Tell me about starvation in dogs

[ChristmasTree]

ok, i think i have had enough and am reporting my neighbours tomorrow.

i will tell you how the dog looks and you can tell me what you think. the dog is about 2 or 3 months old and does not appear to have any fat on her body. you can't clearly see sunkeness (sp) in all her ribs yet, but when you look at her from the top the back part of her behind her ribs dips inward as it meets her haunches.

does a dog have to have ribs showing in order for the animal rescue to come out? when she arrived she was so fat and had a big belly like most baby dogs do. she was too cute, but she lost that belly, and her fat, and it has only been a matter of a few weeks.

[Crabbie]

I know nothing about dogs but it sounds like she isn't getting enough to eat . . what type of dog is she, can you google to see what type of growth pattern that breed has?

[Babyblue]

the tupe of dog she is may be a huge factr in what she should look like, what is she?

[Braydensmom]

The fat belly may have been worms as well.

[ChristmasTree]

the tupe of dog she is may be a huge factr in what she should look like, what is she?


a mutt, but i know for a fact they don't feed her enough. they come over asking me for dog food and in their back yard they have no water or food bowl for her. the son of house takes her out sometimes and may set her down in front of some water in the front yard and some food, but if she doesn't eat he puts her back up with no food and water. i can take a pic of her tomorrow. she used to get out and come over to my house and eat, but then she would shit a crapload in my floor, so i think she has worms too maybe. none of them have jobs and can't provide for themselves, let alone and innocent dog. they steal things from my own back yard. the kid climbs over my fence. the whole situation is just terrible and how i am treated by him (the child) is even worse than you can imagine and he is only 10.

i am also going to break down and file a CPS report on them as well. i was so afraid of the backlash...i was afraid they would hurt my dogs while we were gone or something. and my two dogs are very much my babies and i would just curl up and die if something happened to them. they are just like my kids!

[ChristmasTree]

The fat belly may have been worms as well.

to me it looked like full on mama milk, but i could be wrong. she just gets thinner every time i turn around. i have been watching her and i see no improvement at all.

[dramamine]

Some dogs are naturally skinny. My mom has a blue tick/chow/golden lab mutt and he looks starved but eats more than the pure breed pitbull and the pitbull/rotweiler/black lab mutt.

Do you know what breed it is??

[ChristmasTree]

but that is the thing. i know they don't feed her enough because i watch them.

[ChristmasTree]

ok, i got pics. let me upload them k? i just went out there and took them over their fence. i stood on a stool lol.

[ChristmasTree]

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/sweetsmile247/104_0378.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/sweetsmile247/104_0374.jpg

[ChristmasTree]

and that is the pan i squeezed thru for her to pour water in to give her a drink.

[Babyhellfire]

I dunno. It s really hard to tell from that pic, she may just be going through her overactive puppy stage- they require a lot of food for that , My dog was skinny for a long time after the fat puppy stage until she was almost an adult dog even. (and we always had a food bowl constantly out).

Really, I don't know enough about this situation with what you've posted to have any input either way(about CPS or animal control)
...and as much as the pic of the dog helps us to give you our opinion , it sort of seems like a bit of an invasion to sneak over someones fence and take a picture of the dog and post on the internet kwim?

[ChristmasTree]

i peeked over their fence, and after all they do it to me constantly and are in my back yard stealing things. i am here to do something good and don't want to do the wrong thing, that is why i have asked for opinions. if i was here for any other reason, yes, i think it would be wrong. they have invaded every part of my yard, and home, and personal space.

if i knew that there was food and water for the dog out all the time, then i would have no problem with it, but would keep an eye on the dog.

[HammBugga]

Dogs aren't supposed to have a food bowl all day and night. They are supposed to be fed once or twice a day. However, if you do call the ASPCA then they can investigate and come to their own conclusion.

[ChristmasTree]

Dogs aren't supposed to have a food bowl all day and night. They are supposed to be fed once or twice a day. However, if you do call the ASPCA then they can investigate and come to their own conclusion.

water? she never has water either.

[ColleenF30]

If you are seriously concerned please call. The worst they can say is the dog is ok.

[ChristmasTree]

yes, and i have put this off really as long as i could. she just get skinnier and skinnier. i just don't want the lovely (sarcasm) neighbours to retaliate.

[pawprint]

I say trust your gut. If you think something is awry is probably is.

[Justicedog]

Dogs shouldn't have food left out for them, 1-3 meals a day is what they're supposed to have. Water is another story though and should be almost always available.

There are dog breeds that are naturally skinny. I can't tell from the picture.

Call animal control. They can investigate.

You said you were concerned about your dogs - retaliation. How would they have access to your dogs?

[ChristmasTree]

I say trust your gut. If you think something is awry is probably is.

yes, and that is what i plan to tell them tomorrow. i am a mama and i know these things ya know? i just hope they will take me seriously.

[ChristmasTree]

Dogs shouldn't have food left out for them, 1-3 meals a day is what they're supposed to have. Water is another story though and should be almost always available.

