This afternoon when I got home, I let out my dogs. The phone rang, so I went to answer it. When I went to call the dogs in, only one came back. I yelled and yelled and nothing. A few minutes later, I heard a gunshot and a couple of yelps. Could the dog have just got a rump full of buckshot and be scared and hiding in the woods? Do you have to be real close to kill a dog with a shotgun? And would the dog yelp if he was shot at close range? I walked down and through the hollow at the bottom of the woods and saw no sign of him. I don't even know for sure if that was him that yelped. There are some nuts that are shooting off shotguns around here still this evening. Also, he is one and a half years old. Could he be gone this long if he found a female in heat? I usually stand outside and keep an eye on them when they're out, but I just turn my back, and..... I have cried my eyes out today. He's a big part of the family and I guess I'm just hoping and praying he'll come home.

-- Annie (mistletoe@earthlink.net), March 07, 2001

Answers

(Annie -this response is not for you, but rather for a group who know who they are) Remember, forum advisors, SSS. Always the best policy, eh?

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), March 07, 2001.

I hate to tell you this, but a dog can yelp from getting a mortal wound and then die a minute or two later. But that doesn't mean that that's what happened to your dog! Unless you see his body, don't give up yet. I had a wonderful male dog who was shot once in the rump with buckshot and lived to tell about it. ;-) He had been out all night that time, but I don't know if getting shot had anything to do with that.

The first time my dog ran off and stayed gone all night long he was about a year and a half, like your dog. I didn't want to get him fixed as I was single and wanted a dog for protection ~ I was afraid neutering him would make him too timid. By the time he was three I had had enough of spending nights worrying like you are now, paying for vet bills from dog fights and picking out shotgun pellets and had an appointment all set to get him neutered, but he ran off two days before. It's been two years and I haven't seen him since. I just wish with all my heart that I would have had him neutered sooner.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that he comes home and will mention you when I talk to the Big Daddy Upstairs tonight.

-- Wingnut (wingnut@moment.net), March 07, 2001.

Annie, I'll remember you in my prayers, too. I had a dog that was nuetered by buckshot when I was young. Not pleasant, but he did live. He was gone three days and drug himself home, literally. This dog would try to climb under the couch if anyone picked up a rifle and walked in the house. He was 75lbs or more....it would have been funny were it not so sad. Don't give up hope, I pray he's there tomorrow morning. Keep us posted and God bless.

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@excite.com), March 07, 2001.

Annie, may the Great Creator in the Sky bring your dog safely home to you. We live in the boondocks and have to keep all dogs that do not stay in their territory on dog runs due to the morons in the woods who find it amusing to shoot dogs for "sport", even though the dogs are on my property and THEY are trespassing in MY woods. The only dog loose is a huge German Shepard that does not leave sight of the house and barns, he knows his territory and stays within it.

It helps tremendously to have all dogs spayed/neutered, they do not roam as far, and nature will not call them to chase the opposite sex. Also, dogs that do not listen when called are kept on leashes, it is better than a dead or wounded dog.

It makes me mad as a wet hen to have to do all this to accomodate the "hunters", but I have learned the hard way, and like that even less!!!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), March 07, 2001.

Keeping on leashes/leads/kennels is great. Except when one of our dogs was only 6 months old he broke free from a chain. Yes, we checked it often and it was tied to a tree, as he had broken a post loose prior. Anyway, he came home, after hours of searching and calling, at about 3:30 AM with an illegal trap on his leg. Luckily he is one tough dog. One broken toe was the result and no blood loss. The vet and his assistants love him to this day. The illegal trap (not humane, and with no id, met none of the requirements) is hanging in the basement. No one claimed it.

Just as a side note, I lost all but one of my chickens last week to a neighbor's loose dog even though there is a leash law. He broke into my coop. One of our dogs helped the killing once they were loose. I am angry, but nothing I do now gets my pure-bred fancy chickens back. So I know both sides of the story.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@wildmail.com), March 07, 2001.

An intruder slit one of my dogs throat and then let him loose (he was on a chain). That dog dragged himself up in the yard where I could see him when I got home. I got him to the vet and he is alive. It is amazing what dogs can get through. We will keep you in our prayers!!

-- Cindy in Ok (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), March 07, 2001.

