# A New Foster Dog
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [May 12, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716 "2012-05-12T19:07:52Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2012, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/21 "2012-05-13T12:28:37Z")
Lost in Cyberspace, I am already invoilved in rescue, too, I volunteer for a local horse rescue and drive transpor for Above & Beyond Setter Rescue. Helping animals really IS addictive. I do whatever I can. I have also fostered a couple of dogs in the past, but if not claimed, this little wee scrap is here for the rest of her life. 🙂
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### Author:  [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2012, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/22 "2012-05-13T13:35:52Z")
Good job helping that little pooch out. Unfortunately there are so many elderly animals who don’t get a second chance once they end up in the shelter. That little guy is very lucky to have you.
Actually, since the former owner wasn’t taking good care of the dog, I wonder if the dog’s teeth rotted prematurely from poor diet. It might not be as old as the rotten teeth would make it seem.
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### Author:  [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2012, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/23 "2012-05-13T13:55:29Z")
That’s certainly possible, lavenderviolet. She just seems so frail, you can feel every bone in her tiny body. Once the 7 days is up and I know if I get to keep her, I will get her into the vet.
She’s been a very good little girl so far, potties outside, is starting to be interested in food and even invited my 2 little dogs to play a bit. She is very curious about everything. She’s just so TINY… I don’t think I have ever seen an adult dog this small.
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### Author:  [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2012, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/24 "2012-05-13T14:37:32Z")
> [@PapSett](#):
>
> She won’t eat dog food tho; she did scarf down a Chicken McNugget, but won’t touch the dog food. She is so very thin, she has to be starving. Will keep y’all updated.
How is she supposed to eat with no teeth though?
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### Author:  [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2012, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/25 "2012-05-13T14:58:15Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#):
>
> How is she supposed to eat with no teeth though?
Canned, or moistened-to-soft kibble.
**PapSett** , how many dogfoods have you tried so far? My cats will scarf down some wet brands but try to bury others rather than choke them down. Dogs strike me as less picky-choosy, but perhaps you just haven’t found the right flavor yet.
Or it could be that her system’s so messed up from long neglect and starvation that she just can’t handle much right now, poor thing. Or maybe an occasional chicken nugget flung her way was the only food she’d seen for so long, she doesn’t even recognize real dogfood.
☹
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### Author:  [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/26 "2012-05-13T15:05:49Z")
Have your tried tempting her with toddler mashed meat & veg? Might spark her appetite if it’s been a while since she’s eaten anything other than what she could scrounge. I force hand-fed one of mine who came to me starved and sick for about a week until he started eating on his own.
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### Author:  [@lost\_in\_cyberspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost_in_cyberspace)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/27 "2012-05-13T16:07:14Z")
> [@PapSett](#):
>
> Lost in Cyberspace, I am already invoilved in rescue, too, I volunteer for a local horse rescue and drive transpor for Above & Beyond Setter Rescue. Helping animals really IS addictive. I do whatever I can. I have also fostered a couple of dogs in the past, but if not claimed, this little wee scrap is here for the rest of her life. 🙂
YEA!!! love to hear when people are involved or even adopt a rescue animal. I’m sure hoping nobody claims her …
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### Author:  [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2012, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/28 "2012-05-13T16:28:20Z")
I am happy to report that she was much more interested in food today; she ate some canned food & cottage cheese, then gummed a little kibble, and then had some scrambled eggs. She has a long row to hoe, but she’s on the right path now. 🙂
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### Author:  [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/29 "2012-05-13T16:47:49Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#):
>
> How is she supposed to eat with no teeth though?
My cat has some teeth problems that are going to result in her not having many teeth left, and when I was talking to the vet about it, he was not concerned; he said that cats do fine without teeth - they eat wet food, and even dry food somehow. I would assume dogs are the same.
Good for you for taking the tiny little old lady in, **PapSett**.
