered into the yard. They had some town and rabies tags (but it was after hours) but no ID as to where they lived. My sister was visiting so we loaded them up in her car and cruised the neighborhood trying to find their home. That was how I first met most of my new neighbors! We did ultimately find their home too.

  • bailey unleashed
    May 25, 2017

    we have rescued 3 dogs off the street and we reunited 2 of them with their families. we couldn’t find the home of the third dog, so we kept her and named her BAILEY!