westiemum

This bloke also has Alaskan Kiee Kia (sic) pups for sale in Canberra and 'mini maltese' and chihuahuas for sale in NZ - must be a very busy boy looking after all those puppies across all those continents.

No signature on anything. I just have microchip form details, vet information etc. We have all of the communication between us saved which can clearly show that the dog was sold to us as well as a copy of the advertisement of the dog. We will print a transfer of ownership form tonight and get him to sign tomorrow if it's decided she will stay with us. My dad is actually a lawyer so could also do a stat Dec for me no problems as well. Hopefully there doesn't become any bigger issues here I would hate to think that they would just take the dog back and we would be out of pocket all that money! If they so desperately wanted her back we would definitely give her back before a situation like that would arise. I wouldn't be letting them take the dog without paying or transferring cash on the spot. Then write a receipt/note which you both sign noting money exchange and transfer of dog ownership back to them. And check with your Dad. But personally I think the dog us better off with you.

Great work Perse! Yep the wording of that ad is really suss! rukes91 its easy to fall for the first time unless you have someone like Perse watching your back. Almost happened to me over a car many years ago... and a friend picked up that it was a scam and stopped me. So as to the puppy you are looking for, my advice is find a registered breeder, go and meet them if possible or if not possible, before you commit, jump on here and see if you can find someone to vouch for them or maybe even check them out for you - we're a very helpful, community-minded bunch here - and there are some really knowledgeable people on DOL. As someone has already said, expect to pay a bit more from a proper breeder - while not infallible, IMO its worth it. Friends of mine have just bought a mature westie from a very reputable breeder in NSW - she arrived yesterday (and boy is she gorgeous!). Two things - I already knew of the breeder as a very good breeder - but we double checked through another breeder we know and trust as well. My friends were a bit anxious about the price - but I said for such a well bred dog it was a snip - and hopefully they've paid for a well bred, healthy girl and what they've paid up front they'll save on vet fees down the track. Hope that helps.

Thats good to know karen15 and Purdie - I didn't know that.

Doubt it - question of transfer of ownership.:)

Brilliant Pk - thanks - really good to know - and I'll tuck it away for future reference. Such a darn pest having multiple registries.

Remidog this is a good point - I usually get the previous owner to sign the microchip transfer form and a surrender form at the point of surrender. So if you see the previous owners on Sunday and you haven''t already done so get them to sign the microchip transfer form. I think there are still a number of registers and if they don't know which one it is then its probably wise to get them to sign all of them. Then you'll have to hunt around to find which one it is and submit it - but then you know its done. Its critical that the microchip is transferred into o your name if you decide the dog is staying with you. (But if the dog isn't chipped you don't need to worry about this at all - except to have the dog chipped into your name next time you are at the vet). Maybe a kind DOLer can post the links to the microchip registers? (I'm out of date with this and don't want to send you on a wild goose chase) Good luck.

Thank you for the reply. I believe they are teenage girl/girls. From the conversation we had I believed that they knew about the rehoming as one of the reasons she was getting rehomed was that they weren't spending very much time with the dog. I think they did know and it's more of a case of they missed her once she was gone. Which makes me feel terrible of course! The owner is coming to visit on Sunday but I'm not sure if he plans on bringing the children or not. Will confirm today. We will see how it goes. He did say he does feel she is in a better home with us, but just that they miss the dog terribly. I'm still so torn! I was hoping to get a lot of replies that all leaned one way on here, but it seems everyone helping is torn too! Lol. Well while i understand that they all miss her and sad she is going;if they'' didn't spend much time with the dog'' then i don't see that changing for long if she goes back. Keep her,cancel Sunday and send them a few pictures and an update and leave it at that ;the longer it 's up in the air the harder it will be for them to adjust and it's not fair to you to have this worry on you.You should be relaxing and enjoying the time with your dog. I cross-posted with Purdie - but thats a really good option too. Good luck Remidog. BTW be careful with letting these people come to your home if they expect they are going home with the dog. I think you need to make it very clear before any visit that at this point the dog is staying with you and you're agreeing to any visit so the teenagers can see that the dog is happy and in the best place. So be clear about what the visit is about if you decide to go ahead. Purdie has given you a good alternative option too - you could cancel and send some photos so the teenagers can see the dog is in the best place.

Thank you for the reply. I believe they are teenage girl/girls. From the conversation we had I believed that they knew about the rehoming as one of the reasons she was getting rehomed was that they weren't spending very much time with the dog. I think they did know and it's more of a case of they missed her once she was gone. Which makes me feel terrible of course! The owner is coming to visit on Sunday but I'm not sure if he plans on bringing the children or not. Will confirm today. We will see how it goes. He did say he does feel she is in a better home with us, but just that they miss the dog terribly. I'm still so torn! I was hoping to get a lot of replies that all leaned one way on here, but it seems everyone helping is torn too! Lol. I feel for you - terrible position to be in when you've done all the right things. I'm not sure that the Sunday visit is a good idea unless he brings the teenagers. The discussion I think should then centre about what is best for the dog. And I think you should aim to keep him as he's better off with you, its about what's best for the dog and not offer ongoing contact. My instincts say these people are going to have trouble letting go and could turn this into a nightmare for you and the dog. The poor dog ends up moving back and forth and if they are willing to do that to the dog I think thats a problem - and like Jules I worry the problem of the courtyard is still there and this whole situation will recur sooner rather than later. Good on you for trying to manage this mess - which clearly instant of your making. Good luck.

