The Tuckman Goes For a Late Night Walk-About!

Written by Annetta, our volunteer & foster mom.

You can never be cautious enough when it comes to your dogs. Some like freedom a little bit more than others, and it's easier than you think to lose sight of them. Our guest blogger Lindsey Sjouwerman shared some useful tips on how to prevent your dogs from running away.

Tucker is safe now! He is up for adoption!

On this note, we'd like to offer many, many thanks to Breanna Spence of Strandmore Circle in Brooklin for keeping TAGS dog Tucker safe and sound overnight when he decided to go for a late-night walk-about on his own last Monday night. His regular foster home is in Bowmanville, but he was staying with another TAGS volunteer in Brooklin for a week.

When the post went out that Tucker, a 3 1/2-year-old spring spaniel mix, was on the lam, TAGS volunteers converged in Brooklin and combed the neighbourhood. By 1 a.m., we realized he’d either made friends with someone out for a late evening stroll and was in their garage or home for the night, or he’d decided to bed down in one of the many deep brush/forested expanses in the area.

First thing Tuesday, volunteers were out again searching for him and putting up “lost dog” posters. There were still no sightings. Fortunately, there are many pet lovers in the neighbourhood, and since Tucker is microchipped, TAGS received a phone call in the early morning with the news that he was safe.

It turns out that he’d made friends with a neighbour at around 2:30 a.m. a few streets from where he'd started his adventure. The neighbour, Breanna Spence, realized he was a stray and wanted to keep him safe. She couldn’t bring him into her home, so this wonderful young woman slept in her car with Tucker until morning. Breanna then drove Tucker to the humane society, where he was identified through his microchip.

Not only was Tucker was kept safe, he also had the companionship of a caring, smart guardian. Way to go, Breanna! The Tuckman sends you lots of big kisses and high-fives, and TAGS sincerely thanks you for looking out for him!

Here is the link again for the blog post written by our guest blogger Lindsey Sjouwerman with some useful tips on preventing your dog from escaping.

Divorce and Your Dog: What Happens Next?

It is all too common: People fall in love, decide to take the next step and get a puppy—then it doesn’t work out between them. This scenario doesn’t apply just to divorce but to separations, other relationship breakups or a family member moving out. Your dog is emotionally attached to the life you all shared—he or she loves the family unit. The split can be devastating for the animal.

Currently, my dog is going through this—I’m moving out, and I have to leave him behind due to unforeseen circumstances. Realistically, I know he will be happier to stay in his current environment. There were a couple factors discussed before the final decision was made, all revolving around the questions below. Remember, each pet is unique and will suffer more or less than others might. 

   

Happy Dog. CC image courtesy of digital image fan on Flickr.

1.       Who would provide a better quality of life?

2.       What is the age of the dog?

3.       Who did the dog have a stronger relationship with?

4.       Who was the dog's primary caregiver?

5.       Who has adequate space?

6.       Which environment would mean for an easier transition?

These questions seem easy enough—but when emotions get involved, it is a different ball game. In our case, fortunately, we both agreed that even though my dog loves me to death, he loves my mom more. She has been there every day of his life for the past 11 years—he wasn’t going anywhere. We based our decision on the questions above, and after observing our dog's behaviour came to the conclusion that would suit him the best. His age contributed the most to the decision: he is not young enough to be able to adapt easily, and with my mom being home all day, he has company with her.

A recent trend in divorce that includes pets is negotiating shared custody of the dog. The bond between a dog and owners is strong and cannot be broken. Sharing custody of a dog may be confusing and difficult and cause conflict, but if it makes the dog happy and the owners happy, then it is worth a try. It may work for you.

Remember: pets, like us, get depressed and lonely when separated from their home or special person.

—Lindsey Sjouwerman, Marketing Coordinator at Speedpro Imaging Durham