“I Haven’t Learnt To Be Good”: People Find An Abandoned Elderly Labrador With A Note
Interview
In a perfect world, there would be not a single heartbroken canine soul. But reality is different. And people were left shattered over this elderly black Labrador found tied to the metal gate outside Jasmil Kennels in Upchurch near Sittingbourne, Kent.
The workers of Swale Borough Council Stray Dog Service, who found the dog yesterday, posted pictures of him on Facebook asking for help to identify the owner. But what really made everyone’s heart sink was the cruel note left alongside the animal. In a crumpled piece of paper, the text read: “Please can you take me in as my owner has abandoned me after 10 years because I have not learnt to be good so I have been returned here where he found me.”
Luckily, the Swale Dog Service soon posted an update saying the owner of the old boy was found and his extended family, who “know and love the dog,” will be taking the lab into their care.
More info: Facebook | Swale.gov.uk
This old boy was found abandoned along with a cruel note explaining why the owner of 10 years made such a decision
Image credits: swalestraydogs
Image credits: swalestraydogs
Image credits: swalestraydogs
Bored Panda contacted Rebecca Dart, the communications and marketing officer at Swale Borough Council, where the black Labrador was found.
It turns out, “It is rare that we find abandoned dogs in Swale as we try to proactively work with owners to find other solutions.”
Fortunately, the boy was found happy and healthy. “He is around 14 or 15 and is doing well for his age,” said Rebecca.
The kennels of Swale Borough Dog Service, who found the dog, shared this post and later, an update
Image credits: swalestraydogs
Thanks to the Council’s network of contacts, social media, and microchipping, they can often trace stray and lost dogs back to their owners.
However, “Abandoned dogs can be trickier, but we have had some success in finding owners in the past.” The primary motive for doing so is to “better understand the situation that led them to abandoning the dogs.”
Rebecca also told us that among the number of different reasons for abandoning dogs, financial pressures stand out as a common factor. This can be due to “mounting vet bills, or due to personal circumstances,” she added.
And this is what people had to say
My guess is that the person who tied him up here, is no longer of sound mind. Perhaps dementia or Alzheimers? From the spelling and the wording, it doesn't seem rational. After all they did say that they came to an understanding of the dog's situation and also that there was an extended family that could take the dog.
I do love a story that leaves a lot of questions unanswered and has an open ending.....
People really do dump their pets after several years of 'ownership'. There's a 7 year old poodle creature in my lap right now who's proof of that. I found out about my little man in a convoluted manner. His people had bought a new house and didn't want any animals in it. When I asked if I could do a short trial to see if he fit our family, I was told they'd just dump him at the pound if I didn't take him. Well. How can any decent person say no to that? So, trial be damned, I took in this strange little dog with very little notice and even less information about the first 6+ years of his life. Turns out it was the best gamble of my life because, despite some health issues, this little dog is absolutely incredible. Very much a their loss, my gain situation!
Sounds like your dog is definitely better off with you! I had something similar when at high school. Schoolmate's neighbours wanted rid of their childrens' pet as it was getting old and they didn't want their kids to deal with the 'impending death'. I had Jack for a good two or three years... never sure quite what he was. He looked a lot like a desert rat (if you Google that) but I managed! Never did quite understand how the little guy vanishing was any better than him dying...
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I wonder if the owner had dementia or something that made them act out of character. I'm glad he's going to people he knows.
Yes, that's the way I'm reading it, because of their willingness to give it back to the extended family.
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This is sad but still best case scenario for this old guy. Yes the owner was wrong to just leave the dog but I'm just grateful they chose to leave him at a safe place (a dog kennel). they could have just tied him up in a garden or secluded area and left him to die, or taken him to a vet to be put down. They gave him a chance to live the rest of his life, it's just a shame they didn't ask family and friends directly if anyone could take him in.
A long time ago I lived in a little Danish town above Santa Barbara and wa working a delil when someone came in saying someone had abandoned this beautiful Irish Setter. So I went out and saw him and fell in love. So I went inside to call mom and ask if we could add another dog to our family. She said well what did the note say. So I went back out and someone said they had called animal control. I decided right then to take him and grabbed his leash and walked him right through the deli to the kitchen and straight home. My mom was still on the phone waiting for me when I pulled up with THOR. That was the name we gave him. He was older and the sweetest doggie you ever met. A big lovable goof. He was not like the average skinny Irish setter, he was built more like a golden retriever. We took him to the vet the next day and he said Thor had been well taken care of and was about 8. He lived with us out in the country for 7 more years before crossing the Rainbow bridge. He was loved.
