POLLY


Friday, 04.04.03

We are looking for a home for "our" fostered beagle. She is just 2 years old, and is partially deaf due to untreated ear infections when she was a pup. We have nursed her back to health, and love her dearly, but she needs to have a "forever" home where she can be inside as often as possible, and has other buddies (dog or kids) to play with. She is extremely petite, pure bred, tri-color. We have AKC papers for her, as well. She is great with children (never even a growl out of her!), other dogs, cats, you name it! Housebroken 98%- can't seem to always get her to go out ON HER OWN if it rains or is very cold out... but she is used to a dog-door, and only "puddles" maybe 1-2 times a month, and only if I'm not paying attention to the fact that she's avoiding going out (never poops inside!). Mostly submissive, but not shy... definitely wants to play and cuddle! Because of her hearing problem, she's a little barkier than some (though not a constant nuisance bark), so an apartment setting, or uptight neighbors would not be good for her.
We will keep her for as long as it takes to find her a perfect home, but if you think you may be right for her, e-mail us, and we can chat. We will be asking for $100 for this beautiful girl, to be donated to the Rescue of your choice (or ours if you don't have one). We will be completely honest with any questions- we are not out to "get rid of this dog", but, rather, find her the best home! So don't be upset if we ask YOU a lot of questions too!

Hello!

My name is Hugh Elliott and I'm interested in finding out more about the beagle you have up for adoption. She's sounds beautiful.

I am a 41 year old single gay man living in West Hollywood. I had been raising a girl Jack Russell Terrier with my ex-partner but unfortunately "lost" her in the separation. My heart was broken at the loss and now after a few months, I'm ready to find another great creature to share my life with. I live alone in an apartment and the dog would be with me all the time. Dogs are allowed in my building and I prefer smaller breeds. I don't have a "doggy door" but I would be walking the dog as much as needed.

I have alot of love and attention to give to an animal and I'm looking to bond closely again with one. Dogs are amazing creatures and full of great lessons. I know that sounds new-agey but I just don't take their love and devotion for granted.

I actually got so nervous writing this letter and taking the step but something about your description of her sounded so charming I couldn't resist! <g> If any of this interests you and for any questions or information, feel free to call me.

Thanks for your time.

Hugh Elliott

PS. Oh, here are a couple of questions I have:
1. Has she been spayed? (I'd prefer she was)
2. Do you have a picture of her?
3. How much does she weigh?
4. Does she already go by a name?
5. Has she had any training?


Hi Hugh-

First of all, my sympathies on the loss of your dog- and your partner ( it's always hard, even when it's "the right thing to do"). I hope we can help heal at least a little of that pain.
OK - her name is "Polly". I'm sorry but I don't have a scanner to send a picture. She's so delicate- with a white stripe right through the middle of her face/forehead, tan ears and accents. She has a black saddle and "happy" tail. She is very tiny - I'll have to weigh her but no more than 15-18 lbs.. She is NOT spayed - yet - but will be before we let anyone else have her. We waited for all the other issues to resolve, and time has a way of flying, but she's never been bred and we have always planned to have it done (all our other animals have been). You and I can talk on the phone and I will give you more details about the circumstances under which we got her and why we have waited so long to find her a new home.
She has had some training: She knows "come", "sit", "drop it", "enough!'" (stop barking), " off", "go to bed", "go potty", "up", and "no" of course. She's pretty good- we didn't know for a while that she couldn't hear some pitches of sound, so it took a while for ALL of us to start catching up. I wonder how much she really knows the COMMAND vs. her watching the our other dog's response, or recognizing the routine if you know what I mean. As long as she's a good girl, who cares? :-)
Some things I want to be clear on:
1. Are you home during the day? Polly is used to having company and if there are no other animal pals she may not be very content to be left alone.
2. She does bark when startled or bored and alone- although she has never even shown teeth at anyone, and she wouldn't be a good guard dog that way- so an apartment might not be a good thing. She never barks when we're with her, but we know she does when she's outside and we've been gone a for a while.
3. Polly is really used to being a mostly indoor dog- and we even ( shame on us) let her on the couch and beds. I'm sure she could get used to new rules, but I'm letting you know what you might have to deal with at first.
3. We have a big yard- and she plays with the kids (they run until they drop... she'll even go down the slide in their laps!) and other animals a lot... she's only so-so on leash, since we don't have to walk them very often. Not terrible, only inexperienced, and it takes a while whenever we do take her for her to get back in to the swing of it. She loves it, though, and I'm sure a few days of regular walks would resolve any problems she MAY have.

