Sweet terrier in Northern VA

[Udon'tknowme]

This dog is at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter in Fairfax, VA. My husband and I went to look at her today. She has a few "issues". Her age is unknown, she has kennel cough (from being at the shelter), she has a mammary tumor, and needs to be spayed. Okay, no problem for us. We decided to take her...the problem? Fairfax County says that we can only own two dogs on the size of lot we have. It doesn't matter if the dogs are big or little...limit two dogs! We have three! Oops! I am in tears as I write this because we have plenty of love and resources to take care of her. I feel like I have had my heart ripped out! Please if you know anyone in this area that is interested in her...check her out she is the sweetest thing ever. She is not a barker and shows no aggression. I looked at her teeth and she didn't make a sound. She has had a very rough life. We were going to name her Mollie!
http://photo.petfinder.com/fotos/VA418/VA418.8233578-1-pn.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:void%28window.open%28%27http://www.petfinder.com/photoView/photoView.cgi?petid=8233578%27,%27Photo1%27,%27hei ght=560,width=768,left=20,top=100,screenx=200,scre eny=100,scrollbars=yes%27%29%29)

[coco-bean]

This dog is at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter in Fairfax, VA. My husband and I went to look at her today. She has a few "issues". Her age is unknown, she has kennel cough (from being at the shelter), she has a mammary tumor, and needs to be spayed. Okay, no problem for us. We decided to take her...the problem? Fairfax County says that we can only own two dogs on the size of lot we have. It doesn't matter if the dogs are big or little...limit two dogs! We have three! Oops! I am in tears as I write this because we have plenty of love and resources to take care of her. I feel like I have had my heart ripped out! Please if you know anyone in this area that is interested in her...check her out she is the sweetest thing ever. She is not a barker and shows no aggression. I looked at her teeth and she didn't make a sound. She has had a very rough life. We were going to name her Mollie!
http://photo.petfinder.com/fotos/VA418/VA418.8233578-1-pn.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:void%28window.open%28%27http://www.petfinder.com/photoView/photoView.cgi?petid=8233578%27,%27Photo1%27,%27hei ght=560,width=768,left=20,top=100,screenx=200,scre eny=100,scrollbars=yes%27%29%29)

is there anyone you can talk to? contact city hall or something! explain to them that your dogs are small and this dog could possibly be old and may not live alot longer as it is! Tell them that you have all the resources for her and she has kennel cough from being at the shelter! Im sure theres someone there who loves dogs as much as you do...give it a try!

[Udon'tknowme]

That would be neat. We are in Centreville. I have one daughter who lives in Christiansburg. Hopefully, we will be moving out of the area next year. (Fingers crossed) Then I can have as many dogs as I want. tee hee

[KatzNK9]

Awwwwww, poor thing! I hate rules & limit laws! These should be on a case-by-case basis. Argh!

[PomeranianCrazy]

Thats just terrible. I also hate laws and limits to how many animals you can have. I know how you feel, its not about the laws or anything like that, but my hubby want let me have anymore. {tear} I hope you can find someway to adopt this poor little girl into your family.

[Udon'tknowme]

I have decided to go to the shelter tomorrow morning and see if they will let me sponsor her. We will cover her medical expenses and that way she will be more adoptable and hopefully, she will find a good home.

[MixedBreed]

Oh, that is so generous of you! I hope it works out for poor wee 'Molly'. It seems unfair to be so restrictive but I guess rules are there for a reason (unless you're in the army, so I hear. Then they're just rules).

Let us know how she gets on!

[borzoimom]

I have decided to go to the shelter tomorrow morning and see if they will let me sponsor her. We will cover her medical expenses and that way she will be more adoptable and hopefully, she will find a good home.

PERFECT!!! I KNOW THEY WILL... They do lots of fosters up there.. Lots!

[borzoimom]

any updates???

[Udon'tknowme]

Her vet expenses have been taken care of. She is scheduled to go for her surgery on May 1st. (She has to finish her kennel cough meds first) Also, I talked to my daughter last night. She lives in Christiansburg and she and her husband have been looking for a dog for about a year. They own a house on an acre lot and have only a pet gecko. She wants her! The website said that they only adopt to Fairfax Co. residents but I spoke with the director of the shelter this morning and she said that they could adopt her. Just provide proof of homeownership! YIPEE! I'm so happy, I could do a happy dance!:)

[borzoimom]

HAPPY DANCE!!!!!!!! ":band:"

[MixedBreed]

That's awesome! Bless your heart (and your daughters) for doing so much for a deserving dog.:cheers:

[eb4i]

Hey cool! Yay Mollie!