There are dog breeds that are naturally skinny. I can't tell from the picture.

Call animal control. They can investigate.

You said you were concerned about your dogs - retaliation. How would they have access to your dogs?

climb over my fence like they always do steal stuff. they could easily put out some poison from them. my dogs are in and out all day.

the little boy has bad mental problems (which is why i am getting ready to call CPS as well) and does the mother and the boyfriend is an an alcoholic. the little boy is incredibly mean (and has been on occasion to his dog when he is manic as well.)

i don't put anything past especially that little boy.

[Justicedog]

I wouldn't allow my dog out in my yard alone/unsupervised. It'd be an incredible pain in the rear though.

My dog doesn't go outside without someone being home. I think if there was an added secuirty threat, I'd go out with her, perhaps wander the yard checking for safety threats.

[ChristmasTree]

I wouldn't allow my dog out in my yard alone/unsupervised. It'd be an incredible pain in the rear though.


yeah, if it comes to that, that is how it will have to be. Two hyper labs...yeah, this will be fun ;) i have been thinking about putting them in doggy daycare for a day a week anyway. maybe this is a good opportunity! :)

[ColleenF30]

yeah, if it comes to that, that is how it will have to be. Two hyper labs...yeah, this will be fun ;) i have been thinking about putting them in doggy daycare for a day a week anyway. maybe this is a good opportunity! :)

Might be a good time for that....LOL do they like doggy daycare? I know if it was an animal around here I would be calling.

[ChristmasTree]

Might be a good time for that....LOL do they like doggy daycare? I know if it was an animal around here I would be calling.

They have never been. i suppose i am a bit on dog attachment parenting as well. i have never trusted anyone with them for them to be out of my sight. i suppose because they were both adopted labs that come from a very hard past that i am just now feeling more comfortable with the idea of leaving them with someone else. huge dogs are not portable. we have not been on vacation in 2.5 years + my older lab has some behaviour/psychological problems and has severe separation anxiety when not in his own environment. so i think that starting doggy daycare can condition him some. my littlest lab doesn't have behaviour problems, but he has his own issues.

i hope they don't kick my older one out of daycare! we shall see. my fam is bugging me to go up north for a visit, but i have to be able to leave the boys somewhere. like i said, labs are not too portable, especially when they are my two (not too normal in the head LOL)

[MommytoLuke]

That's a tough call. I have neighbors who think we starve our dog, in fact I am quite pissed off right now because they keep throwing bones over the fence to our dogs. We have two labs also. They do not get human food.

My Chocolate lab is 8 1/2 and has severe arthritis from a knee surgery he had three years agao. So, even though we feed him twice as much as our two year old Black lab, his body just burns it off. So, our old man who used to be a chubby boy (110lbs), is now skeletal (maybe 75lbs.). We have taken him to the vet numerous times for tests, but the vet said he just needs the extra food and to give him supplements for the arthitis and pain.

My point is, the dog could very well be okay, but like previous posters have said, you could always call the ASPCA and alert them.

Good luck!

[Suzzzz]

Get ready to have some pissed off neighbors. That dog looks ok from the pictures you posted. You've diagnosed the kid with mental problems, and that is why you are calling CPS?

Just saying I'd think really long and hard about this before I called.

[ChristmasTree]

he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder as well as his mom. so, i have not made it up. i didn't really feel like telling all the business that goes on around here, but for one, despite his mental problems he steals from the all of us around here, his mom sends to him to all the neighbours asking for food ( when she told me she gets 400.00 a month in food stamps but sells them) they ask me and all the rest of the neighbours for washing powder, dishwashing detergent, toilet paper, soap, and anything that they don't want to walk to the store to get. they ask for rides from all the neighbours as well.

the little boy is out of school more than he is in school. he goes to school for one day and gets kicked out for a week, then goes back for one day, gets kicked out for a week. he has repeated the 3rd grade twice because of his missed days, and will be repeating again. the mother yells at the kids to the top of her lungs every day. hits her son with a broom in his face and asks me for soda, snacks, juice, candy all the time. asks me to go get her some hot chips from the store. the little boy steals household supplies from my back yard if i leave them out there.

the grandma is fed up with his behaviour and if she finds out what has been going on and how he has been acting and disrespecting me...she will most likely kick them out. initially he was not allowed to move in here because of his behaviours. i get called chicken head, boojie, no good, who do you think you are, you ain't nothing, get away from my dog (when his dog comes in my yard when i walk out side) he cusses me out. he talks about me behind my back constantly and has turned all the neighbour kids against me as well. he tells them not to talk to me or he wont be their friend. (all the kids used to come over and ask me to help them or read a story to them, and whatnot) and those are just some of the things... so, there ya go. and they have had CPS called on them a number of times, and NOT by me. and by whom i don't know.

[Maret00]

I would report them. Try to keep your dogs inside when you are away.