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### Author:  [@Minnie\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minnie_Luna)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/30 "2012-05-13T17:20:01Z")
**PapSett**
I have fostered a couple of seniors who were in similar positions to what you have. Older dogs found emaciated on the streets, usually with horrible teeth and maybe a secondary health condition like arthritis. Some were adopted out after a bit of TLC, some just used my home as a retirement facility before they passed on, but all are very special to me.
Love them while you can.
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### Author:  [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/31 "2012-05-13T17:51:38Z")
Hi Minnie… yes, the seniors touch my heart like no others. She toddles all over the house at my heel now, giving me sweet little tail wags. I hope whoever let her get in this shape rots in Hell.
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### Author:  [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2012, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/32 "2012-05-13T18:02:24Z")
What she lacks in teeth she makes up for in _ears!_ She’s adorable, **PapSett** and you’ve done a really nice thing!
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### Author:  [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2012, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/33 "2012-05-13T22:07:07Z")
**PapSett** , don’t listen to chesire inhuman. You are doing a wonderful thing. People like you make the world a better place, and I admire your efforts.
She sounds like a sweet lil thing and looks like a Rose to me. People who never have their pet’s vetted tick me right off.
I’ve taken in a few elderly cats with badly rotten teeth. Once they recovered from having their teeth pulled, they would happily gum their kibble.
I don’t know a lot about dogs, I’m not set up for them, but the dog ladies at rescue tell me that small dogs are often used to eating nothing but people food and it takes time to get them on a proper diet.
I hope you get to keep her and I hope that you have years of joy together.
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### Author:  [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/34 "2012-05-14T16:56:44Z")
Thanks guys.
I just wanted to give a little update on wee Macee. I gave her 4 small meals yesterday and today she doesn’t feel QUITE as frail and boney. She is following me all over the house with a wagging tail, and she even RAN a little in the yard yesterday!
She is a very happy little dog and I am growing quite fond of her. It will not break my heart if she is not claimed. 🙂
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### Author:  [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2012, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/35 "2012-05-14T19:32:04Z")
Oh, that’s wonderful news! I hope very much she’s never claimed by anybody but you.
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### Author:  [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2012, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/36 "2012-05-14T22:52:41Z")
After I posrted that update, I decided to tackle cutting her nails and she just sat there and allowed me to do it. She is walking MUCH better now… prancing, even. 🙂
Trying not to get overly attached to her until that 7 day hold is up.
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### Author:  [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)
#### Post date: [May 15, 2012, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/37 "2012-05-15T00:06:33Z")
Yay Macee! My fingers are crossed that she won’t get claimed by anyone else, either.
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### Author:  [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)
#### Post date: [May 15, 2012, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/38 "2012-05-15T01:03:14Z")
**PapSett** - Will the county definitely give her back if the original neglectful owners if they showed up? It might be a good idea to take her to the vet and get a record of her condition.
StG
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### Author:  [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)
#### Post date: [May 15, 2012, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/39 "2012-05-15T01:21:12Z")
> [@StGermain](#):
>
> **PapSett** - Will the county definitely give her back if the original neglectful owners if they showed up? It might be a good idea to take her to the vet and get a record of her condition.
>
> StG
I second the motion.
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### Author:  [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)
#### Post date: [May 15, 2012, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-foster-dog/621716/40 "2012-05-15T02:16:22Z")
Oh, I have to mention something that made me absolutely _fume_ this weekend. I had my occasional handyman out to do some work (repair a porch, weed eat fencelines, rebuild me dogs’ ramp to the dog door). He brought his 12 year old nephew with him. He has temporary custody of the kid. The kid is useless as a worker, but he plays with the dogs. I have to yell at him for chasing Irish and trying to corner him, but over all he’s good. After about 6 hours I see him holding an insulated wire that’s attached to the hotwire I have surrounding my yard. It keeps the dogs from digging under. After playing with hte dogs for hours, he was enticing the dogs with a toy until they came to play with him. Then he’d shock them with the hotwire hidden in his other hand.
I told him if I ever caught him torturing my dogs again, I’d make him hold the hotwire until he screamed.
StG
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