Kitsa and any other animal-friendly people.

[Aaarg]

I'm looking for advice regarding a stray dog.

There's a pit bull that's roamed the area since well before I moved here. She frequently sleeps in a box of old rags on our porch, we feed her when she's around in the mornings, and I pet her/talk to her/play with her when she's in the yard.

She's a sweet sweet sweet dog, though territorial and a night-time barker.

She has had babies before (unsure of if they were even born alive), and she's missing an eye. She's got a bunch of other scars, too.

We always figured she lives with some pieces of shit across the street, because that's where she tends to come from when we see her moving across yards. Apparently, however, she was some other people's dog and when they moved away a while back, they left her behind.

I feel so bad for her. I was petting her the other day and almost started crying.

We've already taken in one stray, and we have three cats and a lizard in addition. We can't really bring her inside (plus the mother cat (also a former stray) hates this pit.

I hate to think about this dog sleeping outside and freezing every night, and I'd be devastated to see her body in the road or to discover somebody shooting her to "put her out of her misery."

Her tail's always wagging, she loves attention, she goes crazy for food--she's not "in misery," but she deserves a better way of life.

I know if I drop her off at the animal shelter, she'll just be put down. That's not fair.

Is there anything I could do for this dog that doesn't involve bringing her into the house?


If nothing else, I'll make a cheap little insulated dog house on the porch and she can sleep in there.

But maaaaan, she's too sweet a pup to live outdoors.

[Fathom Zero]

Give 'er a house, I'd say. It's the only way you can be sure that she won't end up with total assholes or be killed.

[The Leader]

Couldn't you look into an animal shelter that has a no kill policy or some sort of animal clinic that specializes in rehabilitating hurt strays or some such shenanigans?

[elx]

http://www.projecthalo.net/AboutUs.aspx

http://www.animalrescue.net/aboutIAR

http://www.animalcompassionnetwork.org/about-us

i tried to find places closest to you, they all look very nice and are all no-kill, goodluck! just make sure you exclude that little part about thinking it belongs to your neighbors, then they won't take her:(

[stevetothepast]

If I were in your position and could swing it financially, I would build an insulated house for it like you had mentioned and feed it. It will stay around if you keep feeding it, and really, dogs for the most part can handle the outdoors in winter if the dog house is done up right.

[Nick]

I'd just give her a dog house and keep her fed. Clearly she has been living outside for quite a while, it would probably be best to let her stay outside.

[Dimnos]

Where do you live again? Do you have a back yard? You could move her in there with said dog house. Keep your other pets that don't get along with her inside. Ask friends and family if they would be willing to take her in. Or if that is just to hard of a sell (as pits aften are) you could consider the harder choice and ask friends and family to take your cat so you could keep the pit. If none of that is really an option... The no kill shelter is her best bet.

[Evil Robot]

This dog sounds like it could be a veteran.

[captain516]

Yeah I would just suggest to give her to the shelter.. but keep her if you can afford it.

[Kitsa]

I had this exact problem last year, but with a cat. I knew for a fact that it lived with some local pieces of shit, it was starving, it had had at least one litter of kittens, and everyone considered it a pest except for me. They just left it out at all hours, in all weather. I was terrified that one day I'd see it starved to death, frozen to death, hit in the road or that some day someone would just get pissed off and call animal control. I was really, really attached to this cat, too.

A friend had a small insulated cat-house from when she had an outdoor cat who liked to sleep on her porch, and she loaned it to me. I put it out in the front yard and the cat slept in it just about every night. I gave her food and warm milk every morning.

Then one day, just around this time of year, I opened the door to take her warmed milk out to her and she was curled up in the dirt and mulch by my front door. She was alive...sleeping, waiting for me...but she had a crust of snow on her from where she'd been curled up waiting for me all night. And that was just about e-fucking-nough.

I called our local animal shelter and asked to speak to someone in charge. When the woman called me back, I gave her a rundown of the situation and e-mailed her pictures of the obviously starving cat. I'd also taken pictures of her asleep by my door with snow on her. I told her about the pieces of shit, how she was out at all hours in all weather, and how she'd already had a litter that summer. I told her about how the neighbor kids had a game of swinging her by her tail and letting go to see how far she'd fly. I told the animal shelter woman that I wanted to take this cat in, that I loved this cat, but I already had other cats and couldn't afford the veterinary care.

She made a deal with me. She said that if I made the cat "disappear", the animal shelter would cover the cost of her initial vet bills, including spay and FELV/AIDS check, etc. I would have to take the cat in and not let her out in the neighborhood again, but she would be mine and they would be okay with that. The pieces of shit could be prosecuted for animal abuse if they felt like protesting.