[ChristmasTree]

i called animal control (or whatever it is called) this morning. so, i don't know if they have come out or not. not sure. i fee scared, but better that i did. i haven't slept well for a while being worried about that dog.

[StillSingingMom]

Many people overfeed their dogs. You should be able to feel ribs on most dogs. You should also be able to see thinning behind the ribcage on most dogs. This is normal... Also, it is an excellent idea to offer food several times a day to a puppy rather than free-feeding. For one thing, you can then monitor the puppy's appetite. This is a key indicator of health.

For another, you can use feeding time to reinforce some key training ideas, such as the humans are the alphas. Dogs should behave in order to get food, and so on. It's good for the dog. If the dog is hungry, he'll eat at mealtimes.

Dogs should have access to water at all times, however. And I suspect that if the family is so low on cash that they don't have soap, then they may not have access to wormers and vaccines either. Bad situation. But is it abuse? I dunno.

[Suzzzz]

he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder as well as his mom. so, i have not made it up. i didn't really feel like telling all the business that goes on around here, but for one, despite his mental problems he steals from the all of us around here, his mom sends to him to all the neighbours asking for food ( when she told me she gets 400.00 a month in food stamps but sells them) they ask me and all the rest of the neighbours for washing powder, dishwashing detergent, toilet paper, soap, and anything that they don't want to walk to the store to get. they ask for rides from all the neighbours as well.

the little boy is out of school more than he is in school. he goes to school for one day and gets kicked out for a week, then goes back for one day, gets kicked out for a week. he has repeated the 3rd grade twice because of his missed days, and will be repeating again. the mother yells at the kids to the top of her lungs every day. hits her son with a broom in his face and asks me for soda, snacks, juice, candy all the time. asks me to go get her some hot chips from the store. the little boy steals household supplies from my back yard if i leave them out there.

the grandma is fed up with his behaviour and if she finds out what has been going on and how he has been acting and disrespecting me...she will most likely kick them out. initially he was not allowed to move in here because of his behaviours. i get called chicken head, boojie, no good, who do you think you are, you ain't nothing, get away from my dog (when his dog comes in my yard when i walk out side) he cusses me out. he talks about me behind my back constantly and has turned all the neighbour kids against me as well. he tells them not to talk to me or he wont be their friend. (all the kids used to come over and ask me to help them or read a story to them, and whatnot) and those are just some of the things... so, there ya go. and they have had CPS called on them a number of times, and NOT by me. and by whom i don't know.

so what in here is CPS worthy? Bipolar (No), stealing (seems like a job for the police). They borrow stuff (No), ask for rides (No) school (Not your business). Mother yelling (maybe). Hits her son with a broom (if you've seen it). Asking for soda and candy (No). Calling you chicken head and boogie (No). Turning the neighborhood kids against you and talking behind your back (hardly, you sound like a big baby).

So, I would say if you are going to call the only thing you should mention is the broom hitting and that's only if you've witnessed it. I'm not saying they sound like a model family, but good gracious you can't call for those mostly stupid reasons. They've been called on before and I guess nothing has changed so are the kids in danger or are you just sad cause he calls you names?

[ChristmasTree]

there are many more problems, and yes i have witnessed her hitting him in the face several times.

it has nothing to do with him calling me names. it has to do with them getting help. there are many more family problems. the boyfriend is also an alcoholic and verbally abuses the kids as well as the mother. i know what to tell them, and no, it wont be for the stupid reasons. it is very hard to explain everything on here.

[ChristmasTree]

and the fact that they never seem to have food and the kids are asking me for food. that isn't right. they get food stamps and should get food for the kids with them. there are just too many things going on and i don't have time to just explain them all here or my reasoning.

[ChristmasTree]

Many people overfeed their dogs. You should be able to feel ribs on most dogs. You should also be able to see thinning behind the ribcage on most dogs. This is normal... Also, it is an excellent idea to offer food several times a day to a puppy rather than free-feeding. For one thing, you can then monitor the puppy's appetite. This is a key indicator of health.

For another, you can use feeding time to reinforce some key training ideas, such as the humans are the alphas. Dogs should behave in order to get food, and so on. It's good for the dog. If the dog is hungry, he'll eat at mealtimes.

Dogs should have access to water at all times, however. And I suspect that if the family is so low on cash that they don't have soap, then they may not have access to wormers and vaccines either. Bad situation. But is it abuse? I dunno.

that is the whole point. they don't have money to take care of the dog and don't have food most of the time. she cries on those night she is hungry. she does not cry on the nights she has food. if i give her food she stops crying and is ok. i just can't get over the fence to give her water. but it is not my responsibility. i have two of my own to feed who eat quite a bit of dog food LOL

you would just have to see the progression of things around here, they are not so good. especially with the dog. it is not getting any better, it is getting worse and she doesn't deserve a short life.

i take these things very seriously. i have had these neighbours for quite a while now and i have seen abusive behaviour for quite some time. i have been hesitant to call on them for either child abuse or dog abuse. i am not out to get ppl and i have never called CPS or Animal Control in my LIFE. i just don't want ppl judging me. it is very hard if someone else is not in the situation.

please, don't judge me you all. i have to do what is best. no matter if want to do it or not.

