Dog situation

[Excel]

As some of you might know, we lost our little poodle in July to cancer, then I just recently lost my daughter (who loved our little dog more than anything in the world...just know in my heart that she picked Missy up at the Rainbow Bridge....just know it !! )
Anyhow, my youngest daughter who lives in Southern CA thinks I need a dog to keep me company (and sane...) so she's been looking. Today I got a phone call & Kelly says we're on a 3 way conference call with a gal that places rescue dogs with new owners. A few minutes into the call we were told that though they microchip the dogs, give them health check ups, etc. that they alone can access the chip info after the adoption. Furthermore, they do follow up house checks etc., to make sure the animal is properly taken care of...well, guess what...though I had picked a lovely dog, 2 years old, appeared to have been abandoned & maybe abused....she refused to let me adopt her. My daughter who lives near their shelter said she would be happy to go see the dog & if necessary film my home, yard, etc. to ensure the dog would have a wonderful new home so they would feel satisfied...I have had two mini poodles in the past 30 years so it's not like I'm not familiar with the breed...yet the woman said absolutely no to our adoption request. Why? Well, I live in San Jose and it's too far away for them to check the home repeatedly to watch the dog....The only reason the woman answered our request in the first place was because Kelly lives in Palos Verdes...which is close enough for them to oversee everything.... My daughter asked me to hang up, that she would call me back....which she did. Believe me, my daughter is a professional in business and much unlike me as she keeps a check on her temper, whereas I don't always...Anyhow, guess Kelly told the gal in no uncertain terms that the control issue, the mileage issue, the chip issue was way beyond reasonable...and it's not like these dogs are free...a generous 'fee' is charged. Anyhow, would have loved to have that little dog...but guess it was not to be...will continue to look...Just wanted to share my disappointment. Guess there's 'red tape' no matter what these days...................

[Forestgal]

Hang in there, Char. There's the perfect little poodle out there for you. One of the aides at my school works in rescue and often has little dogs who are in need of a home. I'll mention your need to her tomorrow & ask her to keep an eye out for a little companion. And I promise that they won't be nearly as picky as this other lady.

Good for you for thinking forward ...

Laura

[sharon]

How about this little girl...and she's up in your area...I think. She's sure a cutie patootie, tho!

http://www.adoptapet.com/pet6430135.html

[BirdbyBird]

You are right about there being all sorts of rescue organizations and people running them. Extremes never made sense to me either. I will say that I think calls to past/present veterinarians make sense. The Indiana group that rescued Remi had me photography my yard/fencing and called my references His microchip is still in their name. Some breeders and rescue groups do that as insurance that if a dog gets away or the dog gets turned in to a shelter they will get a call and a chance to get the dog out. I guess not many of us would be surprised that folks make promises to breeders and rescue group to contact them if they need to give the dog up for any reason.....and have dumped them at a shelter.

But never fear, your future pupper is out there waiting to meet you.

[Acadianmom]

I read some of the adoption sites and I find some of their rules a bit extreme when there are dogs being killed everyday. The local shelters here look like they are more reasonable. A full time RVer wouldn't pass their fenced yard rule and we know the great lives these dogs have. Sometimes I see ads in the paper where people are trying to give a dog away. These dogs probably have issues but you never know. My sister found a really cute puppy just by asking around. Hope you can find the dog for you.

Martha

[WickedLady]

Shelters around here are always crying that they are over-crowded and need people to adopt the dogs. Yet they are charging anywhere from $150-$400 for mixed breeds. With the economy being the way it is not too many people are willing to put out that much. I know I'm not when I know there are other shelters that only ask $75 and give the same benefits...neutering, shots, microchip, worming. If those other shelters did the same they wouldn't be caring for so many dogs for so long.

[Redetotry]

A similar thing happened to a friend of mine here, there is a place that has tons of dogs and cats kept in not so good conditions. It is a non kill facility. My friend went in and wanted to adopt a dog and 2 cats. She lives on a beautiful farm, takes great care of her animals but because she wanted the cats to live in the barn they refused her. The sweet little dog she wanted is still at the shelter and will probably always be there. The facility called an apologized later after one of their biggest contributors who is best friends with the woman they refused read them the riot act. I think some of these places are run by people who become hoarders. I do understand being careful but, there seem to be a lot of extremes
Good luck with your search,I hope you find just the right companion.

[Sooz]

You may have dodged a bullet. A friend of ours got involved with one of those places, got a dog, and then the place started "inspecting" all the time and eventually took the dog away because they didn't like her other dog. Her other dog is fine, just old and with the usual aging dog problems. We've seen this friend through numerous dogs and she's an excellent owner. It was heartbreaking when they took the dog away.

[Excel]

Thank all of you for your replies...I'm not familiar with 'rescue' dogs as the poodles I've had in the past were pure breds and I paid $700 + for them. However, I'm not interested in buying another dog from a breeder. I want a rescue dog, my daughter would approve...Besides, I'm not mentally ready right now...and the holidays are coming and I'll be traveling in my RV. I think that would be too hard on a brand new pup...rather wait till after Christmas when I'll be home, settled and hopefully feeling better. I posted here about this situation because I just had to let out steam. Kelly would have taken the pup home & kept her for me till I got there after Thanksgiving...it was a win-win for all of us and the dog just seemed perfect. It's okay though...I'll find my 'companion'...I know I will....Thanks for letting me just air my frustration. But....these agencies that are 'careful' need to do their homework too...many of us just want to provide a loving home for an animal that needs love.....

