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Opinions needed-please help

Dayzee-Adopted!!!! on Shopping - Tue, October 23 2007

Here's a little quick background for those of you who don't know me. I was found as a stray, scheduled to be killed, pulled within hours of my death time and taken into a rehab/rescue group. Got adopted, ran away, was missing for over a week, got caught and returned to my foster family(new family wanted a dog with fewer issues-keep in mind I had only been in their house two day before bolting). I've been in foster care since April and have made great strides. I am much braver and better socialized now. I've been to behavior classes and worked hard with my family to become braver. Problem is, I don't "show" good at adoption events and I'm timid around strangers. People want to come right at me and pet me but that place makes me crazy nervous. Most people don't take the time to try to get to know me and just pass me by. I've had a few people come to see me but still no forever home. Saturday, this super creepy looking guy comes in and starts asking about me. Not really alot of questions but then picks me up and decides to fill out an application to adopt me because he can pick me up. The founder of the rescue remembers him trying to adopt before and he was denied. He acted very strange and didn't interact with me or talk about me at all. He even came back in to make sure someone else couldn't get me before his app was looked at. Mom and Pam decided that he was just going to be denied because he was inappropriate and they had problems with him before. He also claimed he had called the rescue numerous times and no one had returned his calls(doubtful-why would they not return potential adopter's calls?) Now his wife has emailed Pam and wants them to have a home visit. She says their other dog died of pancreatitis and she wants me to be her companion. She sounded very sincere in her email.Did she send him to check it out on Saturday and report back? If so and he said he put in an app, why didn't she come back to see me? She wants to set up an appointment to meet me too. Mom is leery of them and doesn't really even want to do a home visit with Pam. The guy creeped her out and if they think I'm some quiet little companion dog, they got another think coming. Also, pancreatitis can be caused by eating people food(mom's worried they won't feed me right)and there won't be another dog for me to play with. I love playing with other dogs and will have way too much nervous energy on my own even though they do have a quiet house and a fenced yard. Anybody have any suggestions on what mom should do? She's torn because quite honestly, nobody's really ever been that interested in me. She wants me to go the right home not just the home for right now. There's no reason that I have to get out of my foster home quickly or anything. Mom says there's no reason to NOT do the home visit other than the creep factor. Pam will go along with whatever mom decided because she knows me best. However, mom doesn't want to pass up these people if it could be my forever home.She said she thought the guy was weighing me to make Doxie soup with and she doesn't want to end up as people soup if she goes on a home visit. Please advise. Thanks for your help.

Mama Muttblood^..^ on Oct 23 at 11:59 PM

73995

You should ABSOLUTELY go with your gut. Always, especially when someone creeps you out. When I first started working with ARPO they told me that if any one of them had a bad feeling about someone, even if they could not articulate what it was, that person was screened extremely closely, and almost always a good reason to deny came up once they started looking. Sometimes a potential adopter might not look great at the site, but loosen up at home and end up having a good situation for a particular animal. Sometimes people look great at the site, but upon investigation into vet records or a home visit, they fail the test. Let your rescue deal with this guy if he becomes a nuisance or abusive. They already have experience with him, and should have some kind of plan for when this kind of thing happens. When I had rescue puppies there was an arrogant woman who came in and declared that she wanted my puppy, proceeded to fill out the app, never looking at him again, while her little 2 or 3 year old terrorized everyone in range. I overheard her call someone on the phone and tell them what she was going to put on the app, even though it was a lie. I think it was about having gotten rid of a couple of animals before. After she left I voiced my concerns to the board member who was there, and she said she would pass it on. I later found out that I was not the only one who was concerned about her ability to be a good dog steward, and she was declined. She called them several times making threats about being discriminated against, but, since they are a private adoption agency, and can make their own rules, they can turn someone down for a good reason or for no reason. The animal's best interest is ALWAYS the most important thing, not worrying about pissing someone off. I was going to keep the rescue puppy myself before I would have handed him over to her. If you don't feel comfortable with this guy, do whatever you have to to make sure it doesn't happen. Some dogs just get too stressed when they go to adoption events. It makes their chances of being adopted a little worse since they are not on "display", but heck, she's not really selling herself anyway. You have worked so hard with her, and she is getting better. Maybe you could take her more casually to the Petco, just staying for a few minutes at a time, so she gets little bits of exposure rather than hours at a time. Have some of us come in and act like potential adopters. Someone perfect for Dayzee will probably show up when you least expect it.