[Still_Tbog]

that is the whole point. they don't have money to take care of the dog and don't have food most of the time. she cries on those night she is hungry. she does not cry on the nights she has food. if i give her food she stops crying and is ok. i just can't get over the fence to give her water. but it is not my responsibility. i have two of my own to feed who eat quite a bit of dog food LOL

you would just have to see the progression of things around here, they are not so good. especially with the dog. it is not getting any better, it is getting worse and she doesn't deserve a short life.

i take these things very seriously. i have had these neighbours for quite a while now and i have seen abusive behaviour for quite some time. i have been hesitant to call on them for either child abuse or dog abuse. i am not out to get ppl and i have never called CPS or Animal Control in my LIFE. i just don't want ppl judging me. it is very hard if someone else is not in the situation.

please, don't judge me you all. i have to do what is best. no matter if want to do it or not.

I dont see anyone judging you. I actually see them calling you on the fact that you are judging the neighbor. If you dont want to explain it all here, then dont ask a question that you cant supply all the info for.

[ChristmasTree]

and i was trying to also point out that he has mental problems that he needs help for, that is why i mentioned, the behaviour, stealing, school, etc. He needs help, and i want him to get it. he needs to see a doctor, a psychiatrist. i am trying to help HIM. this is not about me whatsoever. i got me. If he doesn't get some early intervention he is destined for a very hard life. He is a very angry child. He can be very sweet, so i know it is in him, he just needs some help. and if calling CPS is what i have to do to help him, then so be it.

so, please don't judge me. i should not have even started this thread. sorry.

[ChristmasTree]

I dont see anyone judging you. I actually see them calling you on the fact that you are judging the neighbor. If you dont want to explain it all here, then dont ask a question that you cant supply all the info for.

i was asking about the dog, not the child. it just morphed into it. i touched on it in another thread so some posters know about it.

but i think we will just not talk about it anymore. k? thanks.

[Suzzzz]

I once called CPS for good reason and it was a frickin waste of time, that is why I am hesitant to ever call again. I probably never would. What I would do is call the police immediately when I saw some violence going on.

[Justicedog]

Failure to provide proper medical care to a dog (worming, vaccines, etc.) is neglect and shouldn't be tolerated. Just because someone is "poor" doesn't mean that relieves them of their responsibility when they take on a pet.

If she's selling her food stamps, then that's welfare fraud, I'm sure there's a hotline to report it somewhere. I think though, that food stamps, which is now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is not necessarily designed to be the sole food provider, but a supplement so that poor can eat healthier. In reality, I think that it's difficult, if not impossible to feed a family soley on food stamps. (I could be wrong and just thinking of WIC). Food stamps won't pay for pet food.

[ChristmasTree]

Failure to provide proper medical care to a dog (worming, vaccines, etc.) is neglect and shouldn't be tolerated. Just because someone is "poor" doesn't mean that relieves them of their responsibility when they take on a pet.

If she's selling her food stamps, then that's welfare fraud, I'm sure there's a hotline to report it somewhere. I think though, that food stamps, which is now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is not necessarily designed to be the sole food provider, but a supplement so that poor can eat healthier. In reality, I think that it's difficult, if not impossible to feed a family soley on food stamps. (I could be wrong and just thinking of WIC). Food stamps won't pay for pet food.

400.00 a month to feed a family of 3...plus i know the boyfriend most likely gets them as well. WIC is just a supplemental program. that is more than enough really. IMHO tho...

and no you can't get dog food with it.

they have yet to take the dog to the vet and say they don't have the money for it.

oh, i am sure the little boy is mad at me again, not sure if the animal pound came out today or not, it is too dark to see if the dog is over there, i just got home.

but i found a paper towel full of dog shit on my porch (which means he climbed the fence again) but really, i shouldn't expect anything different at this point.

[Justicedog]

Let the games begin.

I don't know if I wouldn't call the police when I find dog shit on my porch.

[ChristmasTree]

Let the games begin.

I don't know if I wouldn't call the police when I find dog shit on my porch.

you don't know if you would call the cops or you would not call the cops? sorry, just want to be clear here. ;)

i have just thought about making a report for trespassing, stealing, possibly defamation, i don't know what all you can file a report for, but what is a report going to do? will they get a citation?

well, i have got my labs in check. they are either with me or in the house so i think we are straight on that at least. it is hot anyway, they don't need to be outside without me really.

[Justicedog]

I'm not sure, but, if it's a repeat thing - dog poop on my porch, stuff stolen, etc. I think I'd call the cops. AFAIK, there's no criminal action for defamation. Trespassing, theft, vandalism, destruction of property are all crimes.

