Craigslist dog and lies / HAPPY UPDATE

[Treasuremapper]

We just adopted a dog from Craigslist, and I am deeply upset about the entire thing.

I'm editing this out, because I think we are falling in love with the dog.

Here is the happy update: we went to the low cost veterinary clinic today (it's open on Sundays!) and had most of the work done. I only did the rabies vaccines and decided to wait on the combo and bordatella shots -- I only give our kids one shot at a time, too, so if there is a reaction I will know what is going on.

She has no parasites and no heartworms! Not even fleas. She had a full exam and was in excellent health. The vet said that she appears to be a full blooded poodle (which may explain why dd has had no problems with allergies). He said that when poodles have not been groomed the hair around their mouths can look like a schnauzer mustache, but that our dog has the snout, physique, and curly hair of a poodle. She weighs only ten pounds.

So -- all is well that ends well. : Her quietness, in the absence of any other symptoms, may be attributed to her being in a new home. She's eating well, has normal bowel movements, and runs around with the girls. It may also be that I am used to terrier mix rescue dogs, who have a very different yapping style.

Really, I am embarrassed that instead of expressing gratitude, I focused on the misrepresentations and the matted hair. I'm glad we have her -- she loves to sit and cuddle up with our daughters and likes to play as well. We will do dog training and such when dh's busy season is over in 2 weeks.

[SugarGlider]

I understand how frustrated you are! Sometimes the way we get pets isnt the way we planned but it works out for the best... I hope this is a situation like that for you.

Maybe the woman really is sick and is finding homes for puppy mill animals. I would treat it like its a young puppy for potty training. Sounds like its very lucky you found it!

Congrats on your new family member :

[DogMomforNow]

I'd flag her craigslist ads, all of them. I'd also post ads warning people about her.

Then I'd get to the vet asap, a non-vax'd dog with an unknown history who is possibly acting sick is not something I want around my kids.

I'd read After You Get Your Puppy, if you haven't already. It's a free pdf online and can help you with the housetraining problems. The lady sounds like a hoarder or a puppy mill or both - either way this dog is probably used to using its sleeping quarters for a restroom as well, and may be a challenge to housetrain.

[Nosy]

I'd flag her craigslist postings as well so no one else has the same problem. Wonder if you could call the SPCA or something for help...do you think the other animals are being mistreated or she's just trying to unload them for a little cash (I didn't see if you paid an adoption fee for the dog or not).

[Ola_]

Originally Posted by DogMomforNow

The lady sounds like a hoarder or a puppy mill or both

I was thinking the same thing.

To be fair, many dogs will potty in a new place that they don't consider their "den". Just be sure to keep an eye on her the whole time or confine her to prevent mistakes. It could also be worms - have the vet test a stool sample.

[betsyj]

Poor you and poor poor dog. I second the PP about getting to a vet ASAP. See what is going on health wise first then you can begin tackling any issues.

[secondseconds]

Call the ASPCA and ask them how you can have this woman investigated.

Take the dog to the vet and get it up to date. I'm not sure what you were expecting when you accepted a free dog.

[angie7]

Like a pp mentioned, a new dog can potty in a new house b/c they are unfamiliar with it. One accident doesn't mean it isn't potty trained, even a handful doesn't mean it. Just keep working with her and she will get it.

As far as the lady, well they are some good con-artists out there. I worked in rescue for many years and could tell many sad stories of people just like you who get suckered into a dog only to find out the dog is sick. It happens all the time. I too second the possible puppy mill. What state are you in? and what state is this woman from? TN and MS have the worst puppy mills b/c there aren't any laws.

Take the pup to the vet and have it checked out. I would not do shots at this time and wait for the vet to check the dog and run any tests (blood, stool, etc.) If the dog is sick, vaxing it will make it worse. And in all honesty, if the dog is not up to date, it's not a danger to your kids. My dogs are unvaxed and there is no threat of an unvaxed dog and kids living together.

