Dog gone question??

[tungularafishcamp]

Since this is turning into an advice column on other issues here goes.

I have been dabbling with breeding red labs for awhile now and besides being a whole lot of fun it more than pays for the kibble!
One of the owners of our pups from the first litter had her hands full with life and the pup was probably a bit too much. They had the pup a little over a year when I got an email from her saying they were thinking of rehoming her, things were just too much! I said I would take care of the pup for a couple weeks so they could figure out what they wanted to do, as it is one of my grand pups

They put the pup on the mail plane to come out here for a couple weeks. She is a good pup, just needed someone to give her some training, and was working out well at camp. After a month and no word I got ahold of her and asked what she wanted to do. She said to keep the pup, it was ours and she wanted no money.

A couple of weeks down the road I get a email asking for some of their money back, I offered to give them half the money from one of the pups if/when I breed her. ($ is a little tight right now as a waterspout just took out most of my roof, a wall n several windows. She was very agreeable to that.

Now 2 months down the road, Yesterday I get an email saying she thinks she has her allergies under control and she wants the dog back((
Of course I am head over heels in love with the pup(I am a sucker for redheads) and don't want to part with her.

My thought is to say HE// NO and give her 500$ and be done with it.

What say ye great brain trust of TBN?

 

[RobertBrown]

It's your dog, keep it.
Ask me about the money......

 

[om21braz]

If she is willing to wait until you have enough to give her all the money back, I'd go that route and keep the dog. Sounds like she may be better off with a different breed if allergies are a problem - or it could be indecision is a bigger problem. At any rate - I believe the pup's in better hands with you.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

You owe her NOTHING. Boarding "her" dog is not free.

Tell her the pup was adopted - you made no money - and wish her a merry Christmas. The end.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

We have been selling the pups for $1000 and everyone is happy with the price. No way am I going to give her the full grand back, I feel $500 is more than generous, as they had the pup over a year. Even though things are tight, I can pay her now just would have rather waited, but it would be worth it just to be done.

 

[motownbrowne]

I sure wouldn't give the dog back. It's handy that you have everything in email form so you have it in writing that she said to keep it. I'd probably say "tough luck" on the money too, but that's me.

 

[Citydude]

Be honest with her and remind her that she gave the pup back to you wanting no money in return. Now your very attached to the pup and just can't part with her.

Offer her another pup from the next litter in exchange.

 

[LD1]

Before making a decision I would evaluate how the dog was cared for in the year she had it.

Does it seem like the dog was neglected? Not meaning food and water, but attention and training. Or does it seem like she was trying to work with and train the dog as if she really cared for it

 

[MMagis]

I wouldn’t give her squat. She’s a flake, obviously you don’t ever want her as a customer again. She has no claim what-so-ever to the dog or the money, so end of story. Sometimes it’s hard to do things that cause people to be upset with you, but just tell her “No, but have a nice Christmas”. Worst case scenario is you never hear from her again, which is also best case scenario.

 

[IslandTractor]

She effectively gave up the dog without any concrete plans to retrieve it. She didn't seem to stay in touch about the dog's welfare other than to ask for some money back. Asking for a refund is tantamount to giving up responsibility for the dog. You adopted and rehomed "red". The pup is now yours. If the first owner gets snippy about money, send her a bill for two months boarding at whatever the local rate is. I'm pretty sure a bill like that will change her tune. If, by chance, she actually pays the bill then I'd reconsider as it would be a good faith effort on her part. If she paid, I'd then send the dog back to her along with most of the money. If she really was in a tight spot and loves the dog then a two month "therapy" visit is demonstration of her good intention in providing a good home for the dog. At least she didn't just send the dog to a shelter when it became hard for her to keep it.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

If you're like me, you have become attached to the pup; she obviously isn't. If you feel like you can afford giving her the $500 back, and she will accept it, I would go that route and get a signed release from her...you are at least breaking even, keeping a pup you love and keeping it out of the hands of someone who is unpredictable. I spent more than that on my baby dog's hangnail!

 

[tungularafishcamp]

Before making a decision I would evaluate how the dog was cared for in the year she had it. Does it seem like the dog was neglected? Not meaning food and water, but attention and training. Or does it seem like she was trying to work with and train the dog as if she really cared for it

My adult daughter dog sat for them a couple times(small town) and also grew attached. My daughter would regularly "borrow" the pup to go on romps with her own pup. When she returned the pup, "red" wouldn't want to go She was definitely well fed, watered, loved, but the training and attention were lacking! To complicate things they have a couple kids one of which who misses the pup.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

Thanks for all the great advice folks! If weather cooperates, I will be flying into town tomorrow. I was wanting to have a sit down and talk face to face with them so I hadn't responded to the email yet. Maybe I should just let the pup decide!

 

[Trials]

she thinks she has her allergies under control and she wants the dog back((
...

Gather up a bunch of loose dog hair and dander, put it in an envelope and mail it to her with a note saying: here pack some of this up your nostrils and see how that works out for you. :dog:

It's not just a pet, owning a dog is a lifestyle. Some people are not up to living that lifestyle.

 

[IslandTractor]

Gather up a bunch of loose dog hair and dander, put it in an envelope and mail it to her with a note saying: here pack some of this up your nostrils and see how that works out for you. :dog:

It's not just a pet, owning a dog is a lifestyle. Some people are not up to living that lifestyle.

Good point. Allergy to dogs is not something that is easily brought "under control". She may be taking antihistamines but as soon as the dog is reintroduced into the home environment she will get the same symptoms again. Of course it is possible that "allergies" was simply an excuse but that would be even worse as she is capable of changing her mind again. I wonder if guilt regarding her child who did love the dog is causing a temporary change of heart.

 

[MMagis]

Maybe I’m cynical, but I’m thinking she mentioned the kid missing the dog as a way to sway his decision. After all the BS, I wouldn’t believe a word she said.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Rick

You have gone above and beyond what many breeders would do. If meeting up with this person feels like the right thing to do then go ahead and do it. By all means though, you do not owe this person anything. Does she think that you are a dumping ground while she gets herself together?

First off, think about the dog's needs which is a stable home not a revolving door. She cast the dog off once and she would likely do it again. Then, she has already offerred the dog back gratis. Go with that. Find the dog a good home.

 

[2458n]

Do what is right for the dog. It is now your dog.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

Thanks guys! Like I said I am just dabbling in this breeding, but am considering ramping it up a notch. Kodiak is a very small town in a very small state so even though I am in town not much more than a month in a year you run into everyone while there and my wife lives there every other month so it is better not to have any unnecessary bad blood.

I guess I was feelin a little guilty as 1000 bucks is a lot of money for a dog! I am very picky about the homes the pups go to and this is the first one that hasn't worked out great.

No need to find another home for the pup as I would like her, she fits right in here at camp and gets along with her mother great. She is the only pup from the first litter that wasn't spayed, is smart, a pleaser, was able to get past being gun shy, and one of the prettiest of the pups, so she would probably be great for breeding.

I am more of a face to face kinda guy so I feel I should meet with them when I get to town, but Copper couldn't find a better home than with us so her going back is not an option! I think I will offer them a couple hundred right then for copper or if they want to wait til copper has puppies I will give them $500. I hear most of you saying she gave the dog up and I don't owe her any money but it seems like the reasonable thing to do.

Weather looks good for gettin to town tomorrow so I will keep u posted

Thanks!