Likely what would happen is police would come out, talk to you, talk to them. Depending on kids' history with juvenile system, it'd likely stop with the police "talking/scaring" the kid from his childish pranks. Sometimes, that's what it takes. If criminal activity continues, then more police reports and they'd likely up the ante. Depends on how your juvenile system is.

[Tweet]

yeah, if it comes to that, that is how it will have to be. Two hyper labs...yeah, this will be fun ;) i have been thinking about putting them in doggy daycare for a day a week anyway. maybe this is a good opportunity! :)


Good idea. I'd also put them in the house while gone on errands or even take them with,when possible. My lab loves going in the car. lol

[ChristmasTree]

Good idea. I'd also put them in the house while gone on errands or even take them with,when possible. My lab loves going in the car. lol

yeah, they are inside dogs most of the time anyway. and i take them with me whenever i can. they think the van is their second home! haha

They are big sissy boys LOL LOL they want to be with me anywhere i go. i made the mistake of taking them on a freecycle run and it was too hot, we had to walk to find the house it was hidden. boy, that was not a good idea. i had to put my older Lab, Drake in a cold bath when we got home! he can't tolerate heat at all. i just did not know that i would have to walk so far! :)

[vulturemom]

I think it is hard to tell because different breed carry weight so different.

[SerialMom]

http://placervillevet.com/canine%20body%20condition.htm

Honestly, the dog looked OK to me. I might have advised you against calling animal control had I seen this thread sooner. I just went to court last week to get a restraining order on somebody that I called animal control on a year ago. No good deed goes unpunished, esp when some folks are just batshit crazy.

[HammBugga]

I think you should seriously consider moving. You have posted before about your neighbors and neighborhood and honestly, I wouldn't feel comfortable living there. There is nothing worse then not feeling safe in your own home.

[ChristmasTree]

http://placervillevet.com/canine%20body%20condition.htm

Honestly, the dog looked OK to me. I might have advised you against calling animal control had I seen this thread sooner. I just went to court last week to get a restraining order on somebody that I called animal control on a year ago. No good deed goes unpunished, esp when some folks are just batshit crazy.

that was funny. i mean, not funny, but...well, it made me laugh. :)

[ChristmasTree]

I think you should seriously consider moving. You have posted before about your neighbors and neighborhood and honestly, I wouldn't feel comfortable living there. There is nothing worse then not feeling safe in your own home.

yes, i know i know we need to move, but i don't and can't go into an apartment with the dogs. i have an eye on some land and i want to buy it, pay it off and then build. i have some family that will build the house for me for free as long as i buy the material. i have it all planned out, it just doesn't happen overnight. that is the rough part.

[Amy_G_]

I've lived in an apartment with big dogs. It's not horrible as long as you take them out a lot so they don't go nuts. Not ideal, but maybe a better choice than a bad neighborhood.

The dog did not look dangerously underweight. They may have water for the dog elsewhere that you can't see. If they have water for the dog on the other side of their property, you would never know. Feeding the dog on a schedule is perfectly normal. Meh on the vaccinations and vet visit--I think a LOT of it is pure hooey. Overvaccination in animals is leading to cancer at injection sites, so I do minimal vaccinations on my animals and they don't go to the dr for much by way of "routine" visits. My animals usually live much longer than normal life expectancy.

$400 in food stamps doesn't go far for a family of 3 depending on the cost of living in your area. Many kids I know, including my own, will gladly eat a snack or extra food, even when properly fed at home. they will also ask for a snack when they've just eaten, because the food at someone else's house is always better/different than the food at my house.

If the kid is coming into your yard, you should address it with the family, and then with the police if necessary.

bipolar kid who keeps getting kicked out of school is most likely already on the radar at the school and CPS. It's not like the parents can "fix" the kid if it's bipolar--even with meds it takes a long time and a lifetime of struggles to be regulated to appear "normal."

You sound very judgemental.

[SerialMom]

I think you should seriously consider moving. You have posted before about your neighbors and neighborhood and honestly, I wouldn't feel comfortable living there. There is nothing worse then not feeling safe in your own home.


Exactly. It really takes away your peace of mind. Folks have been talking here about how you will have to keep your dogs inside, do this, do that, etc. Nothing like doing fire-watch on your own home. It sucks, big time. You get up in the morning wondering "Gee, what do I get to see today that was fucked up last night while I slept?" If you are renting, screw your plans and get the hell out of there. An extra year or two for your grand plan is NOTHING compared to your sanity. It sounds like it will escalate, trust me - I know. I put my house on the market two weeks ago, and the constant harrassment and vandalism definately played a part in that decision.

[ChristmasTree]

I've lived in an apartment with big dogs. It's not horrible as long as you take them out a lot so they don't go nuts. Not ideal, but maybe a better choice than a bad neighborhood.

The dog did not look dangerously underweight. They may have water for the dog elsewhere that you can't see. If they have water for the dog on the other side of their property, you would never know. Feeding the dog on a schedule is perfectly normal. Meh on the vaccinations and vet visit--I think a LOT of it is pure hooey. Overvaccination in animals is leading to cancer at injection sites, so I do minimal vaccinations on my animals and they don't go to the dr for much by way of "routine" visits. My animals usually live much longer than normal life expectancy.

