Bummed out but there may be a silver lining

[nancielle]

Thor won't be coming home with me. The Humane Society spoke with my landlord and all of a sudden this dog had "behavioral issues". The behavioral issues they mentioned had never manifest themselves in all of the time I had spent with the dog (barking--never made a sound. Chasing--didn't go after cars or the kids who were around). What ticks me off even more is that they didn't have the decency to tell me first,or at all for that matter, they told my landlord. They haven't returned my calls.

After sulking mightily about this, I remembered a dog rescue not far from where I used to live. I checked the rescue's website and picked out two dogs from the one's who were ready to be placed in homes. First one had already been adopted. I expressed an interest in an older german shepherd.
Got the application, filled it out and sent it back. The woman who rescues these dogs called me today. The dog I had my eye on had been adopted.
Dang! Anyway, based on what I stated I was looking for in a dog, she recommended a shepherd mix that was still available. Her name is Raven.

I'm supposed to go see her on Friday but I may actually go tomorrow. I've been told that if I like her I can take her for a "trial run" at home to see how we adjust to each other. Or I can choose a different dog from the ones they have.

[Deanna]

Oh, how sad for you and for Thor. You know he had his little doggy heart set on a new home!

[Tri Girl]

I'm soooo sorry that Thor won't work out. Crummy the way they handled it.

I hope that you like Raven, and she likes you just as much. She's a beauty, too (I say that about all dogs, tho ). I hope you get to take her home!!!

Crossing fingers for both of you...

[Pax]

I'm so sorry about Thor, hopefully he'll get a wonderful home and you'll still be able to get a new buddy.

[nancielle]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm still bummed out about Thor but I'm looking forward to meeting Raven (and her housemates.) The more I've thought about it today the more I think I'm going to call them and see if I can take her Thursday rather than Friday.

I was talking to a friend of mine earlier (Danger Dog's mom) who, philosophically said, "As much as you wanted those other dogs, there is one out there who was far more destined to be yours." However, I'm a sap about dogs and think they're all destined to be mine.
I'm afraid to get too excited about her just yet--I had my hopes dashed 3 times in less than a week. As soon as she's in my car and I'm heading back to my apartment, well, then I'll be excited.

[KnottedYet]

She looks like a smart lil' punkin. (look at those eyes!)

I adopted a cat once who was the sweetest lover-boo. After I was all ready to sign the papers the shelter folks said, "oh, wait, he has behaviour problems." Turns out someone had complained that he'd "bitten" them during a shelter visit. Well, duh! The little baby was churning out his milk teeth and popping up adult teeth! He was mouthing EVERYTHING.

My mom adopted a cat who was labelled "unfriendly." Within moments of his previous potential adoptive family taking him home, the father had dragged the cat yowling and hissing out from under the couch by the tail and shoved the cat into his toddler daughter's arms. When she "hugged" the cat, it had scratched and scrambled to get away. Duh! That cat was devoted to my mom for 17 years. One of the gentlest critters you ever met.

Thor will be ok. Someone with no landlord issues will meet him. They'll see through the barking/chasing b.s. and he will have a new home. Meanwhile you will find a dog who also needs you. It will all work out.

[HappyAnika]

So sorry to hear about Thor. Keep us posted on how it goes with Raven.

[LBTC]

{{{{{{{{Nancielle}}}}}}}}}}}

Like Knot said.

I'm so glad you get to take Raven home for a "test drive". That has been a very helpful process for DH and I in the past. We've had to return a couple of cats that did not work with our ready-made dog and cat family, which isn't great, but we could give the feedback that the cat should maybe be socialized first or something.

I'm sending lots of butterflies that will surround and brighten the exact best doggy for your world the moment you walk in the door of the shelter. You won't miss him or her! Be open to the idea that it may not be Raven, okay?

And, of course, let us know what happens!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~