Annie sorry to hear about your dog.Look for him door to door and asking questions.Do it now.Do it in a humble non-confrontational way.Were the shots coming from your property?Were you letting the dogs run at large off the property because you live in the "country"? There is a distinction.I personaly do not kill a dog if it has a collar and is not in the act of killing or harrasing live stock.Some folks shoot on sight of a strange dog.Have a few dairy goats killed or a pen full of chickens or ducks and you will begin to understand why.If I have shot a dog and the owner shows up looking for it.I tell them where it is and why I killed it.(only did it twice)One guy became irate and wanted to start a fight in my living room the other apologised for the stock loss and offered compansation.I told the irate fellow that he could join his dog........The humble fellow I got a bed sheet for and we went to dig up his dog so he could bury it at his home ,and no I didn't take his money for the stock loss.None of the above helps youu with your immediate question.Could your dog still be alive and hiding in the woods? Yes,especially if he was shot with bird shot rather than buck shot.He may now be potentially dangerous to people.(all the more reason to find him now)I'll say this to all the shoot,shovel and shut up folks out there.If you feel the dog is enough of a threat to shoot it.Make damn well sure that you kill it!Don't compound everbody's problems by leaving a wounded angry dog!Annie can you tell the differance between a shotgun's report and that of a rifle or pistol? Why is anyone shooting on their property a "nut"?If you are hearing shots on your property call the sherrif.There are alot of...what? where? and why? questions to be answered.I hope you see your dog safely home.It is hard to lose a pet.Please let the board know how things turn out.If your dog was doing damage and was killed please own up to it and learn from it.If your dog can not be counted on to stay on your property please leash or tie him.Save yourself and your neighbors a lot of hard feelings and grief.Sorry if I sound unsympathetic.(I do feel for you)I am hoping for your dogs safe return home.I also want you to understand both sides of the issue.What a rotten way to learn the lesson.Fingers crossed Greg

-- greg (gsmith@tricountyi.net), March 08, 2001.

Thanks everyone for the responses. It's 3:00am and he's not come home yet. When it gets light, I'm going to walk the woods and try to find him. My close neighbor is going to help. Jed (my dog), has always been an inside dog and would not hurt a fly, let alone kill anything. He's part golden retriever and lab and is the sweetest dog we've ever had. The property where we heard the shots is owned by a sweet old man that lives in town. He has just a few cows that sometimes get on our property, but I call him and he comes and gets them, he doesn't own any other livestock. We get along just fine, so I know if he was checking on the cows, he would not have shot my dog. His family owns acres and acres of land, mostly hills and wooded, so I know the gunshots were coming from someone trespassing on his land. It's not uncommon to hear gunshots around here. My hubby even practice shoots. I just can't understand why someone would kill a dog for the hell of it. We had our female spayed and if I find Jed, he'll definately be neutered. Stupid me, I never thought of it. And honestly, I would be the first to understand if he was killing someones' livestock. It's the country and I understand that. But there's absolutely nothing acres around here to kill. Thanks everyone for the kinds words and wisdom, and i'll be sure to let you know if we find him.

-- Annie (mistletoe@earthlink.net), March 08, 2001.

Annie,, I hope your dog returns safe and sound. I wasnt going to post on this one,, but your last statement,, "hes an indoor dog, and wouldnt hurt a fly",, You wouldnt beleive how many times I have heard that from people after they found out I killed their dog while going after my animals. Dogs can change to a wild animal after being out of eye sight of home. They may not go after animals on their home, but will kill something at the neihbors. I do hope hes ok,, but maybe this is a dog thats going to need to be chained up.

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), March 08, 2001.

He's home!!!!!! Dave's on the way to the vet with him. Looks like he got shot in the shoulder, but can walk. And Stan, you're absolutely 100 percent right. I'm buying chains today and he'll never be let outside without being chained up. I never want to go through this again and I have learned a hard lesson. I should have been more responsible. Thank you all so much for your prayers, I know in my heart that's what brought him home.

-- Annie (mistletoe@earthlink.net), March 08, 2001.

Congratulations Annie. I was just going to offer my words of encouragement as I was reading all of the threads and got to your last posting. What a relief. You might want to talk to your neighbor as well to nicely ask him if your dog was after his animals at all and tell him what happened. You may find out that he does go after livestock which you should be aware of but it will also be helpful for your neighbor to know that someone was shooting at animals on his property so he can keep an eye out in case they decide to shoot at his livestock. Glad to hear this tale had a happy ending.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), March 08, 2001.

So wonderful that he's back and going to be ok!!!! I can't tell you how relieved I am for you!

Round here, in town most people are a little more tolerant. But, in the more rural areas dogs are shot all the time. It is illegal to let them chase any wildlife (which I wouldn't anyway), and anybody seeing a stray will do it. I hate it, but its a fact of life out here.

I'll say it again - O HAPPY DAY!!!!!!!!

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), March 08, 2001.

