[Maven]

Our neighbor has a dog, and I think that's the one I've been hearing the past couple of days, although it could be another one nearby. I hear it bark every now and then, kind of a whimpery bark, and this is all night and during the day. I'm worried about it, even if it's just lonely, but I've not heard it do this before.

My boyfriend is of the mind that if an animal isn't in pain or whatever, it's ok, and I shouldn't worry about it. I feel, even if an animal is just lonely, it's a terrible thing. I want to cry when I think of an animal lonely or distressed. (He also seems to think it's none of his business if an animal is hurting or suffering, because I've asked him a couple of times in the past when driving to go back and let me look to see if an animal looks okay, when I thought I might have seen an emaciated dog or something, and he refused. He said once, "What could you do about it?" I'm like, uh...call the SPCA!" How can he not know that, and even if someone didn't know what to do, that's no excuse not to do anything! You find out who can help...make calls or search the Internet!)

Anyway, I'm not sure if anything's wrong, and I'm not sure which dog it is. Should I call the SPCA? I hate to call on my neighbors, especially if nothing's wrong, but I can't bear for an animal to suffer.

[MyBestKids2]

Maven

You are so kind and considerate. Would it be too much of an imposition to knock on your neighbors door to make sure the dog is ok? A whimpery bark can be a sign of many different things.




Dee

[Pita]

Since you are concerned about what is going on with the dog, I would just call the SPCA or whatever agency is in your town and explain what you know about the dog and what you have been hearing the dog do and ask them to check the dog's welfare.

[eskielover]

If you are worried about the dog, they you need to find out where it is coming from. If there is a problem once you figure out where it is coming from, then you can call the SPCA instead of sending them on a wild goose chase (or dog chase in this case....lol)

There is nothing wrong with checking out the sound if your gut feeling tells you there might be a problem. When I was at my KY farm, I woke up at 1:30am & hears a horse crying out. I listened for awhile & it didn't go away.....I called my neighbors because it sounded like it was coming from the stream area & thought a horse might be injured. Found out it was only a stallion being a stallion at time of the morning.....but they didn't mind because they appreciated that their neighbor was listening if something really would happen.

They also came over to my farm when they heard a dog barking to check & see if I was ok. They knew I live there alone with my dog & were worried about something being wrong. I appreciated that, knowing if something was wrong, someone was listening too.

I also go back & check on animals....mostly ones that are on the road & have helped some off the freeway before. There is nothing wrong with caring or looking into it oursleves. If your BF isn't that way, it doesn't stop you from doing what is necessary.

Trust yourself,
Debbie

[Maven]

I can't go on other people's property, mybestkids2.

I heard the dog last night, but not for several hours now. I tried to locate it, but I still don't know. I am sure it's not my next-door neighbor's dog, though. That much I've cleared up.

I have gone outside for animals in our past apartments. I can't stand for an animal to suffer, even if it's emotionally and not physically.

Debbie, it does stop me from going back if we're driving along the street and he won't stop or go back. I have no car or transportation.