I can bring her by to meet you next week. Monday may not be the best day, but Tuesday works. I have to keep it quiet on this side: my kids will be a upset. It's the right thing for Polly - to have a home of her own - but we have grown to love her.
Also, I would take this slowly-ish, in that if we get together and you decide she's right for you, I would take her to our vet for spaying and then keep her home for a few days until she feels ok. Then you could have her. This is semi-negotiable if you have a vet you trust; we can talk after you meet her.
By the way- I got so many responses already. Something about your e-mail made me write you back. I'm going to wait on the others until I hear from you again... go figure!

Julie

Saturday, 04.05.03

Dear Julie,

Wow. Your letter literally brought tears to my eyes at your caring response. If I had any questions about this, they were answered. When you said her name was Polly, I was flabbergasted. I had for some reason already been thinking Dolly or Lilly. I'm not kidding! The universe really kicks ass sometimes, huh? <g>

Now, some answers for you:

1. I am home during the day. While I am in good health, I am technically disabled and so I do not go to a job. She would be with me at least 22 of the 24 hrs.. (If not more.) My old dog Peggy would also bark sometimes if I left her but would usually quiet down until I got home. I assume Polly would be the same. I don't see that as a problem.

2. All my furniture is "pet friendly" and I'm used to sleeping with a dog.

3. I also have used a leash/harness that would pull from under the arm rather than the neck as well. It also gives more control when walking. I think walking is something she would get used to fast, especially when it's regular.

4. I agree about the spaying. It would probably be best for her to recuperate somewhere she's familiar and comfortable. I've used TLC here in W. Hollywood and they've been great but if you will have her, probably best to use yours.

Finally, I understand about your kids. It would be fine for Polly to come visit or have sleep-overs <g>. I don't know where or how far you live from me but that's an idea.

Call me when you have time and let's talk more. Again, thanks for your sentiments and fast answer!

Warm regards - Hugh


Hugh-
It's after 11pm, so I didn't want to call this late. I've been thinking about you though. I'll give you a call Monday late morning ( after I get everyone off to work and school), and we'll have a good chat. I'd also like to plan on taking Polly for a visit with you on Tuesday or Wednesday. Think about it, and I'll also see how our week starts out.
I talked with my niece, who is an animal trainer, and is in school to be a vet. She thinks a better idea would be to let her go to you and adjust to her new home for a few weeks, and then you should have her spayed when you feel she's ready. Apparently (and in my experience, I think she's right) it's actually a bonding experience when they have any illness or surgery and you take care of them. I wouldn't even consider this if I thought her new parent might breed her but we can talk about it. Polly is due for her 2 year shots- her birthday was April 1st- and we can do that anyway but my niece is probably right on with this one.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I am not considering anyone else at this point - it really is amazing that that one little ad has generated such response!

Talk to you soon - j.

Sunday, 04.06.03


yeah! go team!

well i didn't think of the bonding after surgery thing but it makes some sense. does polly "go into heat"? when i was growing up we had a siamese cat who hated everyone in the world except my mother. we never had her spayed and when she'd go into heat she'd howl wildly and follow me around the house! of course I was a child and had no idea what was going on. hopefully Polly doesn't do the same(the howling wildly part)!

i have, of course, been thinking about you and Polly as well. i'm incredibly lucky to have made this connection and not only get an opportunity to find a great animal to be with but also to meet what sounds like such a kind person as yourself.

i'm a writer too and here is my weblog where you can read some things i've written and there's also a picture of me for your curiosity. my weblog is called STANDING ROOM ONLY. on the right side there is a link of Fiction Archives of my work. something for you if you get the time. enjoy!

again, thanks for your time and i look forward to talking to you!

best - hugh


dear mom -

well i think i found another dog. after the whole thing with joe, i've been holding off for awhile before deciding but then yesterday i went online just to see what was out there and found an ad for a family who were putting up a 2 yr-old girl beagle for adoption! something about the ad just sounded great to me. so i answered the ad, slightly explaining my situation and what happened with peggy, etc. and got an answer back the same day! Pretty wild huh? Before I got this mail and was thinking about the dog, I was thinking of names and thought of Dolly or Lilly and then it turns out her name is Polly!!! I'm so excited. She sounds perfect and getting a pure bred beagle like this is just what I wanted!

i wrote the woman back and after I see her (which should be monday or tuesday), I'll take some pictures to send you. This is what beagles look like and this one actually has coloring like it sounds Polly has :

Wish me luck!!

xxxx

HI!!!

WELL, SHE SOUNDS LIKE THE DOG YOU ARE LOOKING FOR... I HOPE IT WORKS OUT FOR YOU... YOU WILL BE SEEING HER MONDAY OR TUESDAY? BEAGLES ARE SUCH CUTE PUPS... SEND ME A PICTURE OF HER...

LOVE, MOM

Monday, 04.07.03

dear julie -

great talking to you today! you Super-Moms always impress me :). thanks for your compliments about my blog too. i'm glad you enjoyed it and it tells alot about me.

i can't wait to meet you and the little girl! thanks for making this such a great experience.

best - hugh


To be continued...
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