Annie, I am so happy for you!!!! Our black Lab was shot in the shoulder a few years ago on Christmas Eve day, in our woods, on our property, people are terribly cruel to dogs in the woods, they see them running deer (which they do, the dogs, that is) and shoot them for running deer, doesn't matter if it is THEIR woods or not!

Again, I am so relieved for you, but learn by this!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), March 08, 2001.

Annie - I'm so happy for you too! We lost our German short haired pointer (my husband calls her "his true love") for 24 hours last month in 0 degree temperatures. You never know how much these dogs mean to you until they're gone. We both wept that night she was missing. Luckily my neighbor up the road heard her howling in the woods (thought it was a coyote), and we got her back the next day. I can't imagine the anguish if we never found her. My heart goes out to all those who have lost a beloved pet.

-- Barb (rosemontfarm1@aol.com), March 08, 2001.

Oh Annie, I'm so happy for you!!!!!Yeah!!!! A shoulder shot should be easy to recover from if it did not break bone.He was still alive after hours so it sounds like no arteries were hit.I'm sorry for you that someone shot your dog.The only time it is legal(in Pa.) is if they are killing stock or harrasing game or of course threatening a human.They must be caught in the act for it to be legal.If these are tresspassers or poachers it would be best to inform your county law enforcement.The shooter may have taken a shot because he thought he was taking out a watch dog.(makes it safer when he comes back to rob the place).I must say that I much admire your character.You took advice and critisism well at what must have been a very stressful time for you.I hope your puppy gets back on his feet soon! Please keep us posted on his progress. Best wishes greg

-- greg (gsmith@tricountyi.net), March 09, 2001.

Thanks everyone. Jed's doing pretty good, considering. His left front shoulder is where the blood and wound were, but he's really favoring his right hind leg. The vet said it felt fine, no broken bones etc.., so I don't know what he did to make it so sore,, probably never will know. The vet also said that since he took off so quick and wouldn't come back when called, he was probably chasing a female in heat. Have a question though, the vet gave him a shot of antibiotics and b-12, will either of those make an animal urinate more? I'm about ready to take a chair outside to sit on when I take Jed out. He just goes and goes! Barb, I know exactly what you mean. Dave even cried a little and he never does. Everything I saw reminded me of Jed. I didn't know how I was going to take not seeing him again. Even when I'm on the computer, he lays at my feet. I kept looking under the desk, just wishing he were there. Last night after dark, I tried to get him to go outside and he acts terrified. Dave finally coaxed him out. I don't think he's too crazy about night time anymore after being all alone in the dark. Greg, you're probably right. The person who shot him, probably didn't want a dog around messing up their trespassing. We're on a hill with acres of woods around us and I know from the closeness of the shots, that the shooters were on my neighbors property. As i mentioned before, my neighbor is an old man who lives in town that just comes by to feed his few cows. The gate to his property was closed, so he was not even there. And we heard gunfire all afternoon. It wasn't like someone just took a shot or two at a dog that was killing livestock. I haven't been able to reach my neighbor by phone yet, but will deinately let him know about the shooters. I'm scared now to walk in the woods. Thanks again to all of the responses. You all gave me such hope, when I thought there was none. The people on this forum are the absolute best!!!

-- Annie (mistletoe@earthlink.net), March 09, 2001.

Annie, I wrote a newspaper article here about two months ago about a girl who was jogging up and down her driveway with her two labs. It was really cold that day and she ran in to warm by the fire and go to the bathroom...couldn't have been inside more than fire minutes.

She went back out and called the dogs. They came running but one had been mortally wounded. They took him to the vet but had to euthanize him. The dogs usually stayed in a fence on their property but were loose just for that little minute.

We've just learned we have to keep all our animals in fences, etc. because you just can't let them run loose anymore. Here if somebody doesn't shoot them they might get run over....or if it's a nice animal they will steal it and take it to the flea market to sale!!!

So we're SO GLAD your dog is going to be o.k.!!!

Pets are wonderful and we just have to be careful how we take care of them now!

Also be alert if someone is shooting nearby!!! IF they are shooting ON your property, that is illegal....but sometimes it's hard to prove!

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), March 09, 2001.

