Jeannie posted a story about a woman and an Aussie puppy. It made me think of my all times top rescue story. This was back when I was working with a shelter and running their foster care program The local Petsmart had this idea that I was some sort of "animal guru" and referred all calls to me. Some were doozies.
8:00pm on a Satruday. ( I rmember this so vividly) I got a call from a very stressed out woman. She ramblesdon for a few minutes to which I wasn't paying much attention because it was all the "done my best excuses". Finally, she blurts out with full indignation that she was ripped off and sold a retarded dog. That got my attention. My mind racing with possibilities, I calmly asked her why she thought he was retarded. She went on to explain she'd researched puppy mills and she now understands that her dog is probably inbred and this accounts for his isssues. From the way she's been talking, I assumed this was a long term, ongoing problem She finally gets onto what the exacct nature of the problem is. No matter how she tries and no matter what she does, the dog STILL poops and pees in its crate. And not just once. She doesnt' give it any food or water beofre it goes intothe crate. The crate is only big enough for him to stand in. etc. And he still pees and poops which the book she has assures he won't.
Now I have a direction, so I start asking questions.
How long is the dog in her crate?- Only when she works.
How many hours does she work?- 12-14
How long has this been goiing on?- SInce she got it.
How long haas she had the dog?- About Two weeks
How old is the dog? 9 weeks.
At this point, I just sigh as if I've heard it all before and her problem is common to me. (which it is) She interprets my sigh as sympathy and launches into a hot rant on how she never would have gotten this dog if she'd known it was retarded, and while she kew shouldn't buy from a pet store, she never expected this and what ws she goign to do now. She didn't want to put the dog down, but who in hell would want a retarded dog?. And how was she going to get her money back.
Ah, the opening I'd been waiting for. I interrupt her, and very hesitantly, suggest that I might have a solution. I agreed with her that her puppy was never going to live up to her expectations. I mentioned that I had some contacts in Golden rescue. I wasn't going to swear I could make it happen, because, you know, a puppy like this would be a lifetime committment for the rescue, but maybe I could pull some strings and maybe, I could get him in. The hitch in the get along, was rescue woudl not be able to give her her money back because, as she'd already mentioned, a puppy like this would be a huige responsibility and the cost of it's care over it's life would be in the thousands. (as it is with all dogs, but if she was splittign hairs, neither was I) I also acknowledged that she loved this puppy and applauded her calling rescue rather than dumping the pup. She agreed that the best place for the puppy was rescue. I made the call to Golden rescue. They were there in an hour, and were appalled at the pups thinness and shyness from being crated so much and being yelled at so much.
I will never forget that call. There was no reasoning with the woman so I didnt' bother. She had a book in front of her and she was following the rules to the letter. And my job is to get the dog out of danger. However, I did suggest to her when she did go after another dog, (she had every intention) that she get an adult. I suggested it would be the best way to be sure of it's mental soundness.
You really do encounter all kinds and all situations and people convinced of all kinds of weird things when you do this.
That sweet little "retarded" puppy had no shortage of applications. He went into a wonderful home and now works as a therapy dog in pediatric wards. And no, he is not retarded. <G>
Holly
8:00pm on a Satruday. ( I rmember this so vividly) I got a call from a very stressed out woman. She ramblesdon for a few minutes to which I wasn't paying much attention because it was all the "done my best excuses". Finally, she blurts out with full indignation that she was ripped off and sold a retarded dog. That got my attention. My mind racing with possibilities, I calmly asked her why she thought he was retarded. She went on to explain she'd researched puppy mills and she now understands that her dog is probably inbred and this accounts for his isssues. From the way she's been talking, I assumed this was a long term, ongoing problem She finally gets onto what the exacct nature of the problem is. No matter how she tries and no matter what she does, the dog STILL poops and pees in its crate. And not just once. She doesnt' give it any food or water beofre it goes intothe crate. The crate is only big enough for him to stand in. etc. And he still pees and poops which the book she has assures he won't.
Now I have a direction, so I start asking questions.
How long is the dog in her crate?- Only when she works.
How many hours does she work?- 12-14
How long has this been goiing on?- SInce she got it.
How long haas she had the dog?- About Two weeks
How old is the dog? 9 weeks.
At this point, I just sigh as if I've heard it all before and her problem is common to me. (which it is) She interprets my sigh as sympathy and launches into a hot rant on how she never would have gotten this dog if she'd known it was retarded, and while she kew shouldn't buy from a pet store, she never expected this and what ws she goign to do now. She didn't want to put the dog down, but who in hell would want a retarded dog?. And how was she going to get her money back.
Ah, the opening I'd been waiting for. I interrupt her, and very hesitantly, suggest that I might have a solution. I agreed with her that her puppy was never going to live up to her expectations. I mentioned that I had some contacts in Golden rescue. I wasn't going to swear I could make it happen, because, you know, a puppy like this would be a lifetime committment for the rescue, but maybe I could pull some strings and maybe, I could get him in. The hitch in the get along, was rescue woudl not be able to give her her money back because, as she'd already mentioned, a puppy like this would be a huige responsibility and the cost of it's care over it's life would be in the thousands. (as it is with all dogs, but if she was splittign hairs, neither was I) I also acknowledged that she loved this puppy and applauded her calling rescue rather than dumping the pup. She agreed that the best place for the puppy was rescue. I made the call to Golden rescue. They were there in an hour, and were appalled at the pups thinness and shyness from being crated so much and being yelled at so much.
I will never forget that call. There was no reasoning with the woman so I didnt' bother. She had a book in front of her and she was following the rules to the letter. And my job is to get the dog out of danger. However, I did suggest to her when she did go after another dog, (she had every intention) that she get an adult. I suggested it would be the best way to be sure of it's mental soundness.
You really do encounter all kinds and all situations and people convinced of all kinds of weird things when you do this.
That sweet little "retarded" puppy had no shortage of applications. He went into a wonderful home and now works as a therapy dog in pediatric wards. And no, he is not retarded. <G>
Holly
