Discussions

I have a reputation for being a real sucker for animals.  
 
Hot as H in Clear Lake on Sunday. There is a beautiful black lab running and darting through the streets around Manigaming and the Loon-dro-mat, obviously disoriented, thirsty and wet from a swim. I waited on the street to see if someone was around with him.  
 
People are staring like crazy at this dog, but nobody does a thing. I follow him through lanes and yards, trying to get him to come to me.  
 
So I lured him into my car (all wet, slobbery, panting and hairy) and after getting a feel that he is a friendly lovable sort as well as well fed and in great shape. He has a choke chain on, but no tags. Exasperating.  
 
I went to the Park Admin building (Sunday afternoon) - CLOSED. I went to the RCMP (only out of desperation - like they need a lost dog) - cars there - nobody home. I could not take him back to my place because of my own pets and I just thought the owners would be frantic, plus I had to get back to Brandon.  
 
I ended up finally asking the Park people at the Interpretive Centre (Museum) and they kept him there until someone may claim him.  
 
My Beefs?  
 
* A simple fabric collar with some info (name - number) with a permanent Sharpie marker would have prevented this.  
 
* Why do people just ignore an obviously poor, distressed lost dog?  
 
* At a lake (where dogs often go astray) how does one know what to do with the poor thing on a Sunday? He could have been hit, gone into the bush and been long gone.  
 
Anyway, me and my new best friend Bud drove around for 3/4 hour got some gas, stopped at a store (I bought him a rawhide treat), gave him some much needed water and had a short bonding time.  
 
I am planning on calling the interpretive centre tomorrow to make sure he was claimed, as he was a beautiful dog with a great personality.  
 
I swear (my family will attest to this) it's about the 5th dog I have tried to capture for their own sake in about 6 years!  
 
I just wish people would be more careful about making sure these defenseless animals are traceable to an owner with the simple name and number on the inside of a collar or a tag.  
 
Sorry, just had to vent.  
 
I'm so hoping he was chipped with a microchip so that he may soon relax once again with his family.