The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

So we took Annie to the vet tonight and the vet has a plea:

Mowgli is a 12 year old cocker spaniel. Right now he has an ear infection, an eye infection and a growth on his face. He had an ear ablation a few years back and so is partially deaf. His "owner" brought him in to be put to sleep because they - you're gonna LOVE this - "don't have time for him anymore". The vet is treating him (at her own cost) and will remove the growth (which she does NOT think is cancer but will have tested). After that we need either a foster home or an adoptive home. Now we have known Mowgli since he was a little guy (his family lived nearby us ) and he is a sweet dog. He gets along with other dogs and he loves people.

Is there anyone in the area that can foster or adopt him? He will make a great pet - especially after he is feeling better and getting the treatment he deserves. Any suggestions also appreciated.

Vickie, this seems to be the trend in rescue lately. 1) giving up the older dog for their own selfishness, 2) giving up a dog that has been adopted from rescue stating not enough time. It has always been my opinion that my dogs ARE a part of my family and we schedule/arrange our lives around them. We make sure they are fed and played with if we are not home on time. We have visitors come play with them if we are going to be gone all day. I just don't get it but it saddens me.

Yes....that's what the vet said. You know, I do realize there are people that can no longer afford to take care of their pets. They end up making heartbreaking decisions based on that. When I think about how we agonized over making an "end plan" for my Coriander and then Maxine and there are people that do that as a matter of convenience it almost makes me ill. And to "dump" an older dog? I just don't get it - and it saddens me so.

Sadly, Deborah is right as dropping off the seniors (after they have given their best years to their owners) and suddenly saying after 10-12 years I don't have enough time is a big trend. The rescue, Cocker Spaniel Adoption Center, that I volunteer with is full of the senior sweeties. It breaks your heart. I can't understand how they can just dump a part of the family off like trash. I adore my little ones and my fosters.

The other trend is in a few months they will suddenly decide that they miss having a dog and want to get an adorable puppy

Bump....

Please....does anyone know of anyone willing to take on Mowgli once he's back on his paws? If you - or someone you know - can't adopt, would you be willing to foster? This is a senior that always lived with a family that is now too busy to be bothered with him. Before he is released, he will be shaved, his medical conditions (eye infection, ear infection, non-cancerous growth removed) treated and he needs a family. He doesn't understand why his got "too busy" for him.

Please?

If only I lived closer!

I left a PM re rescues in the area. Please contact me.

PM on it's way back

Any updates on this fellow?
It seems a shame for a senior after he's given his whole life for his family to dump him.
I sure hope he gets a wonderful forever home.

I'm working with a couple of rescues that "may" be able to do something. There is another rescue in the wings if the first two don't pan out. It's just awful though because he needs to be with a family - not going from foster to foster or hanging out in a cage at the vet's. As "safe" as that makes him, he is still a 12 year-old that doesn't know why his family stopped loving him. Maybe it's projection on my part, but I keep picture this pup replaying what he did and didn't do and wondering where the people he spent his whole life loving went. Personally if I could I'd drop kick the both of them so hard I wouldn't catch up till next Monday. It makes me so angry. I'm grateful my vet is taking care of him and giving him what he needs but what he needs most is someone to make him feel safe and cared for again.

I don't know how anyone can do that. My George is 10 years old and has given us love and laughter (and frustration!) for all that time. How could anyone just dump a dog after all that loyalty and time.

Did this old man find a foster? I sure hope so.

Sadly - no, Ronda. He still is getting his medical care updated so he wouldn't be ableto go anywhere just yet anyhow. We saw him yesterday when we went to the vet for Annie. He was there in a cage looking very lost and miserable. He perked up when he saw us a bit but you can tell he is feeling mightly low.

I do have rescues to follow-up with when he is okay to leave the vet's but I'm really hoping someone comes along with an offer to adopt or foster before then.

Oh, that is sad news. My heart just isn't quite ready for another cocker, besides he is a coast away. i sure hope he mends quickly and can get into foster if no one adopts him.
sometimes people don't understand older dogs. I know you do. My senior pups have so much energy. We took them camping over the weekend. What a hoot! But they are so much more calm and just seem to taking things in stride.
I will continue to keep him in my prayers as well as Annie.
Thanks for the update.

Vickie...sent you a PM. After much thought, I think I would like to bring him into my home and my life. This story pulls at me, he so needs a home and lots of love. I live very near you, so let's talk and maybe we can help this lonely fellow! In the meanwhile, his so-called "family" should have their backsides kicked!! How can anyone do this? I cry when mine have to be at the vet over-nite!!

Good for you, Floss! Love to you, Rosie and your new Mowgli!

Hoping for a Happy ending

Wonderful! Hoping for a happy update soon!

THANK YOU!

Thank you, Floss! I hope it all works out.

Thank you, Thank you. Jumping for joy.

Okay....I have PM'ed Floss with Mowgli information. I spoke to the vet and she found a heart murmur in addition to the issues we were aware of however she doesn't feel it is anything of great concern. She has been working to get a rather neglected pup up to the point where he can go to a new home.

I have been in touch with Floss and, if nothing goes wrong, it looks as if Mowgli is going to have a new home. Please keep the prayers going that all will work out and he will spend the last years of his life with someone that sees the beauty in who he is.

Have I said lately I love this forum?