tokipoke

I just got done grooming a dog that should never have been in the condition he was in. He is a mini poodle mix This is his third time in the shop; the first two visits he was fine. The owner brought him saying he got "so dirty" by playing in the mud. As soon as the dog was bathed, the shop was filled with an awful stench. Then during drying there was an even worse stale urine smell. What looked like mud stains were really dried up urine the dog's been laying in. The back legs and stomach were stained yellow and matted. The dog was bathed four times yet still smelled. He was so emaciated I could wrap one hand around his waist. He was nothing but hip bones and ribs. He had more than 60 fleas. You could tell he's been locked up and not fed for at least a week or more. I brushed him out and cleaned his face the best I could. As I was about to trim his eyes, he started peeing ALL over my table. Typically when you touch or grab the dog, they will stop peeing, but he kept going even though I was moving him and propping him upright. Dogs will also at least hold their pee till they get off the table unless frightened. Poor thing's been so used to peeing on himself that he had no qualms of when and where he went. We gave the grooming for free so that they could buy the dog some food. What makes me mad is that it's not that they can't afford it, the food is sitting at the house but whoever is supposed to feed the dog forgets or gets lazy. I don't understand this as the spouse does not work and she gets money specifically to buy dog food. Luckily the family will try to re-home this dog but somehow I feel like he'll be dead before that happens. He's kept locked up in a birdcage. Even if you have the resources (cause they bought this dog and spent $$ on shots and grooming), please do NOT get an animal if you do NOT have the time for it.

Carley's Mom

Can't you call someone that will take the dog away from these people. I am not above stealing a dog, yes I have done it. I can't stand hearing about this. DO SOMETHING FOR THIS DOG. There has to be someone to contact in your city. Keep us posted.

tokipoke

The owners have been informed of the dog's condition. He was not in bad shape before so not sure what's going on with the family. Besides the dog needing TLC, he really just needs to be fed. I'll give them a chance to get their act together, if not, then I'll suggest surrendering the dog to rescue or even take the dog myself to re-home. It seems like animals always suffer around the holidays.

Carley's Mom

I get too emotional, I could never be a groomer ect. I am thankful for those of you that can do it. Please continue to check on this dog. I will be losing sleep over it.

Rowan

You're in Texas, right? It's a good thing I'm in northern VA because I'd be at their house with Carley's Mom demanding they sign this dog over to us ASAP. Would Poodle Rescue of Houston intervene?

He's kept locked up in a birdcage? Am I reading this right? W..T..F..O? UNACCEPTABLE!!! They forget to feed him? Do they forget to feed themselves!??! UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!!

I rescued a senior poodle OFF THE STREETS of rural Ohio and he wasn't in this bad a condition. I don't care about their excuses. I don't want to hear them. So what if they're going through a rough time. This is a living, breathing creature that relies upon them for its care. Would they lock their child in a cage and let it eliminate on itself just because times were hard? Would they forget to feed said child?? I don't think so, or I would hope not. A dog is not a lesser being.

I wouldn't be able to let this go. In fact, I can't let this go. Please keep us informed and please tell me you plan to contact the local humane authorities before it's too late for this little guy. Telling the owners, who don't give a $hit, that you don't agree with his condition isn't going to do any good. I'm sorry, but that's an empty threat unless you back that up with a cruelty report. This is not unlike a child coming into the ER with a broken arm or malnourished and dirty. These things should be reported. This dog can't speak for himself. Someone needs to speak on his behalf.

This is cruelty.

Please forgive my outburst, but I will not tolerate animal cruelty.

plumcrazy

My daughter is also a groomer and shares horror stories with me occasionally too. The shop owner and her employees have a decent relationship with the animal control warden in the city. Katy has told me that they have called Calvin on more than one occasion when they've had severely neglected/starved dogs come into the shop - it shocks me that the owners even BRING the dogs in because they're in such obviously bad shape... do they think the groomers won't notice?? Do they think the groomers bathe the dogs without touching their bony frames to notice the lack of groceries??

These poor animals have no choice who owns them - some of them hit the jackpot (like all of OUR fur-kids!!) and others go bust with owners who don't care for them as they deserve - heck they don't even give them MINIMUM care, much less what they actually DESERVE to have!!

If you hear anything further about this little guy's story let us know... heartbreaking...

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There is no rule requiring that you attend every argument to which you're invited...

liljaker

I agree, I think you HAVE to do something.

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truelovepoodles

Ditto

cookieface

That poor, poor puppy. He must be so scared and in such pain. My heart breaks a little every time I hear things like this. I hope he finds himself in a much better situation very soon. Please let us know.

Just for comparison, Katie has her first grooming appointment yesterday. The groomer noticed some ulcerations on her lips and palate. We went directly from the groomer to the vet to make an appointment.

Ladyscarletthawk

Texas doesnt play with animal cruelty. Unfortunately if she does report it and word gets out then other poor babies that need to be released from their hairy chains wont come to her for fear of being turned in. HOWEVER if she calls the animal control and knows the person's address she can make an anonymous call and say she was walking by or was a friend of a neighbor visiting that saw the emmaciated animal in the yard or someone(that lived there) from the home arriving to the house with said bag of bones. Someone will come and check the animal out and either confiscate it or give them a certain amount of time to fix the problem. It will be on record as well. Or call animal cops houston lol.

As groomers we cant turn them in for having a heavily matted animal, flea infested, etc because they are rectifying the problem by having them groomed. Unless of course they leave with said animal without having it groomed.... I love Texas.

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Laura, Eve, and Fergie