Dusty was a dog that a friend of ours saw abandoned on the freeway. He was a senior cocker spaniel, overwieght, with mediocre vision. After a few hours, it became apparent that her two energetic Boston terriers were WAY too much for him to tolerate, so he came to live with us. Dusty was a great dog, but he hated kids. After he had bitten twice, one bite narrowly missing their eye, we decided he had to have a home with NO kids or other pets, whatsoever.

After searching around, we found a lovely retired couple who had no grandchildren and had lost their elderly cocker the year before. Dusty thrived under their care, lost weight, had a cataract removed, and never bit anyone else for the rest of his life. Last time I saw him the vet estimated him at 15 years old but he still had a sparkle in his eye and a bounce in his step. I regret that we weren't the home he needed, but I don't regret finding him that home.

There ARE reasons that dogs just will not work in certain homes, though most of the reasons I see dogs surrendered for in the shelter where I got Jasper are NOT what I consider good reasons.