hmmmmm.........what to do

[elizabethann]

schteve_d, I have been reading this post since the beginning and have been waiting patiently for the outcome. I'm so glad you are adopting that dog. You sound like a nice and caring person. I'm glad the original owners didn't show up. I hope they have the good sense to never own an animal ever again. I think your dog will be happy with its new family. Congratulations and good luck.

Now, as for name suggestions, here are some (I thought he looked like one of these):

Nemo
Alex
Taz
Cricket
Lou
Buddy

Again, congratulations!

[schteve_d]

Thanks again everybody, I am surprised at the amount of attention this thread is generating but I sure appreciate it! It looks like a done-deal. I filled out my adoption application and the lady I gave it to looked it over and said that although she is not the one that approves them, she didn't foresee any problems. I now "officially" have first-dibs on him and am just waiting on the neutering which is as yet unscheduled but they said they would phone me later today (the lady tried to phone while I was there but the vet was closed for lunch).
It sounds like he has won over the hearts of all the girls in there! They said he is still very timid but is getting better every day.
Best part of it all was I finally got to visit him! He still looks pretty skinny and was a little timid but I think he recognized me. He sniffed my jacket (firmly entrenched with the smell of Bud and Tash) quite enthusiastically and then just sat calmly while I stroked him and told him he was coming home soon. The only downside was all the other dogs there that need homes too.

Well, I gotto go charge up my camera batteries!!

Thanks again everyone for your kind words, encouragement and support!

[Corinna]

I like Woody it seems to be the most fitting.

[Christiansmommy]

Yeah!!! That is so sweet to say to him, " You are coming home soon ." Happy endings

[delidog]

Woo Hoo!!!!!!!

get those camera batteries charged my friend!!!!
We've got lots of catching up to do!!!!!

No Flash please...Might scare the Boy!!!!


So HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!

[delidog]

I Cannot Wait to

Hear from You!!!


Go Steve& Buddy!!!

[schteve_d]

Well, obviously I am starting to think about this way too much (can you tell I'm excited?!!) as I came up with a ridiculous question: So far for a name I am partial to Woody (thanks QueenScoopalot) but do you think it's too close to Buddy and may cause confusion? I'm gonna be bombarding you knowledgable folks here with questions soon as I have only ever raised two puppies and it's been 8 or so years since Bud and Tash could be considered puppies, and neither of them came from abusive and/or neglective homes so I'm entering new territory! I will try and spread out the questions as I think of them (prepare: Some will be stupid!).

As a mildly annoying side-note, the SPCA did not phone me AGAIN regarding his neutering appointment so I guess I will call in the morning.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by schteve_d

As a mildly annoying side-note,
the SPCA did not phone me AGAIN
regarding his neutering appointment,
so I guess I will call in the morning.

Grrrrrr

I'd be a tad bit more than "mildly annoyed" at their attitude
towards you!!

Have they "Taken your MONEY", yet??
I'd walk in, write em a check for the Adoption Fees...
and ask to Take MY Dog Home!!

Is the hang-up that they don't "trust" you to get
the neutering actually DONE?
Try this:
Offer em DOUBLE or even TRIPPLE the "fees" as a "deposit" on
the neutering - you bring in the Vet's Receipt for the Big Snip
and they give you back the "extra deposit".

At least ask the name of the Vet they want to use -
and call the Vet yourself to schedule him in.

Sounds to me like they're giving you a big runaround!

NAME??
Best way to "Name a Dawg" is to live with him a lil while...
"Cinder" was "Pup Dawg" for a couple weeks before she was "christened".
"Smokey" was "Stray" on Pet Talk for a while before "WE"
settled on Smokey.

/s/ Phred
.

[schteve_d]

Thanks Cinder & Smoke; good suggestions, I suppose I will try something like that in the morning. I have never gone this route for adopting a dog so I have no idea what "normal" is. Both Buddy and Tasha were "personal rescues" (I knew a guy who knew a guy who had a cousin.....)

I guess in an SPCA rescue, I just always thought that: a) They cared that the dog was adopted and: b) If someone came in with a proven "track record" (I have had Bud and Tash since pups - almost ten years) that was not only willing to take on, but wanted a "special-needs" dog that had come in and damn-near begged to be allowed to adopt the dog, and not to mention HAPPILY pay the going rate, that there would be less hassles. In fact, it's not even hassles, all I ask is that they return my phone-calls/visits!!

