Abuse and Neglect or Great Life?

[sassafras]

It is a bit reckless, but I don't think I'd label it as abuse. Honestly I'm torn about whether to truly call it neglect. It's one of those... completely different cultural norms of dog ownership than I belong to, I can see both faults and positives in it.

[Paige]

I don't think happy = it's okay. Lots of toddlers are happy stuffing their faces with batteries. Still not good for them.

[LauraLeigh]

Originally Posted by Paige

I don't think happy = it's okay. Lots of toddlers are happy stuffing their faces with batteries. Still not good for them.

Just to be clear I am not saying it's ok... I worry about him, but I do think he's better left this way than taken to a shelter, a hound mix at a shelter here is not as likely to have a good outcome

[Renee750il]

Personally, I think you're making the right call, LauraLeigh. Is it ideal? No.

[Paige]

Originally Posted by LauraLeigh

Just to be clear I am not saying it's ok... I worry about him, but I do think he's better left this way than taken to a shelter, a hound mix at a shelter here is not as likely to have a good outcome

Yeah I would probably do the same as you in that situation. Here I'd take the dog in no question because our shelters are not over run with dogs but sometimes you have to make a choice based on whats available to you in your area.

[LauraLeigh]

Our shelters aren't terribly full, but a hound is far, far less likely to get adopted

[Paige]

I don't think hounds are in high demand up here but you aren't going to really come across one at the pound either. We only really seem to have Shepard crosses, Pit Bulls, Rottis and Labs with the odd other breed tossed in.

[LauraLeigh]

When I have been in the local shelters I always notice that we have a fair amount of hounds, and assorted mid sized mixed breeds.. For instance this is my local shelter right now:

http://www.quintehumanesociety.com/a...ype=dog&page=1

[Paige]

Awwww! What a bunch of cuties.


Judgment calls some times have to be made. Hopefully he won't eat anything bad for him and will continue being a happy boy.

[Aleron]

Sounds like a typical country farm dog to me. I don't at all think he's neglected and certainly not abused. It may not be what we'd choose for our dogs and I'm not saying it isn't risky but different people see different things as risky.