a little advice here: missing pet long story... - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Sookie · 08-21-2008, 07:29 AM

I just want to wish you luck. I'm sorry you are going through this. Personally, I would leave the dog where he is (provided he is in a loving home and well taken care of!). My breeder microchipped my dog before I got her, but she did not register her. I had to do that myself. Good luck and let us know what happens.

JesStang · 08-21-2008, 07:34 AM

That's a tough situation.
I know it's hard but... you had him for about a month, they've had him for almost 2 years. It would break the dog's and the family's heart to take him out of the home. Yes, legally, he's your dog but I'm sure the dog is happy now.
I would just put the papers in their mailbox with a little note to let them know what's going on. I think if you see the dog, you will want him back and that will make it harder on you.

chachi · 08-21-2008, 07:38 AM

I know if it were one of mine I would want them back. I think you should go for a visit and take it from there

BearBear · 08-21-2008, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chachi

I know if it were one of mine I would want them back. I think you should go for a visit and take it from there

I'm with Chachi....You may see that the puppy is happy and well cared for and you may feel differently about letting him stay there.

RustysMom · 08-21-2008, 08:58 AM

First, find out what the laws are in your state regarding property. In some states it is up to 3 years to claim. The microchip company appears to have screwed up IMO. In my state we have to notify the local shelters that we have a lost pooch. You must have made an effort to find the dog.

Second, let the new owners know and investigate what kind of conditions the doggie is living in before you decide what to do. The sitter may have simply given him to the new owners as someone said. If that is the case, you definitely want to claim him.

Put the dog first in anything you do. That will help you decide what to do. Hope this helps.

Jhkkknn · 08-21-2008, 09:15 AM

Well, I called the family yesterday with no response. So after all night, I thought this out.

I called the police dept. in her town (after NO response from them) and let them know of the situation on my end and told them to try to get their story end of things; I explained that I didn't want to take a dog from a home that it is had for a year, but would like to work out something. They called back and said that they talked with the people, yes they have him, but, they were not willing to give the dog up and if I wanted him that bad I would have to take it to court as a civil matter.

In the meantime, I got a call from the humane officer (I guess when I called and left a message last night with the family they immediately investigated) that picked him up as a stray; she said she tried contacting everybody that his tag referenced to (about 5 different places?) and did "everything by the book" when it came to looking for his owner, etc. So then they put him up for adoption. And I have no recourse (law-wise) because even though there was A contract with the original dogsitter that I "gave" (<humane officer words) him to, I would have to go back and sue them and still NOT get the dog back because nobody claimed him within the few days that they had him at the shelter?? and they did it "by the laws"....

Regardless, the family will not contact me no matter what I am assuming. I had offered through the police officer to do "custody" arrangements with him so we both had an opportunity with him. BUT, I would at least like to know for myself that the dog is doing well~the police said he is a therapy dog now~ Which I am happy for that is great! I would leave well enough alone, but I would just like to visit with him here and there

This dog really did mean alot to us, and we went thru ALOT to get him. Obviously out alot of money, which is besides the point, but hard to replace.

what I don't understand is that the "microchip" never even had the kennel name, vets name that placed it, etc. The only thing she referenced to was: alot of "kennel warehouses?" that (I am assuming) probably just had that tag in their facility, BUT she was stating them as puppy mills? This I don't believe....The kennel was Double J Kennel from MO and I at least thought they got their puppies from "onsite" not other breeders?

All and all in the end, I am heartbroken (as is our family) all over again, and really wished I would have never looked back into this. But I was looking into finally replacing him and figured I owed it a shot to try to locate him again being I found all his information.

The humane agent is going to try and help us locate something that may work with us, as I have possibly found another from a rescue league (Col. Potter) that is good with kids, BUT rescues barely send them with kids under 12.....But I have submitted an application with them, so we will see what happens. I have no idea how long the process takes, and if we find something in the meantime then we do I guess??

If anyone has any more advice on the situation Feel free to post away.

In the meantime, I am possibly looking for a good breeder of the Cairn or still searching for a yorkie

(near PA of course, Ohio, Virginia, WV are all possibilities) If you have anything or possibilities please message me!

