I have an IPOD classic. I think its the 250+ GB ones. When my puppy ate it, I was devastated. I can tell everything still works but the screen is done for.
Now, I could take the obvious route and go straight through Apple but I have a problem: It was given to me from a friend who’s brother left town (Pretty sure there was another warrant for his arrest.)
Who knows, the IPOD could have been stolen. I have no papers and nothing to back it up.
Any ideas or experience? Please show me the way!
This guy might be able to help you, he’s a hobbyist, and has made a nice side-business repairing iPods, we send our customers with out-of-warranty iPod repairs to him, and they’ve been pleased, he does good work
since your dog damaged your iPod, that damage is not covered under warranty (accidental damage/abuse is not covered by Apple’s warranty)
from the problem description, it’s likely that just the screen may need to be replaced, your music and other data should be okay
250 GB? Is it an iPod from the future? 
You didn’t have your homework on that iPod, did you?
Assuming you’ve been able to sync this iPod with your PC, your music is safe on the PC.
Quickest and most-certain thing to do is just get a new iPod. Even if you spend the $95 for a screen replacement, who knows how much dog slobber got into the internal parts?
It seems like the ethical thing to do would be to call Apple and ask if there’s a registered owner. If so, you ought to return it. If not, then you may be able to get support through them if you want. Going 3rd party is probably cheaper, though.
I don’t know how ethical it is to an iPod to its rightful owner that has been mangled by the dog. Maybe after it’s repaired…
Me? I’d forget the repair and buy a new one.