The Lost Dog

My neighbor woke me early this morning, rapping on my door in a manner that said it was urgent.  Ordinarily I would have been up by then but had not gone to bed until 1:00AM, so was sleeping in.
Well trying to!
When I opened the door she had a dog with her.  He was a tri-color male -apparently Border Collie & possible Aussie mix.
He stood by her quietly and looked up at me with large brown trusting eyes.  His coat, which should have been lush and luxurious was so matted that dreadlocks were hanging from his belly, ears and ruff.   He came in.  Hannah was beside herself with excitement.  They did the dog sniff greeting from nose to tail and decided they were friends.  I put Hannah back in her crate while I offered the dog a cup of kibble and some water, all
of which he made short work of.  Then I tried out a couple of commands -Come, Sit, Down--he did the first two-seemed unsure about the down- and despite his hunger, he accepted  a Milkbone biscuit very gently from my hand.
Then I did a surface exam, feeling through his coat (full of sandy grit) but no evidence of fleas or ticks though the coat was so dense and matted it was difficult to be certain.  Eyes clear,
ears clean inside, nails short, some tartar on teeth and from which I determined him to be 4-5 years old, quite thin which had not been obvious due to his coat.  Through all of this he stood quietly, even slowly wagging his bushy tail and allowing me to handle his feet and open his mouth.
Such a nice dog!
By now his presence was stirring some interest among the neighbors.  One woman practically demanded I give him to her for her daughter.  Another young man with bright pink bushy hair and funky clothing who was visiting a resident, came over and said he would take the dog back to North Carolina.  I just bet he would!  Bait dogs bring a nice chunk of money in certain places.
I told them all I was about to call the animal control and let them deal with the dog in the proper manner.  This was Sunday morning and perhaps the animal control officer was not available.  I could not believe how quickly a police officer arrived.  He obviously was a "dog person".  We talked about the dog a few minutes and he agreed that this one would be readily adoptable if the owner did not claim him.  He said he would take the dog to the local animal shelter where he would be checked for a chip and cared for.  The officer led the willing dog to his cruiser where he gave him a boost into the back seat.
While he returned my leash to me, the dog sat quietly watching us.
A couple of people are very angry with me for "sending the dog to be killed".  I tried to assure them this was the best thing for the dog as he would be cleaned, chipped, vaccinated, heartworm checked and neutered.  Then if they still wanted him it would be the best thing for them too--getting a dog who was ready for his forever home.  
Some people understood---and some didn't.
I know if I did not have Hannah I would take that dog in a minute.  Somewhere in his youth he has had a good home.
If his owner should return to get him I hope the shelter staff advise him (or her) on how to properly care for the dog. 
I have worked in shelters for many years.  We were not there to dispose of dogs (or cats).  We spent time with each newcomer to
determine where he/she would fit in.  My co-worker and friend, Harry, and I both adopted dogs and cats from the shelter where we worked.  It was very hard when we had to euthanize any animal.  I, personally, adopted the attitude that it was far better to end the animal's life than to let them live on the streets where they might be injured or starved or turn aggressive.  When we had to end a life, he and I took turns being the one to comfort and hold the dog or cat or the one to administer the needle.  Not one was ever handled roughly.  For a few, the time in the shelter
and the moment of departure may have been the only affection they were  ever to know.
The very best thing one can do if you find a free-roaming dog ,
is to turn it over to the human society.   
If you own a dog or cat, be sure to have it chipped and to register that chip.  That will get him back home.