Sad stories

So, I haven't heard anything back about Cocoa so I think that the lady has changed her mind. It is very sad because that dog really needs someone who will invest some time and love into her so she can learn that life isn't always so scary. I am still hoping that the owner will change her mind once it comes time to travel, however, I have to be realistic.

I've actually been trying to save another Washington state dog who is over in Eastern Washington. Abby's is a very sad story. A great lady decided she wanted to adopt a kid friendly terrier dog for her family. Their current elderly toy fox terrier was quite crabby with the kids and they had learned to steer clear of her. What they needed was a breed who welcomed their attention and wasn't a one person dog.

Off they went to the shelter and they met Abby. She was a rat terrier, about 1 year old, and for the next hour they played with her and got to know her - a sweet kid-friendly dog. When they were ready to adopt they found out someone else was interested in her so the shelter decided they could flip to see who got to adopt: the family or the 20 year old who openly expressed her plan to breed the dog and sell puppies. Sadly, the 20 year old won. The family was extremely upset, and the lady made sure to give the young woman her card and said to call her if she ended up changing her mind.

A week later the woman called. The dog wasn't house-trained and was "awful" and she wanted to get rid of her. The family had adopted another dog and couldn't have a third but the mom contacted New Rattitude, hoping we could help. However, Abby's owner had decided she wanted $150 for the dog instead of the $45 she paid the shelter. Since we can't pay for dogs and the lady could only really afford $50, the 20 y.o. said she'd think about it.

The next day the lady received a call. The owner hated the dog and wanted to shoot it so she needed to come and get it or else. Because there was a worry that the dog might be sick, the family was unable to foster it because they didn't want to expose their dogs. The owner was livid and hung up.

The mom didn't give up though. She talked with her sister and talked her into holding Abby for a day or two until I could get her over the Cascades to our house. The sister said she'd help so today she called back the young lady who was less than happy to talk with her. She was angry and said her roommate was ready to shoot the dog. Since this was Eastern Washington it wasn't an idle threat but a real possibility. The lady was at work and wouldn't talk with her at work. Abby is home with the roommate who hates her. Now we are just waiting and hoping that the young woman will call the family after work and they can pick her up. Until then I can't start recruiting people to transport her since we don't know if the lady will call back at this point.

So I may be heading up Snoqualmie pass tomorrow, but I may not. All I know is that my heart aches for this once happy little dog who lost a dream home with the flip of a coin.

It is a sad, emotionally draining tale. I've been working with the family who had tried to adopt her and communicating with the mom, play by play, trying to get Abby to safety. Last night I was sure it was over and she couldn't be helped. This morning I am hopeful again. It is awful having to wait on an unreliable, horrible person's decision which will determine if a dog will live or die.

The photo above was taken by the shelter and had been on Abby's petfinder.com page.