lost dog
I’ve been fostering a rescue stray mix for about a month. I nicknamed him Freddie. After weeks of looking for someone to adopt him, I finally found a nice guy who’d love him to bits. He has 3 other dogs, has space and promised to take care of Freddie.
This morning we dropped Freddie off with the guy. It was heart wrenching to leave him with someone else, but I know I can’t keep all the strays and rescues that come my way. They seemed okay, but Freddie kept on looking at me when we were leaving and I kept wanting to run to him and get him back.
The sad part… I received a message from the guy. When he brought out Freddie for his walk, Freddie accidentally got away from his collar and ran away 
As much as I’d want to blame the guy, I know it was an accident. And as much as I know it was an accident, I can’t help but blame myself. Maybe I shouldn’t have let Freddie go. Maybe I should’ve adopted him out to someone else. Maybe I should’ve checked the stuff he bought for Freddie. Maybe I should’ve just kept him…
I feel so awful. I want to go back to the guy’s place/area to look for Freddie, but part of me says it won’t help.
Sigh.
Thanks for reading. Dee’s kidneys news plus this is enough to make me go crazy and break down.
September 5, 2008 @ 11:45 pm
I say go look for him. He might be scared, since he knows you and feels comfortable with you he might come to you if he hears you calling his name. Then take him to a petstore and get a martingale collar and give him back to the guy under the condition that the collar NEVER comes off.
September 6, 2008 @ 8:05 am
Oh my gosh, how awful!
Don’t give up. I can tell you from experience that doxies are hardier than they look, and don’t run very far! The first week we had Gretel, she met another dog on a walk and freaked out because she’d been so unsocialized — ripped the leash out of my hand and ran away.
COLDEST WEEK OF DECEMBER. GONE FOR TEN DAYS. And we put up posters in the condo complex and went out every night looking and calling, even though she had only known us for three or four days. It turned out she had run under someone’s deck, and finally came out when she got hungry enough. Because the signs were up, the people who saw her knew to call us, and we got her back — thin and cold and scared, but safe.
The other day I was walking her and dropped her leash accidentally, and she just gave me a look like, “You idiot, will you watch what you’re doing?” So *DO* help this guy look for poor Freddie — and I’ll send you good thoughts!
September 6, 2008 @ 8:44 am
Don’t blame yourself.
I would also go to his neighborhood and try to look for Freddie. Put out food and put up flyers there too.
Hopefully, he has not gone far or has been taken in by someone nearby.
He trusts you and may come out of hiding if he sees you or hears your voice.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Bette
September 6, 2008 @ 9:13 am
If you find Freddie, I would suggest a good fitting harness for him instead of just a collar for walking.
September 6, 2008 @ 1:29 pm
You should contact the animal shelter as well as the vets in his area and ask them to keep an eye out for him. I don’t think you’ll feel right unless you go over there and call for him a few times.
September 6, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
Good idea Carol!
Maybe Freddie has been turned into the local animal shelter or pound.
Bette
September 6, 2008 @ 2:13 pm
All great ideas!! I hope you find Freddie!! Let us know how it goes!!We’ll keep you nad Freddie in our thoughts and prayers!
September 6, 2008 @ 10:47 pm
Thanks everyone!
We went to his neighborhood yesterday to go look, but we didn’t find him. I did leave my number with the security guards of nearby establishments in case they see him. I really do hope we find him.
September 7, 2008 @ 8:31 am
He may even end up back at your house or where he spent the most time.
Dogs are amazing animals and their sense of smell is so keen.
One of my favorite books and movie was “The Longest Journey,” where two dogs and a cat find their way back home after getting lost miles away.
I always cried when I saw them coming through the field to their home.
Bette