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Are_grits_groceries

(17,111 posts)
Thu Jul 31, 2014, 03:23 AM Jul 2014

Senior Labrador retriever walks 30 miles to return home: Owners say no

A senior black Labrador retriever hasn't had a very pampered life so far, and her luck doesn't seem to be getting much better. Now at Chautauqua County Animal Shelter in Sedan, Kansas, Ma Kettle has been here before.

Ma Kettle's story goes back to the fall of 2012 when her owner died and no one wanted her. Luckily she was adopted and was living happily until a small dog came into the family and Ma Kettle couldn't adjust. And we all know what happens far too often with old dogs - they get sent to animal shelters.

Several weeks ago she was given to a lady in Independence, Kansas, but Ma Kettle's desire to come home was overwhelming. The dog escaped from the yard and walked almost 30 miles back to Sedan to return to her home. The owners will not take her back.

A volunteer writes:
"The senior Lab walked nearly 30 miles to come home. Her "family" can not take her back because of the little dogs. Is there anyone out there who can give this girl a home? She may not have many years left. She is spayed, house broken and leash trained, mellow, having problems walking (so her travels back to Sedan amazed me.)"

Contact the Chautauqua County Animal Shelter in Sedan, Kansas. at 620-725-3561. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Only one person is there, and if he is cleaning the outside kennels, he will not be able to hear the phone so don't give up!
<snip>
http://www.examiner.com/article/senior-labrador-retriever-walks-30-miles-to-return-home-owners-say-no

I hope she finds one last furever home that makes her very comfortable and feel overwhelmed with love.

34 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Senior Labrador retriever walks 30 miles to return home: Owners say no (Original Post) Are_grits_groceries Jul 2014 OP
Kick for visibility. tblue Jul 2014 #1
The former "owners" have done a horrible horrible thing. She should have been their first priority. Luminous Animal Jul 2014 #2
+1 Scuba Jul 2014 #20
Agree so much !!!!!!!!!!!! They are POS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t RKP5637 Jul 2014 #21
Tis the reason we cannot get another dog.... dixiegrrrrl Jul 2014 #25
I have inherited two older pets from relatives that died. betterdemsonly Jul 2014 #3
I have several small dogs, so a "no go" for me. Behind the Aegis Jul 2014 #4
Fortunately, the old loving girl has been adopted PSPS Jul 2014 #5
YAY!!! nt Are_grits_groceries Jul 2014 #6
AWESOME! Behind the Aegis Jul 2014 #7
Thank heavens for kind hearted people. In_The_Wind Jul 2014 #8
Thanks be to Ceiling Cat! shenmue Jul 2014 #16
Good for her and the new adopter! Shankapotomus Jul 2014 #18
Great news !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t RKP5637 Jul 2014 #22
Great news! Javaman Jul 2014 #23
Good. I was about to go ask for a vacation day tomorrow Fawke Em Jul 2014 #24
Hooray! joeybee12 Jul 2014 #26
yay Liberal_in_LA Aug 2014 #29
RIGHTEOUS! Garthem Aug 2014 #32
Thank you for posting this etherealtruth Aug 2014 #34
I hope she gets a home get the red out Jul 2014 #9
See post #5! She found a home! Behind the Aegis Jul 2014 #11
Thank goodness get the red out Jul 2014 #12
I love labs, drool and all. . B Calm Jul 2014 #10
Thanks for the good news. nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #13
Oh, that breaks my heart! bobGandolf Jul 2014 #14
This is heart breaking. Enthusiast Jul 2014 #15
So sad. Poor drooly old girl. moriah Jul 2014 #17
Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Jul 2014 #19
Saw an old man turn is elderly go in one day. dem in texas Jul 2014 #27
Adopted by an heiress! madibella Aug 2014 #28
from the article Liberal_in_LA Aug 2014 #30
Thanks for posting the excerpt! madibella Aug 2014 #31
I'm of two minds on this... Lancero Aug 2014 #33

Luminous Animal

(27,310 posts)
2. The former "owners" have done a horrible horrible thing. She should have been their first priority.
Thu Jul 31, 2014, 03:33 AM
Jul 2014

The "owners" should not be allowed to have any dogs.

