Need Advice For Licorice Please~~

My heart is breaking. Please talk to Border Collie Rescue and see what can be done. Border Collies are highly intelligent working dogs that need plenty of mental stimulation to be happy. I am guessing at the very least Licorice is depressed not to be able to run and work. I had thought at one point to get one but didn't have time to take care of one physically and emotionally. I really hate when people get a pet and do not research or attempt to find out what the animal need to be happy and healthy.

E there is nothing you can do. Trust me, I know what you are talking about. I routinely call animal control about a dog across the road that is also kept on a chain 24/7 and barks incessantly. The AC goes over, sees the dog has shelter, food and water and says "Sorry there is no abuse here." Sadly, many folk believe a chained dog is a healthy dog. I wouldn't be sneaking into the yard anymore either, unless you want to deal with being a trespasser and talking to officers. Not everyone is so intune with what animals really need. Your best bet is to open up good communication with the owners and perhaps offer to take their dog for a walk with Sandy?

I totally agree with trying to establish a relationship with the neighbors, and try to see if you can educate them to help improve Licorice's life. If not, maybe they will give him up to you legally.

From a dog's point of view, although Licorice's life pretty much sucks, he knows where he belongs, and who brings him a plate of food daily. Worse than continuing to live like that would be getting saved, and then returned to that life. If you steal him, and the police force you to return him, he will be heartbroken.

Good luck with this little guy, I hope you are able to come along side of the family and help them to realize their responsabilities towards Licorice.

I had a long talk with one of the principle people at Pacific Northwest Border Collie and he advised just as the majority of you all did - befriend the neighbors and drum some sense in to them first. He said they cannot list a dog as "available for adoption" unless it is being officially fostered or given up...but if the neighbors agree then it can be done through me, sure.

We have had such cold and rainy weather and this weekend I hope to be able to take her for a walk and talk to the family, if they are even home. They have a nice new car and the house is well kept, they are not hurting for money that I know of, so perhaps they can purchase a toy or two for her. Or let me bring more over.

Many of the points made were really good - that not all re-homes go as planned and Licorice does have a home now. She is protected from harm, there is a fence around the yard that coyotes and other aggressive dogs cannot get through and she does have water and shelter. She was not thin. so.....I will update if a major breakthrough - but thank you ALL. Your ideas and perspectives have been so very helpful!!!

Have you spoken to the family?
I am so waiting to hear more about this.
Good Luck!!

Its nice to see there are some dedicated and kind hearted people still out there. Its easy to get jaded in our line of work. Tired of the chains? Consider pushing a "limited tethering" ordinace at the local level. Grassroots efforts. There's no life at the end of a chain, even if the dog has a pulse...

I talked to the family briefly, as I was walking Sandy puppy. I said, "I really like your dog, I've seen her through the fence and how old is she? Is she senior?" And they said, no she was about 5 or so. I said I really thought she was gentle and kind and that I hadn't seen her around much. .... I stared at the lady... I kind of looked at her as if to say that I knew what was going on...and I said no more, just sent a vibe.

Now here's the good news: today I was upstairs and it was a sunny, gorgeous day here...and just out of the shower around noon when who should come walking around the corner, but Licorice! And the little girl and an older teen girl, looked very responsible, and Licorice was happy, just meandering along, very happy. She wasn't being dragged or coerced to run, just perfectly relaxed. It made my day!

I plan to keep and eye on her, nothing's changed, but I was walking on air for her!

I found this website after doing a search for "tethering ordinances"

http://www.unchainyourdog.org/

It gives ideas for how to get a ordinence passed in your community! I'm trained as a community organizer, I can do this That gives me some hope.

I learned today from our neighbors that Licorice's family is moving October 2 to a new house with no yard and they don't want her anymore. So now, legally, I am free to find her a new home! A farm home out here, where she can run around and be loved and cared for. I'm going to do everything I can to do this, too! Lots of good vibes for Licorice, please!

Absolutely..sending good vibes.

Katie

I have been working a little bit every weekend trying to find Licorice a home. Today we think we found her one with a farm family. She will continue to be an outside dog but will be loved and cared for, with lots of other dogs. She'll have to be socialized carefully, as she hasn't ever been around other dogs, but she's loving, that's for sure. The family is very comfortable financially, so she will have everything she could want. But we really just want her to have some attention and a bath. Tomorrow I am meeting with them, so we'll see. They were touched by her story and already are calling her their Angel!

I'm glad this story had a pretty happy ending.

Good for you for caring, Elizabeth! And a Border Collie- they are such energetic, intelligent dogs, I think that they are more prone to realizing how bad their situation is. FORTUNATELY, there is a wonderful group called Dogs Deserve Better and can be reached at www.dogsdeservebetter.com. Please contact them & please let us know how this turns out!

Thank you! I will call them. Two of our 3 home possibilities have backed out. I think people are more in love with the idea of saving, then the actual reality. But we have some time and I'm going to work on this over the weekend. The third possibility I can't seem to ever contact!

I'm unsure who will even see this thread, it's kind of in it's own area.... but all the families have backed out of lIcroice. They come to see her and she's not a "pretty puppy" or "cute dog" and she's just so excitable and wants so much attention, that she can easily overwhelm. It takes her about 30 minutes to calm down. I got a very perfunctory note from the Manager of Homeward Pet, a no-kill shelter in Woodinville, Wa who said "we aren't the best resource for her" - she never said why nor what her reasoning was. So Licorice, right now, has nowhere to go.
I've even offered up to $500 to assist. My original email to 10 personal friends has now made the rounds of Microsoft, Starbucks, and Nintendo up here - which is huge - and we're so grateful for that, so hopefully Miss L. will find ahome soon. Only 2 weeks to go now until the family moves and the no-kill said "no". How sad.

Eddie, how frustrating! It must be so heartbreaking- you care so much, and want so badly to find this sweet girl a loving and active home. Although I do not know very many families in the Enumclaw area, my inlaws do. I will ask who I know and ask my inlaws to spread the word. Tons of land and farms out here! Perhaps I can help you with this one You've always been there for me, let me try for you.