Tzumit Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 Hello just thought we would post instead of disappearing without trace. We have been searching for a rescue Staffie for about 6 weeks now and have not had any success at all. We are constantly hearing how there are hundreds of these adorable doggies in need, either in kennels or foster homes and having owned two lovely staffs from 8 weeks to 16 years old, plus rescuing and old boy last November who had a shed load of problems, at the grand age of 16, (unfortunately he only had a short while with us, but we loved him to bits), we thought it would be a great idea to help these rescues Staffies and put something back for all the love and fun our two gave us all those years. Every single dog that we have asked about from the many many rescues around has been unavailable for one reason or another. We have had 3 individual home checks and been told constantly that we are a wonderful family and our home is brilliant, however there has always been something else – below are some of the reasons we have had:- Does not like other dogs (this is fair and naturally rules that dog out for us as we have a retired Greyhound). Dog cannot be left (again fair enough - one of us works part-time, but more and more from home, but a dog with separation anxiety needs more). Cannot/will not rehome a bitch with a bitch – this possibly narrows the search down by about 50% - I don’t understand this, but do respect that it is the policy of some rescues. Rescues unable to get in touch with the owners. Not answering the phone, not answering emails, not answering the front door. (This makes my blood boil because I know most if not all rescues have limited funds to go searching for people who were once in desperate need). Owners not now sure they want to part with said dog. Listing on website is incorrect it is not male it’s female and shows aggression to other dogs. Ex poundie not known if good with other dogs or whether he can be lef so no you can't have him. Can’t get owners to commit to a pick up time to arrange a meeting (been waiting for one for 6 weeks that was supposed to be removed as urgent). We live too far away. On the subject of fostering “your area is too expensive to pay for vet feesâ€. We offered to pay ourselves to help out and were still turned down. Two days later rescue is asking for funds to help with vet fees, three weeks later desperately seeking a home for the dog and posting that they have not received a single response. Dogs in kennels no idea on whether they get on with dogs or not as they are not socialised at the kennels – suck it and see. We went to see one dog on Saturday who was a “shy, timid little soul and would be fine with other dogs – “haven’t bothered to neuter him as at 7 he would be considered to old†Dog bounds out of kennels jumps on my greyhound and starts to imitate humping on her side. She did not like this and it is the first time we have seen her say NO! to anything or anyone. We could not take them for a walk and it was obvious he was going to be too in your face for Ollie so we walked away, me in tears because I never thought I would actually walk away from a dog in need. We were then told ‘you would probably be better off with a bitch!’ We went to see another one on Sunday who was wonderful, living with cats, left alone all day 9 hours with them, dog friendly, housetrained, etc. We arrived at destination and doggie saw us walking towards him and had his hackles up, teeth showing, growling, gargling, lunging and just was not gonna let us get close. We talked to him from a distance and he eventually calmed himself, we went for a little walkabout, he growled from time to time, but nothing too serious, but he was definitely not happy. The biggest Staffie I have ever seen must have weighed around 60+lb (huge) easily broader than a big English – yes overweight by far, but corrective with time. I know leads are not the ideal way for dogs to meet, but you can get a general idea and we did not like what we saw for Ollie's sake. Naturally they would have been separated when we went out and if someone was home all day then maybe we could have put some work in, but if anything kicked off (on either side) we could not have controlled him because of his size and it was pretty obvious to us that a home of his own would be best suited where he could be spoilt rotten with love instead of food. Again in tears we walked away and feel positively dreadful, but it just was not right. We both feel sick to the stomach that we have walked away from two rescue doggies, but know in our heart that other homes will be found for them and ones that will suit them better, but at the moment it is not hurting any less. I cried for 36 hours over the second doggie and I mean crying – I have huge puffy red eyes this morning to prove it. More to the point we feel sick about the way we have been treated by some although we have made good friends with others. We have decided that we will no longer continue to look as after looking and applying for 20 dogs now (having only met two in the flesh) we cannot stand the heartbreak and heartache that goes with it. Fickle as this may sound we have just about done ourselves in and it is time to stop, we are also leaving the Refuge because we do not feel that it is a good place for us to be right now, we have had loads of fun on here saying happy birthday and happy gotcha day on a regular basis always thinking/hoping it would be us next. On another post it asks if the Refuge is Cliquey – we don’t think so, it’s been a place of fun and sharing and we have learnt how to make liver cake, bought a crate for the car by recommendation, entered competitions, shared posts in Rainbow Bridge and spoken to some really nice people. This is not meant to be a dig at any rescues either – most of them do wonderful work up against some pretty miserable odds, but on the other hand some spoil it by not realising they are sometimes playing with peoples emotions too. We are off now to spend time with Ollie and appreciate what we have got instead of looking for something we haven't got. We wish you all well and hope you all have continuing successes with your wonderful canines of which we have seen many beautiful photographs and thank you for sharing those on here for all to see and smile at but we just can’t look anymore and get more and more upset at what might have been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collies r best Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supafrisk Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 (edited) Please don't leave us Sometimes it takes months, even years to find that special friend. Ask a few people on here and I'm sure they'll tell you that you're not alone I didn't choose my Willow, he picked me by the way - otherwise I'd still probably be looking for another