Atlanta Pet Rescue Reject

I have been watching the most adorable long-haired Chihuahua on the APR website for a few months now; okay, several months. He had a broken leg and wasn’t up for adoption. But, every few weeks I’d check back to see where he was in his recovery. A few weeks ago he finally came up for adoption. I didn’t immediately apply because I wanted to make sure Mr. Man was on board, and, after losing Roxie, we agreed to wait at least six months. I was sure someone else would snatch this little guy up and I would miss my opportunity, but on Saturday I went to the website and, to my surprise, there he was still waiting for someone to give him a home. I talked to Mr. Man about it and he wasn’t, well let’s just say enthusiastic. Still, I couldn’t get him out of my mind. So, yesterday I made up my mind and told Mr. Man I wanted this little guy and was going to get him. “I never doubted it,” was his response. I immediately filled out the online application and waited anxiously for a reply.

Now, I think most people who know me, especially those who are part of our daily lives, would say that my animals are pretty lucky, if not outright spoiled rotten. My daughter and her partner, Rena, often leave their dog, Cassie, with us for the weekend. Not because they are going out of town or anything, but because Cassie loves hanging out at our house, and we enjoy having her. My animals (I also have three cats) live a fairly privileged life. They are very well cared for; I walk them, play with them, hug & kiss them, and, much to Mr. Man’s amusement, talk to them. They are well fed, up-to-date on their shots, provided medical treatment when needed, have lots of toys, their own beds, and get treats just because we love them. Yet, APR doesn’t think I’m good enough to adopt one of their dogs.

Why? Well, on the application I stated that on beautiful days; not when it’s hot or cold or rainy, mind you—and I did clarify that—but on beautiful days, I let my dogs stay outside. Gasp! I know, how horrible, right? How dare I let a dog stay outside in beautiful weather instead of being couped up in the house all day. And, this isn’t very often, maybe 5% of the time. Being in Atlanta, there really aren’t that many “beautiful” days. We seem to go quickly from hot to cold and back to hot, and during the spring and fall we tend to get quite a bit of rain. But, alas, APR cannot adopt out a pet to someone who keeps their dogs outside.

I did send a respond in my defense, explaining that I don’t “keep” my dogs outside, and voiced my disappointment that they didn’t think it worth a phone call to allow me to clarify my responses. I also suggested that they might have called the two references they asked me to give—both of whom could have reassured them that I’m an above-average pet owner. I don’t hold any hopes at this point of getting a response from them, they’ll probably just write me off as some crazy lady. But, I am disappointed. I was really looking forward to bringing this little fellow into our lives and giving him a good home. I’m sure there are hundreds of other dogs waiting for a good home, but now that I’m “black balled” from APR it is unlikely that I’ll be able to provide one to a deserving animal any time soon. And really, I don’t want any other dog, I want this one.