[sharon]

Maybe when you're down at Kelly's you guys can go scour the animal shelters or look in the paper...maybe Craigslist, too.

[OregonLuvr]

I acquired my dog thru a breeder. Not exactly a rescue dog but one they brought over from Finland and showed for a couple of years, bred for 2 years and then spayed her. She was 7 when I got her. I fell in love with this breed from being around my friends dog Harley that I love. His temperament is what sold me on this breed. Small (14lbs), intelligent, loveable and versatile. Down side big shedders. The Furminator is my friend.

Laura (CougarFan)and her dog Harley were visiting me one weekend and I told her I was ready for a dog. BUT I wanted one like hers. Well that was all it took, she was on her phone emailing her breeder to see if they had any available. Of course the answer was YES, they had a 4 month old puppy, a 4, 6 and 7 year old. I was sort of emphatic I didn't want the "old dog".

We left the next day at noon (as they were at a dog show until 6pm). Had a PetSmart stop in the am as I had zero dog supplies. I hadn't had a dog in 25yrs. Left with a FULL cart of supplies and didn't even have a dog yet LOL Drove the 250 plus miles up to Portland to their house.

I got to meet all the dogs, they came flying thru the dog door into the family room. They have the run of the family room which was gated off, I think there were like 12 or so dogs all excited to greet us. Lots of barking and excitement. For about 5 minutes, then they all went and found a place to lie down. The "Whole" dogs and the dogs in heat were in the kennel but the rest are like household pets. The dogs for sale were then brought into the kitchen area so we could meet them. I knew I didn't want the puppy...no time for a puppy when you work 12 hour shifts. The "old" dog came over and greeted me then went and lay down in one of the numerous dog beds. The black dog was standoffish and never made eye contact so she was out for me. My eyes kept looking at the "old" dog as she was watching me intently. With any encouragement she would come over get some scratches then go back and lay down. Okay so long story short the "old" dog came home with me (who saw that coming). AND the best part is she is Harley's mother. We got home at 2 in the morning after our quest for the perfect dog.

So I guess we just never know where our next family member will be coming from. One of the nurses I work with loves my dog (for all the reasons I loved Laura's dog) that she and her husband also drove up and acquired RUBY, a 6 yr old Tibetan Spaniel from these same breeders. They do have you fill out a questionnaire and want to make sure the dog is going to a good home as they treat all their dogs just like family members. It was reasonable questions and the fee for these dogs is more for the spaying and vaccines and the quest to find them a good home. I do email them pictures of Blossom from time to time just to keep in touch. They are also a good resource for questions once in a while for me.

My "old"dog is now 9yrs old, spry, goes for walks (actually expects them) each day with me in the morning and evening. Loves to snuggle and is NOT a barker. I never heard a word out of her for the first month. Thought she didn't have one hah She will occasionally bark at me if she does not think I am getting ready to go for a walk fast enough or if she wants to go with me in the car.

Guess this started out as a story about how we never know, when or where that next little member of our family will come from. One day I was dogless and the next I'm a mother...again.

karen

[cpatinjones]

They are too extreme for me. You will find the dog for you. Hang in there.

[Bethers]

I refuse to go on a rant here. But you are lucky you didn't get your dog there. It's nice that they follow-up, but when places are not reasonable - chances are you would have had trouble with them down the road.

One of my biggest pet peeves are shelters that put a dog to sleep because they don't have room for him or her - yet they refused adoptions on those same animals because they have a "fence" rule - one that no rver would ever pass. A postage stamp yard, fenced in, and they'd have adopted the pet out, but no fence, no adoption. Too many rescue organizations have that or other similar rules.

You will find the right one for you - and that dog, when you get him/her, will be so lucky.

(I also don't understand when a place chips an animal but no one can read the chips except them - I mean what good would that do if the animal got loose on a trip?)

OK, said I wouldn't go on a rant - just a little one.

[Excel]

Thanks everyone...I feel the same as you Beth...what good is a chip to me if they're the only ones to be contacted....and does that mean I wouldn't be allowed to 'travel' with the dog...I'm disappointed in this case of course, but I do believe there's a little girl out there waiting for me...I'll find her...Besides, I'd get a Lab in the blink of an eye, but don't have yard big enough for a big dog...Unfortunately it's wall to wall pool....When my ex made me move from the mountain house, this was all I could find down here in S.J. 10 years ago...needed a big enough house for all my stuff so I wouldn't have to pay for storage too...anyhow, came with a pool...10 years...never been in it..(& yes, I know how to swim....just don't care for pools in back yards)...Maybe I oughta get a little boat....Hmmmm!

[Forestgal]

Char, don't rule out a big dog just because you don't have a big yard. My yard is probably 600' square and Jed's never in it unless I am. He has access to outside, but is confined to his run which is 4x8', and I don't think he even spends time in that when I'm gone. He's a true housebody, and very happy. He gets his exercise through walks, but other than those is more than happy to hang out inside with me.

With a pool in the backyard the biggest concern is being able to get out if they accidentally get in. That's easily enough solved with a few lessons. Doesn't matter how large a yard is -- if there's a pool a dog MUST be taught how to get out.

Think BIG, friend.

Laura -- and Jed