Thank you for posting more photographs, Melissa. I have been able to print out a few which can now replace the very worn out printout I made from PetFinder nearly two months ago. It's travelled with me constantly and is ready to fall to pieces.

About 2am today (I've been losing sleep over this also) I came up with what I think is the most logical, fair and reasonable solution to the problem of where Beans should find his permanent home. In order to adopt Beans in early August, I completed a form which included information on my vet. The shelter contacted my vet for a reference and that cleared just fine. As you all know, many shelters like to visit your home before you adopt and that can make a long-distance adoption nearly impossible. In this case, the shelter agreed that since my vet has visited my home several times (for at-home euthanasia) and the techs are there every few months to help me, they would take their word for it that my home was suitable. I also paid the $60 adoption fee.

If Melissa is willing to go through the same process I went through, though in her case it will include a home visit by the shelter director, and the shelter approves her adoption of Beans, then I will release all claim on him. Michelle, the shelter director, has agreed to drive to Louisville on Sunday, October 8 (Melissa is having some special photographs taken of Beans before that date) and go through the adoption process with Melissa. The ultimate decision will be based purely on her assessment of whether to leave Beans in his current home with Melissa, her adoption of him formalized, or to return him to the shelter until I can fly in to get him late next week. If Melissa becomes Beans guardian, she will need to reimburse me for the adoption fee and the $150 I sent her for travel expenses, and Beans' vet fees and care, since these are expenses she would have taken care of if she had adopted Beans directly from the shelter.

I have found this decision very distressing to make since Beans has, in my mind and heart, been "one of my boys" for two months. I have, however, listened to what others have said and feel it is right to offer this opportunity to Melissa to make Beans her own.

Melissa - you need to contact Michelle at 740-353-5758 in order to set up a best time for her visit with you.