Comments on: Should I stay in contact with my dog’s previous owner?

By: Ludwig

Ludwig — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 08:36:54 +0000

I love coming to this blog, the pictures always brighten my day even when it’s gloomy outside

I hear you, all adopters with a big heart and yes, I stayed in contact with my gal’s previous thr’ Facebook. I do not attempt to make contact unless the family wants to btu I post pictures, birthday parties and videos for them to follow her progress. Though they often as they can join us in a park, they never made because they have 3 young children. But the wife always say her hubby made the right decision in giving up the lab pup to me. I am praying that when they eventually get another dog, they’ll go the adoption way too

Awww… for those who have to give up a pet with the best intention, and with due diligence done, praise you. You are right, to love completely means we have to learn not to cling but find your pet the best home you can (definitely better than what you can provide in those desperate times).

Guess I won’t be reading from any horrid ex-owners here…they don’t visit such blog; and I think it’s because the dog fairies have set a migical spell and barred them from here base on lack of credential! Sorry, it hit a nerve here too-lol!

By: Lindsay Stordahl

Lindsay Stordahl — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:29:08 +0000

It’s unfortunate the owner wasn’t honest about the dog’s aggression before you adopted it. But you should’ve also spent more time with the dog and gotten to know it before adopting it. If it was so aggressive, how could you not realize this before agreeing to take the dog?

Honestly I’d just let the whole situation go. Sure, you’re out $200, but now you don’t have to deal with that dog or that owner again. Do more research before you adopt another dog.

By: advantage flea control for dogs

advantage flea control for dogs — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:17:49 +0000

Great advice! I recently paid $200.00 for a dog & 2 weeks later the dog has bit me numerous times. i gave back the dog and… Now the previous owner refuses to pay me back. i originally bought this 3 yr old female chihuahua to breed.i also have a male & female (4yrs old). this dog is so aggressive it bit me in the face. the previous owner finally gave in & picked up the dog 5 days ago. then came to my home with a police escort trying to return the dog s she didn’t have to pay me back the $200 bucks. any suggestions???

By: Beth

Beth — Sat, 23 May 2009 14:59:55 +0000

Tx Lindsay. I pray every day that Lucky is ok and that I did make the right choice. It was a gut wrenching decision, but then, on a sunny day, I picture him running around the farm with his new pals vs. crying alone in my kitchen on prozac, and I feel better. I am not yet ready for another dog…I still miss him way too much, but I know there is another dog in my future. And I am so grateful to his new owners for giving him the life he deserves. He was my first dog and he will be in my heart always.

By: Lindsay Stordahl

Lindsay Stordahl — Sat, 23 May 2009 02:47:34 +0000

Beth, thank you for sharing your story and your side. I think you made a good choice for the dog and for you. I hope you find another dog that fits your lifestyle better.

By: Beth

Beth — Fri, 22 May 2009 22:06:14 +0000

I just adopeted a dog, after much searching, and after 2 weeks returned it to the shelter. It was so heartbreaking! I had totally bonded with him, loved him and miss him terribly. I am a single adult who works full time and he had terrible separation anxiety. He was the greatest dog but hated to be left alone. He panicked and it was hard on both him and me. I did not know this when I got him, and made the difficult decision to place him in a new home where someone wasn’t gone all day. Even with a dog walker I felt like he was suffering being left alone and I was never comfortable leaving my house which was also hard on me. I took him to a private trainer/vet who suggested puppy prozac. Instead, he is now living on a farm, with 3 other dogs, and owners who have a store so they take the dogs with them to work – so he is never alone. They also have 2 teenagers, including a teenager girl who loves him. My heart is still breaking but I feel he is better off. I would love it if the new owners who “stay in touch” and let me know that he is doing well and happy but I understand if they don’t. I thought you would like to hear the other side of it. Sometimes, really loving a dog, means letting it go. Previous owners have their story too…

By: Saint Lover

Saint Lover — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 01:55:37 +0000

I’ve kept in touch with Brutus and Rufus’s old owner but only via phone and we dont talk that often. We are more friends than anything. She is just glad they are loved and were able to stay together. I dont think she regrets her decision to give them to me one bit and has never tried to give me advice or tell me I was doing something wrong with them.

By: Lindsay Stordahl

Lindsay Stordahl — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:57:21 +0000

Hey! Thanks for sharing that. You’re right, dogs live in the exact moment they’re in. That’s how I know Ace would do just fine if I ever had to re-home him. He would gladly leave me for anyone with a tennis ball or food.

By: Vee

Vee — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 21:08:39 +0000

I was talking to my husband about my desire to have known Jakes previous owners. He brought up a good point: Staying in contact with a previous owner only fills a need that we as owners have. Our dogs one way or another wouldn’t really care because they are present-minded.
And some of the ticks or quirks that they gain from previous owners can typically trained out of them, or in most cases loved and accepted.
Thought I’d share that with ya!

By: Lindsay Stordahl

Lindsay Stordahl — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:24:01 +0000

Vee, I’m sorry your husband had to give up his lab mix. Even if the dog goes to a better home, it still has to be very hard. I can see why you would want to know about Jake’s previous owners. I’m glad I at least know where Ace came from. It helps me understand him better.

Thanks for stopping by, Karen. The previous owner probably thinks it would be too hard to visit her cat again – or she has just moved on.

Sounds like Dennis is better off with you, Esther! He’s lucky you were able to take him back.

I see what you mean, Three Dog. If I’d gotten a dog from a shelter or rescue, I would always wonder about his or her background. But that won’t stop me from adopting from a shelter!