One Little Success???...

[FairyDogMother]

I just read the thread

A Note to People "Getting Rid Of" their "BELOVED" Pets

& had to share what I consider a triumph this week.
I understand why & know many in rescues that have become calloused and bitter at the humans that give up their pets over the most absurd reasons.
Sometimes I suggest touching some of these people on a human level.

For the past couple of months a woman who also happens to be a reverend has been contacting our rescue about taking their 1-1/2 year old dog Sparky.
I finally called the woman and found out that they have an older dog that is "her" dog. They are very attached. Her 11 year old son wanted "his dog" so they found Sparky at the local shelter. Sparky was brought into the home where the child very soon lost interest in any responsiblity over him & Mom felt it was all his responsiblity because he's the one that wanted him. The pup received no crate or training, has no fenced in yard and proceeded to destroy their home. She doesn't own the home either. She said the damages to the drapes alone is about $500.

When she told me this during our first conversation, I offered that if she wanted to get another pet in the future to make sure that she wants it as well. Ultimately, it's the adults responsiblity and undertaking for any pets in the home. I also told her that training was as much for the owners as for the dogs. I left her with "I'll contact you when we're able to take him in".
I phoned her last Tuesday to tell her I'd be by to get him. She said she didn't want me to think badly of her but her son has a newfound interest in Sparky. They've been working with training basics, walking him regularly and taking him to the dog park nearby. He'd escaped several times and went to visit the people in the senior folks home down the street. In light of this, she wants to give her son until the end of the month to understand the commitment he needs to have along with her encouragement, guidance & support.
I was thrilled!!! I also told her that if they have behavior issues to contact the local shelter as most have behavior volunteers to help out with this sort of thing. I also mentioned that he's only got about 6 more months of serious puppyness left to contend with.
She said she didn't want me to think of her as wishy washy but asked that if it simply doesn't work out if she'd be able to contact me again and I said yes.
I hope to not hear from them again unless it's to tell me how great everyone is doing.
Here's a pix of Sparky, hopefully the "almost" newest kid in our rescue..

[sandvand]

wow! Good job Teresa! I wouldn't have the patience to walk her thru that. I just "assume" parents have the common sense to realize that a pet in not a toy the child can play with, a grown up is ultametly responsible for a living, breathing life. sigh. I'm glad you talked to her!

[FairyDogMother]

Originally Posted by sandvand

wow! Good job Teresa! I wouldn't have the patience to walk her thru that. I just "assume" parents have the common sense to realize that a pet in not a toy the child can play with, a grown up is ultametly responsible for a living, breathing life. sigh. I'm glad you talked to her!

I've come to realize that not everyone has the common sense or knowledge that we all do with a true commitment to those we bring into our lives. I've decided to try talking with them when they seem to be at their wits end. That's usually when something might be able to be done about the situation to prevent the need for rehoming; ie, training and boundries!
When they are nonresponsive, I know they truly don't care and they'd have no problem dropping the dog off at the shelter but it's usually a kid or other relative making them try rescues first...

[fairlight]

To add to this.....my kids couldn't even take care of a turtle and there were three of them and only an itty bitty turtle!

[Dignity]

What a great story (at least up to this point)!! If I were you, I'd probably still contact her at the end of the month and see how things are going and see if she needs any more advice or help.

[FairyDogMother]

Originally Posted by Dignity

What a great story (at least up to this point)!! If I were you, I'd probably still contact her at the end of the month and see how things are going and see if she needs any more advice or help.

Yes, Digs! I plan on it and told her also to contact me directly if she has any questions or problems at all! I gave her my cell number that she can reach me at any time work or home.
I just wish everyone was as receptive before they "disgarded" their dogs at no fault of the dogs and totally the fault of the humans that adopted them!

While I do understand life throws some unfortunate curve balls at us, most dogs are relinquished to shelters and rescues because they are untrained in any capacity, the rest of the surrender reasons are a small majority of the reasons.

[RoughCollies]

Bravo, Teresa!