Need Advice

It's hard to say. I do understand where you're coming from since I also work with a rescue group helping to match animals with their proper homes. In your group do you have someone first call to check vet & personal references (this is my job)? If so did any red flags come up there?

I say definitely discuss your concerns. Having recently adopted what we believe is a puppy mill Westie I know Martin and I were VERY eager to know anything and everything they could tell us about the little guy. We are having some behavioral problems with him now and are having to piece together bits of info to come up with his story in our minds since he was only in foster care for a short time.

Whoever gets Elsie is going to be so lucky to have had you guys as her foster parents.

Like Jason mentioned, if they are worthy of adopting her then they should be HAPPY to talk with you about your concerns!

I agree to talk to them. If they mean well then they aren't going to put her in any harm or danger. It may just take some adjusting for them to find a pattern that fits for them. It is always turmoil and a learning process when you get a new dog. You have to learn their quirks and they learn yours. See what they say they may just not know any better. I bet they will be great with her. I have left my dog in my car before SHE LOVES IT!! Of course I wouldn't do it in the middle of the day in the heat or anything. But when it's cool at night I roll the windows down some and run in and eat something. I have been stuck in a position like that several times. I don't think that makes me a bad or irresponsible dog owner. I would never risk my dogs life. I say give them at least a call and a talk.

Our group is very careful in their research, like yours they do vet checks, reference checks and a home visit before they are even approved to adopt. Once a dog is matched, the potential adopter meet the dog at the foster home, and then we determine from there if it's the right home for all involved. If they have pets we require that the pets meet first before placed to ensure that they will get along. So from what I've been told, no red flags as of yet. However one of the board members does have a couple of the same concerns as I do, but she is going off what I told her.

tammy i think you should definitely talk to the couple and raise your concerns. if its meant to be, it will work out, and if not, you get to keep elsie a little longer.

I don't think you're being overly protective at all. You love the dog and you want her to go to a good home. I think that if you're having second thoughts its because something was amiss with the couple and what they said. Trust your instincts. When the right couple comes along I think you will know it in your heart. I also agree though, that you should maybe speak to them again. Voice your concerns and see how they respond. Any responsible and caring pet owner would be glad to have people ask the questions, because it shows that you're actually interested in the well-being of the pet. We adopted two cats (from different rescues) and we were grilled, plus they checked our references for both work and character. We were glad that they did. If they care about her and really want her then they will make a concerted effort to answer your questions and make you feel safe with your decision. Maybe you can even ask them for pics of the basement and their house. Its sometimes more reassuring to see where the dog will be living.

Sounds like you and your group have all the right procedures and precautions/checks in place to try to ensure that you adopt out to the very best homes possible...that matched with your experience, intuitiveness, and genuine love and care for the dogs sounds like the best you can possibly give these dogs in finding them new, loving families.

 

That being said, I think you need to trust your instincts and simply talk to these prospective adopters and tell them your concerns. They may already realize they're not going to be able to leave Elsie with their existing dog alone right away, but just didn't think to mention this to you -- could have been an assumed thing on both ends?

 

Also, the fact they they drove 2.5 hours to your house to meet Elsie, I hope says something about them willing to go out of their way to possibly welcome Elsie into their home. Them leaving their in the dog in the car while they eat at a restaurant may not even be something they normally do at all -- but rather, the exception in this case since they're far from home.

 

I say it doesn't hurt to voice your concerns and see what kind of response you get from them, and then make your decision.

 

Elsie sure does sound like a special little girl. I can only imagine how hard it is to let these guys go once they've come into your life -- but I'm sure knowing you've found them the perfect home allows you to keep doing this.

 

This is the reason I've never been able to foster ferrets -- adopt them from the shelter and make them a part of our family, YES....but to foster them and then be able to let them go takes a very very special person. You'll make the right decision, Tammy, and Elsie will love you for it.

It would concern me their 1.5 yr old is not trained yet and that eventually they will be left alone all day in the basement. I think rescued animals need special love and attention, but like the others have said talk to them about your concerns.

No way in hell would I let her go to them lol

 

My dog was trained within a few weeks from a puppy, it takes time and maybe thats something they don't have that much of, my first thought is if they can't train a 1 1/2 yr puppy what chance have they got with a mill puppy! none lol

 

The main thing is the basement - who the hell puts dogs in a basement!! they need fresh air and to be able to see whats going on outside. I know not everyone has a garden or a yard but even some dogs that are left in a kitchen have plenty fresh air and can move around and see whats going on.

 

You have to go with your gut instinct and yours and the other lady's is obviously saying no go with it, you will be right.

I have to admit that it really doesn't sit well with me. Just the thought of Elsie being left in a car alone, even for a few minutes while the adopter is picking up milk or something,,,, What if the car is broken into, I hear stories all the time about people steeling dogs out of cars. Elsie has been thought so much already in her life, and who know what would happen if she was stolen...

 

Plus the fact that their 1.5 year old dog, (granted he's a very small dog) is still not potty trained, I guess my concern their is that if they are too busy to train him, the how can they possibly take care of two dogs and one having the past that Elsie has. And whild I'm on that subject, they mentioned they really wanted a second dog because their dog has so much energy and they just don't have the time to give to him, so again, if they don't have the time for one, how will they have the time for two?

 

Gosh this is going to drive me crazy..lol

Yeah that does bug me a little as well. But for a different reason. We crate Elsie now when were gone, but we come home every day for lunch and let her out of her crate. And I guess I see why they would want to two dogs to play while there gone at work, but my thing is "why the basement" I have a finished lower level, and it gets really cold down there, she has 8 pound dog now, and Elsie is about 15 pounds. I would think they would get cold.... Why do they have to stay in the basement...