Casey on Oct 24 at 06:37 AM

75209

Trust your instincts - something in not right with this couple otherwise you wouldn't feel the way that you do!

Beverly on Oct 24 at 06:49 AM

112821

Maybe there was some reason the wife couldn't come out on Saturday (had to work or something). I would be inclined to go with my gut on it. If you let her go to them, you'll always worry and wonder if they're treating her right. This is a tough spot to be in!

♥Nemo♥ on Oct 24 at 08:37 AM

55706

Oh Dayzee me and mom love you SO much! i'm sorry i can't really help you but i would check the home out there is not hurm in doing that! you dont even have to go when your mom goes to check it out! but if i where you i would not trust them too! becuase maybe the only reason they want a dog is just to show the dog off when people come over i don't know! good luck!

Alexandria (Allie) on Oct 24 at 08:46 AM

63755

Oh, I think I'd go with your gut on this one...you've put so much into acclimating Dayzee to the kindness of people...sending her to a home that is 'iffy' could set her back significantly...=} Peace, cuz Dayzee!

Dixie LuLu on Oct 24 at 09:03 AM

76054

It is probably best to go with your gut. But if you are really doubting your decision and don't feel like you are giving this man a fair shake go do a "home inspection" as part of the process to determine if this is the best home for Dayzee. Set up a time when you and Pam can go to the home without Dayzee and check things out. Make sure that they understand that both of them have to be present at the time. Like someone said maybe the wife couldn't make it because she had to work or something. Maybe this guy just doesn't have very good social skills in public. That would be my suggestion if you were really worried that you are missing a good opportunity for Dayzee to find her forever home. On the other hand, my Mom personally is not inclinded to second guess her gut feeling about people. Most importantly you want to make sure you are doing the right thing for Dayzee and feel good about the end result. You don't want to go to bed every night wondering if she is Ok.

Reno on Oct 24 at 09:29 AM

108016

Like everyone else I would say go with your gut. Dayzee is counting on you to make the best decision on who would make good parents for her. If you have any doubts at all I would keep looking for someone that you feel comfortable with. Good Luck!!

Kirby on Oct 24 at 11:17 AM

98700

Can you keep Dayzee????

Mama T on Oct 24 at 12:17 PM

58755

First impression is everything. If he creeped you out, there's got to be a reason. If he didn't interact with Dayzee and was overly concerned with no one else getting Dayzee before he could, just seems odd. Picking you up to see what you weighed...Is there a way you or someone from the rescue could go on the home visit to check it out completely? If not, I say creepy dude, move along.

Yogi on Oct 24 at 04:13 PM

11804

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it's a duck. Go with your gut. This is the reason why I couldn't give Yogi up when I signed on to "foster" him (all of two weeks, hee hee). I would be too worried about him going to the wrong home.

Petey on Oct 24 at 08:24 PM

658

I'm pretty much on the same page as everyone else. I would follow your instincts. I just can't believe this cutie was on death row. If I were looking to adopt, this fact alone would make me want to adopt her -- poor thing. In fact, I wish I could afford and had the room for another dog. I applaud you for being such a strong advocate for Dayzee. I can understand about her not "showing" well at adoption events. I get nervous and suck during job interviews. But I managed to have that one interview where I was not nervous and got the job so I am sure Dayzee will have her moment too.

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