[AllyRae]

You don't happen to be in Ohio are you? We had a very similar experience with our Craigslist dog (only we paid $20). We adopted him from a woman on craigslist that said he was an "amish puppy mill rescue". When she showed up, it was an extremely shaggy dog who obviously hadn't been cared for *at all*. She said that she had taken him to the vet and had all his shots, but when we took the dog to the vet, the dog was extremely malnourished and clearly hadn't been to the vet. And the worst part? He was limping when we got him, and she said "oh, he was walking fine earlier today...he must have snagged his toenail on the carpet". Over $500 in x-rays later (which had to be done under sedation) and we find out that he actually had a chronic ball joint issue and his joint had been non-functioning likely since the dog was BORN...meaning he NEVER walked on that leg, EVER. Once he was shaved, you could tell that there was no muscle on the leg. The vet told us that eventually, we'd have to pay for the dog to have his leg amputated (we haven't done it yet because he's not in pain).

So yeah, I have no advice but I sympathize with you. It sucks when you think you're doing something good and you end up getting conned. : Hopefully it works out with you and the dog. We've had ours a little over a year now.

[lovebug]

i would flag her on CL. i would get the dog to the vet as soon as you can. i would also keep a log of ALL your emails and the CL ad. being that you got the dog for free you have no recourse (i dont think) there, but in the event something 'bad' should come out of this you will have docs to back up your story.

please keep us updated! so sorry mama i hope the puppy works out and congrats on the new addition!

[SevenVeils]

Originally Posted by secondseconds

I'm not sure what you were expecting when you accepted a free dog.

?

So if someone isn't charging for something they are expected to be liars who are dumping an unexpected burden on someone, and lying in order to do so?

Not true. I have no idea where you would get that idea. People lie and act in an unethical manner when they are charging money for something too.

[lovebug]

Originally Posted by SevenVeils

?

So if someone isn't charging for something they are expected to be liars who are dumping an unexpected burden on someone, and lying in order to do so?

Not true. I have no idea where you would get that idea. People lie and act in an unethical manner when they are charging money for something too.

true. however if she had charged that would makes her negligent. if she charged a fee for a sick dog then you could go after her for vet bills and what not.

FWIW: i think this is so very sad! to lie and dump something like this on a family that thinks they are getting a dog and helping someone at the same time... sad to say the least! when you get a dog most understand that vets and vet bull come along for the ride. it is a very different story when you are lied to and thrown into a situation you may otherwise avoided!

we had something like this happen to a dear friend! it did not turn out good for her or the cat...

ETA: QUESTION: i know you can go after someone if they charged a fee, my question is- can you do the same if you unknowingly excepted a sick animal and they basically stuck you with major vet bills and lied the whole time about, well everything!??

[SquishyKitty]

Originally Posted by angie7

Like a pp mentioned, a new dog can potty in a new house b/c they are unfamiliar with it. One accident doesn't mean it isn't potty trained, even a handful doesn't mean it. Just keep working with her and she will get it.

As far as the lady, well they are some good con-artists out there. I worked in rescue for many years and could tell many sad stories of people just like you who get suckered into a dog only to find out the dog is sick. It happens all the time. I too second the possible puppy mill. What state are you in? and what state is this woman from? TN and MS have the worst puppy mills b/c there aren't any laws.

Take the pup to the vet and have it checked out. I would not do shots at this time and wait for the vet to check the dog and run any tests (blood, stool, etc.) If the dog is sick, vaxing it will make it worse. And in all honesty, if the dog is not up to date, it's not a danger to your kids. My dogs are unvaxed and there is no threat of an unvaxed dog and kids living together.

In a normal situation this would be true. However, nobody knows what this dog could have been exposed to, so it could be a risk for her family.

OP, get the dog to a vet and make sure it's healthy. Also start some sort of training program, as it seems that the dog wasn't very well disciplined. Good luck and I'm sorry that the lady lied to you. When we got our dog, we found that several things had been embellished to make her sound more appealing. Truth be told, she's a great dog. But, they only took the time to teach her cute dog tricks, no real training, so the first couple of months were rough.

