Hey guys. I've been walking this lady's dog who basically has a serious illness and can't walk. But the problem is, as I get to find out the backstory behind all of this, I'm really not happy.

This woman has had this dog for 5 years and he's never been walked. She says she's spent money on dog walkers, yet he was horrified the first time he left the house. He's still terrified of everything and everyone five weeks later (but getting better).

He does all of his pees and poops in the house because she just can't let him out. She's in sheltered housing so she can't let him out in the garden as the neighbours complain.

He lives in almost perpetual darkness in the house and she uses really cheap and incredibly foul air sprays to keep the smell of pee and poo down (which give me a massive headache).

So the poor and gorgeous dog seems so unhappy. Well he doesn't know he's unhappy, but what will happen if he's sick (he's never been vaccinated and she's resisting getting it done as she doesn't want to spend the money). She feeds him utter crap (money again).

It all comes down to the fact that she doesn't want to spend money (even on carers) so she can basically spend all her DLA and benefits that are supposed to make her life better - on QVC jewellery.

The poor dog would be so much better with another family who can walk him and take him to the vets, etc (he's a breed that WILL need vet care really soon).

What do you all think? I need some advice as it's all quite upsetting.

Ask her if she wants the dog. maybe she will be willing to let the poor thing go.
If not then you have to report her. RSPCA might be interested in this one as a prosecution could be likely ( that is a little joke sort of)

Maybe just walk off with him and take him to a rescue if all fails
.. seems strange she has now got a walker though.. I see a dog walker here who just walks a dog with her phone to her face and no interaction with the dog. maybe one like that?

Also I would go to the warden of her place or aged UK and let them know her circumstances and she needs help as well

I really don't think she thinks anything is wrong (but she's also got a cat in a cage (NOT A JOKE).

He's not getting the love or attention he needs. She's talking about getting another dog to keep the first one company.

Contact the local dog warden and have a chat and see what they think or contact the RSPCA. Dog wardens can be very helpful in my experience. A cat shouldn't be in a cage. The housing association would surely not be happy at their property being treated like this. If it's that bad you would think the neighbours would be smelling it? Perhaps a word to the relevant person there? What sort of dog is it?
Where would she get a 2nd dog from? Something really needs to be done before she does get one. So sad.

What an awful situation for you.
In my experience the RSPCA won't be interested in the dog so long as it is fed and watered. They might act on the cat though. Can't believe anyone would keep a cat in a cage!
Is the housing association even aware she has a dog? Mostly it's not allowed though they sometimes let someone keep a pet when they move in on condition they don't cause a nuisance - but no replacements/new pets allowed.
If it is toiletting in the property I think the housing association would be interested.

You could offer to adopt the dog I suppose if only to get it out the house.
Whoever you report it to, it would be better if the owner doesn't know it was you - at least initially.
Because if no action is taken, but you are 'fired', what will happen to the poor dog then?

If the lady has a serious illness and is elderly maybe she can't look after her pets as well as she should so she has done the right thing in asking for help from you to walk the dog. It is cruel if the dog is a nervous wreck outside and for her to keep the cat in a cage as it goes against all their natural instincts.

I would talk to her and ask if she finds it difficult with her illness to look after the pets. Also she may be nervous about her neighbours complaining if she lets the dog out and it barks or makes a mess. It could be the opening she needs to admit that she cannot care for the animals and they would be better off in another home. Possibly give them to a rehoming centre.

I would tread gently though or you may risk her telling you that she does not need you to walk the dog in future then you would not be in a position to help.

You are a lovely, caring person, good luck.

She'd never give him up. She dotes over him. But the other day she said to my friend ('cos we are VERY suspicious about how he's treated): "I never beat him"

And that was completely unprompted. And then she said. "You can tell I don't hurt him because he loves me!".

I can't say either way but just took him out and he was desperate for a pee. I mean he's like my dogs if they don't go out after a long walk for five or six hours and have had a huge drink so he's not been out today (or even since last night when I took him at 5:30).


It's ALL totally bizarre to me!!!


She's already made it very clear she can "cope" and is intent on getting another dog ASAP. I feel terrible saying anything but she think it's OK for him to hold on all day long with no way to get vet care or poops, etc...