$400 in food stamps doesn't go far for a family of 3 depending on the cost of living in your area. Many kids I know, including my own, will gladly eat a snack or extra food, even when properly fed at home. they will also ask for a snack when they've just eaten, because the food at someone else's house is always better/different than the food at my house.

If the kid is coming into your yard, you should address it with the family, and then with the police if necessary.

bipolar kid who keeps getting kicked out of school is most likely already on the radar at the school and CPS. It's not like the parents can "fix" the kid if it's bipolar--even with meds it takes a long time and a lifetime of struggles to be regulated to appear "normal."

You sound very judgemental.

well thank you, i could say the same to you. you don't live here and you don't know the situation.

and about the food: the mother has asked me to my face to give her and her kids food. i did for a while, until realized that it was "user" type behaviour.

i am not against feeding the dog on a schedule and never said i was. i only stated that he gives the dog one minute to eat and if she doesn't he throws her in the back yard. the other side of their fence is chain link. i can see straight thru it and there is no water.

it seems pretty common sense to me to know when a kids is really needing food or wanting dinner because they are hungry. that is not the situation here.

the dog is not dangerously underweight right now, but it gets worse week by week, she loses more weight. that is the alarming part.

they ask me for dog food all the time: they tell me that they don't have any most of the time.

and it's the mother asking for snacks, not the children. the children are asking for meals. if i had a million dollars i would feed tons of kids, but i don't.

400.00 here goes a loooong way. rent is cheap here, food is cheap, etc. i can feed my entire family for less than 300.00 a month.

and with him being on the radar, yes, he is, and no one, including the school is doing anything about it. that is why i want him to get help and there is no other way than reporting it. Child's mother is bipolar as well (and i know a ton about it, both my parents are bipolar too) she needs help as well and i know she is not getting it. medicaid only goes so far in finding good healthcare providers.

i don't know what else to do. i have tried to help them all i can and it is out of my hands now. but i can't sit back and do nothing.

his grandmother and i agree he needs special care, but she has no idea what is going on over here and i have no way to talk to her, she moved and her number is not listed yet. She doesn't have much to do with her daughter or grandson because of his/their behaviour. but the other child is much different and she keeps the child with her alot of the time. she has custody of another one of the children and has since birth as well.

i still have not made up my mind if i am calling CPS or not, but something has got to happen.

there is a police over the way that might can give me some advice on what is the best thing to do about the situation.

i am sure if i had a husband the majority of this crap would be taken care of.

[ChristmasTree]

Exactly. It really takes away your peace of mind. Folks have been talking here about how you will have to keep your dogs inside, do this, do that, etc. Nothing like doing fire-watch on your own home. It sucks, big time. You get up in the morning wondering "Gee, what do I get to see today that was fucked up last night while I slept?" If you are renting, screw your plans and get the hell out of there. An extra year or two for your grand plan is NOTHING compared to your sanity. It sounds like it will escalate, trust me - I know. I put my house on the market two weeks ago, and the constant harrassment and vandalism definately played a part in that decision.

yes, this is the only solution. and i know it is. it makes me just get busy to get my shit taken care of so the sale of the house can happen.

this whole situation is holding me back, making me upset continually, and using up too much of my valuable energy i can be spending elsewhere.

thank you for saying this, it really helped me.

i appreciate it. *big sigh*

[StillSingingMom]

Meh on the vaccinations and vet visit--I think a LOT of it is pure hooey. Overvaccination in animals is leading to cancer at injection sites, so I do minimal vaccinations on my animals and they don't go to the dr for much by way of "routine" visits. My animals usually live much longer than normal life expectancy.



I have gone to a much reduced vax schedule for my animals; and I now believe that this is a prime reason that I have a healthy cat who is almost twenty years old.

However, I am a serious pet owner who cleans her pets' teeth, administers her own vaccinations and dewormers, and grooms and checks her own pets regularly. Regular vet visits are probably a great idea for folks who don't do that, I figure.

Also, having once lost a puppy to parvo, I am a big fan of vaccinating at crucial times on an enhanced schedule... I NEVER want to see that again.

[Amy_G_]

I have gone to a much reduced vax schedule for my animals; and I now believe that this is a prime reason that I have a healthy cat who is almost twenty years old.

However, I am a serious pet owner who cleans her pets' teeth, administers her own vaccinations and dewormers, and grooms and checks her own pets regularly. Regular vet visits are probably a great idea for folks who don't do that, I figure.

Also, having once lost a puppy to parvo, I am a big fan of vaccinating at crucial times on an enhanced schedule... I NEVER want to see that again.


