We had a few days of winter mix which for us was several inches of sleet. Luckily, the power grid held so we were just trapped inside but at least comfortable.
I had a couple of packages due but felt no one would deliver as my side road hadn't even been plowed. Then in the morning light I saw it. There appeared to be a package lying outside my gate on the street side. Phooey, it was going to be risky for me to try to get it. They must have delivered it in the dark last night.
It seemed rather large and not the usual cardboard tan box. I got my binoculars out but couldn't tell much. Evidently they had put it in a dark plastic bag to keep the moisture out.
I was grumping around wondering how I was going to get it with out falling on the slick driveway. I have reached the breakable stage of life. So I stomped around a while, then would assess the situation again. I finally had breakfast.
After breakfast I gave it one more look and I was totally shocked. The box raised its head and had a definite German Shepherd profile. It was that dog that has ended up at my gate twice before. I called my neighbor who is the father of the owner and he said he would send his son by to pick him up.
While I was talking to him, the dog got up and walked around so I knew he wasn't hurt. Then he curled up by my gate again in the snow.
The boy came to get the dog but I am wondering.This was the dogs third appearance on my property. Why my driveway and gate? I have never spoken to the dog, touched him, nor fed him. Callie hasn't been a fully functioning female for 8 years. Why here?
I wrote about his first visit here. A friend wondered if maybe he was mistreated at home but when the boy came for him, he ran to him and jumped all over him. He was happy to see him.
Then the dog came back again yesterday. Again sleeping in the snow against a metal gate in the shade no less. I once told my neighbor that he may just be out gallivanting and has learned if he hangs around my gate, sooner or later someone will come to give him a ride home.
I would like to think he is that smart and lazy but I am wondering if he might have dementia and just gets lost till he finds something that looks familiar to him--my gate. He did flunk out of police dog training which is how they ended up with him.
Not sure how to stop this as the owner can't seem to keep him home. I worry about his safety. Any ideas?
My guess is that the dog, not being adopted as a pup and for his own reasons never fully bonded with his present owners. Your gate area must trigger a fond memory for him. I'd just keep on calling his owner when he shows up. Funny how you first thought he was your ordered package.
ReplyDeleteFlorence,
DeleteHe is there again this morning, second time since the package incident. I have been Googling dog repellents and think I will try a vinegar one first. Don't want to hurt him but I would like to be able to leave with out him getting on my property. You may have a point about a gate being familiar. Maybe from his police training?
I know a woman who claims to be able to communicate with animals and can find out what they are trying to say by their behavior. I think she is kind of a nut case for a variety of reasons (Her Trump support for one) but I do believe that animals are communicating with behavior. Unfortunately, I absolutely do not speak the language.
ReplyDeleteOlga,
DeleteOoh, think we could talk her into t trip to Arkansas?:)) I know I am not getting his message.
That is a real mystery. I do hope you can find some way to deter the dog without harming him, but his thought processes are not available to us, unfortunately! :-)
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteI went to town and bought a dog repellent, sprayed it all around the gate and when I let Callie out, she ran to the gate sniffing. I think it attracted her. Fifteen bucks down the drain:)
Patti, I'm glad you saw his head raise before you went out there, that was funny but I felt bad for the dog too. I can't remember if I shared it here before, but the exact same thing happened to my family growing up on a farm in 1970s. A farm down the road, their German Shepherd kept coming up to our property and laying on our carport. My dad would tell him to go home go home, but he always came back. Then one day our next farm neighbor was at our house when the dog showed up, and he told us who the dog belonged to, and was probably mistreated. My dad stopped telling the dog to go home, he pretty much became ours until he died 10 years later! No one ever came around asking for him, I always thought that was sad.. sorry for sharing all that, please keep us updated on your drop in dog. 🙂
ReplyDeleteDoug,
DeleteSure does sound similar. I hope they are not mistreating him but have no idea why he keeps coming here. There are houses all around he could go to. I will keep shooing for now.
