posted 02-09-2004 08:37 AM         

I was just wondering how you're holding up this week. You had the week from hell! last week, and hoping you're doing better.

posted 02-09-2004 08:46 AM         

I hope this guy can find a home. The aussie rescue people are really dragging their feet at getting him listed. And I think I know what the problem is.

I was told that the shelter had called rescue about him. But the worker who called them didn't really know him. He was in a "suite" at the shelter because he doesn't do well in a regular kennel. I never saw it, but I guess it is an enclosed room, sort of like a living room.

Well, the day they called rescue they had discovered that he had chewed up his couch - totally destroyed it - so the worker said he had "extreme separation anxiety." So rescue said they would come and get him and euthanize him. Can you believe it?!

When the shelter woman who has been helping me got in that day, she was MAD. His kennel card indicated that he had not been out of his suite since Saturday morning and it was now Monday. ANY dog, especially a velcro dog, would go NUTS left alone for 2 days! He was just bored and lonely, poor guy.

So I tried to hedge but the rescue contact wanted his name and what shelter I got him from. Rather than lie, I told her the truth. But I didn't mention the incident with the couch. Her next message to me asked me if he has separation anxiety, since I told her he doesn't like to be crated. I told her no - that he is difficult to get INTO the crate, but once he is there he is fine. Sometimes he cries (don't they all?!) but he has never eaten his bed (Nala does!) or injured himself, and he was always lying down quietly waiting when I got home.

I haven't heard from her since. I guess I will have to poke her again.

posted 02-09-2004 09:45 AM         

It's all a mess. I looked at the contract I signed with the shelter and it said that I am not to rehome the dog without their consent. I'm thinking the shelter workers are really breaking rules by helping him out. So now I am paranoid about it - I don't want to get the workers in trouble!

I found another rescue group, but the listing application is LONG and I didn't have him long enough to know a lot of the things on there. And it asks what shelter you got him from and if you signed a contract to return him.

Sometimes they make it really hard to do the right thing. I can't even call the shelter and go through "proper channels" to get all of this cleared, since I am afraid to risk getting the nice workers in trouble.

I guess I will talk to his new foster mommy and see what she suggests.