Dog adoption...did I say/do something wrong?!?

[Roxyllsk]

Honestly I think that more than a few people who want dogs do not really have realistic expectations nor good conditions for keeping a dog. Just the other day a local rescue group posted about a pair 3 month old labs that had been turned into rescue. The reason ? They shed too much !

So many times people want dogs and are not realistic about how much time they actually need to be cared for properly. My neighbor got a dog for her kids for Christmas, and this dog spends most of his life in a crate in the house. He’s a big pit/ridgeback/lab mix and he should be getting lots of exercise. But, he’s not. And when they do let him out he’s so nuts in the house they put him back in the crate. I asked her why they didn’t just walk him more or play ball with him at the enclosed football field. She told me they don’t have time.

So I totally get why it’s the 5th degree when you want a dog that is in a rescue. They want to find a good fit all around. I think that a lot of the rescues do a good job matching dogs with families.

OP, I’m sorry that you didn’t get the puppy. Keep your eyes open and start working with another rescue. It sounds like you know what you’re in for and that you would be a good doggie momma.

[Pookah]

I know it sounds a little out there, but I do truly think that sometimes these situations work out just the way they are supposed to! My parents wanted to adopt a Great Dane last year. They were so frustrated with multiple rescues that they were actually getting to the point that they almost gave up and went to a breeder - because they kept falling in love with a dog and then someone else would adopt it first. Well, they wound up with a dog that is PERFECT. Seriously, the most perfect dog imaginable, madly in love with both of them, possibly the happiest dog on earth, and SO MUCH more perfect and suitable for them than any of the dogs that had been adopted out from under them. So you never know, maybe it will work out for the best!

[Casey09]

[QUOTE=Pookah;7734495]
I know it sounds a little out there, but I do truly think that sometimes these situations work out just the way they are supposed to! My parents wanted to adopt a Great Dane last year. They were so frustrated with multiple rescues that they were actually getting to the point that they almost gave up and went to a breeder - because they kept falling in love with a dog and then someone else would adopt it first. Well, they wound up with a dog that is PERFECT. Seriously, the most perfect dog imaginable, madly in love with both of them, possibly the happiest dog on earth, and SO MUCH more perfect and suitable for them than any of the dogs that had been adopted out from under them. So you never know, maybe it will work out for the best![/QUOTE]

I agree! I believe in meant to be.
Trust me, you can and will find a dog. There are lots of dogs out there.
Maybe you should post where you are (general area) and whether or not you’d be willing to drive. Sometimes you just have to look aggressively. You can always look at more than one at once and please try not to get attached until you actually get the dog (I know it is hard).
I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I think you’re making this a little bit too difficult. You applied for a small puppy that likely had a ton of applications. The rescue had to pick someone. Try not to blame the rescue - they are likely doing the best they reasonably can. You are will provide a great home to a dog somewhere. Just keep looking, and look aggressively if you are ready for a dog. Trust me, you will find one that you love if you keep trying - but sometimes you have to cast a wide net.

[HenryisBlaisin]

It does sound like a situation where there were more applicants than puppies. However, I agree 100% with the posters who said to go to a local shelter instead of a rescue. IME, too many rescues have ridiculous expectations. I was once turned down because I A) have a roommate, and if one of us were to move, it might traumatize the dog and B) I actually had a contingency plan for the dog if something should happen to me and put that down–that the dog would go to my family or my roommate, so someone she knew and could provide her a stable home with someone she knew. Turns out the only answer the rescue accepts is if you say you would send the dog back to them. Other applicants are not considered. (This was not an application with multiple choice options, but one where you filled in the answers.)

Another local rescue had a dog I was interested in, so I filled in the application online…and never heard a word back. No confirmation it was received, no denial, just completely ignored the application and subsequent follow-up inquiries. Never again. Got my dog from the county pound and he is great. They were reasonably thorough in checking references (which they did on the spot) and interviewing me, and I took the dog home that day. This particular shelter had great volunteers who cared about the dogs and were more interested in finding them great homes than in micromanaging dog owners and controlling every aspect of the dog’s post-adoption life.

[meupatdoes]

Just because they didn’t pick you for whatever reason doesn’t mean anything about you. Dog rescuers can be a crazy judgmental bunch.

As much as you want whichever particular dog, it is also important to maintain standards that other people treat you with a little respect, and if their paradigm is wanting in that regard, there are other rescues, and other dogs.

[Marshfield]

[QUOTE=HenryisBlaisin’;7734956]
It does sound like a situation where there were more applicants than puppies. However, I agree 100% with the posters who said to go to a local shelter instead of a rescue. .[/QUOTE]

Depending on the OP’s area this might not be helpful. Just for fun, I will occasionally glance at the shelter pages for the two closest to me. I have never seen a small breed puppy. I’ve had many clients adopt from both places over the year, never a small puppy. Pitbull type or hound puppy, yes, but no small breed ones. There are some small dogs in one of the shelters now, but they’re geriatrics.