I don't mean to sound discouraged, I am confident that everything will work out. I am only discouraged at the length of time for the "process". I have no problem with them screening me or any other prospective adopter, in fact, I not only believe in it, I think it's necessary. They are welcome to come and inspect my house if they want for God's sake! I also will NEVER change my opinion of the SPCA, they do great work for a great cause but I think this has dragged on long enough.

I will update in the morning and hope to have happier news! Don't tell anyone but I already have moved a large crate next to my bed (with a freshly-washed "wubby" blanket) in preparation! I think Bud and Tash are starting to wonder if we're going somewhere (neither of them were crate trained but have racked up a few air-miles!).

Anyway, I told him he'll be coming home soon, and he will. I'll jump through god-da&^ed hoops if that's what they want!

[delidog]

Sorry about how the SPCA is treating you...Please be dilligent...Don't lose hope or your temper....

Like Phred saidd...Get the Name/Num. of the vet...call him yourself...tell them you were trying to help...by taking one more thing to do off their plate...

Keep calling and visiting...So they don't think that you changed your mind...It will be worth it in the end!!

[Cincy'sMom]

Who would have thought it would be so hard to save a dog's life? I'm so glad you are willing to go through the circles they are making you run...it will be worth it in the end!! Hang in there!!!

As a side note, we adopted Spot from a shelter when he was 2 1/2, about 2 years ago. Like you, our two girls were puppies, rescued from friend of a friend of a... so the dog with a previous life was new to us too. We'll try and help as much as we can!

[schteve_d]

Just venting.........sorry.

Today I officially crossed the line from patience to full irritation. Let me say first, as I have said before, that I have no doubt that they are busy at the SPCA and fully appreciate that, but this is gettting ridiculous. I phoned all day today and kept talking to a lady that couldn't tell me anything, the lady that I had to talk to was "busy" all day. After my third call, I left a message for her to call me, when she didn't phone after a couple of hours, I phoned again and got the same lady who essentially told me to stop calling. Now I think it's inevitable that this poor little guy will be sitting there for at least this coming weekend. I know how unhappy he was to be inside a house, I can only imagine how he feels in a little "cell". If he does end up being there all weekend (which seems more than likely now), he will have been there exactly one week more than necessary. Correct me if I'm wrong but the ultimate goal here is to get the dogs adopted out, right? I'm starting to feel really frustrated, though no less determined. Anyway, sorry for ranting but I think my friends are tired of hearing about it.

[Christiansmommy]

That is just crazy. Especially, since you were the one to bring the dog in to begin with...they should just let you have him, and then you get him neutered on your own...but you did the right thing in trying to see if an owner would come in for him...unfortunate that the woman is less than helpful If it were me, and I was available, I would go in on Saturday and Sunday ( if open), and visit with the dog for a while...at least so you become the familiar face for him, and when you come to get him for good, he will recognize you as his rescuer, from that place!! Not to mention, it will be fun to visit the dog for your sake too

Maybe that woman will have off tomorrow, and you can speak with someone else

Thanks for the update

[4 Dog Mother]

This is a good place to vent. We will let you rant and rave all you want.

This does sound a little on the ridiculous side. I can't believe they haven't been able to get him "fixed" by now. And you would think that they would be glad that someone is so interested in adopting one of their dogs! Hope poor "Woody" won't have to stay in that place over the weekend!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Grrrrrrr...

What the HE(ck) is going ON with those people!??

Is there a TIME differential problem here?
WHEN do you >work< as compared to thier "Operating Hours"??

CAN you go TO the Shelter an >talk< face-to-face with them??

I've dealt with a few shelters and Vet's Offices when trying to *track* a Pet Talk Rescue Pup/Kat -
and they DO act STOOOOOOOPID at times...
but if you can find someone whe really cares about your "issue" - you can often make some real progress.

And I don't mind *fibbing* a bit and telling the IN-betweeners that Mr/Mrs GoodGuy "is expecting this call"!

Somehow you need to GET to the shelter,
take a seat,
and advise the IN-betweeners that you'll *WAIT* till GoodGuy is available.

As for the Pup's Weekend in Jail...

Sign youself up as a "FOSTER Parent" - and sign him out for a Weekend Foster Trip.

But as someone just said -
Do **NOT** get nasty, mad, or mouthy with "the Staff"...
or they'll find a zillion reasons that you're not fit to have him.

Call in "sick" at work if you have to -
but I'd be spending Friday "At the Shelter".

>>> (Take a BIG bag od Treats - for the Inmates.
That makes "points" with most every shelter!

/s/ Phred
.