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
25. Tis the reason we cannot get another dog....
Thu Jul 31, 2014, 01:01 PM
Jul 2014

Our old guy is pretty much against the idea, and I am not going to drive him or any new dog nutz .

Cannot believe that those people would give away that poor dog.

Behind the Aegis

(53,921 posts)
4. I have several small dogs, so a "no go" for me.
Thu Jul 31, 2014, 03:40 AM
Jul 2014

I also don't think I could take in a dog that old right now anyway. I still burst into tears because my Tony died a month ago. I can't take another hit. However, I may know someone, and as they aren't far from Sedan, maybe, just maybe, we can get her a new home. I will make some calls tomorrow!

Shankapotomus

(4,840 posts)
18. Good for her and the new adopter!
Thu Jul 31, 2014, 06:50 AM
Jul 2014

I helped care for an aging dog who had trouble walking (actually, standing up and taking small stairs) in the latter stages of their life. It's not so tough and I'm sure they appreciate the care and attention. It's rewarding knowing you made their life easier than it would have been otherwise, especially if they're in their last days.

Javaman

(62,500 posts)
23. Great news!
Thu Jul 31, 2014, 09:20 AM
Jul 2014

she looks just like my Rose.

Rose was my pal. She passed away 6 years ago. I miss her.

Fawke Em

(11,366 posts)
24. Good. I was about to go ask for a vacation day tomorrow
Thu Jul 31, 2014, 09:23 AM
Jul 2014

so I could drive over to Kansas and get her.

No way I'd ever say "no" to any dog. What pieces of shit those "owners" were. Karma will surely bite them on the ass (no pun intended).

 

joeybee12

(56,177 posts)
26. Hooray!
Thu Jul 31, 2014, 01:07 PM
Jul 2014

I would have taken her...although she might not get along with cats...but she's so old she wouldn't bother them!

dem in texas

(2,673 posts)
27. Saw an old man turn is elderly go in one day.
Thu Jul 31, 2014, 02:00 PM
Jul 2014

About a year and half ago, I took my disabled nephew to Operation Kindness to adopt a cat. While waiting, we talked to an elderly man who was turning in his elderly dog. He said he lived in apartment and could no longer care for the dog. I felt so sad for the dog, because I knew his chances for adoption were not good. At that time I had three dogs, two who were elderly and in poor health. Both has since passed away. If I were in the same situation now, I would probably offer to adopt the dog. I know my 5 year old pit-bull mix misses having another dog around. Everyone should think about the fact that their dogs will get old one day and need more care. Goodness knows we have had many old dogs and cats here, it is always sad to lose them, but we care for them until the end. But your pet gives you all his love and you owe him a good life too.

 

Liberal_in_LA

(44,397 posts)
30. from the article
Sun Aug 3, 2014, 08:51 AM
Aug 2014

When Rosburg learned about Lady's plight, she stepped in. The plane was sent to Independence and a car ride was made Thursday afternoon to Sedan to pick up the tail-wagging Lady.

Rosburg sent her assistant, Chet Ragsdale, to pick up Lady.

"She's going to think she's gone to heaven," Ragsale said.

Rosburg has vowed to give Lady a pampered life, and she will join the cats and dogs already inside Rosburg's home. She will have plenty of room to play outside.

Ragsdale said it's a privilege to work with the Florida woman.

"It's a blessing every day to do a lot of nice things for her. She does a lot of great things for the community at world and through the world actually," he said.

The heiress has made headlines before for helping out dogs in need.

madibella

(80 posts)
31. Thanks for posting the excerpt!
Sun Aug 3, 2014, 08:53 AM
Aug 2014

I rarely post, but come here daily. I was just so excited and happy for the dog

Lancero

(3,002 posts)
33. I'm of two minds on this...
Sun Aug 3, 2014, 11:22 AM
Aug 2014

One one hand, refusing to take back a dog - or any pet - that has went through the effort this one did to return home.

On the other, given it's advanced age and walking issues they would have walked into most any vet and asked for the animal to be put down to bring a end to its suffering. Due to the age of this dog, and its walking issues, they likely wouldn't have had to go by many vets before finding one who would do this.

Although it was a dick move, I think these people should be applauded for putting it up for adoption, so it may find a new home, rather then deciding to have it put down like so many other owners would have.

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