So one day she disappeared, one night in my garage and the next morning to the vet to get actual care. Got her spayed that day, got her checked out, got all her shots and started getting actual food into her. The other cats didn't like her at first, since they were used to regarding her as the enemy on the other side of the window screen. But I just kept her separated for a while and now she and my other female are the best of buddies. They wrestle and cuddle.

She's kind of poorly socialized, but what the hell else could one expect after the way she lived 3/4 of her life?

Anyway, now she's as fat and happy as the other cats and I don't regret what I did one bit.

If you're of a similar mindset, I would definitely go for the insulated house. Can you build an enclosure in the garage, maybe, for now? Just something to get the dog in out of the cold before the weather gets really bad. And maybe your local animal shelter could work out a similar arrangement, covering her spay if you take her in.

I don't know about you, but I couldn't have handled turning my cat over to a shelter. I was just too attached, and it sounds the same way with your pit.

Anyway, that's my two cents. :)

[Babs]

Kitsa, you are seriously the best god damn person alive. I had a similar story but I'm to exhausted from reading yours I don't know where to ever start on mine. I'm glad though that you didn't have to pay for all the bills though for that now very fortunate cat.

[Aaarg]

Well the cost of dog food isn't a big deal. Since we started feeding Otis over the summer, we've bought a single bag of food (which hasn't been opened yet, actually). 2/3 of the household works in grocery, and big bags of dog food come off the truck busted open all the time. The store only needs the packaging to get credit, so we dump it into a box and bring it home with us.

So, I mean, building a dog house for her would be all fine and dandy, but the idea that someone out there would be willing to take this dog in and give her a proper home is fantastic.

I get attached to things way too quickly.

[Zomboid]

Fag.

[elx]

i don't think you should keep her :( it's not fair to her to have to be stuck outside, she deserves a family, and it's not fair to your other pets to bring her inside. there are a ton of rescue groups/sanctuaries and such in your area that would happily take this dog all with the same goal of finding her a family. those are not the same as a shelter, the dog wouldn't be in a little cage 24/7, in most cases it'd be put with a foster family immediately until they find someone to adopt it.

[Kitsa]

I'm glad you're ok for food. The way I look at it is, the dog's got you as probably its one (and only) defender/advocate, and it's a responsibility all its own. If you absolutely have to turn it over to a shelter, I'd research no-kill ones. I'm sure there are pit bull rescues, too, to deal with all of the dogs who come away from dogfight situations. Someone from a rescue might be willing to make a drive to pick the dog up, and at least then you'd know the dog would be fostered until a home was found. I'd stay as far away from kill shelters as you can.

Re: the cat...not doing it to impress anyone, I just had a major fucking problem with this:

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn199/kitsa_for_imockery/starvingcommie2.jpg

...and fortunately, so did the animal control people, so they assured me the law was on my side with this one. I felt guilty, but I just couldn't stand to see her like that anymore.

She's very happy and healthy now...has regular vet care, all her vaccinations, successful spay and hernia repair, and regular flea/heartworm treatments:

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn199/kitsa_for_imockery/commielittleportrait.jpg

[Colonel Flagg]

Somewhat relevant, but not terribly spectacular:

We adopted a juvenile cat (about a year, according to the vet) whom we found skulking about the house in mid-summer. Or maybe he adopted us, I dunno. Underweight, but otherwise in good health, we had him neutered and got him his initial set of shots. We believe he was dumped, as he did have a healthy dose of "attytood".

Fast forward about 10 years, and he's about as happy and feisty a cat as you're ever likely to see. Mellowed a bit in his old age, but still ornery. Good mouser too.

You can't save them all, but you can save one or two and help out otherwise by supporting - financially where possible, with food, detergent and linens when money is tighter, and/or with your time and energy as a volunteer - local no-kill shelters and the local ASPCA.

PSA over. Good luck with your friend, Aaarg. :)

[Zomboid]

A bow on a cat? That is so lame.

[Kitsa]

I care a lot about what you think, Zomboid. Really I do.

[Chojin]

http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2006/20060905.jpg

[Dimnos]

That is one awesome cat to pick up as a stray.

[Kitsa]

I'm pretty sure she's a russian blue. Sometimes her eyes photograph as really green and sometimes just yellow-green, depending on the background.

How those people got a cat like that and then took such horrible care of it I'll never know.