Mine get fixed and all their "baby shots"
then get shots about once every 5 years as boosters.
teeth cleaning for dogs as needed.
I don't worm unless I see evidence of worms.
My oldest animals right now is the 25 year old horse :)
My cats usually live to their 20's, even being indoor/outdoor cats.
Usually my dogs live to about 10, when the average for their breed is 6.
My current doggie is 14 and he's outlived every other dog in his litter and in his lineage.
Of course, I've also spent thousands on medical care for an injured dog and a horse with a protozoal invection.
But I don't believe you have to expend tons of $ to keep your animals. Most only need basic love, training, food and water.

[JudyJudyJudy]

Amy, I agree with you.

[ChristmasTree]

Amy, I agree with you.

i am somewhat in agreement with this as well, my dogs only get the required vax from our state.

but basic evidence that something is wrong and failure to provide care for whatever the ailment is is neglect to me. because i believe she very well may have parasites. *sigh*

[StillSingingMom]

I worm before I see parasites because I live in an area with very small lots, lots of pet owners who don't watch for this stuff, and rats.

[tata]

ok, i got pics. let me upload them k? i just went out there and took them over their fence. i stood on a stool lol.

Okay, I realize that you are concerned and generally coming from a good place, but I gotta say that I find it a bit disturbing that you stood on a stool and took pictures of your neighbors dog. I would be fucking livid if someone invaded my privacy like that.

[tata]

Now that I've read the rest of the thread, I agree with Amy and I also think you are waaay too involved with these people. Considering that you are *this* upset, you should MYOB and keep a distance from them from now on as much as humanly possible.

I have some neighbors that behave very similarly as you describe these people, but I have a fraction of the stress about it because I don't associate with them at all.

[Amy_G_]

Okay, I realize that you are concerned and generally coming from a good place, but I gotta say that I find it a bit disturbing that you stood on a stool and took pictures of your neighbors dog. I would be fucking livid if someone invaded my privacy like that.
I don't like the idea of posting the pictures on the internet of someone else's dog. that is a bit weird.

[kasumisniper]

he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder as well as his mom. so, i have not made it up. i didn't really feel like telling all the business that goes on around here, but for one, despite his mental problems he steals from the all of us around here, his mom sends to him to all the neighbours asking for food ( when she told me she gets 400.00 a month in food stamps but sells them) they ask me and all the rest of the neighbours for washing powder, dishwashing detergent, toilet paper, soap, and anything that they don't want to walk to the store to get. they ask for rides from all the neighbours as well.

the little boy is out of school more than he is in school. he goes to school for one day and gets kicked out for a week, then goes back for one day, gets kicked out for a week. he has repeated the 3rd grade twice because of his missed days, and will be repeating again. the mother yells at the kids to the top of her lungs every day. hits her son with a broom in his face and asks me for soda, snacks, juice, candy all the time. asks me to go get her some hot chips from the store. the little boy steals household supplies from my back yard if i leave them out there.

the grandma is fed up with his behaviour and if she finds out what has been going on and how he has been acting and disrespecting me...she will most likely kick them out. initially he was not allowed to move in here because of his behaviours. i get called chicken head, boojie, no good, who do you think you are, you ain't nothing, get away from my dog (when his dog comes in my yard when i walk out side) he cusses me out. he talks about me behind my back constantly and has turned all the neighbour kids against me as well. he tells them not to talk to me or he wont be their friend. (all the kids used to come over and ask me to help them or read a story to them, and whatnot) and those are just some of the things... so, there ya go. and they have had CPS called on them a number of times, and NOT by me. and by whom i don't know.

Geez. I'm sorry for you guys. I used to have a neighbor like that too. Lord I couldn't stand her!

[ChristmasTree]

Thanks Kasumi *hug*

how are things going with your husband? i remember you two were having so much trouble. i hope you don't mind me asking, but i think about you.

[kasumisniper]

I don't like the idea of posting the pictures on the internet of someone else's dog. that is a bit weird.

Why? It's a dog, not a kid. You could take pics of my dog and spread em around the entire internet if you want. I'm just not getting the weird factor. *shrug*

[kasumisniper]

Thanks Kasumi *hug*

how are things going with your husband? i remember you two were having so much trouble. i hope you don't mind me asking, but i think about you.


No I don't mind. I actually thought about an update thread about that, but I figured everyone was probably tired of hearing about it! lol Things have been pretty good, as far as our relationship goes. He seems to be doing tons better since the Dr took him off those elephant tranquilizers! Thanks for caring. :)

[JudyJudyJudy]

I'm glad your husband is doing better. Some meds are evil.

[kasumisniper]

I'm glad your husband is doing better. Some meds are evil.

Thanks Judy. His doses were ridiculously high too. He's pretty scrawny.

[BeanBabies]

Why? It's a dog, not a kid. You could take pics of my dog and spread em around the entire internet if you want. I'm just not getting the weird factor. *shrug*




I think it's the point of posting a pic of someone else's anything. Not any one specific thing.

[tata]

Exactly Bean. It's bad form, IMO to post other people's fill-in-the-blank in the form of photos without their consent.