[Treasuremapper]

Sadly, folks, here is my problem. I do not have the money for anything beyond basic shots right now.

[floss&ferd]

If your daughter is fine with poodles, then she should be fine with 1/2 schnauzer. Schnauzers are "low allergy"--same as poodles. There is no such thing as "hypoallergenic dogs". Poodles and schnauzers are both non-shedding, low dander breeds.

Had a schnauzer growing up because my sister's allergist recommended only getting poodles or schnauzers. She had severe asthma and really bad allergies.

[Ola_]

Honestly, I think it is to be expected that any animal you take in may need medical treatment, whether for a pre-existing condition or something that happens after you get it. Pets can be expensive and being able to afford treatment is something I would have in place before taking on an animal.

As far as the parasites, run a stool sample to the vet - they can probably test it without an appointment if you explain the situation. Then you will know for sure if any parasites are present or not. I would not do any vaccines for now - they are not going to help with any existing issues (and if she had rabies or distemper it would be pretty obvious). And like a PP said there is nothing dangerous about healthy but unvaccinated pets. Once you know if she has any worms you can find out if they are things that affect humans or not, and act accordingly.

[phatchristy]

Originally Posted by Ola_

Honestly, I think it is to be expected that any animal you take in may need medical treatment, whether for a pre-existing condition or something that happens after you get it. Pets can be expensive and being able to afford treatment is something I would have in place before taking on an animal.

I agree, and I do think it is very lousy that this person lied to you!

But definitely it's a good idea to save up and have some emergency money available for vet fees before you get the pet.

[LittleBlessings]

I do not have any advice or suggestions just a

[Kim Allen]

We got our yorkie from CL and I met the women half way to get the dog. It was the most pitiful looking yorkie. But i felt so bad and He acted very sweet and gentle so I went ahead and took him. When i got him home i immediatly washed him and he had such matted fur and big patched were gone from flea infestation. I got rid of them all and its been almost a year and this is the prettiest dog now. He is so sweet natured I am very glad I went ahead and took him. They left this poor dog outside all the time. They said he was housebroken which for the most part he is but At night he has accidents even if we let him out regularly. Not sure if it just because hes left alone or what. Good luck and i know how aggrivating it is to be lied to and how someone could treat dogs like that.

[Treasuremapper]

Thank you for reassuring me about the schnauzer mix!!! That's what I needed to hear. I agree that I should have saved for vet bills, and I had not planned to get a dog until June, but this dog was so cute and good with children -- and I was so assured about the dog's health, etc., that I took a chance.

Honestly, I'm upset, and I guess I should have put s/o on this thread. There is nothing you can say that will make me feel any worse than I feel about this. What's the point of saying in so many words "you should have known better" or "what did you expect" when I am already fully aware that I fell for an adorable dog and a pitiful woman? Trust me, I know I was a fool. The fact that I have owned schnauzers and poodles in the past and done dog rescue makes me feel even stupider. But I never saw our dogs overgrown with mats so I didn't really know what they would look like if left without grooming for months.

I cannot even believe the way she lied. I did post a warning on the CL site to get proof of everything but I did not flag her posts. My reason -- those animals, if they are in half as bad condition as this one, will be better off in new homes.

I found a low cost clinic that will take care of rabies, combo, bordatella, fecal, exam, heartworm test, worming, and six months of heartworm medication for only $120. Way, way, way less than our local vet. I really appreciate the advice about what tests to focus on. I think the clinic will require the rabies shot, but I will skip bordatella and combo until I find out what else is going on. I am working on the mats -- I have most of them off except for the sensitive areas, ie, front feet.

Sigh. The only drag is that I have to wait for several hours in line to get the cheap services, but c'est la vie. I'm going there tomorrow when I have childcare lined up. Not the way I planned to spend my time or money tomorrow, but live and learn.