I emailed you at the address you gave, David... and if I were the landlord, I would have a pet policy so I would have something to enforce and my tenants would have guidelines. I would not make everyone accountable for the transgressions of a few. As a tenant, I would have loved to have had him as a fly on my wall when my now 8 year old ADHD/OCD son would talk about killing himself, asking me why I ever had him, why everyone hates him, why he never gets invited to anyone's house like his twin brother, if he will be "sick in the head" and have to take his meds for the rest of his life (he is on 5 different meds daily), telling me I should just kill him, telling me he wished he was dead like Grandpa... and the list goes on and on. Then, for him to see the difference in him (up until April 6th when we received the notification)now that he has his "friends" (the dogs). And the unconsolable child he is since he learned we have to get rid of the dogs. Let it be his heart that is ripped out when he sees him hugging the dogs with the tears streaming down his face. Okay, now I've got myself crying... aaah, I hate this!!

Kristina

Kristina, bless your heart and those around you. My thoughts and prayers go out to you as you work through this. Just remember that the most important thing is your ability to be the strong one for your son. I know it tears you apart to hear those kinds of words coming from your boy. Please, please take some deep breaths, step away from this situation for a while. Take a forced break from this situation. You wull be working towards keeping your boy's "friends." Do whatever you need to do to ensure that, as I know you will. I believe I remember reading earlier that you have a relative that could keep the dogs temporarily if it came down to it. And, if it comes right down to it, rent out your home; and you go rent another place while you try to sell, so that you can keep your family together. I wish I could offer true advice like the others on this board, but I can't, I'm not equipped. Just know I am praying for you, and so are others here. One good thing is that you can vent here. Do that, but also step away and go do something enjoyable with the whole family (dog babies included) this weekend.

My best to you, Barbara.

This seems like too little too late, and I've been hesitating, but I'm going to throw it out there.

There was a similar thing going on several years ago with a landlord who owns a converted "beach cottage" place (small detached cottages now being used as permanent rather than seasonal housing) near me, who allowed cats but not dogs. He did have one tenant with a therapy dog.

After several meetings, and then mediation, with other tenants who wanted to have companion dogs, there was a resolution.

To make a long story short, dogs who had their CGC were allowed (one to a unit).

In this case there were no existing dogs who needed to be "grandfathered in" on the new rule, but I imagine it could've been added that existing dogs could have such-and-such a period of time to obtain the CGC certificate.

Hi Kristina, I think getting a CGC on your dogs as Connie suggested is a real good idea, as is the idea of a refundable deposit as suggested by another poster. The CGC demonstrates the dogs are well behaved and the additional deposit shows you are willing to put your money where your mouth is.

Also are any of the non-pet owning residents supportive of what you are doing? I think you might be surprised at the amount of support they might provide, considering the rules you want to put into place for the people that have pets. I would make sure the landlord was aware of the non-pet owner residents who back you.

I've been reading all of the posts and racking my brain trying to find a solution. I've been in your position and my heart is just breaking for you right now. Other posters have mentioned having your dogs considered as therapy dogs; there's something to that: A friend in a similar situation gathered letters from therapists, doctors and dog-trainers that basicly stated that the dog was well-behaved, and that the owner's psychological difficulties were significantly alleviated by having the dog. It was therefore concluded that the dog was a significant part of assistance with a disability (in this case depression/anxiety) and that loss of the dog was unfair, and potentially life threatening. She won very quickly. That was here in Vermont. I don't know how helpful that is, but it might be an angle to consider.

Barbara, thanks... I feel kind of foolish for posting my emotions out there this afternoon... and you are right. I need to step back and take some deep breaths. I talked to my brother at Easter dinner and he said he wouldnt' be able to take Bella and/or Niko because he is traveling so much right now. I do have a co-worker that wants my Jug, but she wants him permanently. I've also had some private messages from a fellow board user here that offered to keep my pup for me until I could work things out and another that offered to foster both. I'm hoping it won't come to that, but the support means the world to me. What a wonderful community this is, filled with such knowledgable and caring people that are reaching out to me.

Connie and Susan, I already looked into the CGC and unfortunately, my dogs are not "that" trained yet. I'm working on the not jumping on people with Niko who is 18 mos, but Bella is only 13 weeks and is still learning the basics of come, sit, down and speak. Forget the doing it under distractions... the attention span is minimal at this point when I introduce distractions. Especially other people, both dogs just want to lick everyone to death. I'm not sure how to teach the not jumping. I know she is too young for corrections as well as not 100% on responding to the basics. Niko on the other hand... my Jug, my rocket dog on LSD... I'm thinking I might need a prong collar for him. He won't slow down long enough to concentrate. He loves his treats, but as soon as it is in his mouth, he is off and running again. He does not do basic obedience under distraction at all!

Anyway, when I was looking at the requirements for my dogs to get the CGC, I doubt I would be able to in the short time I have left for training before I have to get rid of them.

I'm still holding out for my landlord to work with us on a resolution that is actually fair. If I haven't heard anything from him by Monday, I will phone and leave another message. Being that I don't have a lease, I'm scared to approach him with the I have a child with a disability for an Emotional Assistant Dog.

I put a $25 non-refundable deposit in the Pets in the Park Policy and Rules document that I came up with for my proposal, but I would be willing to pay more than that... I'd pay $500 if that was what he wanted!

Kristina

Kristel,

Again, I have considered doing just that and would if I wasn't concerned about getting an eviction. We have no place else to go and can't afford to move our home. I could kick myself for not having a lease, but as the law here states, even with a lease, the landlord can opt not to renew it for any given reason when the lease is up for renewal.

I am definitely not ruling that out and will talk to Eric's therapist about this on the 23rd when he sees her again. I did put a call into her this afternoon, but she didn't get back with me.

Kristina

UNLIKE PETS, there are rules about discriminating against people with CHILDREN. Fair Housing and all that.

But this landlord sounds like a monster. I'd probably start saving up to re-locate, if I were you!

He does sound unfair/unreasonable. I can't believe he wouldn't at least grandfather in the folks that already have dogs, and deal with the irresponsible folks seperately. I was a landlord once for about two years. I never had animal damage, but had a tenant who's child did about $2000 in damage, and who took me about six months to evict while she didn't pay rent. Even then I felt guilty because I'm a parent myself. And you can't descriminate against children, period. Animals are so much easier to regulate....I just don't get why this guy can't be reasonable. Who knows, maybe ultimately he will be. I'll be sending lots of good juju and prayers from here, anyway.

month-to-month lease? uh-oh. he doesn't have to have any reason at all to give you notice.

regardless of the dogs, you may prefer to find a better situation because that kind of lease is very unstable. you could get rid of the dogs and then he could still give you a month's notice "just because."

you really need to do what it takes to find another living situation.

tell him you are looking and ask him to give you time.

your only other option is to do just what you are already doing. that's your only chance.

try to meet with the guy in person over a cup of coffee so he can see you are a human being and give him a chance to empathize with you. present your problem to him and ask him to help you solve it.

but the better solution is to find a way out of being at his mercy.