Rescue Dogs and Laundromats
Yesterday I was in my office beside one of my Laundromats. I was just getting ready to leave and had a couple of appointments to get to and some driving in between.
I have gotten pretty good at estimating travel times and time spent at various locations to fit in around a few things that I have to be right on time for.
As I went into the Laundry to see if anything had come up or if there were any deliveries my attendant was looking out into the parking lot and said did you see that lady dump that puppy out there? I said no and she said that the lady had driven up, threw some food on the ground, put the puppy out the car door and drove off.
The time was about 12:30 and traffic always picks up between 12 and 1. Our strip mall is on a corner of a fairly busy road. Also with a light at the corner people occasionally cut through the lot, add to that the normal Laundromat traffic and it was a busy spot.
And in this was a puppy looking very scared and confused and looking at all the cars. I coaxed her over near the store but she didn’t want to come too close, I opened the door but she wouldn’t go in. Finally, she moved over to where one of my attendants was standing and we got a hold of her.
Now here’s me with a full day and an abandoned puppy.
Just up the road is a Vet’s office that I had been talking to some of the employees from as their washer was broken and they were using the Laundromat equipment for the past couple of weeks. I headed in there and explained what had happened.
I asked if they could run it through all the normal tests and shots and keep it overnight until I could figure out what the plan was.
I had sent a picture to my wife and we started to find out if there was a local option.
The Vet’s office, fortunately, had a spare cage that was just big enough and the lady said as she was walking away from the cage she saw just the tip of the dogs tail wagging.
Once home we discussed some options. We have 2 dogs already, a Basset / Corgi mix and a black Lab and didn’t want any more right now. So we decided if we could find a rescue local that was a no-kill shelter I would drop it off the next day.
I got back to the Vet’s office and she carried the puppy out. It still seemed pretty nervous but started wagging its tail when it smelt my hand. All 3 months and 11 pounds.
Our best guess is that this being early February and a three-month-old dog is that Christmas seemed like a good time for a puppy but the fun was over now.
How do you drop a puppy in the middle of a busy parking lot and just drive off?
As I drove over to the rescue to talk to them it was sitting on the center console looking out the window. (This was a rare occasion as I didn’t have a crate or harness as my dogs are always buckled in)
The rescue had no space but one of the volunteers said she could arrange a transport to another rescue if we could just foster her for a few days.
I told them if I take this dog home to my 3 daughters it will not be leaving the house. So after a few texts messages and more pictures we headed to get a crate, food, and blanket for the new addition.
I had the Lab with me today just to feel things out and although a little undecided at first they seem to be having fun pulling at a rope and wrestling. 11 pounds vs 65 pounds. ( Our other dogs seem huge now…diet time)
The next couple of weeks will involve me and a couple of dogs on daily road trips until things settle in and Marley can stay at home with the others. At least gas prices are still low so I can afford to drive the Expedition and not the Golf.
Another chapter begins….
Ken,
Buddy,
Netty
and Marley.
P.S.- Please be responsible for your pets. They should not be disposable and if you can’t handle them find them a home, not a parking lot.
