Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Oh, Nichole. I am so sorry. You don't deserve all the stress. I so much wish there were something I could do to help you out. Sending you ((hugs)).
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
I'm so sorry you have to go through this adding to the stress. Maybe you can leave them a note suggesting that they look us up on Tripawds so they can understand how much we love our pups. How can they think we would go through all of this only to banish them to the backyard with no food or water?
On the other hand, maybe you should just take a deep breath and think good thoughts while giving Chloe a big hug.
Pat, Angel Ruthie & Tess
I am so sorry you are having to deal with unreasonable neighbors! Has your landlord been contacted? If you get an opportunity I would question him about why the last renters left. Has there ever been people with dogs there? Were there issues if they did have dogs?
It sounds very much like you have people around you that aren't ones you can deal logically with. That leaves three possibilities that I can see. 1. You keep Chloe in unless you are there to supervise.
2. You contact A/C and landlord and have a meeting about options and ideas.
3. You find a new place to live.
I am sure with all of these great people on the site that they will come up with other ideas too. It has been my path to take in all the facts then make my decisions based on that. So I would first list all the pro's and cons of these and any other choices you can come up with.
The thing that wouldn't be a choice for me though is leaving Chloe unattended any more. You don't know how unstable these folks may be. I leave my dogs out all day, but I have a neighborhood full of people that do that. No complaints.
I wish you luck and peace,
Elizabeth and Sammy
Oh dear, really does sound like you have a crazy neighbor. Having now and having had crazies in the past living next door I so agree with the others here who say best to keep your gal inside when you're not home at least until the neighbor finds something/someone else to torment. It could be that a couple of months down the road you'll find out more about the neighbors and figure out what is going on but until then really safest for your gal to stay inside if you're not there. There are some wackos out there (and I've lived next to half of them it seems like.)
Even though they don't stay in one during the day now, all my pups have loved their crate once they got used to going in it during the day, and we have great danes. Seems like they feel safe and make it their own home. I always put a super comfy bed and toys in there. If you are in an area where Craigslist is well utilized, you can very likely find a crate for free or very cheap. Also might be easier to get permission for Chloe to come with you to Lab if she had a crate to stay inside. I am home throughout the day and though my dogs could go out whenever they want, it is very rare that they do anything but sleep between 8am and 5pm. I find it crazy but they really don't care to.
Another thought, why not be proactive and make an appointment to speak with the Director or Senior Officer at your local animal control. Explain that you feel you are being tormented, discuss your great care and all you and your pup have been through to stay together. Also explain that you are concerned about the neighbors unwarranted complaints and are afraid it might escalate. Be super diplomatic and sweet. Ask for their advice. Don't forget to talk about what a nice meeting you had with the Lady AC Officer. Say how much you appreciate that she came to talk with you in person. I have to believe this isn't the first time they've had this sort of thing and perhaps they have a good idea or two for you. It will also create a record in case Crazy Neighbor does something else.
Please be careful. Keep an eye on Chloe. I wouldn't make a point to try to speak with the neighbor at this point.
I'm very sorry you are having to deal with this. It's just not fair and its not like your plate isn't already full. I pray a solution appears in the near future. I know how much you love Chloe and how upset you must be right now. The advice given by Starcreek sounds very good to me. In fact, quite good. I wish I could help in some way.
Do be careful and please keep us posted.
FortisDad
How distressing and infuriating this is. I don't have any advice (except I'd for sure be leaving Chloe indoors when you're away) but I'm very sorry you have to deal with this needless stress. It's just such crap.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
So sorry to hear Nicole. I know you have it figured out with doggie day care but it is still upsetting.
Maybe you can run an ad on Craig's list for the dog house and that would help pay for the day care.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Don't miss Dawn's update about apparent successes with Miles' separation issues...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
hugapitbull said:
Oh, Nichole. I am so sorry. You don't deserve all the stress. I so much wish there were something I could do to help you out. Sending you ((hugs)).
Thank you, hugs are always welcome here.
fightingforsammy said:
It sounds very much like you have people around you that aren't ones you can deal logically with. That leaves three possibilities that I can see. 1. You keep Chloe in unless you are there to supervise.
2. You contact A/C and landlord and have a meeting about options and ideas.
I don't think the landlord has been contacted since I haven't heard anything from our property manager. Even if they did contact me, I would tell them about how I am mediating the situation. I am pretty much going to do #1 from now on unless I get a bogus call like complaining about noise on a day Chloe is at daycare (would almost love for that to happen so I can call the AC and have them call her day care place to confirm her absence from the house). And then they could write the neighbor off as a crazy person. Which would leave me to #2 in that case. I am going to start crate training her along with my SA training. I hope to have her strictly an indoor dog from now on. Will solve my problem about rainy days in the winter anyway… Thanks for your input!
starcreek said:
Oh dear, really does sound like you have a crazy neighbor… best to keep your gal inside when you're not home at least until the neighbor finds … Also might be easier to get permission for Chloe to come with you to Lab if she had a crate to stay inside.