[Dimnos]

I would say she is. Looks almost exactly like mine.

http://gbviya.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pcBK1UYtvKuOcZsQ1TX996-r_H6UydiF7lG7n__6RH5YOtGJD3dbvZh_iWqrZoeOHFbgHFnPr fSSK3wC5hjmtS0JDvfL-1b2n/blue2.jpg

[Kitsa]

Yep. Same bone structure, same shine to the fur...does yours have gray-pink pawpads too?

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn199/kitsa_for_imockery/comrade.jpg

Anyway, don't mean to derail...let us know what you decide, Aaarg.

[captain516]

Why don't you like cats zomboid? :(

[Zomboid]

I have two cats and two dogs. I just don't dress them up in shit like that because I don't enjoy being a prick to animals by making them look stupid.

[captain516]

I have two cats and two dogs. I just don't dress them up in shit like that because I don't enjoy being a prick to animals by making them look stupid.

It could be worse. Be thankfull it's just a bow.

[MattJack]

gain her trust and slowly get her in your house

once she feels safe and comfortable in your house that's when you start pouring the pinot noir. Then you really want to open your ears up and listen to what she has to say because I'm sure she's been through some mess, ya know? Since she has some children she'll probably be upset over not providing for them. She'll put a good bit of blame on herself, but at the same time put blame on their father(s) so that you won't think she's a completely crazy bi*ch who deserves everything she's gotten so far in life. Just tell her that you think she's a great mother and that it's probably all just a bunch of bad luck. Turn on the TV as background noise, and be sure to have something with Matthew Mcconaughey on, but make sure it isn't that dragon movie or that one where he's a loser that fuc*s little red heads that are 14 years old. That would be a deal breaker.

After the movie, deep conversation, and the wine is done you let her know that it's fine if she stays, and you will even let her sleep in your room. You gotta catch up on some reports for work, so you'll just sleep on the couch anyways. Now if you've done everything correctly, she'll be wanting you to go to sleep in your room too. She'll say she's scared or that it isn't fair to you and you've done enough for her already. Reassure her that it's fine and send her to bed, but tell her that you'll consider it.

After an hour or so has passed you'll want to shotgun about two or three beers(six if you have hair on your chest though). Wait about 20 minutes and then brush your teeth and wash your hands really, really well. Spray a little bit of that cologne you got on you on your neck and stomach too, but don't bathe in it for christ's sake. You want to be subtle.

Now right before you go to sneak into the bedroom to lay next to her you should probably do a few push ups. You've been neglecting the gym, but you want to atleast somewhat resemble how you looked in your glory days. Sure it won't be like it was then, but you just shotgunned a few beers, so who gives a shi*? Take off your shirt after your done with your "workout" and sneak in bed next to her with some pajama bottoms on or possibly some running shorts. You don't want to lay next to her in just your underwear because then you'd be some kind of pressumptious assho*e even though she clearly was looking at you with those hungry, lonely eyes, so you need to act like you honestly just want to get some sleep. Remember, you're trying to act like you care and you want her to trust you.

Brush against her "on accident" once you get into bed. Chances are she won't wake up, so ease up next to her and pretend that youre asleep. This technique may back-fire because (a)she might not make the first move, (b)she might of never have woken up, or (c)you have passed out on accident due to your alcohol conssumption. So if nothing of importance happens within 10 minutes it'll be time to try something else. I mean, you don't want to lose your buzz right? What would even be the point of all this if you didn't have a buzz? So lightly run your fingers down her back or through her hair. She'll wake up, but she probably won't know why she woke up. Whisper that you're sorry to wake her up and that you've tried sleeping on the couch, but all it did was just play hell on your back. Tell her you're sorry again and that you'll be asleep on the other side of the bed. Roll over and put your back facing her. While you're pretending to try and go back to sleep she'll come around. They always come around. She'll roll over and face your back. She'll say she can't sleep, or maybe she'll thank you for everything you've done for her. Now all you have to do is wait for your feet to touch. Once your bodies make contact youre in like flint, son.

The next morning you have to tell her that you have to be at work in an hour, and unfortunately the extermination guy is coming to fumigate you're place today. It's not due to roaches or some gross ass bugs like that because youre a clean guy and you handle your business when it comes to mopping and shi*. She'll probably ask if she can wait outside or hang around until you come home because she's, you know, homeless. Tell her you'd like for that to happen, but the landlord is a jerk and he'll throw you out if he sees somebody living there that isn't on the lease. Once she's out of the house and you "go to work." You're in the clear man. Call your buddy that is coming back home tomorrow from his vacation and tell him that you fed his cats while he was gone. Also tell him that you drank about six of his beers in the fridge last night as well as polishing off his $13 bottle of wine.You had the day off today and just got a little too into the game last night while watching his big ass flat screen. Tell him you crashed there last night too because you got a little "too drunk." Tell him that you'll hit him back ASAP before he has a chance to say anything. He'll say, "awww man it's cool bruh, thanks for looking after my place while I was gone!"

