I desperately need advice....

[agnes!]

I would go a little further.

I wouldn't even let her VISIT the dog in my home. She will probably try to TAKE the dog.

Document, document, document. Keep every e-mail. Write out what she said to you on the phone. If she had any conversations about the dog in front of your family or any acquaintances, also have your DH/DS/other folks write down what was said, what they remember.

Keep copies of every receipt for the dog's care. All the vet bills, the grooming, the food.

If you feel strongly about the dog, consult with an attorney. Yeah, that might be a bit over the top, but this way you will know *exactly* what your rights are in your jurisdiction.

Good luck.
agnes!

 

[maddiemouse]

If I wanted the dog, I'd keep it. If I didn't, I'd give it back.

If I were keeping it, there would be no visit for a couple days. You send the dog off, it might not come back.

I can't honestly see anyone taking this to court. What kind of lawyer handles Dog Custody cases?

I'm sure you meant well with this advice, but a dog isn't a piece of furniture that you can try out for a few days, and then give back if you don't like it. It's a living, breathing, feeling being that doesn't deserve to be passed around like an old couch.
You'd be surprised at how many dog custody cases end up in court, but I'd bet the former co-worker in this case knows she doesn't have a legal leg to stand on, most of the custody cases involve divorce.

 

[chager]

Don't even let her visit. She may try to just leave with the puppy. I agree with the others. Email her back and attach the copy of the email asking you to take the puppy. Tell her that she can possibly visit the puppy in a couple weeks after she has had time to heal from her sugery if you feel she really needs to see her. I am betting that she won't want to at that point. Good luck! I definately would tell her not to bother to come over. Even if it meant the whole family going to visit someone else's home, with our furbaby, for the day.

 

[mickeysaver]

Gigi is your baby now. Please keep her, love her, spay her, and tell your "friend" to shove it. Maggie

 

[Serena]

I wouldn't let her visit either. I would even go so far as to tell her she's already spayed. I really bet someone mentioned to her how much money the puppies might be worth.

I would email her and tell her the deal is done and over with. She gave the dog to you and you are not giving it back.

I would be careful though. She may not take no for an answer.

 

[hentob]

I would go a little further.

I wouldn't even let her VISIT the dog in my home. She will probably try to TAKE the dog.

I think you are right about this!

 

[southernbella]

I haven't read the whole thread, so sorry if this has already been mentioned. Does the dog have a license (sp?)? If not, I would get one in my name ASAP. In Alabama, that, plus a rabies shot, is all you need prove ownership.

Your "friend" is a jerk to do this to you & to the dog. Hope everything works out for you. Sbella

 

[Sherri]

I feel sorry for my ex-co-worker as I know she "must" miss her. but I'm angry at how she mislead me and lied to me. A dog is not a yo-yo and it can't be bounced back and forth from house to house.

What bothers me the most is that she requested to pick her up tomorrow, givig me the impression it was only for a visit but not so, she planned on keeping her.

Gigi cannot be bred, she's only 5lbs. Breeding should be left to experienced people and she is not one of them.

She really fooled me

DH says give her back but DS and I just can't.

If you give her back the dog tomorrow, I don't think you will ever see her or the dog again. Rethink letting the dog go if evern for just a visit.

 

[Miss Jessr!ca]

get her neutered. that way if you do give her back, at least you know shes not going to be in any danger of an unexperianced 'breeder'

but shes not a piece of propertey and doesnt deserve to have to go thought the stress of switching homes and messing up her routine. its not right.

tell her she doesnt deserve a pet.

 

[debden]

I would let her know when she arrived that since she gave you the dog as a gift in the first place and you have loved and taken care of it like it was your own...that you are keeping her.
Tell her she's welcomed to come visit any time she wants but the dog is staying.
Debbie

 

[kristen821]

Make sure you save all the e-mails just in case she takes you to court for the dog.

 

[Tazicket]

I agree with most of the other posters. Save the emails and save your dog. She has no right to give you the dog and then try to sneak the dog back. Did she think you wouldn't notice when she never returned the dog? I agree that she's probably planning to "dog-knap" Gigi. She's given you the dog (and you have the emails to prove it), so why else would she think she has any right over whether the dog should be spayed or not? (On a sidenote, anyone who doesn't know the difference between being spayed and being neutered should NOT be allowed to breed dogs- JMHO).