Timmy · 08-21-2008, 09:23 AM

I'm sorry things aren't working out. Just know that he's happy and as a therapy dog he's making other people happy. Seems like he's taken care of.

chachi · 08-21-2008, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhkkknn

Well, I called the family yesterday with no response. So after all night, I thought this out.

I called the police dept. in her town (after NO response from them) and let them know of the situation on my end and told them to try to get their story end of things; I explained that I didn't want to take a dog from a home that it is had for a year, but would like to work out something. They called back and said that they talked with the people, yes they have him, but, they were not willing to give the dog up and if I wanted him that bad I would have to take it to court as a civil matter.

In the meantime, I got a call from the humane officer (I guess when I called and left a message last night with the family they immediately investigated) that picked him up as a stray; she said she tried contacting everybody that his tag referenced to (about 5 different places?) and did "everything by the book" when it came to looking for his owner, etc. So then they put him up for adoption. And I have no recourse (law-wise) because even though there was A contract with the original dogsitter that I "gave" (<humane officer words) him to, I would have to go back and sue them and still NOT get the dog back because nobody claimed him within the few days that they had him at the shelter?? and they did it "by the laws"....

Regardless, the family will not contact me no matter what I am assuming. I had offered through the police officer to do "custody" arrangements with him so we both had an opportunity with him. BUT, I would at least like to know for myself that the dog is doing well~the police said he is a therapy dog now~ Which I am happy for that is great! I would leave well enough alone, but I would just like to visit with him here and there

This dog really did mean alot to us, and we went thru ALOT to get him. Obviously out alot of money, which is besides the point, but hard to replace.

what I don't understand is that the "microchip" never even had the kennel name, vets name that placed it, etc. The only thing she referenced to was: alot of "kennel warehouses?" that (I am assuming) probably just had that tag in their facility, BUT she was stating them as puppy mills? This I don't believe....The kennel was Double J Kennel from MO and I at least thought they got their puppies from "onsite" not other breeders?

All and all in the end, I am heartbroken (as is our family) all over again, and really wished I would have never looked back into this. But I was looking into finally replacing him and figured I owed it a shot to try to locate him again being I found all his information.

The humane agent is going to try and help us locate something that may work with us, as I have possibly found another from a rescue league (Col. Potter) that is good with kids, BUT rescues barely send them with kids under 12.....But I have submitted an application with them, so we will see what happens. I have no idea how long the process takes, and if we find something in the meantime then we do I guess??

If anyone has any more advice on the situation Feel free to post away.

In the meantime, I am possibly looking for a good breeder of the Cairn or still searching for a yorkie

(near PA of course, Ohio, Virginia, WV are all possibilities) If you have anything or possibilities please message me!

I am sorry! It seems like the people that have him should have some compassion and at least let you see him that is a shame they wont. This is a big wake up call to all of us that think we have some measure of protection with our dogs with them being microchipped.

Lou · 08-21-2008, 11:59 AM

I'm so sorry it is ending this way. I hope you can find a new love for your family. If you are looking for a yorkie, this site has a breeder forum as well as a rescue forum so you might want to check on those.
Good luck sweetie. I wish you and your family the best.
Lou

mscat · 08-21-2008, 12:18 PM

I am very sorry that your not able to get your dog back. I did not know he was in a shelter before being placed. AND he is a therapy dog now too. I am glad he is in a great home, and seemingly well cared for.
I hope that you can find a new dog that will be great for you and your family. Best of luck.

pamacluan · 08-21-2008, 03:30 PM

I'm so sorry that this has happened to you. I would probably talk to an attorney and not just take the word of someone at the shelter. If the people had been cooperative at all I probably wouldn't go this way but they are not. I rescued a Yorkie once and loved that little dog for over ten years but if someone came forth and said they were the original owner I would have responded and met with them. It would be the only decent thing to do.

BlondeYorkieMom · 08-21-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pamacluan

I'm so sorry that this has happened to you. I would probably talk to an attorney and not just take the word of someone at the shelter. If the people had been cooperative at all I probably wouldn't go this way but they are not. I rescued a Yorkie once and loved that little dog for over ten years but if someone came forth and said they were the original owner I would have responded and met with them. It would be the only decent thing to do.

