Will we make room for another dog?

And will the Golden Retriever Rescue humans think we're "good enough?"
We applied to adopt a 9 year old female shelter dog.
Included in the application was a questionnaire, and we had to write a 400 word essay on why we want a golden retriever.
Since we already have an elderly male golden, and a healthy happy little furball, we figured it would be a walk in the park.
Tonight we got a call from a man who said he didn't like that we fed Mr. Cabot Science diet senior or some other vet recommended dry dog food.
No, we should be buying organic, holistic canned food from the dog boutique.
(I wonder if he owns it?)
He didn't like that we have a doggy door, even though the dogs only have access to it when we're home.
Things have changed a LOT since I adopted a 4 year old Irish Setter 30 years ago...
Next step, a representative from GRR comes by for an inspection and interview.

I hope she's a little more people friendly.


The (I hope) lucky dog:

 

It seems to me that sometimes the people who run shelters and rescues are their own worst enemies! Any SANE person would think you are a perfect fit for the old girl. How many people are experienced with Goldies, have a senior goldie already, and are will, even anxious, to adopt another senior? Seems to me that you are the perfect person to adopt that very sweet dog, and she would be a very lucky dog to land in your loving household! Keep on plugging. Many kudos to you for wanting to give a loving home to an old dog. There is something very special about people willing to open their door and hearts to these oldsters.

 

Keeping our paws crossed for you


The pound gave us the zillion questions and home interview when we got Bart. They did not like the 3 foot fence from house to garage and insisted on a 5 foot fence...... so I put up a 4 foot fence,

Rascal was injured when I found him, The pound because of Bart didn't need a home inspection but I had to jump hoops to foster care for him and although living/healing with us he remained the property of the pound for a month.

Getting Griffin from BCGSR sounds alot like what you are going through...zillion questions, we had several long phone calls, home inspection, and then we had to go to the mainland to meet Griffin and it was made clear that there still would be promice we could take him.

To me it sounds like GRR is doing everything correct. Making sure the animal is going to end up in a forever home. Now that we have become friends with our rescue, BCGSR we have a better understanding as to why they make it seem difficult to adopt, nothing worse than a animal, any age getting "dumped" again because the new owner... turned out to be a POS.
Sadly even with the mega questions and interviews a POS slips through, our rescue has had to a couple times re-rescue a dog. Griffin for the rest of his life belongs to the rescue, that was part of the papers we signed, they have the rite to take him away if they feel we are not taking care of him properly.

I have alot of respect for animal shelters, and even more respect for those who choose to rescue a animal rather than go the puppy mill way.

If it was not for irisponsible animal owners, there would not be animal rescues/shelters.



Hope ya get the Mut!:2_thumbs_up_-_anima

and never forget, you also have to be carefull of witch dog you can handle.........................

 

Good for you, Pine Box! Hope it all works out for you and the dog. A few bad dog owners spoil it for everyone. Thanks for putting up with the "are you worthy?" process! She looks to be a sweetheart!

 

I totally understand why there are questionairs, interviews, references and home inspections. But a 400 word essay! That sounds like a bit much. I think they should interview the neighbours as well as all the other stuff they do.
The things I went through trying to get a dog was a bit rediculous, I was begining to think that they posted pictures of dogs that were longer available, if ever, just to get you perapproved for a dog that might come along later.:confused: It is difficult to believe that that many dogs/puppies had been adopted. :rant:



Anyway...I hope you get your lady, she looks sweet. I'm sure you are very deserving folks who will give that old girl a great home. Good Luck! I hope you don't have to wait to long.

 

IMO it is part of the broader culture of micromanagement. I wish you well in your efforts and have no doubts that you will take good care of your animals.

mike

 

When it comes to adoption, for a new owner, the process makes some sense. When the applicant already has a dog of the breed, and that dog is older, or OLD, the simple thing to do is to meet the existing pet. You can tell in about 3 seconds if that is a well cared for, loved animal. If so, then go ahead. Obviously the applicant has the routine of the breed, and the older ones, down pat, and knows what they are getting into. That would be like my applying for a beagle. I KNOW the breed. I have had nothing but beagles for over 20 years. Anyone wondering if I am fit to care for a beagle just needs to meet the ones I have to get the answer pretty quickly.

 

Very, VERY, well worded mike

 

My thanks to all for the support and the insight.
I knew there were dog people here!
The website says the dog is no longer available for adoption.
Either we failed the phone interview, or someone else got her, or the foster parents decided to keep her, or (unlikely) Chris wowed them so much on the phone that we're first in line pending further investigation....
Nah.
I'm bummed.
Of course at my age I've been disappointed before, so I'm used to it.
I'll get over it.
After all, we saved a lot of money.
Chris says:"There are a couple of other Goldens on the site that we may like...."
Nah.
I wanted that one.
We don't really NEED another dog right now.
We'll look again when old Cabot's time gets a little closer.
There is going to be a great big 85 lb hole in the house when that day finally comes.
My next problem is:

What am I going to tell the kids?

 

I feel your pain in both counts. I got "sorry this dog has already been adopted" many, many times. We too were left with a large vacant space when our Lady passed a few years ago. It is difficult when your pet/family members dies, but I get solace in knowing she had a good,long life.

http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22420

Hang in there it may take awhile but your new buddy is out there waiting to be found.
I too gave up looking several times before I found Skipper.

 

Ah that sux. We had to put down both of our Goldens in the same year, January then October. Wife and I said thats it, no more its too painful. That lasted a week. We rescued a male and a female from a very nice place in PA. Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue. We did fill out a questionaire and had a house visit but it didnt seem that bad.

Hope you find another dog to give a forever home, if thats what you want to do right now. You'll know when it's right.

Good luck!

 

I am so sorry you didn't get the old girl; it sounds like she would have been extremely happy with you and you with her. Take heart, though, there is another Goldie out there who needs you just as much if not more. When the time is right, you will find yourself with an 85 pound bundle of joy again. I guess I've been very lucky with my kids all finding me, not me going out to find them.

There is one other suggestion, and that is to put up a notice on the bulletin board of the local dog park. Spread the word that you would love to give a home to another Goldie. It is amazing how often that has led to a dog finding a new home. Also, there are often notices of dogs needing a new home because of illness or what ever. It is always sad to see an old dog needing a new home because their owner passed away, and the dog is, in effect, orphaned. That was how I got my Dusty, a beagle cross. She was 14 years old, and her owner passed away. Nobody in his family was willing to take the old girl, and they were going to send her to the pound. Not in my lifetime! She moved in with me, and I was blessed to have her for a year and a half.

 

We thought it was over, but Chris just got a call from GRR.
A woman is coming by tomorrow evening to check us out.
Should I offer her tequila shots, or would Scotch send a classier message?
What should I wear?
Should I tie fun bandannas on the dogs?

I think maybe hope she'll be nicer than that pr*ck that phoned....
Any dog that walks into this house will know what winning the lottery means.

 

Good luck! Post some pics when you bring her home.

 

Yippy! There's still hope. But don't get too over excited at this time. As you wrote, some of us know disappointment and it hurts. If this is not your time, another opportunity will come later. At least the lady will know yours is a good doggie home.
Since Tedy won't let me move in and Mike in Texas wants a free baby sitter, maybe I can move to south Florida where it's warmer. I can get used to Alpo or whatever is in my dish every morning and evening----exactly at 8 AM and 6 PM! By the way, I am pretty well house trained. I do sleep on the sofa a lot and need to go out in the middle of the nite.