 

[Disney Doll]

I wouldn't give her the dog. I would tell her that based on the communications you received from her, that she gave you the dog, so the dog is now yours. I would also tell her not to contact you again about the dog, as you will not be discussing it with her again. The dog is yours, period.

I would then do whatever I felt was right to do for my dog, as far as spaying, veterinary care etc.

This woman should not own a pet. Pets are living things, not commodities to be passed back and forth when it's convenient.

 

[WDWFUN]

Well, it's 11am..not a call or response to my email last night, though she still has not read it.
I would had thought that if she really wanted Gigi, she would had called me like she first said, so Gigi must not be that important to her.

I have been trying desperately to find a vet open today to at least get her rabies shots and tag but none are open today. She is scheduled for Wednesday, so we will have to wait.

We did take a trip to Petsmart this morning, Gigi got plenty of new treats! The X-mas section had alot of toys, treats at 50% off!

I can't see myself returning Gigi and to someone who is going to use her for breeding. She is only 9 months old and weighs no more than 5lbs.

Nope!...Gigi is staying with us!

 

[debden]

Well, it's 11am..not a call or response to my email last night, though she still has not read it.
I would had thought that if she really wanted Gigi, she would had called me like she first said, so Gigi must not be that important to her.

I have been trying desperately to find a vet open today to at least get his rabies shots and tag but none are open today. He is scheduled for Wednesday, so we will have to wait.

We did take a trip to Petsmart this morning, Gigi got plenty of new treats! The X-mas section had alot of toys, treats at 50% off!

I can't see myself returning Gigi and to someone who is going to use her for breeding. She is only 9 months old and weighs no more than 5lbs.

Nope!...Gigi is staying with us!

You go girl! Don't let her get her hands on your little Gigi.I'm so glad to hear your keeping her.She was given as a gift and you have every right to tell this previous owner to take a hike!
Debbie

 

[Saffron]

I'm so glad you're keeping her!

Honestly, I would cut all contact with this person. She isn't a friend in the least if she thinks she can just use you when she wants, how she wants. She sounds like an extremely manipulative person, no one needs someone like that in their life. It would be different if she said, "I was just wondering ... my place will now allow me to keep a dog. Are you attached to Gigi yet? If not, would you mind if I were to ask for her back? And if you mind and you do not want to give her up, I understand and I apologize. I hope I caused no hard feelings in asking." That's a whole different scenerio than, "Hey, I can have a dog now, so I'm coming to get that dog that you now have."

There's no way I would give her back either, nor would I allow any visitation or send pictures etc. It has nothing to do with wanting money for keep, or wanting to be reimbursed for what I payed out of pocket, but everything to do with the fact that if I take on a pet, it's mine for life, period.

Happy New Year to your family with your new family member!

 

[doxdogy]

I am glad that you are keeping her and not giving her back. She obviously used you as a pet sitter while she was on vacation. Take her to the vet and set up an appointment to have her spayed. Since there are no papers, you don't have to really worry about transfer of ownership on that end. I would do as others advised and print off all the emails as proof of her giving Gigi to you and your family.

 

[Regina]

If she lied about her intentions, she's probably lying about the apartment's pet policy. For all you know, she may be planning on selling GiGi. What also bothers me is that the pup's coat wasn't cared for. No, I wouldn't give her back.

Hang onto that sweet little pooch. If your ex co-worker did one good thing, it was picking you to take the little gal.

 

[alliecats]

If she comes by your house unannounced, do not answer the door.

 

[Lanshark]

I recently found a stray cat that I was feeding. I couldn't keep her because I already have 3 cats and 2 dogs. She had just had kittens.

I fed her for about 2 months while she got used to me so I could get near her. I finally found a rescue that would take Mama and the kittens after we managed to catch them on separate occasions.

When I turned the Mama over the rescue lady asked me to sign a paper releasing my cat. She knew the entire story and I bristled that she thought I would ever turn my cat over to a rescue. She told me that by law, if you have feed an animal for more than 3 consecutive days that animal is yours. Any rescue should be able to give you the details in your state.

This woman is an EX co worker. She is slimy. I probably wouldn't give her the dog back or let her come to see it. If you decide to do that make it short and sweet. Don't drag it out.

Do you have any old emails or any witnesses as to what happened originally?