Oh... and Pom'Crazy? .... I wouldn't let you have anymore either! 16 is enough for anyone. Save some for the rest of us! Sheeee.

[Caincando1]

I haven't had time to read this whole thread, so forgive me if my post makes no sence. There are areas around here that don't allow more than 2 pets pre household, period. But they will grant you a kennel permit to have more and it's only like 25 bucks a year for the license. So maybe that is an option.

[Rainbow]

Great news abt the wee terrier!

There are rules here regarding only keeping two dogs too. But I heard ...speaks quietly now.....that some people register their 3rd dog at a friends address

[Udon'tknowme]

Mollie has had her surgery and is doing well. They found a second tumor and are waiting for the biopsy results and she will be adoptable Fri or Sat. My daughter called last night and she wants her so she will be driving up to pick her up this weekend. I will post pictures of Mollie and her new Mommie ! I can't wait to have a Grandpuppy!

[KatzNK9]

Great news! Glad to hear she'll have a happy home.

[Udon'tknowme]

Okay, Mollie has had her surgery. The test results came back...no cancer. I called the shelter several times this week and was told that she should be available Fri. I explained that my daughter is driving 4 hours from Christiansburg tonight so we can go get her tomorrow. The problem...I called the shelter today and they said she hasn't been evaluated yet. Evaluated for what, I don't know! I asked if she would be evaluated either this afternoon or tomorrow. NO answer! I asked if my daughter could do the paperwork and we pick her up when she is available. Nope! We don't do that! It is as if they are making it impossible! I called back to speak to the director of the shelter (she has been very helpful in the past). I was told that she wasn't in and they didn't know if she would be there tomorrow! It is just so very frustrating because I want to get her out of that place ASAP! If we can't get her out tomorrow then it will be next weekend before my daughter can drive back up...which means one more week in doggie prison! She has been there since April 2. I am in tears thinking about this!

[KatzNK9]

Argh! That's crazy that they're making it so difficult.

[Monkey]

awww at least she is healthy now...
and it is only another week then she is free for the rest of her life.
Try to see the glass half full.yes it does pain us to see all them dogs in there but at least she is on her way out and everything thanks to you!!!!!!!!!
Im SO impressed.. Dont feel bad you do everything you can!

[Udon'tknowme]

Okay, I called the shelter about 8 times last week to check on her and let them know that my daughter would be up Sat. to pick her up! I called Friday morning and was told the whole evaluating bs. Friday afternoon around three we went to the shelter...same bs. I called at 4:30 and was told no evaluation yet to call in the am around 9:30. The shelter opens at 10 am for adoptions so we were there at 9:58 and was told... Surprise! She was gone! I feel so scamed. I think that the shelter saw a sucker. Let's just say by my car, clothing and jewelry...I don't look like a poor person! They saw a sucker and took advantage. I know that someone at the shelter adopted her! My daughter was devastated! She cried all weekend!

[KatzNK9]

OMG, that is HORRIBLE! I'm so sorry.

[Udon'tknowme]

Okay, have had a little time to decompress. First off, we came home from the shelter Sat morning...everyone devastated. My daughter and her husband were going to get in the car and drive back home. I told them to wait until after lunch. Well, we all ate...I started feeling sick. Physically! By about 5 I told hubby it was time to go to the er. By noon on Sun I was in surgery having my appendix removed. Needless to say, it was a crappy weekend! I guess looking on the good side my baby was here with me.

As far as the dog and the shelter go, here is my new outlook on the situation. I do feel that they handled things completely wrong. I was told the dog would not be available for adoption until she was posted online...which never happened. I do think that someone at the shelter got her. The other option was that she was PTS, which I don't want to believe. Anyway, I made the donation for the dog, not the people at the shelter. If it did good, then wonderful. I do not need conflict in my life. If the people at the shelter did anything wrong then I'll let karma handle it.

[turbo]

Oh my gosh, I am now reading your post that Fairfax Co animal shelter was NOT great. I am so sorry.

[KatzNK9]

Wow! You had a terrible weekend all the way around. Glad to see you're back up & posting. Was a sad situation & I do hope your daughter finds a great pup soon.