tan lurcher bitch Why leave somewhere where you have all the love, support and resources you need to help you? There's always somebody here to listen, that's what makes the Refuge so special Edited May 8, 2007 by supafrisk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riciamarn Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 (edited) I'm sorry you seem to be haing such a hard time in rescuing a Staffie I believe that when the time is right, it will happen & it will be the right dog for you. The other dogs were not the ones for you & the right dog is out there, so please don't give up Edited May 8, 2007 by Riciamarn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melp Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 I'm another one asking you not to leave us. It can take ages to find the right dog so please don't give up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yantan Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 Don't go We are all here to support you and many of us know from experience just how long the wait for the right dog can be. Your dog is out there somewhere waiting for you Marion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greytgirl Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 Don't go We are all here to support you and many of us know from experience just how long the wait for the right dog can be. Your dog is out there somewhere waiting for you Marion I agree please don't give up, it will be worth it when it happens and the dog you get will be SO happy you didn't give up looking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jemimap Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 Don't go We are all here to support you and many of us know from experience just how long the wait for the right dog can be. Your dog is out there somewhere waiting for you Marion Precisley!! Please don't go, your new doglet is out there waiting for you to find him. I know it is disheartening but it will be sooooooo worth it in the end Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staffymonkey Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 I'm another one asking you not to leave us. It can take ages to find the right dog so please don't give up. I'd second that - though it may be really hard right now, the right doglet *will* come along eventually Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie No Dots Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 On the subject of fostering “your area is too expensive to pay for vet feesâ€. We offered to pay ourselves to help out and were still turned down. Two days later rescue is asking for funds to help with vet fees, three weeks later desperately seeking a home for the dog and posting that they have not received a single response. Wanna fill in one of our prehomes? Pretty sure we havent heard from you particually regarding fostering...dont think your miles from me. Not sure we have anything suitable but we always want foster homes.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaos Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 We have been searching for a rescue Staffie for about 6 weeks now and have not had any success at all. Six weeks is no time at all to find the 'right' dog (Staffie or otherwise). Is there a particular reason why you must have him/her right now? (I can't find your post in 'Homes offered', so only know what you have posted here.) It's a shame if you give up - there are so many wonderful dogs out there, literally dying for a good home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GSDFan Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 I can understand why you are upset There are so many dogs in rescue that you would think it should be easy to find one that matches your needs, unfortunately sometimes you do have to wait a while. Be patient and you will find the right one. Sometimes rescues aren't always good at dealing with people even though they are good at dealing with dogs, that again seems to be something we have to accept. Personally I think some rescues need to look at their 'customer services' because there is no doubt they can put off potential owners. Please try to be one of the potential owners who isn't entirely put off by bad 'customer service'. I can also understand why you feel the Refuge isn't a good place for you to be but I'd be sorry to see you go. I'm not sure what the Refuge can offer you, apart from support and a laugh now and then but I'm sure you have a great deal you can offer the Refuge if only you will stay. Even if you feel you need a break for a week or two please come back again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brunzara Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 On the subject of fostering “your area is too expensive to pay for vet feesâ€. We offered to pay ourselves to help out and were still turned down. Two days later rescue is asking for funds to help with vet fees, three weeks later desperately seeking a home for the dog and posting that they have not received a single response. The above quote I believe refers to RDR when you asked about fostering Stella. My response was as below: Hi Sandi, Thank you for contacting me It's not that you are unsuitable, just too far away I am afraid. Stella will need to be backwards and forwards to the vet and for one I couldn't afford the prices down South!! If anything goes wrong and we need to be there quickly or she needs to come back it wouldn't be handleable with her being so far away. Sorry Coryn xx A reasonable and true response I feel She is still in a local foster home and has been backwards and forward to the vets numerous times and yes we do need help with vets fees as it still costs considerable money, although cheaper "up North". I did not realise that you were offering anything other than to foster Stella Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix21 Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 I dont know much about adoption processes etc but 6 weeks seems such a short time to be looking. As you are a previous staffie owner - you will know that quite a few staffies dont get on with other dogs and their other requirements etc (not saying all but the ones i know tend to be more people friendly and like to be with people than left on their own for long periods) and a rescue will have assessed the dog and know exactly what type of home the dog requires. Am sure there is one out for you somewhere just be patient and you will get there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tegk68 Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 Please, please don't give up. A little staffy poppet will turn up soon and be so gad you waited for them Tis a tricky thing matching dogs to owners Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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