BAD bad bad situation -Callie's 'dog in danger' scenario

Callie I didn't read every word of your post because once I read enough I knew what was going on.  All I can say is that you just have to keep telling yourself that you did everything you could to give them good advice.  I have been in your shoes so many times that sometimes when I hear someone talking about getting a dog for this or that stupid reason I just walk away.  My emotions can take just so much and then I have to let it go.  We can't save them all.  I know it's harder when it is a person you know and I know that Pugs now have a special place in your heart.  It's really worse when someone asks for advice and then proceeds to completely ignore it.  I'd rather try and help someone who in ignorance got a dog when they should not, than the situation like yours.  It's like a slap in the face.  Been there, done that so many times I have lost count. My heart goes out to you because you are suffering as much as this pup.  My thoughts are with you.

whtsthfrequency

Make sure the people, "Gram" especially, KNOw you have a rescue lined up "in case it doesn't work". Because I can forsee a terrible day when you ask about the dog and they say oh, "It bit the kid....we sent it to the kill shelter two days ago"

EXACTLY -- that's why I got in touch with them BEFORE I even heard that "gram" thot the dog was a bad idea.  I wanted that number IN MY HAND, and be able to talk to Retha today was even better.

JackieG

It's really worse when someone asks for advice and then proceeds to completely ignore it.  I'd rather try and help someone who in ignorance got a dog when they should not, than the situation like yours.  It's like a slap in the face.

yeah -- that's it.  Pug or not -- look below -- I don't give a rip what breed it is, to be honest.  I love ALL breeds.  The fact that this is a pug is just another little hitch, BUT on the plus side, I know a lot of pug folks (and have way way way before I got Tinker-ino!!). 

But when someone asks you for advice and then doesn't even bother to read the email OR Answer the phone when you call??  I want to slap them (but sh*t splatters and this is enough of a mess already so ....)

Well atleast you tried to get through to them, Callie.

Puppymillers are pretty good at telling tales about theri dogs to make it seem as if they are good breeders. I had a TEACHER who was always talking about how many pug puppies she bred and how much they would go for. Testing? Nope. Certified? Nope. The parents were AKC registered and apparently to her AKC=BREEDING QUALITY. They take advantage of peoples ignorance about puppies and make themselves seem like the best dog breeders ever.

We are going to light a candle tonight and hope that this situation ends well for Pug and family. 

ugh, I'm sorry Callie.

I hate the "I want to get my son a puppy for christmas" type.... I really do. I'm seeing WAY to much of that with our rescue - thankfully most wont be ready until AFTER the holidays....

If rescue falls through, let me know. I could always squeeze one more in.....even if they have to come to my house for a few nights.

Erica you're awesome.  The trick will be getting this family TO surrender the dog.  phew

That's so frustrating.  I have a friend who decided she wanted a puppy a few years back and was talking about Irish Setters.  I told her everything I knew about them, and very strongly urged that she look at a rescue puppy or any other breed but that.  Nope, she went to the mall and spent almost $1000 on an Irish Setter puppy, and this dog has wreaked havoc on their lives for 3 years now.  In spite of a fence AND invisible fencing, she gets out at least 3 times a week and has often been found as far as 2-3 miles away, several days later.  They tried using a tie-out, but apparently she pulled it right out of the ground.  Anyway, I hated to say "I told you so" but my friend said it for me!

I was VERY tempted to say I'd take the Pug puppy...but we are in NC, and I don't know about making the long drive down there.  I honestly don't know enough about Pugs either, other than they need to live in controlled temperatures...not above 80 and not below 60.  If the puppy were to, say, just show up here, I'd love to have him!  I'd learn about the breed and be a wonderful home, but again...the drive is an issue. (I have highway anxiety)

 If they went to a completely different state to "save money" on this dog, maybe you can try to convey to them how expensive pugs can be as a breed in terms of upkeep, especially when things go wrong. Compound on the breed issues you've already told them and appeal to their wallet.

Maybe you could tell them things along the line of "Pugs are great dogs, but ..they have a lot respiratory issues, can have vertebrae issues....and those get expensive and I know you guys don't really want to be taking this dog back and forth to the vet a lot, spending a lot of money, spending a long time housetraining, skin fold problems, allergies ...etc..."  try to play up the problems with pugs as a breed and how expensive and time consuming it can be.

I know not all pugs are like that. and this one may be perfectly fine, though. Poor baby. I have a special little place in my heart for pugs, even though I generally don't like small breeds at all.

calliecritturs

I want to slap them (but sh*t splatters and this is enough of a mess already so ....)

LMAO!!!! 

Callie, we're sending good thoughts out for this little guy.  Hopefully, the family will realize that they are in over their heads.

any updates on the puppy?

I got an email this morning, now claiming that the husband has had dogs "all his life" and they're going to try this for a month and re-evaluate.

*sigh*  She did appreciate that I had worked out something with breed-rescue for them -- but the husband has DECIDED he loves the dog.  *very big sigh*

well - maybe it'll all work out for the best.

My mom was not a dog person - she did NOT like them. I had to beg, and plead, to bring Casey home - just to 'foster'. That was over a year ago =]

Now... when I told her I wanted a puppy break - she asked "why?!" She loves 'em now.

Callie, good luck with this little one.  Sometimes, people step up to the plate and become fabulous pet owners. We will just PRAY that the husband is one of these people.

If someone from this board who lived a few membersup I-95 from this puppy wanted him, I'm suuuure some of us could spare a Sunday afternoon to drive an hour or two to get him to a good home

I hope that all goes well, and that they decide to give up the puppy before the baby is hurt, or tell the baby no.