Another thought, why not be proactive and make an appointment to speak with the Director or Senior Officer at your local animal control… I wouldn't make a point to try to speak with the neighbor at this point.
I'm very sorry you are having to deal with this. It's just not fair and its not like your plate isn't already full. I pray a solution appears in the near future. I know how much you love Chloe and how upset you must be right now. The advice given by Starcreek sounds very good to me. In fact, quite good. I wish I could help in some way.
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Hi Nicole,
I didn't realize that you got a 2nd visit. So sorry that you're going through this. It must be pretty stressful. I would be crying on the way to school myself if I were in your shoes. Just know that we all know that you are a great mom and you're doing everything to be proactive about this. You know Chloe best and you know what's the best thing for her. So we will be cheering you on!
Kami
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Nicole, I just saw this too, I[m so sorry. I pity the fool you have for a neighbor, what a jerk.
As for the dog house, you can probably get a good price for it on Craig's List if you want to sell it, or maybe even trade it for a crate. We've seen lots of good crate deals on CL, I know you'll find one there.
These kinds of situations in life are terrible at the time, but they eventually make us stronger and smarter, as long as we don't become bitter from them. What you and Chloe are going through now will only strengthen the bond you have together. You're doing GREAT with your proactive training and daycare. Hang in there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh man, I just posted on you other thread, before seeing you had a second incident with Neighbor Nutjob. I agree with everyone here, and also was going to suggest what someone above already suggested - perhaps a proactive meeting with Animal Control. Do you have the name of the lady officer who came to visit? She could be a contact.
Since the neighbors are not going away (apparently), I think being proactive with all the "authority" figures - landlord, animal control, etc. - is the best approach. And the script from someone above (starcreek, I think) is the right approach. Good luck. Don't let your stomach be in knots - the important thing is, you are in school and Chloe is ok and knows you love her. The rest is just annoying.
Ok. So I had to wait to call AC during "business" hours to talk to someone about the complaint filed against me. Here is how it went:
Apparently it was 2 different neighbors who called. Just wonderful. Anyway, the AC lady on the phone told me that they tell the neighbors to keep a "bark log" with times and dates and if within 30 days of having the notice issued the neighbor calls back saying the dog is still barking excessively then the AC will issue me a second notice. It gets more complicated here: after the second notice I have 15 days to address the problem and if the neighbor so chooses, can still file a complaint saying it hasn't been resolved and then that brings us to court. If that happens and I am found guilty then I am charged a fee of $100, not steep, but really a pain in the butt.
I informed the officer that I had already started putting my dog in doggie day care on the days I have class and that she is no longer outside. When I am home, she is inside with me. When I asked about what I can do if the neighbors claim my dog is barking on a day she is inside with me, she said something that I didn't understand. However, if they complain on a day when my dog was in doggie day care then I have some proof to back me up. I forgot to ask what day the complaint was filed, but I really don't feel like calling back.
I know that there is a family that lives behind us and I hear their kids screaming all the time, but I can't call child protective services on them. And the neighbors next door sometimes sing loudly and I don't call the police for noise violation.
I would like to know the definition of excessive noise: Chloe was only out 2 days a week and obviously only whined when my roommates wouldn't let her in. She was outside during a time when normal people have work, but there are obviously people who don't. I am getting worked up all over again not knowing what will or will not happen…
-Nicole
P.S. My grandmother said I should buy and install a nanny cam in the back yard. It might be worth doing at least for the next few months so that if I get AC called on me for excessive barking, I have video proof that my dog is not outside nor is she barking...
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
I feel so sorry for you Nichole. Some people just need to learn to mind their own business. Even if Chloe was barking on and off every few days big deal. What ever happened to people talking things through and working problems and grievances out on their own. Now I remember why I like the woods. I know my ranting isn't helping you and so I will stop before I get carried away 
. I know it would be a pain but can you get out of your lease and move somewhere else. It might be the best thing in the long run. Once again I am truly sorry you are having to deal with this.
"P.S. My grandmother said I should buy and install a nanny cam in the back yard. It might be worth doing at least for the next few months so that if I get AC called on me for excessive barking, I have video proof that my dog is not outside nor is she barking…"
When Zack's leg first started acting up, I bought some wireless internet cameras for inside, so I could monitor & make sure he didn't get stuck & couldn't get up. The nice thing about them is that they are wireless and have their own IP address, so don't need a computer to work (although you need a computer for set-up, and to record & keep the video, which it sounds like you'll want). And, you can view the image from anywhere you have internet access (I use my phone). There is a Cisco/Linksys one for about $160, and a Panasonic for about $230.
Zack, King of Dogs, 1996 to 2010
Zack lived a full 14 years, even to the end.
The joy and memories he provided us will last a lifetime.
Surviving him is his sister, Izzy, a 12-year-old boxer mix quadpawd.
And the latest addition, Zula, an 11-month-old pit bull mix tripawd.
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