Should We Adopt A Stray Indian Pup?

Susan B

I wanted to get some advise from all as I tried to take in a stray pup but it didn't work out. Anyone please give some feedback, wheither we are really suited to have a stray.

I am new to the country plus after my initial experience in trying to adopt I am a bit apprehensive.

We visited a pet store, and although we saw a pup that was not brought into this world in the most healthy environment, she was lying next to some very very sick pups in the dirtiest of shops, we fell in love with her the moment she woke up and greeted us all, even my husband's heart melted. Sadly, she had parvo, our vet did his best too. She would rest on my chest and look up and give me a kiss now and again but sadly she died 3 weeks later in my arms at 2am. My son and I still weep for her, and I am crying whilst writing you this post. I find comfort that she had a loving family for the last few weeks of her life.

I decided no more pets from a pet store and this is where I started looking for a stray dog as I hear that they are less prone to diseases. I contacted a foster family and from the start I wasn't sure wheither to take this cute pup in as she wasn't warming up to us. The foster family friend said that all pups are the same and that I should give it a go and if it doesn't work out I could return her. She was a shy, timid pup who wouldn't even look at me, she was obviously too connected with her foster family and after she snapped at my children I made a decision to return her. It had only been 24 hours but the decision to return her might have been in a haste but I knew she wanted to be back with her family. I know there are some dogs that are not good with kids but are generally speaking are stray dogs good with kids? I was horrified when I returned her that the foster family couldn't keep her and he was going to leave her on the street , but in a funny way she seemed comfortable in her environment, it was the first time I saw her wag her tail . There were other dogs in the area that weren't too friendly with her and then some local kids were kicking her! She was in immediate danger. My son built a little shelter for her and we left her with her foster parent. I was in tears, how could she be left out here, then I questioned myself. Would we be a fitting family for a stray puppy?

capt_mahajan

Sorry to har about your dog. We had a similar experience too, years ago.

I am not recommending them since I have just seen them in passing... there is a shelter run by the SPCA near Vasant Kunj, (err, close to the Flyover at the end of the Nelson Mandela Road but off the main road).

I walked upto it recently. Seemed to be a good place to look for a stray.

Stray dogs are good with kids. They may take a little while,though- in my experience they are scared at first.. The younger the better.

My only concern is how long you are in India, and what happens when you leave. (Am assuming you are a foreigner in India, so if not, ignore this)

judecg

Well... if you're worried what might happen when you leave... check out what happened to a friend of mine.. posted on this thread
Hats Off To All You Guys

birds

Of course you would a good family! As a matter of fact you sound like a perfect family for an animal. The fact that you worry so much is the best start.

The foster family sounds a bit strange. What is the point of fostering a pup if you going to put it back on the street?

Can you let me know how old the puppy is? If it is under 3 months it can still adjust.

Just keep in mind a lot of stray puppies go through some tough episodes early in life and sometimes it takes a little time to trust and adjust again but with patience and love they all do.

Many people who take a pup immediately want to shower it with love but it is best to leave it a little bit for the first two days. Just make a bed for it and a designated area to feed it. Pad it just a few times per day until it starts following you by itself. Than try to a little play with a ball but again not too much. Slowly you build up the interactions and within a week it will start to trust you.

Your decision not to buy a pup is a great one! Many so-called pedigrees in India are in extremely poor health and often over-bred with inherent health problems. They come in crates with 50 at a time from former Russian republics and Thailand and it is estimated that only about 10% survives.

I do lots of fostering so if you have questions or doubts feel free to contact me anytime on strayassist AT vsnl . net

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Of the estimated 500 million dogs in the world, approximately 75% are strays, of which about 25 million live in India.

artisticanurag

Stray Dogs or Pet Dogs, both types are good with kids usually.

Stray dogs long affection very much, but i think you have to consult with a vet b4 you bring in a pet. Im sure there is one doctor in this forum and one honest animal lover, they will have better suggestions. But ill tell you something honestly..

I used to always tame and love stray dogs, i remember never being hurt from anyone of them. I literally used to try n ride a big stray dog(obviously i was very young then)... they long affection for sure, but they can be scared from us too...

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Anurag Sahu (Ricky)

Rock & Delhi
When Ricky Plays Critic
Unveiling India

birds

Well said .

QUOTE=artisticanurag;615670]I think you have to consult with a vet b4 you bring in a pet.[/quote]

Obviously any dog that you bring in needs to be vaccinated against rabies and get the 7in1 vacs. They also need a good bath to get rid of any jumping little parasites.

Puppies need extra calcium at least for the first 3 months but ideally up to 8 months. In India there is a calcium liquid available called Ostopet which most pups seem to like easily.

With all strays it also makes sense to give them extra vitamins for the first month or so, just to build up their strength.

Give it a flea collar at 3 months and at seven months get it sterilised.

After that, with a stray you probably don't need to worry any more for the rest of its life, except for the annual vaccinations. Indian strays tend to be extremely strong

Susan B

Hello Captain, Judecg, artisticanurag & Birds.

Thank you for all your kind replies. It is very warming to know you are not alone. This stray pup was 3 months old and was attacked by a local adult dog, I am in no doubt the foster family took good care of her as her wound was healing well and she was very comfortable with them. He did say she was up to date with her vaccinations, although once I got her I took her immediately to the vet. He was doubtful she had her vaccinations or even wormed so I did this.

I'm from the UK, and my husband is an Indian from Delhi. Our plans are for the long haul in India and of course if we would return to the UK our dog would follow us. I'm sure you can take a dog abroad, sure there would be lots hussle with the paperwork and such but I would do anything and stop at nothing for my loved ones.

I will try again, and take what I have learnt up to now.

birds

That's good news!

If you ever want to take it to the UK keep in mind that there is quarantine for the UK which is hassle and expensive. A partial solution for this is to place the dog with a foster home or with friends in Europe for a 3 months and apply for a dog-passport. With this document you can take the dog to the UK without the quarantine. For foster homes in Europe and help to bring the dog from India to Europe you can contact Marion at www.stichtingaai.nl

artisticanurag

Nice to know someone know so much about pets. and Your welcome susan, ill post a youtube link here and youll see two small stray puppies near my office. They are really playful and smart like other dogs.

judecg

I love that! So European countries are along the lines of the US?... no quarantine? interesting. And what a nice idea. If you knew you had a lovely foster family it would be a nice thing to do. If I lived in Europe it would be great to be one of those foster homes... meeting Indian animals and helping animal lovers out. What a nice thing... I love hearing feel good stories for a change Yay!

Susan B

My son was at his karate class, held in one of our local parks, when a stray puppy came up and started playing with him. He was the only one paying it any attention, as the other kids were probably told not to touch strays by their parents. Karate sensai told my husband that we should keep her and so now she is happily tearing away at my slipper.

Jojo. Had a hard time finding a name for her. As she has 6 toes on her hind leg, which is considered lucky as told by my mother in law, that she should be could Lucky. But we ended up with Jojo, in memory of our first dog, Coco.

capt_mahajan

Congratulations!

Next one, Momo

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Outside the machine

pantelis

i would do that!!!!Do not hesitate doing this and offer all the love you can.I saw so many stray beautiful dogs in India,so don't hesitate to adopt it.

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rhill1

Susan.
looks like a beautiful dog..well done! Did the dog that wagged its tail run away with the strays?? We have a gorgeous kitten that we saved from the RSPCA in Melbourne...we love Penny so much!!
Hillman

Cardamom

Oh Susan - what an adorable pup you have! I'm so happy to see you were able to welcome her into your home!

-C