In my opinion, I wouldn't contact an attorney in this situation. Since they got the dog from the humane society you cannot claim they stole it (or in any other way acted with bad intent).
And in my opinion they don't have any obligation to call you, that doesn't make them bad people. Some people would not feel comfortable dealing with the potentially stressful situation and a stranger. I know I wouldn't.
I'm really sorry and not trying to be harsh or rude, just trying to be honest. I know this must be a horrible and painful situation, but it isn't going to do anyone (including the dog) any good to include lawyers and civil suits.

I hope you can find a new, loving dog to add to your family.

JesStang · 08-22-2008, 07:15 AM

That really sucks that the people aren't talking to you. There's no need to be rude!
I think you should just let it be. The dog sounds like it's happy now and so is the family. I say you just drop the paperwork off at their house and move on. Get you another dog and just be happy w/ him.

And, it does sound like "Double J Kennel" is a puppy mill.......

pamacluan · 08-22-2008, 08:23 AM

I'll have to disagree. You have a pet sitter that's somewhat shady, a chip company that had "NO" information, a Humane officer that couldn't find any info on a chipped dog and a vet that seemed to be covering up intially. Just me but something doesn't seem quite right and I haven't even discussed the new "owners." I don't think of my Yorkies as possessions but as part of my family and if someone had one of my skin children I'd certainly want them back. If you think about it as possession. I have an expensive piece of jewelry, one of a kind that disappears under the care of another and I find it on someone. Wouldn't I try to recover it. Either way, I couldn't let it go that easy.

Jhkkknn I wish you the best of luck in how ever you chose to proceed.

Jokerman · 08-22-2008, 10:31 AM

I have to agree that I would probably try to get my dog back, mainly because of experiences I had with animal shelters in the past. Twice in the 70's and 80's, I had dogs placed through (the same) animal shelter, and I was lied to about my dogs ever being there, while I was frantically trying to find them. The first time was an Afghan hound, who was placed with a friend of a person who worked at the shelter, and the shelter denied the dog had ever been there. The only way I found him was because someone at my job approached me and told me they knew who had my dog, because Afghans were so uncommon in the area I lived in. The second time it was the same thing, only with a Cocker Spaniel. Both dogs were expensive, quality dogs, and were placed with friends of people working at the shelter, and both times the shelter denied ever having my dogs in the first place. The only way I got my cocker back was by running an ad in the newspaper saying, "Needs medical attention". She really didn't, I just knew that gave me a better chance of recovering my dog. The dog was found living 20 miles from my home, and there is no way I ever would have found her if not for that newspaper ad, and the new owner worrying that she might die from needing medical attention.

I was young and inexperienced at the time, and let the animal shelter get away with giving away my dogs and lying about it, while I was desperately trying to find them. I did write a letter to the editor of the newspaper, but nothing came of it. If this happened to me in now, I would raise all kinds of He!! about it, and make sure someone at the shelter lost their job over giving away lost pets the day they came in, and hiding it from the true owners.

I'm really sorry about you losing your dog, but glad at least it found a great home as a therapy dog. The new owners obviously love it. I hope you are able to do what feels best for you. Quite frankly, I feel if you are able to get the dog back, it will most likely bond with you very quick and forget the old owners in a short period of time. I have bought adult dogs whom within six months barely knew their old owners, and even barked at them when they came to visit at a later date. For you though, I would hope maybe your dog's new owners might help you in purchasing a new puppy if they are allowed to keep your old dog. I know I would if I were in their shoes.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

08-21-2008, 07:29 AM	#16
Sookie My Four Sweet Babies Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Jersey near Philadelphia Posts: 5,452	I just want to wish you luck. I'm sorry you are going through this. Personally, I would leave the dog where he is (provided he is in a loving home and well taken care of!). My breeder microchipped my dog before I got her, but she did not register her. I had to do that myself. Good luck and let us know what happens. __________________ I LOVE MY BABIES

08-21-2008, 07:34 AM	#17
JesStang YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Mustang, Oklahoma Posts: 301	That's a tough situation. I know it's hard but... you had him for about a month, they've had him for almost 2 years. It would break the dog's and the family's heart to take him out of the home. Yes, legally, he's your dog but I'm sure the dog is happy now. I would just put the papers in their mailbox with a little note to let them know what's going on. I think if you see the dog, you will want him back and that will make it harder on you. __________________ Two babies, Lily & Tristan!

