^^. Here is what I found weird- or gave off a weird vibe: You aren't searching for a specific breed, but a specific look. Hence the photos. This is what you said:
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Asked for a better picture. Sent 5 photos of Tiki so they could compare and render an opinion.
We have argued, yes argued ever since.
They cannot or will not supply a good photo.
They totally ignored several submissions of the Tiki photos.

Then you said:
Once before a rescue swore that the dog they had was identical to what we are seeking. We closed our business and finally rushed out to see for ourselves. The emotional high was amazing all the way there, then the bottom fell out.
The dog was adorable, but nowhere near the photos we sent. My wife broke down and went back to the truck. The human would not give up with me and swore that I was wrong, and the dog was just like ours !
Very rude, very strange, and also a group with a strong reputation

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I have never heard of anyone sending 5 photos to solidify a match. I would have ignorned the photos too. I am trying to place a dog, not make a beauty match. This 'situation' has happened to you twice now, people think it is odd with the photo, that is apparent.

One person cannot argue. It takes two.

You said:
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They pushed for the application to be filled out even though we hadn't been able to make a decision on initial interest because of the photo and disregard for our requests.
We told them we'd give the app with rock solid references for 35 years but still needed something to give us an idea as to whether we'd be taking a 230 mile trip or not.
Disregarded like they either can't comprehend or choose not to comprehend.

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All rescues take applications first. This allows them to make some separation between those just calling for fun, vs. those that are serious about adoptions. Many rescues (including NFP) are 501 (c) 3 operations, based solely on volunteers. So, not filling out an application tells them, probably, you aren't serious about looking at one of their many, many pets. Their time can be better utilized elsewhere, placing animals.

You said:

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Not a single person we've spoken to,
( over 100 at least thus far), in our out of the animal rescue/adoption world can believe that we were treated so poorly.

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You have talked to over 100 people thus far? That is VERY unusual behaviour, IMO.

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You said:

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I am on Petfinder and many others for at least 3 hours each day/night, sometimes more. Been like that for 15 months.
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Very unusual behaviour, IMO.


You said:

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Anyway, since coming back in here and seeing that it may be frowned upon that honest hard working business owners and caring animal people may trigger caution when it comes to wanting to adopt an animal because want something specific, in reality just like many others, has made me pretty sure that this whole situation is just jinxed from the get go.

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I couldn't agree with you more. The question is, what causes the situation to be jinxed? You sound like a person that has more years under the belt than less. (By that, I get the feeling you are older than 30 or so). As such, you are probably aware that the world is full of people that would rarely say to your face, "your behaviour sounds totally weird" or "you sound odd, off" or "I don't agree with a thing you are saying".

That none of the 100 plus people are telling you that this WHOLE thing, and all partipants in it- sounds off or odd is probably not a marker of whether the situation is off or odd. I find a total stranger much more honest with things than my own family member.

Just sayin'. I have nothing to gain or lose by telling you my opinion. It isn't as if I know you, have contact with you, want you to adopt a dog or cat from me, etc. You are getting an honest, gut reaction. You are telling the story from your perspective, and it should shed the most favorable light on you, as is human nature. That it doesn't tells me that something is majorly off here.