Originally Posted by momentofmadness

The dog is probably in a routine with that family. So probably isn't really missing out on anything. As long as she loves her owners and they love her... And she is fed and watered and loved..

Originally Posted by hutch6

You are telling all of this to the wrong people in all honesty.

What you have just written and the emotion you show about this dog need to be told directly to your girlfriend's parents, mainly her father. Some people may get upset and bad words may be thrown in but for what is at stake and it seems that everyone involves does love the dog a great deal then everyone needs to understand that it is the dog that is at risk and something needs to be done.

You don't need to go in a shout your head off. Just set some time aside when you know both parents will be there, go round and start with the opening line of "Hi, I'm here today to discuss Jade and how we can all work together to give her the quality of life she deserves." Then just explain how you treat your dog (is saw the pic in your signature), how people treat their dogs and what it means to a dog to be given the basic needs of being a dog i.e. exercise and the chance to explore it's surroundings. Explain that no matter how much you love your girlfriend and respect the way they live their lives, you can not sit back on this and see the dog in this state knowing it will only get worse. Explain how if Judy is taken to the vets that they will not immediately call any authorities but can advise what can be done to get the growths reduced and deal with any health issues they can. After that it is up to all involved to assist in making Judy's last years the best they can.

Getting out with a dog is not only good for the daog it is good for those that walk them. Good for your health, your mind and brilliant for bonding if you walk with someone else.

There are many benefits to owning a dog as we know but there is only one consequence of neglecting one.

I hope it works out and Judy gets the attention she needs.

Originally Posted by ajshep1984

eek:

She's missing out on ESSENTIAL veterinary care!!!

Originally Posted by momentofmadness

I am sure there are two sides to all stories.. I personally do not know this man or the dog and its family therefor its very hard to make judgement.

Originally Posted by gillieworm

Hi,

Reading your post was like having de-ja-vu for me. My fella's parents had a black lab that they treated by the sounds of it exactly the same was as your girlfriends parents are treating jade. Constant human food, no walks etc. Their lab ended up at 60kg when he should have been about 27kg according to their vet , their excuse was always "look at his paws, he's a big lab anyway". It go to the point where the dog could no longer go upstairs, and a 5 minute walk had him out of action for about 3 weeks after.

I know its hard when you have no control over the situation, but I'm very straight talking and even though I say it how it is my mother-in-law actually loves the bones of me . I constantly had a go and eventually they took him to the vets who told them off good and proper for the state he was in, but no he wasn't taken off them. Me and my other half when we went round (we had long moved out by this point) used to take him out for a walk which shamed them into doing more themselves.

Unfortunatly their dog died from cancer, so actually unrelated to his massive weight problem or all the crap he was eating (including chocolate ). When we were getting our second pup and their was still some of the litter available they talked about maybe getting on too. I told them in no uncertain terms would I let them have one, and that I would tell the breeder not to even entertain the idea of them if they even thought of approaching her. They now do not have a dog, and to be honest I think that is the kindest thing to the dog world.

We take our 2 round occassionally and I have now stopped taking them cuz they insist of feeding them crap even though me and my fella have had numerous arguments with them about it, you don't even want to know how much it kicked off when they fed my boy some quality street a couple of months ago

My only advise to you and your girlfriend is, if she can get her to the vets she works at that would be great, even if she did it behind her dads back? And when you are both there why don't you start taking Jade out for little walks yourself?

Unfortunately some people are so blind, but if you 2 can do a little for Jade maybe it will shame them into getting off their own arses and looking after her properly.

Good luck, I know how hard and frustrating this sort of situation is