I should say I offered to help. I've seen the poor boy standing for his ONE pee a day at 6:00pm for the better part of two years and in the end - I went and spoke to the carers. So now I walk him every day and he IS getting better and starting to enjoy the walks (I think he actually didn't entirely hate tonight's half hour).


Crikey. He'd go back to pooping in the house (he did it OUTSIDE today - YAY).

I just wish she'd realise she cannot possibly cope. She refuses to get him vaccinated but she spent £200 this week on bracelets from QVC...

I know you don't want to but you really need to contact the local dog warden... our local one is really good

You are right. You really are. He'd make someone a wonderful dog - he's so loving...

How big is the dog? Is it a small breed or a larger breed?

It's a little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Should it make a difference?

If rescue space is needed its useful to know what breed and size of dog as there are breed specific ones.

I could fix him up with about ten great families today. He'd have a lovely life (once he came around).

It's walkies time now so I'll go and see how he is tonight...

Try a Cavalier rescue.

I have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and they are lovely, gentle little dogs but as they get older they can develop heart problems so they do need regular exercise, as of course do all dogs.

If this lady takes in another dog she is going to double the problem and the stench of urine and poo will be horrendous. The neighbours will have something to complain about then when they have to evacuate their properties. If she truly loved the dog and cat, she would make sure their needs were catered for. From what you say the dog is unhappy and at 5 years old it should be quite energetic and playful.

This lady is being totally selfish. I would definitely speak to the Dog Warden and see if a compromise could be reached on the understanding that she cannot cope with her illness and looking after the pets.

yes when it gets to that stage but we are not there yet.

I would definitely contact the dog warden and see if they can aid this woman or get her to see it['s not right and clearly too much for her

If you contact the warden and the dog is removed, surely there is a chance it might be taken to a pound and then destroyed? Would you be willing to pick the dog up from the pound and keep it till you could either rehome it or find a charity (e.g. Adopt an Oldie) which would? Otherwise, perhaps for the dogs sake, it would be better to continue to take the dog out with your own dogs, and meantime tactfully offer to help the lady find someone to take care of her and the home?

I'd suggest caution, when you say dog poops indoors is this just anywhere or on a pad etc, we pad trained little Betty because it's not always possible when I am here alone to get her out doors, it's rare but Elsie lab will occasionally use the pads too. Easy instant clean up and window open gets rid of smell.

Not everyone has ideal lives but their dogs can still be happy and I would be upset if anyone I asked for help was talking like this about mine. Obviously a garden or walk is best but dogs are fairly adaptable and will still be happy as long as they have their family around them.

If it's not pad trained that may be a way to let this lady keep her dog. With so many in rescue I fear it would be killed if removed, it will suffer loss if taken from her which is damaging too.

She can't walk it, though. This is every day it's happening and this poor boy is getting all messed up. The house reeked tonight - worst ever and she slings disinfectant around and it can't be good for him (or her).

There's a difference between having a dog and trying and... this!

Fair enough I just thought perhaps if you could suggest pad training it might help. Walking can be done by yourself or anyone else if the problem indoors is sorted out.

and the fact that she keeps a cat in a cage? Is obviously an indication that this woman cannot look after these animals and needs some intervention

j

Cat in cage sounds odd, size of cage and reason behind it I'd need to know before commenting, tbh I was just addressing the dog problem.

But we can't address the problem or help this woman but the dog warden can, the removal of animals is not the only option but someone should be monitoring the situation not just for the animals but it may well be an indicator of the ladies physical and mental health too

OP please report this to someone! A cat kept in a cage is hugely cruel ; if it was recovering from injury or an op that might be one thing but you have said she doesn't spend money on her pets so i'm guessing the cat is in there as it's convenient for her. As for the dog, your concerns are justified and need to be further investigated. Whether she realises it or not she is being cruel to her animals and it is not right that they continue to suffer. She may need help herself, but at least she can speak out and has freedom to do as she likes. The cat and dog cannot tell anyone what is happening and have to rely on good hearted people like yourself to speak up for them. Please don't put it off, comments such as "I don't beat him" are extremely worrying. Best of luck