08-21-2008, 07:38 AM	#18
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	I know if it were one of mine I would want them back. I think you should go for a visit and take it from there __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

08-21-2008, 08:58 AM	#20
RustysMom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Trinity, North Carolina Posts: 1,149	First, find out what the laws are in your state regarding property. In some states it is up to 3 years to claim. The microchip company appears to have screwed up IMO. In my state we have to notify the local shelters that we have a lost pooch. You must have made an effort to find the dog. Second, let the new owners know and investigate what kind of conditions the doggie is living in before you decide what to do. The sitter may have simply given him to the new owners as someone said. If that is the case, you definitely want to claim him. Put the dog first in anything you do. That will help you decide what to do. Hope this helps. __________________ : *Rusty, Cheyenne, Bubbles, Chewie, Macayla, Samantha* *Every day is so much fun!*

08-21-2008, 09:15 AM	#21
Jhkkknn Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: PA Posts: 16	Update : Well, I called the family yesterday with no response. So after all night, I thought this out. I called the police dept. in her town (after NO response from them) and let them know of the situation on my end and told them to try to get their story end of things; I explained that I didn't want to take a dog from a home that it is had for a year, but would like to work out something. They called back and said that they talked with the people, yes they have him, but, they were not willing to give the dog up and if I wanted him that bad I would have to take it to court as a civil matter. In the meantime, I got a call from the humane officer (I guess when I called and left a message last night with the family they immediately investigated) that picked him up as a stray; she said she tried contacting everybody that his tag referenced to (about 5 different places?) and did "everything by the book" when it came to looking for his owner, etc. So then they put him up for adoption. And I have no recourse (law-wise) because even though there was A contract with the original dogsitter that I "gave" (<humane officer words) him to, I would have to go back and sue them and still NOT get the dog back because nobody claimed him within the few days that they had him at the shelter?? and they did it "by the laws".... Regardless, the family will not contact me no matter what I am assuming. I had offered through the police officer to do "custody" arrangements with him so we both had an opportunity with him. BUT, I would at least like to know for myself that the dog is doing well~the police said he is a therapy dog now~ Which I am happy for that is great! I would leave well enough alone, but I would just like to visit with him here and there This dog really did mean alot to us, and we went thru ALOT to get him. Obviously out alot of money, which is besides the point, but hard to replace. what I don't understand is that the "microchip" never even had the kennel name, vets name that placed it, etc. The only thing she referenced to was: alot of "kennel warehouses?" that (I am assuming) probably just had that tag in their facility, BUT she was stating them as puppy mills? This I don't believe....The kennel was Double J Kennel from MO and I at least thought they got their puppies from "onsite" not other breeders? All and all in the end, I am heartbroken (as is our family) all over again, and really wished I would have never looked back into this. But I was looking into finally replacing him and figured I owed it a shot to try to locate him again being I found all his information. The humane agent is going to try and help us locate something that may work with us, as I have possibly found another from a rescue league (Col. Potter) that is good with kids, BUT rescues barely send them with kids under 12.....But I have submitted an application with them, so we will see what happens. I have no idea how long the process takes, and if we find something in the meantime then we do I guess?? If anyone has any more advice on the situation Feel free to post away. In the meantime, I am possibly looking for a good breeder of the Cairn or still searching for a yorkie (near PA of course, Ohio, Virginia, WV are all possibilities) If you have anything or possibilities please message me! Last edited by Jhkkknn; 08-21-2008 at 09:19 AM.

08-21-2008, 09:23 AM	#22
Timmy Mimi & Gabby too! Donating Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Vineland, NJ Posts: 3,208	I'm sorry things aren't working out. Just know that he's happy and as a therapy dog he's making other people happy. Seems like he's taken care of.

