I desperately need advice....

[WDWFUN]

I guess I would try to make the email less personal/emotional and more frank and to the point.

Yea, I know it's a long email, I'm just trying to fit everything into one paragraph but having a hard time.

 

[WDWFUN]

I would take out the part about dog sitting. no need for that even if it was her intention. YOu want to make it known that this dog was GIVEN to you for good. Adding too much might get you in trouble in the end. be short and to the point.

You asked me to take Gigi in as a permanent part of my family and that is exactly what I did. Gigi has a home now and has adjusted beautifully. We have bonded with her in the short time we've had her.

"Mary, You told me that dogs were not allowed in your new apartment and I would assume that this is the first thing you inquired when you decided to move there.

Since I've had her, Gigi has been groomed, spayed, had two baby teeth removed(they never fell) and given his shots. Gigi can not be bred, she has an umbilical hernia, which is hereditary.

I am confident that you will understand that we are not interested in giving Gigi away, because she is a part of our family now.

Thank You!...PERFECT!

 

[horseshowmom]

when you knew that i was going on vacation December 20th.

Don't you think I should leave that or not? It would show that she knew I was going on vacation prior to her letting me have Gigi.

I just wouldn't draw attention to the fact that you were gone part of the time (even though both of you knew it).

 

[M 'n C]

"Mary, You told me that dogs were not allowed in your new apartment and I would assume that this is the first thing you inquired when you decided to move there.

Since dogs were not allowed, you asked me to take Gigi in as a permanent part of my family and that is exactly what I did. Gigi has a home now and has adjusted beautifully. We have bonded with her in the short time we've had her.

Since I've had her, Gigi has been groomed, spayed due to the heriditary umbilical hernia condition she inherited, has had two baby teeth removed which never properly fell out, and has had his shots updated.

I am confident that you will understand that we are not interested in giving Gigi away, because she is a part of our family now per your request. "

Then I might copy and paste all email correspondance below this email so she can yet again see where you are coming up with this crazy notion that Gigi is yours now.

 

[ziggystardust]

Thank You!...PERFECT!

thanks

I changed it slightly since I posted - if you're interested

 

[WDWFUN]

"Mary, You told me that dogs were not allowed in your new apartment and I would assume that this is the first thing you inquired when you decided to move there.

Since dogs were not allowed, you asked me to take Gigi in as a permanent part of my family and that is exactly what I did. Gigi has a home now and has adjusted beautifully. We have bonded with her in the short time we've had her.

Since I've had her, Gigi has been groomed, spayed due to the heriditary umbilical hernia condition she inherited, has had two baby teeth removed which never properly fell out, and has had his shots updated.

I am confident that you will understand that we are not interested in giving Gigi away, because she is a part of our family now per your request. "

Then I might copy and paste all email correspondance below this email so she can yet again see where you are coming up with this crazy notion that Gigi is yours now.

You are guys are great!

 

[kimmikayb]

Just wanted to send She is trying to use the fact that you are nice against you (ie. how could such a nice, sweet person like you do this to me?) when what she's really saying is "I thought you were a sucker and I'm now afraid I was wrong"

Hold your ground, keep the dog and text her back saying please check your emails. You could even send a last email saying something like, "....as per our previous emails, when you gave us the dog, we accepted her as a part of the family. Accordingly she has now been spayed and received the proper veternary care you had neglected to get her. We love having her as a member of the family and would prefer not to have any additional ocmmunications with you since you can not seem to understand that."

Good luck with this crazy woman and enjoy the new dog

this is good, much better then what I said. I'd write it just like this and email it, then send certified the emails.

 

[WDWFUN]

Ok. I've re-worded everything, deleted some parts and I have sent it, also with the previous emails.

I do have to honestly say, I feel kind of guilty because I know how it feels when you lose a pet.
But it was her decision and I was used and lied to

 

[RickinNYC]

So glad you're keeping the dog. That woman is a real prize. Yeesh.

What I suggest, after you send her the email, you should follow up with a phone call a few hours or a day later. Just reiterate exactly what the email states and don't get into any discussion. State your piece and end the conversation. Don't give her room to ask questions or argue with you. Document the talk and tell her to reference your email if she has any further questions. Stay calm and rationale.

Keep everything on the up and up and legal, exactly as you have been.

ETA, and do NOT feel guilty. That woman doesn't deserve a dog or any other pet for that matter, if she uses them like disposable garbage.

 

[kimmikayb]

Ok. I've re-worded everything, deleted some parts and I have sent it, also with the previous emails.

I do have to honestly say, I feel kind of guilty because I know how it feels when you lose a pet.
But it was her decision and I was used and lied to

Awww.... it just show what a kind hearted person you. You will be great for Gigi. Just be careful now, ok? Watch yourself and Gigi.

Did you text her and ask her to check her emails?

 

[ziggystardust]

Ok. I've re-worded everything, deleted some parts and I have sent it, also with the previous emails.

I do have to honestly say, I feel kind of guilty because I know how it feels when you lose a pet.
But it was her decision and I was used and lied to

I understand why you feel guilty but dont. This dog was given up by her, you didn't push her, you didn't steal the dog. this dog is better off in your care - you've only had her 2 wks and look at all you've done that she neglected to do in 6+ months. Plus she was going to breed her?! so she was either unaware of her own dog's medical condition or she didn't care enough about the dog and would have risked her life for a few puppies. Either way she doesn't have the puppy's best interests in mind - you do

 

[crazee4mickey]

So glad you are keeping Gigi! It sounds like he has a very loving family now!

Hope "Mary" realizes her mistake and leaves you alone now! (unfortunately though I do think she has a screw loose and is very manipulative and is not done yet)

Keep us posted!