Oh Jess, this was the most "kind" abandonment; there are human monsters who commit atrocious cruelties to animals, and please don't forget that most abused animals are "food" animals (farm animals).
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Like others have commentated, it would appear from the note that the owner was perhaps old, not able to cope and/or think straight, or even just thought the dog was being bad because he could not understand him any more. I am old and although thankfully my brain is still functioning normally, I am disabled and wheelchair bound. My little dog is my sole companion and she is easy for me to look after her well, but in the event of me not being able to cope I have made arrangements for her to go to someone she knows very well and who she adores [it is mutual], and financial arrangements are in place for such an event. I could never, ever, sleep soundly if I had not made these arrangements for her.
Yes, nobody dumps kids because it's against the law, but kids are abused and choose to leave home and live on the streets instead, so what does it tell you about human race? As it comes to cruelty there should be no difference who's the victim. "Until we have the courage to recognize cruelty for what it is - whether its victim is human or animal - we cannot expect things to be much better in this world.' Rachel Carson (1907 - 1964) marine biologist, author, conservationist__ I think it even doesn't take much courage, just compassion; without that we can surely expect things to be much worse, with human population rising; every day we add about 227,000 people to the planet, and that comes with a steep cost. Human population growth and overconsumption of meat, dairy, and eggs are at the root of our most pressing environmental problems and consequential survival of life on this planet, ALL life, including human life.
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One explanation I haven’t seen in the comments so far is that it wasn’t the owner, but the owner’s new significant other, who did this because they’re a heartless dog-hating a*****e who wanted the dog out of the house (translation: an emotional abuser punishing both the dog and owner for some trivial “offense” as a form of emotional blackmail to exert control over them). Not an impossibility. So glad the family stepped up, so the dog can go to a new home and people that are familiar, and might even get to see their old mom or dad again too.
It's a possibility, human cruelty is incomprehensible and limitless.
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I mean we don’t know the circumstances, but the owner could have just said it’s not working out please rehome me. A discipline issue isn’t the dog’s fault
How can such a short note have so many spelling mistakes? And what’s with all the random capital letters? Poor dog. But hopefully the dog is now with someone who will actually care for it. I don’t get why people have pets and then just get rid of them. I know I couldn’t have the energy or time to look after a pet, so guess what? I DON’T BUY ONE.
@Laura Catania - Do you know more to this story than what was written about in this article? How do you conclude “most likely” dementia from what was written?
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He should be glad they didn't put out his name cause I'd be there with a can of whoop a**
So enraged right now!! The f****n inbreds that left him there should go back to school one!! Second hopefully his extended family took him if not I will take him and give the best remaining years of his life!! Please let me know contact me through here. I live in Florida I will get him if needed looks like such a good boy :(
The owner looks to be an elderly person with a basic rural education. The mix of lower case and capital letters may show some developing cognitive defects that are also making then unable to care for the dog. An example could be they don't remember to feed the dog, the dog finally breaks into the larder or refrigerator. The owner just thinks "Bad dog!"
Bizarre story. And also, if the dog was unchipped, that has been illegal in the UK for nearly 3 years.
My guess is that the person who tied him up here, is no longer of sound mind. Perhaps dementia or Alzheimers? From the spelling and the wording, it doesn't seem rational. After all they did say that they came to an understanding of the dog's situation and also that there was an extended family that could take the dog.
I do love a story that leaves a lot of questions unanswered and has an open ending.....
People really do dump their pets after several years of 'ownership'. There's a 7 year old poodle creature in my lap right now who's proof of that. I found out about my little man in a convoluted manner. His people had bought a new house and didn't want any animals in it. When I asked if I could do a short trial to see if he fit our family, I was told they'd just dump him at the pound if I didn't take him. Well. How can any decent person say no to that? So, trial be damned, I took in this strange little dog with very little notice and even less information about the first 6+ years of his life. Turns out it was the best gamble of my life because, despite some health issues, this little dog is absolutely incredible. Very much a their loss, my gain situation!
Sounds like your dog is definitely better off with you! I had something similar when at high school. Schoolmate's neighbours wanted rid of their childrens' pet as it was getting old and they didn't want their kids to deal with the 'impending death'. I had Jack for a good two or three years... never sure quite what he was. He looked a lot like a desert rat (if you Google that) but I managed! Never did quite understand how the little guy vanishing was any better than him dying...