08-21-2008, 11:59 AM	#24
Lou Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: A little town south of Chicago Posts: 4,525	I'm so sorry it is ending this way. I hope you can find a new love for your family. If you are looking for a yorkie, this site has a breeder forum as well as a rescue forum so you might want to check on those. Good luck sweetie. I wish you and your family the best. Lou __________________ http://www.its-a-yorkie-thing.com Gracie Skeeter Adie Tyler

08-21-2008, 12:18 PM	#25
mscat YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hanford, CA Posts: 4,895	I am very sorry that your not able to get your dog back. I did not know he was in a shelter before being placed. AND he is a therapy dog now too. I am glad he is in a great home, and seemingly well cared for. I hope that you can find a new dog that will be great for you and your family. Best of luck. __________________ "No matter how little money & how few possessions, you own, having a dog makes you rich."

08-21-2008, 03:30 PM	#26
pamacluan Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 20	I'm so sorry that this has happened to you. I would probably talk to an attorney and not just take the word of someone at the shelter. If the people had been cooperative at all I probably wouldn't go this way but they are not. I rescued a Yorkie once and loved that little dog for over ten years but if someone came forth and said they were the original owner I would have responded and met with them. It would be the only decent thing to do.

08-22-2008, 07:15 AM	#28
JesStang YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Mustang, Oklahoma Posts: 301	That really sucks that the people aren't talking to you. There's no need to be rude! I think you should just let it be. The dog sounds like it's happy now and so is the family. I say you just drop the paperwork off at their house and move on. Get you another dog and just be happy w/ him. And, it does sound like "Double J Kennel" is a puppy mill....... __________________ Two babies, Lily & Tristan!

08-22-2008, 08:23 AM	#29
pamacluan Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 20	I'll have to disagree. You have a pet sitter that's somewhat shady, a chip company that had "NO" information, a Humane officer that couldn't find any info on a chipped dog and a vet that seemed to be covering up intially. Just me but something doesn't seem quite right and I haven't even discussed the new "owners." I don't think of my Yorkies as possessions but as part of my family and if someone had one of my skin children I'd certainly want them back. If you think about it as possession. I have an expensive piece of jewelry, one of a kind that disappears under the care of another and I find it on someone. Wouldn't I try to recover it. Either way, I couldn't let it go that easy. Jhkkknn I wish you the best of luck in how ever you chose to proceed.

08-22-2008, 10:31 AM	#30
Jokerman Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: OK Posts: 136	I have to agree that I would probably try to get my dog back, mainly because of experiences I had with animal shelters in the past. Twice in the 70's and 80's, I had dogs placed through (the same) animal shelter, and I was lied to about my dogs ever being there, while I was frantically trying to find them. The first time was an Afghan hound, who was placed with a friend of a person who worked at the shelter, and the shelter denied the dog had ever been there. The only way I found him was because someone at my job approached me and told me they knew who had my dog, because Afghans were so uncommon in the area I lived in. The second time it was the same thing, only with a Cocker Spaniel. Both dogs were expensive, quality dogs, and were placed with friends of people working at the shelter, and both times the shelter denied ever having my dogs in the first place. The only way I got my cocker back was by running an ad in the newspaper saying, "Needs medical attention". She really didn't, I just knew that gave me a better chance of recovering my dog. The dog was found living 20 miles from my home, and there is no way I ever would have found her if not for that newspaper ad, and the new owner worrying that she might die from needing medical attention. I was young and inexperienced at the time, and let the animal shelter get away with giving away my dogs and lying about it, while I was desperately trying to find them. I did write a letter to the editor of the newspaper, but nothing came of it. If this happened to me in now, I would raise all kinds of He!! about it, and make sure someone at the shelter lost their job over giving away lost pets the day they came in, and hiding it from the true owners. I'm really sorry about you losing your dog, but glad at least it found a great home as a therapy dog. The new owners obviously love it. I hope you are able to do what feels best for you. Quite frankly, I feel if you are able to get the dog back, it will most likely bond with you very quick and forget the old owners in a short period of time. I have bought adult dogs whom within six months barely knew their old owners, and even barked at them when they came to visit at a later date. For you though, I would hope maybe your dog's new owners might help you in purchasing a new puppy if they are allowed to keep your old dog. I know I would if I were in their shoes. Good luck in whatever you decide.