Pet (dog) Rescue Groups- Advice/stories-update

[hiwaygal]

kilee...

Please don't worry about how "nice" your house is!!! When the rescue group I got my dogs from visited my house, they were only checking "safety" issues...and managed to point out a few I hadn't considered.

I'm sure they aren't going to judge you in any way!!!

My home is decorated in what I like to call "early American college"...meaning NONE of the furniture is coordinated or matching in any way. My old couch was torn in several places (from my previous dog) and I used large sheets and blankets to keep it covered...so no one would see. My carpet is old and stained...and my house hasn't been painted since it was built (over ten years ago). So, you see, you aren't alone!!

Please try to calm down...let them see how wonderful your HOME is, how much you have to give to a pet who needs a very special place...

Good luck...I'm sure this will all go much better than you think...sending lots of

 

[Regina]

Kilee, what she'll find is a wonderful, compassionate, caring person with a dog who is clearly happy and healthy.

You have the attributes that every pet owner should have. That means so much more than your surroundings.

I'm sure that you'll pass "the inspection" with flying colors. Please, please, please don't make yourself sick over this. Your home has love, and that's what's most important.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Awww, try not to worry about it so much. I really believe they have the dog's best interest at heart. But adopting a dog shouldn't be quite so stressful.

I can relate to how you're feeling because I had a similar experience with a German Shepherd rescue organization two years ago. I had lost the female of an elderly brother/sister pair, and the male was not doing well either. I was going through chemo at the time, and was heartbroken about my dogs (having to put her to sleep unexpectedly the same day all my hair came out). I wanted and needed a dog who could come for walks with me as I recovered that summer, and I knew it couldn't be my male because he'd lost the use of his rear legs. I decided as part of my "giving back" to rescue a Shepherd.

I had my heart set on a 5yo female with a seizure disorder. They were having trouble placing her because of her condition. As a nurse, this didn't scare me at all. And from the sound of her personality I thought she and my male dog would get along very well. They came to inspect my home (piece of cake, mainly wanted to see it was welcoming to a dog and they also required a 5 foot fence all around which we had) and I filled out oodles of paperwork.

Then came the problem of my twins being 4 months shy of their 7th birthday. They required all children in the house to be 7 before they will give you a dog. They told me "call back after their birthday" (which was in October), and would not bend the rules one little bit, despite the fact that I am what they would consider an ideal GSD owner. I literally begged them for this dog but it was a no go. I shed mountains of tears over it since it was springtime and I really needed to get out with my dog that summer to walk and regain my physical and emotional health again. My family saw my distress and got me a puppy. I love her to pieces, but I'd really wanted that dog and was heartbroken I couldn't have her. Last I spoke to them she eventually went to a good home.

I've been in touch with them to offer my dog's wheeled cart to any Shepherds who might need it, and I've told them I'd like to foster, however my kids have to be 10 to foster so I've got another two years to wait, and now they're saying they don't want to place dogs into homes with female dogs (like mine) so I don't know if I'll ever get to do it. Sheesh... (strongly resisting the urge to put in eye roll smilie)

 

[lewdyan1]

I just sent you a PM!

 

[kilee]

Thank you all for the encouragement. I am still on the verge of tears with stress. BUT-- in about 90 minutes it will all be over. I do keep reminding myself that in the end--- what was meant to be wil. It's just not easy. I think my house is my biggest insecurity I have, truly. I am embarassed by it. I want something nicer (as I'm sure we all do) but for now this house is part of the "10 yr plan". Then this older women was just so snotty on the phone and she lives down on the "lake". There was actually a reason I didn't chose this local animal rescue group- and here they are the one's ending up doing the homestudy anyhow. Even at their yearly fundraiser garage sale they are so "snippy".

I'll let everyone know how it goes. I just want to thank everyone again!!! Reading everyone's words of encouragement actually brought tears to my eyes-- but good one's!!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

 

[kilee]

Well, that is over. I couldn't get a read on the woman and she brought her husband (she originally said another lady was accompanying her). He seemed really rushed and just wanted to get out of there. He was annoyed over any bit of conversation that strayed from answering any questions. She was very hard to read. Unfortunately, we definetly didn't have the best rapport or anything. She pretty much corrected me on a lot I was doing. She asked what type of food I fed my dog now-- which I use Hill's Science Diet or Purina One- as recommended by my vet. She didn't like that- she said I should be using only a natural diet. Then she asked what method I would use to housebreak a dog. I said I'd most likely start w/ a crating method. Since this method is highly recommended and successful. She didn't like that- said I should use positive reinforcement- which you use in conjunction w/ a crate. Unfortunately, as far as this one goes- different dogs will act differently. So, I'd have to assess the dogs personality first.

Anyhow---I'm glad that's over. I was really stressed by it. But- it's done. Anyhow, I wanted to share- that when they left I had no read on what they were going to say in their questionaire they needed to forward back to the group I'm applying with. I just got an email a bit ago- and it was from the women that was here this morning. She sent me a copy of the questionaire and comments she sent in her report to the rescue group. In the end she did give me a glowing report-- . I have to admit I was shocked. She said my house was very clean-and "homey". She said we seemed to truly adore our little guy now- who she added was a "cutie" in her report. She felt we have a safe house and yard for a dog- and she highly recommends they place a dog with us. Go figure-- I really was not sure of how that was going to go.

I guess now, I'll give it a day or two to see if I hear anything- then I'll contact them.

Thanks for all the PD- I think it worked.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I am so glad that it worked out! Doesn't it just make you shake your head, though? You are a good person and will provide a good to home to another dog! The size and condition of a person's home does not determine the size of their heart!

 

[hiwaygal]

OOOOOHH!!! She sounds like a snobby person!! Only a natural diet and NO crate training!?!?! If she knows so much about dogs, she ought to know that training methods vary with the personality of the dogs but crating is HIGHLY successful and certainly not "negative"!! And the food issue...I'm not even going there.

I will say that when I was doing home visits, our organization pretty much required that two people go together for safety reasons. So her DH was probably forced! LOL!! At least he kept things moving along!

Anyway!!! I'm SOOO GLAD things worked out well, and she gave you a good report!! Now, be sure to keep us updated on the adoption!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm happy things went well for you, and glad you're feeling better about things.