I've always believed in Rescue and have adopted a few rescue dogs in my life -- two collies and a bulldog, actually. Collie rescue was wonderful! I have paid $350 adoption fees and continued expensive medical care because rescued dogs usually have ongoing health issues. Honestly, if cost were the issue, it would have been less expensive to buy a dog from a breeder! But cost wasn't the issue!
Anyhoo, I was appalled at the way I was treated now because of my disability. I could have easily hidden the fact that I have Lupus and sclero because I look fine, aside from the cane, but I believed in being upfront so they could match me with an appropriate dog needing a home!
One lady asked me if I had given any thought to what would happen if I died in the near future! WOW, that was insensitive! Uh, yeah, I have but it's not something I am eager to discuss with someone I don't even know! Besides that, I am focused on living well with my diseases and not on giving up! If I was critically ill or in danger of dying, applying to adopt a dog would be the last thing on my mind!
I've heard from friends that some rescues made totally unreasonable demands, such as telling the potential adopters that if they ever had children they would be expected to return the dog to rescue. HUH?! I absolutely believe that vet references and the home need to be checked out but why do some rescues act as if no one is good enough for their dogs? The focus should be on finding the dogs good homes, not making it so difficult to adopt that the dogs languish in rescue for over a year, even!
I have to admit that this last experience with rescue has left a bad taste in my mouth. I could have provided one of their dogs with a great forever home. LOL, but I think Bobby is glad that Rescue turned me away!
Julie |