I'm on a little bit of a rant since I'm fostering the sweetest dog. After about a month of what seems like the non-stop posting of ads on every pet board imaginable, I'm pretty sure I've found him a home. All I'm waiting for is a copy of the lease that says she's allowed to have a dog or confirmation from the landlord. *Sigh of Relief*

I got about 20 or so responses to my ads in the month when they were posted. Basically, of all the people who responded, one of the only people who was really more than vaguely interested was the potential adopter. Everyone else, called or emailed once or twice and then, poof, was gone.

Right at about the same time when I set the appointment with the adopter, I had been corresponding via email with another interested woman. Although everything seemed genuine, it seemed like her follow through was a little lax. I suggested she fill out a questionnaire via email to screen her as an adopter. Well, she never filled it out to return to me. To be fair, I did say that we could discuss it over the phone as well. Then, she said she couldn't come to see him until next week, since she'd need to puppy proof the house. On Tuesday, I suggested a meeting sometime during the same week. I told her I'd give her time to puppy proof the house if it all worked out. Never at any point did I tell her I was "giving" her the dog. I made it pretty clear that certain stipulations had to be met. This dog can stay as long as necessary in my home, so I can afford to be choosy. I sincerely want a good home for him.

Well, the email was sent the day I made the appointment for the adopter to see the dog. This other woman never returned my email or called my phone (or if she called, she didn't leave a message). She sent an email on Friday. She explained that she couldn't get a hold of her landlord but she "knew" that she could have a dog because the downstairs tenants had 2 dogs. I sent her an email back stating that the dog was pending adoption.

Saturday, I open my email to see a SCATHING letter. I'll actually include the letter just because it pisses me off so bad. At no time did I "promise" her the dog. At no time did I try to delay her seeing the dog. I actually tried to get her to see the dog earlier and she didn't respond to me. I actually had misgivings about this woman from the get go, but I say give people a chance to prove themselves. Well...she certainly proved herself.

we were making plans to come get him
why would you do this
you even ask me to wait til after thursday because of your stepdad wanting to be there (she had to be talking to someone else as well, since she's not talking about me!)
i could have came and got him on tuesday
i dont get why you would do this but its pretty messed up
you dont make out plans with someone to pick up an animal
then at the least minute say oh well someone is adopting him
i was already doing that i wanted to already be out there to get him earlier this week
what am i suppose to tell my kids now
i hope your happy with your self

I sent her the most polite email imaginable (since she has my cell number and I don't want her calling cussing me out), but I REALLY, REALLY wanted to tell her that between her lack of capitalization/punctuation, as well as the absence of maturity on her part, that I'd never in a MILLION years adopt a dog to her. Especially when she can't "get a hold" of her landlord. Well, those are the type of landlords that decide on a whim to not allow pets. She herself stated that the lease said nothing about pets, either for or against. Oh, and the best part...she NEVER told me she had kids. I would have wanted them to come down with her to see him!

Well, I haven't heard back from her crazy ass...so that's a good thing. I'm glad I'm not in the "rescue" biz and that this was a one shot deal. I couldn't deal with these kooks.

It's a common problem - the old "if it is a rescue you must want rid of it and it must be free."
Some people just assume that the dog will be theirs for the asking and as they are doing you a 'favour' they can dictate all aspects of the adoption.

I would rather deal with dogs any day.

That's crappy Angela. I mean, you absolutely did the right thing by trusting your gut about this loon, but it stinks to be verbally abused for no good reason.

Good on you for responding to her email with polite diplomacy - I probably would have been very snarky and called her out on all the inconsistencies in her story while reminding her of all times she dropped the ball on her end of the deal. That said, my conclusion (from personal experience with crazy people) is that those kind of "enlightening" replies do absolutely nothing to wise up the offender - they're crazy precisely because they never learn... but sometimes it does make YOU feel better to at least stand your ground.

Hope your real adopter does indeed work out and this foster has a new, loving, lifelong home ahead of him very soon. Great work making a difference to this dog!!

~Natalya

 Quote:

That said, my conclusion (from personal experience with crazy people) is that those kind of "enlightening" replies do absolutely nothing to wise up the offender - they're crazy precisely because they never learn...

Yup, that's my experience with the insane and the jerks of the world, as well.

The kind of owner you really want gets all their ducks lined up before they ever start looking.

As Natalya said, they're crazy b/c they never learn; I think the definition of crazy has something to do with doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Yes, I admire your restraint. I could never ignore such glaring illiteracy in an offensive letter. It's so hard to take people seriously when they're both ignorant AND malevolent.

Angela,

I feel your pain! I've had much worse (but I've been doing this longer than you have - plus my fosters are usually long-term). One lady called me a crazy hoarder (and left SIX scathing messages on my answering machine) because I wouldn't give her my dog.

Because of people like this, I am currently fostering what may very well be my last two.

You can vent here any day! We understand!!! Sorry you had to go through it.

This is why all of my fosters were from an agency who I was fostering for. It broke my heart too often to listen to these people talk about their lives too irrationally. I don't think I could be forceful enough with people on the phone or dealing with the crazies.

Personal best (or worst) for very young puppies which were pit/akita mix. This is from a short term foster I did in Colorado between 6-8 weeks old they allowed me to look through the apps. I ended up finding the two puppies a home myself.

The app ( I wish I had kept a paper copy.)

Mother with 4 children. "this dog will be my son's." (age 10)

Answering questions about housebreaking.
"the puppy will be outside all the time."

Fencing
"We have a 4 foot fence."

Feeding
"Not sure what kind yet."

Exercise
"The dog will be outside."

I seem to recall writing in giant permanent marker NO on the top of that page. Not sure if that was the right policy but it was what I was sticking with.

 Quote: Angela Martin

but I REALLY, REALLY wanted to tell her that between her lack of capitalization/punctuation......

I'm in agreement with that 100% Angela - I don't ever add advice or responses to forum posts here for posters that are too lazy to bother with capitalization or punctuation.
Just a pet peeve of mine.

I am still having a ongoing going problem with a foster I have well me and my old landlord are both the foster for him.

I have some 21 year old now I am 20 say I have had dogs in the past and I can take care of him better.

I simply told her he need a perminant home not to end up back in the pound in a few months.

I also had a adopter come and get the new dog I fostered for a shelter so I did not controle where the foster went as much the lady was knocking on my door at 3 am two weeks later to give me the dog back. Cause he was to big for her this dog was 4 years ld not like he got any bigger.


I had a dog listed on craigslist big mistake someone came to meet him the next day someone breaks the window to the dogs room and trys to take bruiser and the foster. Well bruiser got a good chunk out of them and the foster was following in bruiser foot steps when I called the cops. He was arrested and he tried to have bruiser put in the pound the animal controle oficer looked at him like he was crazy.
For one I foster his dogs and two you where breaking in to there house the dog was doing what he was suposed to.

Right now I am not fostering I am done for a while.