[KerryS]

Dogs' ribcages are supposed to sink in at their haunches. If it *doesn't* sink in a bit, that means they're overweight.

[BeanBabies]

That's what I thought, Kerry. The dog looked perfectly healthy to me in those pics.

[ChristmasTree]

That's what I thought, Kerry. The dog looked perfectly healthy to me in those pics.


well you did not see her other view, the one from the side. Now that one, i would have had to CLIMB over their fence to get!

[tata]

I thought you could see the entire back yard through the chain link fence?

[ChristmasTree]

I thought you could see the entire back yard through the chain link fence?

ok, do you see the boards of the fence in that picture? that is MY side of the fence. their other sides of the fence are chain link.

[alejorge]

I once called CPS for good reason and it was a frickin waste of time, that is why I am hesitant to ever call again. I probably never would. What I would do is call the police immediately when I saw some violence going on.


I have also called CPS on a neighbor before. It was also a waste of time. The kids were taken away from their mom for 1 day but after that they were sent home with the mom.

CPS would do home visits. BUT CPS would call her a few days before they would come and set up a day and time to come and see how the kids and home were being kept.

By the time they would get there the mom would be on her best behavior and the house would be nice and clean. Just as soon as CPS would leave the mom would be right back to her typical self. Which is why I had called CPS the first time.

[SerialMom]

CPS' goal is to keep the family intact, not rip them apart.

[KerryS]

well you did not see her other view, the one from the side. Now that one, i would have had to CLIMB over their fence to get!


I was responding to this:

you can't clearly see sunkeness (sp) in all her ribs yet, but when you look at her from the top the back part of her behind her ribs dips inward as it meets her haunches

Like I said, it's *supposed* to dip inward as it meets the haunches. To go down to the haunches in a straight line means that the dog is overweight. If the dog's ribs are not visible, then she's not underweight. Even if the ribs *are* visible at certain angles does not necessarily mean the dog is underweight.

[ChristmasTree]

I was responding to this:



Like I said, it's *supposed* to dip inward as it meets the haunches. To go down to the haunches in a straight line means that the dog is overweight. If the dog's ribs are not visible, then she's not underweight. Even if the ribs *are* visible at certain angles does not necessarily mean the dog is underweight.

i am not disagreeing with that statement. it doesn't even matter. all i was saying is if you see her from the side, you can see how truly skinny she is, but i couldn't get a shot of her like that.

i am not trying to argue with anyone here.

you don't have to prove you are right. i am the one who lives here. i have two dogs of my own. i know when i see a dog get skinnier by the week, especially a puppy, that there is something wrong. it has just turned into this huge deal and i never wanted it to. it was just supposed to be a passing..."what do you think?"

[KerryS]

O F F S

[Amy_G_]

O F F S

:hugegrin:

[ChristmasTree]

you think that's cute?

[Tweet]

Well, I can't tell from that picture you posted. I will say that my dog,when he was a pup, got very gangly. He was not losing weight,but he was basically all paws and you could see his ribs. What Kerry said is right. However, we aren't there so we don't know what he looks like up close and we can't tell. What is more concerning to me is that he doesn't have water. That said, if someone looked in my yard, they could very possibly assume Elvis doesn't have water. That dog goes through water like no one's business and while he's got access to it all day, his dish isn't always filled with it because he slurps it up very quickly. And carries the dish around so that it sloshes out.

[ChristmasTree]

There is no dish. and if left to a 10 year old, what 10 year old do you know that is responsible enough to make sure his dog is watered correctly? the mother never checks on the dog or does anything really. she is the one who went and got he dog in the first place.

when the dog can, she gets out and comes and drinks my dogs water. *sigh* whenever she is out and i can see her ie: in my back yard (she is so small she can climb thru any hole) she has the runs all the time. i never see her have a formed stool. she should be by now... There is something wrong with her insides i think.

[SerialMom]

This might get me flamed (oh well), but you could always rehome the pup the next time it escapes into your yard. :)

[BeanBabies]

If you live there, have two dogs, know a skinny dog when you see it, why are you here asking for advice?

[ChristmasTree]

If you live there, have two dogs, know a skinny dog when you see it, why are you here asking for advice?

GOD! because i wanted advice on the situation! aaaaaacccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk k

[ChristmasTree]

This might get me flamed (oh well), but you could always rehome the pup the next time it escapes into your yard. :)

yeah, i have thought a loooot about that actually. but i don't want to do it in error. that is why i am trying to closely monitor the situation.

[tata]

OFFS is right.

[BeanBabies]

But only advice you are interested in? YOu are getting people's advice and when you don't like it, you tell them they dont' know what they're talking about.

And please. Do.Not.Steal.Their.Dog.

If only the fact that you KNOW that situation will just turn around and bite you in the ass, big time. You KNOW they'd call the cops and YOU'D be the one in shit.

If you are so worried about the dog, call the S.P.C.A. Let them deal with the dog.