Am I Jumping To Conclusions re Neighbours Pup?

Had a knock on the door late last night..the neighbour who complained in writing to us about Leon barking has got herself a 12 week old Shih Tzu puppy and hasn't got anyone to feed it today...could I help? As much as it grieved me to agree to do it, after the problems she caused, how on earth could I refuse to help this poor little pup? I said to Clive this morning that I shall watch and see how long he is left and will have words with her if she thinks she can leave a baby puppy all day every day

Luckily for her I am at home today as Clive thinks I need the rest, but I'm out all day tomorrow and again on Friday so wouldn't be able to help her again this week if she needs me to. I suppose I should mention that to her when I see her, she is popping the key through my letterbox when she goes out this morning and then collecting it from me when she gets home.

He said that she had tried to put him off having Leon here when I first moved in..pointing out how dirty and smelly dogs are! He seems to think it will be a 5 minute wonder with her so I shall be keeping my beady eye on the situation and stepping in if she suggests that she isn't going to keep it....I'm hoping that he's wrong about her and I don't want to bad-mouth her if thats not the case, she is the one who looks after the cocker spaniel that attacked Leon...hope she doesn't let it near the pup

For the last few months she is hardly at home, (think she has got herself a new boyfriend - good for her), the house is usually empty at weekends and most nights and I'm worrying myself that she is going to leave this pup to fend for himself...I may be totally wrong but she thinks nothing of leaving the cocker spaniel alone all day when she looks after him.

How do you all think I should handle the situation...a sort of wait and see approach or go straight in and give her a few pointers? I don't want to appear to be a know it all but equally, I don't want her to start relying on me to help her out as it means I have to leave Leon indoors on his own and he may well start barking and upset the neighbour on the other side...that would be all we need as she is the foul-mouthed one

Oh I wish I wasn't such a pushover when it came to animals

Blimey surrounded by idiots.

I suppose you can agree to help when it is convenient for you and maybe ask her if she has someone else to step in when you are not available or ask if she is going to be around more now she has a pup. As it is not fair or advisable to leave a pup or dog on its own for more than an hour when young and 3-5 hours when an adult when house trained.

I think you may be getting yourself into something here Sheree if you are not careful, remember you are not well so don't let yourself in for more than you can manage.

I'm like you Sheree, big softie when it comes to animals so, i would want to fly straight in there but not sure that is the right thing to do.

May be you should wait a little while so, you can observe whats happening, keep a record even (if you plan to report her) if it happens a few times have a (friendly) chat with her and take it from there.

Gut feeling is usually right, for me anyway but if you will be feeding the pup, it will give you a better view of things from the inside

You will have to tread very carefully, and hope that your plans dont bite you on the bum!
To me it would seem very 2 faced to help out and be planning to report her. It wont do much for neighbourly harmony.
I would rather say No than be devious. But thats just my honest opinion.
I wish you luck in whatever route you take.
Good luck little puppy

Thanks Lynn, I think you're right..I always seem to be asked to do favours for people and find myself being used by them in the end...I just worry myself about the poor animals. When I was talking to Clive this morning I said that a baby puppy shouldn't be left to fend for itself, apart from the socialisation thing, what happens if its sick or messes. or chews something it shouldn't have...oh I was getting myself in a right pickle about it.

I've heard her out in the garden with him this morning and she is speaking very kindly to him and encouraging it to go to the toilet and praising him etc., so, hopefully, she is going to be a loving owner...just worries me what happens if he does make the house dirty..have an accident etc.

Thanks Jules..I'm hoping that I'm worrying unnecessarily but I suppose I'm a bit overprotective when it comes to animals, especially when I know she was so anti dog..you could have knocked me down with a feather when she told me last night.

Once I'm inside there today and can see the set-up and see what time she leaves and gets back home I will be in a better position to judge. I did ask her what time his meal needs to be and she said, "oh 12 or 1 o'clock..don't put yourself out"

Thanks for the advice...I think you may have misread my intentions, I didn't say I would report her, I would far rather say something to her face and try to help the situation if possible, just wanted some advice as to what to do.

Sorry if I misinterpreted. Knew I should have kept quiet.
Very sorry

No, not at all, I welcome everyones advice and you were only trying to help..I just didn't want you to think that I was planning on reporting her..of course I would if I thought the pup was going to be mistreated but only after I had tried to help first

I think if you make it clear from the outset that you can't help out too regularly then she can't expect too much from you but at the same time you'll be able to maybe see better how things are at home for this little pup and maybe put you mind at ease that things are ok and if they're not you could maybe step in a say something then.

It must be hard not worrying about a pup, I know I would, but if you keep her on good terms then if she did wish to not keep the pup she may be more likely to come to you for help.

Hun your not as much a pushover as me......I'd be saying ok but I'd have him here so he'd got mine to play with.......how pushover is that

But on a serious note although I would do that I would (over a cuppa) say something along the lines of ''I will willingly help out as long as when I want a favour you will return it, and also whilst on the subject I hope you don't mind me saying I hope you will not be expecting it everyday as I can not committ to that, and hopefully if I can not help you won't leave him alone to fend for himself, because that would really not be fair and would upset me too..

But then I am quite frank with people....although I do it tactful