Adoption Crap Shoot

Well we went to the shelter where we watched another family adopt Bruno right out from under us. They beat us there by 15 minutes and we never stood a chance...we didn't even get to meet him.

It was interesting though, because I got a chance to talk to the workers at the Humane Society, and it turns out that constant destruction of the previous owners belongings was the reason she surrendered the dog. While waiting for the adopting family to get their fill of Bruno, which they never did, I sat outside the glass enclosure and observed this dog's behavior. Not once did this dog sit during the 45 minutes that I watched him and he never had a moment where he had nothing in his mouth. At his feet was a bunch of fluff from a toy he destroyed while visiting with his new family.

So blinded by this dog's beauty, and he was gorgeous, I don't think these people saw this destructive behavior for what it is. I have a feeling that Bruno is a one dog wrecking crew. Worse, he's full of anxiety and his constant chewing is a reflection what's going on in his head.

Undeterred, we went home and I filled out an application to a Dobie rescue organization. Have you recently filled out adoption forms for a dog? They're pretty detailed in the information they want. I had to give three references, my vet's telephone number, detailed history of pets gone by, a description of my home, my yard, my discipline plan and a $10 processing fee to even look at my application. Now I know that placements have gone bad for some dogs, but this app was so lengthy, it took me an hour to it out. I've still not heard a peep--even an auto reply would be nice--telling me that they've received the application for review.

Understanding the rescue process is expensive and these not for profit agencies need to recoup costs, their dogs are not free. To rescue a Dobie, we're going to have to pay about $400. Tell me, what's the difference between rescuing a dog and buying one that still has puppy breath? They cost only a little more.

In the meantime, these rescue organizations give almost no information to me for considering adopting through them. Don't think this isn't important; it is. Awhile ago I went into a home to see a patient. Supposedly, there was rescue kennel on the premises, but the kennel wasn't outside. It was indoors where twenty dogs, Lord knows how many cats and scads of flies shared a home. The smell was atrocious and there was animal urine and feces everywhere. Who do you suppose oversees a situation like that?

Last year, there was another fellow fostering Chihuahuas in his home in the Detroit area. He had over 100 of them in a 1000 square foot home. Some of them were alive and some were dead. The home was in such bad condition that it was condemned. Who vetted these particular people to rescue and foster animals? I'm sure that initially, their hearts were in the right place, but in no time flat, everything literally went to the dogs.

So, we'll keep looking for that perfect match and weigh our options. I've waited 13 months, I think I can wait a little longer to meet my perfect dog.