Load More Replies... I wonder if the owner had dementia or something that made them act out of character. I'm glad he's going to people he knows.
Yes, that's the way I'm reading it, because of their willingness to give it back to the extended family.
Load More Replies... This is sad but still best case scenario for this old guy. Yes the owner was wrong to just leave the dog but I'm just grateful they chose to leave him at a safe place (a dog kennel). they could have just tied him up in a garden or secluded area and left him to die, or taken him to a vet to be put down. They gave him a chance to live the rest of his life, it's just a shame they didn't ask family and friends directly if anyone could take him in.
A long time ago I lived in a little Danish town above Santa Barbara and wa working a delil when someone came in saying someone had abandoned this beautiful Irish Setter. So I went out and saw him and fell in love. So I went inside to call mom and ask if we could add another dog to our family. She said well what did the note say. So I went back out and someone said they had called animal control. I decided right then to take him and grabbed his leash and walked him right through the deli to the kitchen and straight home. My mom was still on the phone waiting for me when I pulled up with THOR. That was the name we gave him. He was older and the sweetest doggie you ever met. A big lovable goof. He was not like the average skinny Irish setter, he was built more like a golden retriever. We took him to the vet the next day and he said Thor had been well taken care of and was about 8. He lived with us out in the country for 7 more years before crossing the Rainbow bridge. He was loved.
Oh Jess, this was the most "kind" abandonment; there are human monsters who commit atrocious cruelties to animals, and please don't forget that most abused animals are "food" animals (farm animals).
Load More Replies... Like others have commentated, it would appear from the note that the owner was perhaps old, not able to cope and/or think straight, or even just thought the dog was being bad because he could not understand him any more. I am old and although thankfully my brain is still functioning normally, I am disabled and wheelchair bound. My little dog is my sole companion and she is easy for me to look after her well, but in the event of me not being able to cope I have made arrangements for her to go to someone she knows very well and who she adores [it is mutual], and financial arrangements are in place for such an event. I could never, ever, sleep soundly if I had not made these arrangements for her.
Yes, nobody dumps kids because it's against the law, but kids are abused and choose to leave home and live on the streets instead, so what does it tell you about human race? As it comes to cruelty there should be no difference who's the victim. "Until we have the courage to recognize cruelty for what it is - whether its victim is human or animal - we cannot expect things to be much better in this world.' Rachel Carson (1907 - 1964) marine biologist, author, conservationist__ I think it even doesn't take much courage, just compassion; without that we can surely expect things to be much worse, with human population rising; every day we add about 227,000 people to the planet, and that comes with a steep cost. Human population growth and overconsumption of meat, dairy, and eggs are at the root of our most pressing environmental problems and consequential survival of life on this planet, ALL life, including human life.
Load More Replies... One explanation I haven’t seen in the comments so far is that it wasn’t the owner, but the owner’s new significant other, who did this because they’re a heartless dog-hating a*****e who wanted the dog out of the house (translation: an emotional abuser punishing both the dog and owner for some trivial “offense” as a form of emotional blackmail to exert control over them). Not an impossibility. So glad the family stepped up, so the dog can go to a new home and people that are familiar, and might even get to see their old mom or dad again too.
It's a possibility, human cruelty is incomprehensible and limitless.
Load More Replies... I mean we don’t know the circumstances, but the owner could have just said it’s not working out please rehome me. A discipline issue isn’t the dog’s fault
How can such a short note have so many spelling mistakes? And what’s with all the random capital letters? Poor dog. But hopefully the dog is now with someone who will actually care for it. I don’t get why people have pets and then just get rid of them. I know I couldn’t have the energy or time to look after a pet, so guess what? I DON’T BUY ONE.
@Laura Catania - Do you know more to this story than what was written about in this article? How do you conclude “most likely” dementia from what was written?
Load More Replies... He should be glad they didn't put out his name cause I'd be there with a can of whoop a**
So enraged right now!! The f****n inbreds that left him there should go back to school one!! Second hopefully his extended family took him if not I will take him and give the best remaining years of his life!! Please let me know contact me through here. I live in Florida I will get him if needed looks like such a good boy :(
The owner looks to be an elderly person with a basic rural education. The mix of lower case and capital letters may show some developing cognitive defects that are also making then unable to care for the dog. An example could be they don't remember to feed the dog, the dog finally breaks into the larder or refrigerator. The owner just thinks "Bad dog!"
Bizarre story. And also, if the dog was unchipped, that has been illegal in the UK for nearly 3 years.
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