I really wasn't asking for help I was just chatting about the differences in the ears of American vs European Dobes. The adoption issue was just a rant.
I had Thanksgiving dinner in a home with a sweet rescue dog. I mentioned the problem of overrun shelters vs the premise that adopters are evil until proven otherwise. It turns out the host had been refused an adoption in Dallas because she didn't have a fenced yard. Yet she had worked with dogs and horses all her life and had done rescue work as a volunteer. She knew more about dogs (and her capability to provide) than the person that turned her down.
When a dog is rehomed there's a minimum of three lives affected. The person that is giving up the dog, the dog and the person adopting the dog. The two lives most vulnerable are the first two yet the agency facilitating the exchange seems more concerned about the dog than any humans involved. The previous owner needs to feel comfortable with the placement, the dog needs to be shown love and the new owner (especially if a senior) needs loving companionship. If possible I would remain in contact with the previous owner. For example if they were in a nearby rest home or apartment maybe occasional visits could be arranged. That's just one scenario but I think the corporate armor of the agency needs to be pierced allowing the adopter to have direct contact (email, phone or preferably in person) with the owner rather than the applications and background checks. I suspect the oft quoted dog baiting ruse is not a risk at all especially with well established seniors such as me. Those operating our local shelter only know how to crate, feed and euthanize dogs not how to place them.
I had Thanksgiving dinner in a home with a sweet rescue dog. I mentioned the problem of overrun shelters vs the premise that adopters are evil until proven otherwise. It turns out the host had been refused an adoption in Dallas because she didn't have a fenced yard. Yet she had worked with dogs and horses all her life and had done rescue work as a volunteer. She knew more about dogs (and her capability to provide) than the person that turned her down.
When a dog is rehomed there's a minimum of three lives affected. The person that is giving up the dog, the dog and the person adopting the dog. The two lives most vulnerable are the first two yet the agency facilitating the exchange seems more concerned about the dog than any humans involved. The previous owner needs to feel comfortable with the placement, the dog needs to be shown love and the new owner (especially if a senior) needs loving companionship. If possible I would remain in contact with the previous owner. For example if they were in a nearby rest home or apartment maybe occasional visits could be arranged. That's just one scenario but I think the corporate armor of the agency needs to be pierced allowing the adopter to have direct contact (email, phone or preferably in person) with the owner rather than the applications and background checks. I suspect the oft quoted dog baiting ruse is not a risk at all especially with well established seniors such as me. Those operating our local shelter only know how to crate, feed and euthanize dogs not how to place them.