Hi T, I normally agree with you- but not this time. I wouldn't offer play dates. I think it just prolongs the hurt for the relinquishing family. A clean final 'break' I think is kinder for them and the dog.

Brilliant post Jules - my thoughts exactly. And I suspect they will unload again when you have a dog like a GSD going stir crazy in a courtyard. In my view their initial decision to re-home was probably right and in the dogs best interests. IMO this is not about the children concerned. Some years ago I had a call from someone who wanted to rehome her westie (for good reasons). But after talking to her I just felt that this was going to be trouble with her letting the dog go. So I said give it six weeks and think hard and long about this as its for good - from my perspective with a surrender there is no turning back and I make people sign a surrender form stating this precisely to avoid this situation. I asked her to ring me back in six weeks if she still wanted to surrender. She did - but my instincts were right. I would still get the odd calls or email from her three years later enquiring about the dog. So yes its fraught with difficulty. Legally as money and papers have changed hands (a clear transaction) and I assume any microchip has been changed or in the process of being changed I suspect the dog is legally yours. But the question becomes not what is best for the children but what is best for the dog. And I think you need to work that out and talk it through with the previous owners and reach an agreement. I'm going to guess that your family is whats best for the dog. Hope that helps.

Stop bragging TSD!!!

Yep and I love blue cheese,ice cream, eggs... hmm... there might be more in this than I first thought!

Thanks everyone - very interesting - seems people think it might work with some breeds but this particular execution is a bit clumsy. In thinking about it some more I doubt it would work well with terriers. Or at least my westies definitely aren't retriever types! Gruf thats a good story about the three leads. And PK I think you've nailed what I was thinking but couldn't quite get to the bottom of - yes I wondered if the work/control aspect of it is why it works - and Perse's guide dogs story seems to suggest similar - bit like putting a working dog in harness. I'm still very keen on harnesses rather than leads connected to collars around dogs necks. While I know its a sample of one I just don't like leading dogs with collars around the delicate neck structures (the larynx). In humans laryngeal damage can occur through one badly placed fairly light impact and I just don't think a collar and lead is safe after my experience with Mac (he had laryngeal paralysis which can be life-threatening). Safe than sorry I suppose.

Yep I think I'm very westie like - short, stumpy, independent and sometimes stubborn! And going grey!!!

I stumbled across this 'We Leash' tonight while I was having a quick look at kickstarer - and thought it seems to make intrinsic sense - and it seems that a lot of others think so too since the project is well oversubscribed with a couple of days still to go. But I wondered what what other DOLers thought of this leash? Some will know I'm a great fan of kickstarter (my favourite cookware is often there for example). While you have to hunt a bit, there are some brilliant projects there which I think deserve supporting. And no I don't have any connection with this project - but thought it was very interesting, particularly since Mac's laryngeal paralysis I've developed a really distinct dislike of collars so found this to be very innovative. But interested in what others think?

Well you've done a great job - I can't see the difference! I bought the memory foam from Orvis cos IIRC when I priced the memory foam here it was only marginally cheaper and I really wanted the memory foam for my old girl. And as I've discovered with my old girl who is occasionally incontinent, the plastic covers for the foam are just brilliant - my foam is still like new - even with an incontinent old dog - worth every cent.

I'll take some more pics too when I'm not conserving my phone battery because of the blackout!! Roova that looks like the same bed I've got - the deep dish with memory foam with brown tweed fabric?

Same here - I doubt I'll ever buy another type of bed. The plastic insert covers make such a difference - and the fabric issue durable. I suspect these beds will actually end up cheaper in the long run. And I can't believe how well they are standing up to the punishment they are dished out. I washed mine last weekend - it had been a while - and they have come back brilliantly. They seriously look like new. And you know you're on a winner when Andy is impatiently waiting for his bed back after washing!.

OK - an Orvis update - Roova where are you? You are responsible for my Orvis addiction! The Orvis beds bought ten months or so ago are still going strong and look like new - despite being scratched/nested on and wee'd on!. The lounger bed is a huge hit - and Andy hogs it most of the time. . When I get a new house I'll have to get another one I think. The plastic covers over the foam inserts are just brilliant. And yes I know - they are expensive - but I tell you they are worth every cent!! I've never regretted buying them.

Too funny Maddy!! I sooo needed that belly laugh sitting here in the dark!!

OMG!! Cuteness pawsonified!! Congratulations on the win.

Yep same here - tradies working outside, westies are inside. Any tradies inside the house, they are outside or on lead with me. I really think they are more than likely to lick tradies to death or in Andy's case he'll head for the hills - but its still not worth the risk. I now only value the tradies but I value my dogs too much to risk an accident.

Big hugs nelsona . So hard but the right decision for your lovely boy. What was his name BTW?

I have one of them!! But my 'white wombat' is named Andy...