Hi Annie, I don't think any of the drugs will make your dog urinate more.The fact that he is peeing is very good.Keep pushing all the water he wants as well as good chow that he likes to eat.Did the vet take x-rays? Do you know what kind of projectile it was that hit your dog?The reason I ask is because if it WAS a shotgun the vet may have missed some shot.It's not hard to do.Gently pet your dog.From the tip of his tail to the end of his nose on both sides up and down etc. (he'll love it!).Looking for small wounds.Check every inch.Go against they way his fur grows.Skin stretches and then contracts back when struck by a high velocity missile.So a small hole could actually be covering a larger projectile.Your dog may have been hit by a light caliber high velocity round(like .223)This could have hit the pup in the shoulder and traveled to the point where it is lodged in his rump.He is probably out of any immediate danger,the big worry would be leaving in a constant source of infection and irritation.If it turns out that he still has shot rather than a bullet in him it may be better to leave it in place if it is not impinging on any nerves or blood vessels.(it will likly haunt him in later life though).I have some ideas and opinions on how to take care of the armed trespasser problem but I won't go into it here.No need to start a flame war over your misfortune.Good luck Annie!Give your naughty dog a pat on the head for me. greg

-- greg (gsmith@tricountyi.net), March 09, 2001.

In my state there is a law that stated that dogs MUST be under the direct control of thier owners at all times. Most states have laws like that.

It is the responsibility of the dog owner to keep it under control and protected at all times. If someone chooses not to abide by that law, which is based on common sense; then it might be expected that the dog might just come up missing.

If you do not care enough about your dogs, or your neighbors to do what is required by law (and best for the animals too), then perhaps you need to get rid of the dogs.

-- Ed Copp (OH) (edcopp@yahoo.com), March 09, 2001.

Hey Ed, read all the above posts and replies.Don't rip up Annie. (iknow you didn't call her by name)She is on the same sheet of music as everyone else.She knows she screwed up and is suitably chastened for it(shot dog) If you read above.It was probably trespassers on the neighbors property that did it.Bad luck,bad timing,momentary carlessness.She has a big vet bill and a lot of guilt now.Too bad for her.She has my repect because she is not whining with indignation that someone hurt her puppy.lets all give her a break. greg

-- greg (gsmith@tricountyi.net), March 09, 2001.

Thank you Greg, for the kind words and for the help through all of this. But what the heck, I've been on this forum for awhile and know that Eds' post are always, let's say, blunt and to the point, so no offense taken personally. I always try to picture everyone here in my mind and to me, Ed is an OLD man with a leathery face, worn hands from hard work, chewin tobacco, sittin on a porch swing yellin at the kids to stay out of his garden. Know alot of people like him, my father-in-law included, but deep down they're really softies. Heck, I'll probably be like him one day, except I won't chew tobacco (I don't think :)), and I'll let the kids in the garden. Have a good day Ed and hope the sun's shinin up there for ya.

-- Annie (mistletoe@earthlink.net), March 10, 2001.

Annie , I'm glad you found your dog and he is doing well .We all "misplace an animal every now and then no matter how hard we try .We are human .If noone was suppose to be next door than how where you suppose to see this coming "you weren't " Hope he heel fast .

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), March 10, 2001.

Annie, when you get your dog rechecked have them check for a bladder infection, our dog got one a couple months ago and she peed constantly also. Glad he made it home.

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), March 10, 2001.

Annie: How's the dog? Hope he's doing ok still. Were you able to contact your neighbor about the people shooting on his property? Next time it could be one of his cows. Jan

-- Jan in CO (Janice12@aol.com), March 12, 2001.

I know what you went through. We've lost two dogs. I don't know what happened but they should have been neutered, I know that now. I cried my eyes out too. I was raised in the city so I'm learning all about country life. The dog was probably given an IV drip and that may be why he was urinating so much. If it keeps up he may be retianing fluid. When he's rechecked mention this to the vet. Unfortunately this is the way of life in the country. To alot old hand farmers and homesteaders animals are of utility value only. Try to be a responsible owner and respect others and your heartaches will be minimal. It does sound like someone was illegally hunting. I'm glad this ended happily. Bless his heart, labs are very friendly, sometime to their detriment!

-- Vickie Allen (ouvickie@hotmail.com), March 13, 2001.

Hi Jan, thanks for asking. Jed is doing much better, although he's still favoring his leg a little. Haven't seen the neighbor around, but my dads' been in the hospital so I've been preoccupied with that. You know the old saying, "if it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all". welp, the rest of this year has got to get better, the first part has been a doozie!!! I feel like I've been living a Greek tragedy! hee hee Vickie, I called the vet about Jed urinating so much, and he did say the antibiotics could be the cause. He said it should taper off and it has. He's eating and drinking good, and is starting to want to play just a little. It's so good to be able to look at his sweet face after thinking I'd never see him again. You're right, Labs are so sweet, almost too much sometimes!

-- Annie (mistletoe@earthlink.net), March 13, 2001.