Perhaps there is something familiar in the scents around your yard and gate that draws him back. A memory of the life he once had.
DeleteRiver,
DeleteYour guess is as good as mine. It is just so sad that he is unhappy were he lives now.
So glad you restrained your critter-loving urge to tackle the icy terrain. I, too, am at that breakable stage of life!
ReplyDeleteLC
DeleteI bent myself pretty good the past couple of winters by slipping on ice so I have learned. Sadly, we no longer just bounce.
I feel bad for both you and the dog. He obviously doesn't want to go home (or maybe doesn't remember where home is), and you don't want him at your gate. I hope you find an easy and kind intervention. It surprised me that you mentioned using vinegar. During the winter months here the Argentine Ants go crazy and go into everyone's house. There are zillions of them. So, every evening I spray a vinegar/water solution in every space where they have made their entries in our house. So far, so good. No ants this winter. YAY!
ReplyDeleteRobin,
DeleteGood to know about vinegar and ants. Hopefully this dog has some ant genes.
I bought a professional dog repellent today and Callie loved it. So back to vinegar. We will see.
So, that big box was the dog? Wow! LOL.
ReplyDeletegigi,
DeleteHe was motionless for about an hour and it was far enough away that I really thought he was a package. Wish he had been now:)
My daughter has property in the hill country and always has a dog or two showing up. Some have showed up so much, she just accepts it. For whatever reason, they have chosen to be there. Sometimes owners come by to pick them up, but after a while the owners just quit doing it... and the dog stays. Good luck with this dog. I hope you find a solution that works for both of you.
ReplyDeleteRian,
DeleteI wonder why they pick people like your daughter and me? The owner picked him up three times but I think he might have given up too. I am trying to outlive Callie so I don't need another dog. Hope the repellent works.
Boy I think you need a new dog. I feel like it is not treated well, except by a boy. What would happen if you let him inside the gate?
ReplyDeletePeg,
DeleteOh no, I am taking vitamins now trying to outlive Callie. Sure don't need another dog. He got in once without my knowing and just hid in the back of the property. If Callie hadn't found him and yelled at him, he might have starved.
sounds like he needs a new home. sad
DeletePeg,
DeleteIt would be nice if someone actually knew when he was missing. They don't deserve him.
Sorry ... this is way out of my my expertise, but I must commend you for staying put. A fall in the icy and snowy driveway would not be fun !!!
ReplyDeleteGinnie,
DeleteThis old Florida girl learned a few years ago that walking on ice with old joints and bones is not a good idea. I am super careful now.
This really makes me sad. Do you know where the dog lives and if your gates look similar? You said the dog always seems to be happy to see its owner so abuse seems unlikely. Maybe because it smells Callie and knows your place is dog friendly? Your gate may just be similar to who ever had him during his training period. Have you asked its owner if he has a theory and if he ever shows up at other places?
ReplyDeleteJean,
DeleteHaven't talked to the dog's owner, only his Dad who is my neighbor. I have called three times for them to get him. I am worried he is going to get hurt. I live on a busy highway. Sure wish I spoke dog.
That poor pup - he's obviously decided that he prefers being near you than his owners. Who, I must say, are very irresponsible to allow him to roam. He could just as easily be hit by a car on his way to you. I suggest they need to start keeping him in their yard - perhaps an outdoor kennel would be the answer. I realize you don't need another and especially one that large...he could be so happy to see you, he'd knock you down and break you.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Eileen,
DeleteI have no idea why my gate. It isn't me for if I go out, he runs off. Of course that could be because I am yelling "go home":) I do worry about him though and wish they cared more.
I don't have a solution but hope things work out. Glad you did not go down that slippery driveway.
ReplyDeleteSue,
DeleteThanks, I learned my lesson a few years ago.