I have done quarantine exams on over a thousand rescue imports over the past year. I’d estimate that less than 40 of them have been either small breeds either adult or puppy.

[jessiesgrrl]

Okay I have calmed down now lol

It wasn’t the fact we weren’t picked exactly, it was the lack of communication and them dropping the ball several times that makes me feel they sh!t the bed.

I am very glad and hope n pray this pup, as well as the others, found their forever homes.

I have been looking at other sites and shelters for a small dog (as thats the one we want first until we move) but I have to say I am very picky on breed and disposition. I don’t feel we would be a good home for an older small breed, as they all seem to state “no children” and it just wouldn’t be fair to the dog or my DD to say hands off. And I was leaning towards puppy as then they grow and develope with your family, not thrust into a mix and hope to gosh they adapt.

BF says the same as above, when its meant to be it will happen.

I just will keep my eyes n ears open and see if something comes along…

Thanks everyone for the cyber hugs and words of encourgament

[WorkingDrive]

@jessiesgrrl;7718167

Well about 3 months ago, I was texted from a friend who is one of their foster mama’s saying she had Manny, a perfect little gentleman for our family and she felt he really is the right guy for us. I take a look at his profile, and he does sound perfect.

About 2 weeks after, same girl shows me pictures of some newborn pups (only a couple hours old) and I melt (who doesn’t!!!)…turns out Manny is a daddy :lol:
When they picked him up from his past situation, they took another little girl he was housed with…guess they were a little closer then expected and she had 5 beautiful pups

Am I the only one that picked up on this? I read through the replies, and you’ve gotten some great responses, but a dog’s gestation period from conception to birth of pups is only two months…maybe a week or so longer.

This rescue picked up a dog, and let’s say for the sake of this post, it was 3 months ago with another dog (even though I would assume he was in a foster home for a month or so after being picked up from his previous situation)…and then 2 weeks later after initial contact (3-1/2 months,) your friend sends you pictures of newborn puppies…from the female picked up with Manny now at this rescue?

Rescues can be strict with their requirements, and some rescues rely heavily on volunteers to process applications. Yours might have been lost, and now they are thinking, “whoops.” Is there a number you can call?

As far as the timeline I posted, whenever I do the math and see something like this, I raise an eyebrow at the rescue.

[Casey09]

The timing is odd. I hadn’t thought about that.
Anyhow, so much depends on where you are. There are two directions you could go. The first is to expend the search to puppies, older puppies, and younger adults that are good with kids. I’d call local vets, groomers, and trainers and see if they know of someone rehoming privately. I’d call rural pounds as well. I’d call absolutely everywhere, and I’d consider an adult that has lived with kids. I think you will have more luck networking and actually calling. If you want a small breed and you are picky, it is slim pickings. I think you’re wasting your time online, especially if you’re in an area without a lot of homeless animals.
The second thing you could do would be to just buy a dog. Honestly, I’d consider it. Depending on where you live, what you want may not be in rescue. Of course then you’ll have to deal with breeders, but you’d be able to get a small breed puppy and those just don’t come into rescue often. When you buy the house and are ready for a larger dog, then it’ll be easier to find a large breed puppy.
Now some states do have some little Chihuahuas and their mixes that are prevalent. If you aren’t seeing them online, though . . .
I’d post your location. You never know.

[Houndhill]

That’s what I would consider, too, OP. Decide upon a breed, then go to a responsible breeder who health tests, raises the puppies with optimal socialization and health care, etc. You would have to pay more, but perhaps it would be something g to consider.

[Marshfield]

If small is more important than puppy, a retired show dog might fit the bill. I do know of some breeders who tend to finish a championship on way more boys than they ultimately retain for breeding.

[Romany]

[QUOTE=Marshfield;7736576]
If small is more important than puppy, a retired show dog might fit the bill. I do know of some breeders who tend to finish a championship on way more boys than they ultimately retain for breeding.[/QUOTE]

That’s a brilliant idea! It means you’ll really be able to ascertain its temperament, health, and so on, before you make the next big step. A responsible breeder charges little, if anything at all, for a bitch - or a dog - who’s earned her keep and is looking for a steady loving home.

[Marshfield]

[QUOTE=Romany;7736603]
That’s a brilliant idea! It means you’ll really be able to ascertain its temperament, health, and so on, before you make the next big step. A responsible breeder charges little, if anything at all, for a bitch - or a dog - who’s earned her keep and is looking for a steady loving home.[/QUOTE]

That part varies a lot. I was given two retired breeding bitches as my first corgis (not at the same time), but there are many who do charge something for a young, finished dog who has been neutered. Often not as much as for a puppy but also typically a fraction of what has been invested in them. My girls are agility competitors first, mamas second so they stay thought I have had many inquiries from folks looking for young adults. I point them to other folks I respect.