Looks like Spirit (Visa's mommy) may be coming back..

[wolfsoul]

Remember last year, Marla rehomed Spirit. She didn't want to, but these people were very sad because they had just lost their Belgian shepherd to old age, and they wanted an agility dog. So Marla put her own attachments aside and gave them Spirit (though originally she was going to give them Visa -- that's when I realised I wanted her).

Well when we all started agility classes last year, Spirit seemed odd. She was a very high drive working Belgian, but she wasn't moving as fast as she normally did and constantly acted like she was going to get in trouble (she even hid and peed in the tunnel a few times). It was VERY unlike her, she is a crazy, high drive, agility nut. But we thought about how different dogs can act under different handlers, how when Spirit was handled by another person once, she never barked, whereas with Marla she always barked.

Anyways...The lady came in to the shop today and told us that Spirit has been attacking people. This is SPIRIT, the lab in a fur coat, the friendliest Belgian in the entire universe. This dog is so UNLIKE a Belgian in the way that she loves EVERYONE, it's amazing. She had no mean bone in her body, she never bit anyone ever, made a very poor guard dog because she would just flop on top of you and beg for rubs. She never even barked at people. Spirit is one of the nicest dogs I've met, and the nicest Belgian. She was constantly around people wagging her tail and begging for pets. She wouldn't hurt a fly. The lady said that she's bit four or five scary looking guys that come over, actually drawing blood a few times, and bruising the other few times.

Something is definatly WRONG. Whether or not it's only with scary looking guys, this is NOT Spirit. She has THE most stable Belgian temperment out of any Belgian I've come in contact with. She wasn't people aggressive, dog aggressive....She was the happiest dog on four legs. Now I'm thinking back to when the lady's daughter told me that they had to give Spirit stitches because they found a huge gash on her back -- maybe something is going on with a man?

So Marla is heading up to their house, and will probably get Spirit. I feel horrible for the people. Obviously it isn't a good situation for Spirit and she will end up being PTS if she stays, but I still think it's one of those "breeder came and took my dog back" things, and I can't help but feel empathetic.

Thank GOD I decided to take Visa. If they would have ended up with her, I can't even imagine. If it takes the most stable Belgian one year for this to happen, I can't even imagine what could have been done to Visa. When I got her she had no inch of stability in her body and even now she will never be nearly as solid a dog as her mother -- almost no Belgian could be. Visa would have turned in 1/4 the time it has taken Spirit. Not to mention there is no way they could have handled her in agility. I had a Hell of a time getting her drive under control and it took alot out of me -- they have the soft-spoken, "no, no, bad dog, don't do that," not deserving of any respect from the dog. Visa is a hard tempered dog, harder than any other Belgian I've met, meaning she will gladly take punishment and still spit in your face, or hear your voice and turn the other way. Definatly the kind of dog that needs to earn your respect, and I've done that -- took alot of training and time that they never bothered to do with Spirit (they only went to half their classes and dropped out of the next set).

I miss Spirit alot and I can't wait to see her. I just don't even know what to think of the whole situation though. It's hard when you don't exactly know the other side.

[wolfsoul]

Marla just called me from outside Spirit's house. She was LIVID -- the yard isn't fenced. They said that they had a six foot fence and signed a contract stating that they would always have a fenced yard.

These days I've realised how much people can't be trusted. It's just terrible. I like to believe that when a person sounds nice, it means they ARE nice. The amount of times I've been chastised for saying "Well they sound really nice," because "just because they sound nice doesn't mean they aren't liars or creeps," and you know, I'm beginning to believe it more and more. I want to try and keep my faith in people but it's so hard. :(

[BC_MoM]

Thanks to bad people these days, it's hard to believe people's words. Does Marla not do home visits? I don't plan on ever being a breeder, but if I ever was, home visit would be a requirement for me.

Poor Spirit. :( I'm glad she'll be back to her real home soon.

[wolfsoul]

Spirit is only one of three dogs she's placed in a home near enough to actually check -- which is still an hour away, so she didn't check it, unfortunatly.

She just phoned me -- she didn't take Spirit. The lady completely twisted everything that happened. Spirit didn't do anything wrong, and the children had to explain to Marla everything because the mother was too chicken to come out. There was only one time Spirit drew blood, and she did so because a large man was in the foirer threatening all three children, walking towards them in a violent manner and speaking angrily. She barked, growled, and completely warned him and when he didn't respond she grabbed his wrist, pushed him on the ground, and held him there.

There were only two other times that she bit, and they were seperate incedents of dirtbikers (one of the girls is an avid dirtbiker) driving onto the lawn (while Spirit was on it) and approaching her with their helmets and suits on. They even said that they knew Spirit was uneasy around dirtbikes (maybe don't let people dirtbike right up to the dog? :rolleyes: ).

Anyways...very stressful situation. One of the children was very upset and crying, exactly what I knew would happen. Marla never mentioned taking Spirit back, just said that they had signed a contract stating the yard was fenced. One of the girls said the mother's ex husband wouldn't let them, some big huge fight between the parents. If Marla had been told that before the adoption she would have understood -- sometimes people just need to tell the truth and gain trust.

[Corinna]

There is more going on there Marla needs to really watch that family. Kids will say any thing to get there way. She should have spoken to the mom. I have a bad feeling about the home situation. Prayers out for Spirit and Marla.

[cyber-sibes]

This is really sad. It would absolutely break my heart to see a dog I loved & cared about living in such a bad situation. I hope things improve for Spirit. a huge personality change like that is disturbing. I wish Marla would have taken her, but I'm sure she made the best decision in the moment.