Strange "tail". Maybe there is a connection to this somewhere? Dogs have a sixth sense.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteAnni,
DeleteYou know, if I just spoke dog this could all be solved. So for now his attachment to my gate is a mystery.
Nonee from me. But nice to see you.
ReplyDeleteMage,
DeleteThat is OK thanks for stopping by anyway and it is good to see you back on the way to health once more.
Hmmm. No clue. But if you ever solve this one please share.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteWell so far this morning, no dog. Maybe??
I don't know, but I sure feel sorry for him. He seems to be finding comfort and familiarity where he can.
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteI feel for him as he just lays there in the snow and cold. He does have a coat like a bear so I guess even at home, he is an outside dog.
Poor dog. Where are those owner?! Are they in a warm house wondering where their dog went? Grr.
ReplyDeleteSusan,
DeleteI am sure they don't think about him till I call. As I told Margaret, he has a VERY heavy fur coat so I am sure he is an outside dog.
Keep the owners number on speed dial.
ReplyDeletejoeh,
DeleteI keep calling his dad who is my neighbor and a friend. Kind of hoping Dad will get tired of my calls and will make the boy shape up.
The owner needs to find some method of keeping him at home. Does he not care enough about the dog's health and safety?
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteI feel if I didn't call, he wouldn't even notice his dog was gone. Really a shame. He is a beautiful, pure bred Shepherd.
I would have figured it was divine intervention and I was supposed to keep this dog but I'm a softie. The dog has to be unhappy at home but why you? Divine Intervention?
ReplyDeleteBarbara,
DeleteI was once such a softie. My softie days now have to be tempered by the number of years I probably have left to care for a dog. Doing my best to outlive Callie right now.
You said the dog had Callie barking at him once, so maybe somehow, though she wasn't welcoming, he might still be attracted to knowing she lived there -- waiting for her to come in heat? He's lonely? Maybe everybody is gone much of the time where he lives. Ask your friend, the father, what he thinks about why the dog keeps coming to your gate and see what he says.
ReplyDeleteJoared,
DeleteI keep hoping the Dad will get through to his son on how to take care of a dog. Callie has no possibility of coming into heat. She was spayed 8 years ago. Since he is usually there first thing in the morning, I think he is allowed to run loose all night. Today he wasn't there. I am hopeful.
The day before my cancer surgery, a German Shepherd came to our gate in LA and would not leave. We tried to find an owner, the dog was young, spayed, would have had to cross many huge streets to get to us. Never found an owner, so she stayed with us. I named her Angel, I felt she came to watch over me and my cancer stuff. Long time ago, but I miss her still.
ReplyDeleteInger,
DeleteI remember you writing about Angel years ago and how much you missed her. That was such a sweet story and I'm so glad you two found eachother.
Sorry, I didn't comment on your post. What to say, what to do? It would really hurt my heart if this happened to me. I would love to just take the dog, but you can't do that of course. Something must be wrong somewhere in the life of this dog. If nothing else he is not properly contained in a fenced yard. So I don't know what to say or for you to do.
ReplyDeleteInger,
DeleteYes you did comment. Sorry it took me a while to approve it. I agree, the dog can't be happy at home and I hate that. I wish they would just re-home him. I fear he could get run over on the highway.
Kind of a sad story for Mr German Shepard. Letting his owner know where he is is probably the only thing you can do!
ReplyDeleteTAW,
DeleteI do keep calling the Dad but until today, the dog has just kept showing up. Maybe something has finally been done. He was not here this AM.
Does the dog sometimes stay at your neighbour's house? Is that how he finds you?
ReplyDeleteIf Shep keeps coming to yours you could warn the neighbour that you will ask for official advice on how to keep him at his own home and let the neighbour know.
That is a kinda sad story. I know nothing about dogs but to be there rather than at home implies somethings not quite right there.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! That is really peculiar. Perhaps he just knows you're an animal lover and wonderful human being, Patti.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is he feels you need a dog for your health. Dogs sense things we do not.
ReplyDelete