 

[WDWFUN]

I understand why you feel guilty but dont. This dog was given up by her, you didn't push her, you didn't steal the dog. this dog is better off in your care - you've only had her 2 wks and look at all you've done that she neglected to do in 6+ months. Plus she was going to breed her?! so she was either unaware of her own dog's medical condition or she didn't care enough about the dog and would have risked her life for a few puppies. Either way she doesn't have the puppy's best interests in mind - you do

Thank you for your kind words. Thanx to all of my Dis Friends.

I guess we'll see what is her response and I will certainly keep everyone posted, you guys have been so much help...You truly have.

 

[gradtchr]

I am so glad you are keeping Gigi!

 

[Jennasis]

I'm so proud of you for sticking to your guns and handling this all with class and guts! My stomach is actually in knots waiting to hear from you about what this nutjob's latest response is. I reiterate, WATCH GIGI LIKE A HAWK. I don't know if I could even leave her home alone until I was certain this had all blown over. Again, keep everything printed out and handy for the inevitable moment where this loony shows up with a plice officer. Clue your vet in too so she can give you copies of all paperwork and procedures showing you paid for it and you are the owner...oh and get that doggie a license. Much love sistah!

 

[lillygator]

hoping everything works out..wonder what her response will be?

 

[MyGoofy26]

Just read this whole thing, and boy does this chick sound like a flake! LOL!

If she continues to try and play dumb, like she hasn't recieved your emails. . . print a copy of that last one (or write another one) and send it to her apartment certified with return reciept. Could be $4 well worth it since you'll have PROOF that she got your letter should it come to a civil case. If she's fired up enough, you can file in civil court for relatively cheap . . . and if she's looking at that dog with dollar signs (easily $1000 or more per puppy) she'll justify the cost if she's certain it's HER dog and not yours.

If it were me, I'd do a little detective work about the apartment and call up and ask their pet policy. Or look online - if the apartment is listed online anywhere (their own site, apartments.com, forrent.com, etc) then the pet policy will be listed. If they do not allow dogs, online would be great since you could print the policy out and send that as well . . . or hang onto it as an "ace in the hole" if she does try and file a civil suit. She'll pee her pants if you walk in with not only a copy of every email begging you to take her but also proof that she's not allowed to have pets, LOL. And if they do allow pets, I wonder if you could find out from someone at the apartment if the policy has been recently changed or if they've always allowed pets - if it's not a recent change then you have proof that she lied from the beginning.

My guess is that there is a no pet policy, but as she's gotten to know her neighbors she's found that some of them have been able to hide quiet pets in their apartments without the owners/managers finding out and wants to do the same.

 

[ZPT1022]

Count me in as another one glad you are keeping the dog. I hope your "friend" lets it go soon so your family can move on

 

[Beth76]

I also don't believe the apartment all of a sudden allows pets. That just doesn't happen in the span of 2 weeks. Either she was indeed using the OP for free dogsitting, or decided to sell the dog or decided to hide the dog in her apartment. Either way she lost the dog.

OP, don't feel guilty about this. You were given the dog. There was no probationary period where she could have changed her mind. She changed her mind after the fact, and it's too late.

 

[Mono~rail]

Narrator: In today's case, WDWFun is being sued by her ex-coworker for "failure to return a dog" that she let her petsit for. WDWFun says the ex-coworker gave her the dog. She is now countersueing for "dog sitting" fees.

Byrd: This is case #523145A in the case of Ex-coworker vs. WDWFun. Court may now be seated.

I'm going to take this piece by piece and make it simple so that everyone understands. EX-COWORKER! You are an irresponsible pet owner! IRRESPONSIBLE! OUTRAGEOUS and IRRESPONSIBLE! You gave this dog away! You should be thankful your ex-coworker took the dog in and gave her a good home instead of sueing her. When you give a dog away, it means just that! THE DOG DOESN'T BELONG TO YOU ANYMORE! PERIOD! Doesn't. Belong. To. You. Anymore.

Oh, yes, Madam, you are irresponsible and I"m going to tell you why! You moved to an apartment that didn't accept pets. A responsible pet owner who loves their pet doesn't do that! If you can't move to where your pet can go too then you PAY someone to keep the dog for you! YOU DON'T GIVE IT AWAY THEN EXPECT IT BACK because THAT IS WHAT A USER DOES! So in my book you are irresponsible and a user. :::shrugs shoulders and purses lips ::::

WDWFun, I'm addressing you now. You've taken very good care of this dog while she has been in your care. You've taken Gigi to the vet, had her groomed, her vaccinations are current, she'd been spayed - all things that a responsible pet owner does. I'm glad you have been so kind to this pet because I'm a maltese owner myself. I have a special place in my heart for these cute little dogs. ::: smiles warmly at WDWFun :::

However, all that is irrelevant. It is only relevant that your ex-coworker gave you the dog. Gigi is yours now to do what you wish. She is a member of your family because she was given to you and you accepted her.

WDWFun, now to your counterclaim. I'm dismissing it. That wasn't the agreement that the two of you had. Your agreement was that you would take the dog because she was giving it to you. You can't ask for pet sitting fees now just because she wants the dog back. Even if I wasn't ruling in your favor to keep the dog, all I could order her to re-pay would be the vet bills, grooming, and dog food costs that you shelled out.

I'm very glad you kept those emails between the two of you, WDWFun. Without those I would have had a hard time determining who the dog belongs to now. I wish Gigi a long and happy life with your family.

Ruling for the defendant! Defendant's counterclaim dismissed! ::: bangs gavel :::