Goodbye Holly

[MikeC]

Holly had only been with us since a week ago this past Friday. I thought things were going to work out with her, but last Thursday everything just started going downhill. Her interaction with Duffy, which had started out to be playful, turned to her snarling at him every time he got close to her. At one point she even snapped at him. As you know, Duffy had extensive surgery on his left hind leg last year and I had great concern that she might bite that leg. We also came to find out that she has a terrible case of separation anxiety. We could not even go out into the back yard with her in the house without her beginning to bark. If she and Duffy were outside and we were inside she would bark until we let her in. Saturday one our neighbors politely complained so I knew that something had to be done. I called the lady at the Basset rescue where we got Holly and told her the problem that we were having with the barking and the snarling at Duffy. Her response to me was, "Well, its sounds like Holly is not the match for you. She is an inside dog and does not like to be left outside when she know's someone is at home. As far as her snarling at your Cairn, he is probably antagonizing her to the point of distraction. She got along fine with the other Bassets she lived with". Well Hello, Duffy is a Terrier not a Basset. I then asked her if she thought a bark collar would help because there were times when Holly would need to be outside. at which point she went ballistic and told me in no uncertain terms that if she ever found out that we had a bark collar on Holly that the Rescue organization would sue us. She said the collars "ruin" the dogs. At that point I told her she could have Holly back. My partner and I then had to drive 150 miles at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon to meet the foster mom halfway. I guess part of this is my fault as I should have probably asked more questions but then again I feel I should have been told by the rescue that this dog had separation issues and was a barker. This was an expensive lesson learned............$300 for adoption fees (which I don't get back), $120 for a crate for her (Duffy is now the occpuant since for his it is the size of the Taj Majal), and $150 for a pre-fab doghouse. To those of you who ever consider adopting a rescue dog, make sure you ask all the questions you can about the dog so that you have no surprises. We were really getting attached to Holly, but Duffy's safety is my main concern. When we returned, Duffy was a little reluctant to come out of his crate until he realized that she was not there. I am hoping Holly will be placed in a home where someone is home all the time and she can be happy.

MikeC

[Milopup]

Oh MikeC, I am so sorry Holly was not a match with Duffy. I hope Duffy adjusts to being an only child again (though it sounds like it is a good thing, since the snarly one is no longer there!). And hope Duffy enjoys his new crate and dog house.

[bradl]

I'm sorry it didn't work out as planned. I admire anyone who gives a bit of their heart into rescue, even when things go sideways, as they sometimes do.

[jlr79]

Mike,

I'm sorry things didn't work out as planned, but you did the right thing. You had to think of Duffy. I admire you for trying and I'm sure Holly will find a home. It just wasn't meant to be.

Jan

[Pepandfriend's mom]

Mike C, I had to return a dog to Scottie/Cairn rescue a couple of years ago. This Scottie was with me only a week but it became clear that he didn't want to play with my Westie and wanted to be the only dog around. Very luckily for me, the rescue contact was in the Phoenix area where I live. I felt bad about it for a long time but found out that he did get adopted to an only dog home. And I adopted Pepper, the first Cairn I have had, shortly after. I hope you will wind up with the same good ending!

Pam

[toomanypaws]

Aw Mike, what an expensive experience w/ rescue learned. Don't beat yourself up over it, you should have been given more info about Holly. Too bad the rescue doesn't have a check-off sheet stating whether the dog is inside/outside dog, a barker, agressive and so on. I agree that Duffy's safety comes first.

I'm just sorry for you that it didn't work out. I knew how excited you were about getting Holly. I agree that it just wasn't meant to be. Maybe Duffy will remain an only cairn or possibly welcome a little cairn brother or sister into his home someday.

[Scully'sMom]

Mike, I'm SO sorry that Holly wasn't the right fit for your home. Your first priority HAD to be Duffy's safety and health. I'm sure that Holly will find the right home for her. Again, I'm sorry things didn't turn out well.

[CathyAnn]

I'm so sorry, Mike.

You get so attached so quick. I am sure it was a hard decision for you to make. But, you had to keep both dog's best interest at heart.

Take care,

Cathy

[Eliz222]

I'm sorry it didn't work out too, Mike! You had a big heart to take in a rescue dog and to take all the time, money, and effort for it to work. I'm sure Duffy will find a new friend soon.

[Guest webstar]

Keep the faith Mike don't despair, try again and maybe next time it will work out better. MG

[wheezie23]

Mike, I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that. Your heart was in the right place, and you don't have anything to feel bad about. I've learned in my experience with rescue (as with any organization) there are those who sometimes come off as "zealots". It's unfortunate and they give the majority of those who genuinely are there to help both the dogs and the new owners. They really should have been more up front with you about their expectations and requirements as well as their requirements. It's unfortunate that you had to learn this very expensive lesson.

Thela

[MikeC]

Dear Cairn Family,

Thanks so much to all of you for your kind words of support! I truly appreciate them. I was really feeling like I had done something wrong but now I know that this particular dog was not meant to be part of our family. I have also decided that the next dog will be small like Duffy so I won't have to worry so much about him getting hurt and I have not ruled out getting another Cairn (oh God help me!). Again, thanks to all of you for your support.

MikeC

[Carolinasmom]

I missed this post Mike! I worked a lot last week and fell behind here. I am sorry that things didn't work out with Holly. How are you doing? It sounds like it was a very difficult decision but the right one for your family.