Just go home and roll a cigarillo at this point and remember how good it feels to be you.

You're welcome.

[Aaarg]

That cat has gorgeous eyes!

Someone at work just moved into her own house and she says she'll probably be able to take the dog. She has two cats but they're used to being around dogs. She also said one of the local vets is a regular customer, so she'll talk to him to see what options we have, locally.

Hopefully it would work out. We can't keep this dog, and Danielle is a friend to animals. I love the idea of this pitbull living indoors and getting spoiled.

[Chojin]

kitsa is easily in my top 3 favorite people here

fyi

[Kitsa]

Aaarg: I hope it works out. It would be nice to give the dog a good indoor home :)

Chojin: Not exactly sure how to respond to that, but I'm sure I'll do something to change your opinion of me in the future. Stay tuned!

[kahljorn]

i dunno if anyone mentioned this but, at least in california, all ( i think all) animal shelters now have a no kill policy.

[Aaarg]

Not in the mountains of western North Carolina!

[kahljorn]

Is it a mountain loving dog? Cause maybe it would be happy just roaming the country side.

[Aaarg]

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=sylva,+nc&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Sylva,+Jackson,+North+Carolina&ll=35.342715,-83.271217&spn=0.018203,0.038581&t=h&z=15
This is where it lives.

[Babs]

I think MattJack honestly nailed it here.

The next morning you have to tell her that you have to be at work in an hour, and unfortunately the extermination guy is coming to fumigate you're place today. It's not due to roaches or some gross ass bugs like that because youre a clean guy and you handle your business when it comes to mopping and shi*. She'll probably ask if she can wait outside or hang around until you come home because she's, you know, homeless. Tell her you'd like for that to happen, but the landlord is a jerk and he'll throw you out if he sees somebody living there that isn't on the lease. Once she's out of the house and you "go to work." You're in the clear man. Call your buddy that is coming back home tomorrow from his vacation and tell him that you fed his cats while he was gone. Also tell him that you drank about six of his beers in the fridge last night as well as polishing off his $13 bottle of wine.You had the day off today and just got a little too into the game last night while watching his big ass flat screen. Tell him you crashed there last night too because you got a little "too drunk." Tell him that you'll hit him back ASAP before he has a chance to say anything. He'll say, "awww man it's cool bruh, thanks for looking after my place while I was gone!"

Just go home and roll a cigarillo at this point and remember how good it feels to be you.

You're welcome.

And thank you very much.

[Sacks]

Someone has removed something from this thread and it's very upsetting.

[Colonel Flagg]

I noticed too. :(

[executioneer]

i dont see any edits :(

[Kitsa]

I looked back and I didn't see what was missing. Was it a picture?

edit: oh, you're right. There are at least two posts missing. But they weren't really relevant in the first place so it was no big loss.

[Nick]

After adopting my new kitty from an animal shelter I feel that I would rather adopt animals than purchase them. Makes me feel good about myself that I'm saving cute animals. :3

[Babs]

My cat is a bitch that doesn't like her belly to be touched or paws. Like I just stated, she's a bitch.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v424/LifeInMono/paris.jpg

That bitch's name is Paris.

[Tadao]

LOL, when I was a Tadpole, we had a cat named Princess that would scratch the shit out of you if you got anywhere near it.

[Kitsa]

lots of cats do the tummy trap...roll over and act like they're inviting you to rub their tummy, then scratch the bejesus out of you when you try.

[Dimnos]

[quote=BABALITY PANCAKES;659771]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v424/LifeInMono/paris.jpg

quote]


A friend of mine has a cat that looks like this except she has a much more panther like physique. She too is a total bitch and will hiss at you if you even reach out to pet her. If you actually touch her you get the claw. I have seen this bitch rocket up a tree and nab a bird before it could take flight. She proceeded to gnaw on its neck and carry it to the back door to leave as a gift.

[Nick]

My kitty doesn't mind if you touch his paws or anything. He's quite the mellow lil guy. He just wants to sleep, eat, and play with his toys. :3

[Sacks]

My friend has a de-clawed cat that gets slappy when you pet it. Everyone thinks it's mad but I think it just likes high fives.