Desperate dog, stupid(me) human, negligent owner(boyfriend) HELP!!?

I am utterly speechless.......wow......just wow.

I have seen a lot of questions asked on this forum, none have moved me to tears quite the way that this one has.

You chose the life of a dog. A strange and old and sickly dog, by the standards of those who walked by him every day that he was this way....and you could not.

You've never had a dog? And yet I never saw you type the first word asking what any of this was going to cost you. Presumably you're a single woman, since it's apparent that you live alone from your words, and you never asked how much. I never once saw you ask if you should consider making the effort "because he was old" anyway. I didn't sense a hint of debate out of loyalty to the criminal who did this to Austin. Honey I don't know what your Mama did, or how she managed, but you kiss her for me when you see her and tell her that she raised a child with the heart of a true angel. Austin is a lucky, lucky little (big) man and I have no doubt that he knows well what you did, and he would give the life that you gave him back to defend you, arthritis and all.

Please exercise caution. Because he's been treated so badly and left on this chain, now that you've turned his life around so drastically, I'd watch how your friends approach him at first. He's going to be around you and only you if you're there alone. Just be careful..he may not want others near you. And I can't say as I'd much blame him!

I don't think you need any help learning to be a dog owner at all. I don't know where or how you got the knowledge (that you claimed you didn't have) but you sure seemed to have good instincts where Austin is concerned. You were already doing the right thing before you asked honey, be it by gut, memory, or from watching other people I can't say, but you've done an outstanding job. You were doing the right thing from the instant in which you decided that you had to do something! Relax, the hard part is over now, it's all downhill from here.

Do get Austin checked for heartworms, if you didn't think of that already...my guess....you did. But if not, do, okay?

You feel the way you feel right now because you allowed God to guide you to save a life! It's wonderful, isn't it? And every time you look at this dog you will feel that way, always. Austin reached out to you because even if you didn't know, God did. God sends them to you or you to them when he knows that you are the right person who can give an animal the help it needs. I think perhaps you might have been a little lonely, and maybe Austin sensed that so he wanted to be your friend because he was quite lonely as well..well okay...and maybe a little hungry...and thirsty...and hot.

I wish you both the very best of luck. Thank you so much for making my heart grow three sizes bigger today with your story. Heck, you made me have to go hunt all of mine down and kiss their little heads. :)

If he is in the sun DO NOT wet him.

That will make him 10X hotter than before.

If the collar is not imbedded, Cut it off.

If it is and you cannot take him to the vet call them they will take you step by step on what to do.

You really should take the dog w/ you.

Call the pound and tell them you found a dog who was being highly mistreated, Take pictures of the dog and nurse him back to health and then if there is any trouble you will have proof that you have nursed him from animal cruelty.

You really need to get the collar off of him and give him a bath in a nice cool place.

Giving him water like you are doing is great. Sometimes the dog will get soo hot and the drink cold water and the result is the either getting diarhea or puking.

Good Luck.

Please take that dog w/ you and take care of him.

Ever watch animal cops? The dog won't be put down unless there's no one to claim him for an extended period of time, usually a few days or a week. If you are right there to adopt this neglected animal it's yours.

Some shelters are "no-kill"; animals brought there are kept until they're adopted or die of natural causes. They're usually rather crowded but still better than dying in a hot yard with no grooming and an embedded collar. If you can't or don't want to take it after the dog is seized, take it to one of these. Check your local yellow pages or Google.

There is a reason you found that dog living in those horrible arrangements. Those owners should have the same. If his collar is embedded in his neck you will not be able to get it out. He will need to be seen by a vet. The best bet that I would suggest is to locate a No Kill shelter in your area and take the dog there for medical attention as well as adoption. Unless you really want to keep him and I am sure they would be willing to help you do that.

Good for you for caring enough to do that for him. He will not hurt you if he knows you are helping him. Remember, their first reaction is Fight or Flight. If you are timid and fearful he is going to feel it and think you are there to hurt him. Stand strong and be positive and assure him you are there to help! Good luck!

Contact animal control and report it. If dog is seized call the shelter immediatly and tell them you are willing to take the dog. Get rid of the boyfriend anyone that is willing to treat a dog like this is not worth having.

Shame Shame on you, They only know one way to have sex and that is doggy Style For Pete Sakes!!! I would really hate to walk out into the front yard and see a male dog and a female dog laying in a small bed with the male on top of the female getting it on..Get the picture Dear Friend... Your Friend, poppy1

Call the police dept now, they will send someone out from animal control to help with the dog. They may take him, but as long as you keep checking with them and maybe express your interest in owning him, they should not put him down unless it is medically necessary.

Please do it now to help this poor dog!~

if he is matted, has an embedded collar, no water, no shelter, all are animal cruelty which is punishable by law. contact the authorities whether it's the police or humane law officers, tell somebody!

call the police or animal control

you can call and remain anonymous

poor doggy what ever happens he will be better off out of there!!

call ASAP and remain anonymous if you dont want any conflict and still save this dogs life