Crazy People…

Finally, we got the word that closing on the house will be next week.  Thank God!  I don’t think I could live in this apartment much longer without something bad, real bad happening.  I’ve known for a couple of days that the deal was sealed on the house.

My little darlin’ told me that once we get out of this apartment and into a house, I could have another dog.  See, I lost my Border Collie in a divorce.  My ex told me I couldn’t have my dog and the day the divorce was final, she gave her away.  Oh, I went to get her but when I did Sophie had already bonded with her new owners young daughter and I didn’t have the heart to take her away.

So, I start looking for a dog.  I searched the local Internet listings for a “rescue” dog.  Nope, I won’t buy from a breeder. Puppy mills need to all be shut down.  I found a Border Collie named Harley on this website:

http://www.retrieversandfriends.com/index.htm

Harley:

I had to fill out an application just to be able to inquire about the dog.  And since I assumed a reputable rescue shelters paperwork would take a while, I figured I’d go ahead and fill out the application and inquire about the dog.  I thought the timing would come out just about right and the newest member of our family could start a new life with us in a new house.

This application asked you to answer all kinds of questions about yourself and your pet history.  It was explained that they wanted to make sure YOU were a good fit for the dog.  What ever happened to going to the shelter and viewing the dogs and picking the one you want?  Well, this is the Planet California and they do things bass-ackwards here.  “Oh well”, I thought and carried on with filling out the application.  I submitted it and shortly I got this response:

Hi

Thank you for your info.
We have asked one of our volunteers to contact you to set up a good time for
a home visit.
You should hear from Nancy soon.

Liz

A little while later I got this message:

Hi

My name is Nancy and I am a volunteer with Retrievers and Friends. I understand that you are interested in adopting Harley. I would like to schedule a home visit with you on Wednesday, if that works for you. If you could give me a couple of times that you are available that would be great, I live here in Temecula also.

Nancy

I had hoped the process took longer than that and on Wednesday we are starting the move.  That date didn’t work for me.  So, I sat down and wrote this email and sent it to Nancy:

Oh Nancy, I’m sorry. Wednesday isn’t good. As a matter of fact, we aren’t totally moved into the new house yet. I thought this process would take longer. My fiancée told me I could get a dog when we moved into the new house. And immediately I thought “rescue dog”. I couldn’t bear the thought of trying to limit a dog to this apartment. We should be moved in inside of a week.

Sorry for the the inconvenience. Is there any chance we could set something up in about a week or so?

Thanks

Chris

OK, so far so good right?  Well the response I got was unexpected to say the least.  I’m pretty sure Miss Nancy didn’t intend for me to get this email.  Yeah, I’m pretty sure she screwed up when she addressed this and hit send.  It reads as follows:

Crazy people are out again!!!

His fiancee told him he could get a dog when he moved into the new house!!  I just printed off a picture of Romeo and told him “look what we are getting!!”   haha

What the hell?!  I don’t have to tell you that with all the stress from the VA, closing on the house and the crap generated from upstairs, I’m very easily irritated.  OK, scratch that, I want to kick someones ass so bad I can taste it and this bitch just plucked my last nerve.  But, rather than start a tirade the likes of which would make John McEnroe blush, I chose the common sense approach and penned her this response which I also CC’d to Liz the owner of Retrievers and Friends:

Nancy,

Well, I do have PTSD and am 100% disabled through the VA. But, I am offended that you would consider me crazy.
Perhaps your organization is NOT the best one I should go through to get an animal.  And, perhaps your business practices would be of interest to certain authorities that govern the welfare of rescued animals.

Thank you

Chris

Then I wrote a nice little letter asking what course of action should be taken, attached all of the emails and sent copies to Adopt-a-pet (the website I got her link from), North Shore Animal League of America (Adopt-a-pet’s sponsor), The California State Humane Department, and The Better Business Bureau of Riverside County.

My little darlin’ is livid and set out on her own campaign. She contacted Liz by phone but had to leave a voice mail and she also emailed her.  I’m pretty sure that there is gonna be a newspaper or two contacted as well.  God I love that woman!

Be sure to click her link and pass it on to everyone.  Tell them this is THE LAST PLACE you’d ever want to deal with when trying to adopt a dog.  Hell, drop her a line while you’re at it.