The house has seemed very lonely the past few days. My days have been spent working and then going home and cleaning. I am doing everything possible, short of buying a new mattress and ripping up all of our carpeting, to get the pet dander allergens out of our apartment. Financially, this has been a huge stress on us. Having to pay two ER co-pays, and one DR visit co-pay in the same week, equals very expensive. Plus the prescriptions that Badass has gotten have set us back about $60, not to mention the over the counter meds he is taking. Don’t get me wrong, everything is worth it to have him healthy again, but this probably couldn’t have happened at a worse time.
Giving Stella up was probably one of the hardest things I have had to do. Granted we only had her for a week, but we bonded with her and were just starting to get her all settled. When we returned her to the Humane Society, the receptionist couldn’t have been more rude to me. I was already in hysterics crying when I walked through the doors, we had called ahead of time to let them know that we were bringing Stella back. I explained to them that my husband had an allergic reaction and had to be taken to the hospital, and that he was still having severe symptoms. So when I got there I expected them to be caring and supportive. The vet techs that came and took Stella back were just that. They gave me a hug and expressed how sorry they were and told me that they would make sure Stella got a good home, and wished Badass a quick recovery. When it came time to fill out the surrender paperwork, the receptionist had no empathy at all. While signing the paperwork I simply asked if since this was due to an unknown allergy if we would get any of our adoption fee back or if we could get a credit towards another pet, Ms. Bitchy Pants responded with,” PFFT, no! You’re just lucky you didn’t have to pay the puppy adoption fee like you were supposed to.” While I was crying that was how she talked to me. If I wasn’t so upset I probably would have jumped the counter and pummeled the bitch.
We had saved up to be able to get a dog and now that savings in gone along with the dog and a considerable amount of Badass’s health. Eventually we hope to get another dog, but not for a while. And now that we know that Badass is allergic, we will look for a low-dander or a “hypoallergenic” breed.
So, tell me internet, what have you done this week?
Giving Stella up was probably one of the hardest things I have had to do. Granted we only had her for a week, but we bonded with her and were just starting to get her all settled. When we returned her to the Humane Society, the receptionist couldn’t have been more rude to me. I was already in hysterics crying when I walked through the doors, we had called ahead of time to let them know that we were bringing Stella back. I explained to them that my husband had an allergic reaction and had to be taken to the hospital, and that he was still having severe symptoms. So when I got there I expected them to be caring and supportive. The vet techs that came and took Stella back were just that. They gave me a hug and expressed how sorry they were and told me that they would make sure Stella got a good home, and wished Badass a quick recovery. When it came time to fill out the surrender paperwork, the receptionist had no empathy at all. While signing the paperwork I simply asked if since this was due to an unknown allergy if we would get any of our adoption fee back or if we could get a credit towards another pet, Ms. Bitchy Pants responded with,” PFFT, no! You’re just lucky you didn’t have to pay the puppy adoption fee like you were supposed to.” While I was crying that was how she talked to me. If I wasn’t so upset I probably would have jumped the counter and pummeled the bitch.
We had saved up to be able to get a dog and now that savings in gone along with the dog and a considerable amount of Badass’s health. Eventually we hope to get another dog, but not for a while. And now that we know that Badass is allergic, we will look for a low-dander or a “hypoallergenic” breed.
So, tell me internet, what have you done this week?
12 comments:
I'm sorry the receptionist was such a bitch to you. I'll be writing a scathing letter to them, that's for sure.
Thank you for all the work you are doing in cleaning the apartment so I can come home. I really appreciate it. <3
I'm really sorry about the dog. I just re-homed my dalmatian because we couldn't afford two dogs. I know it's not the same since I still have one, but I feel for you. I'm a huge wuss when it comes to dogs.
And I'm sorry the woman was rude to you. I agree, she definitely could've handled it better. But (and please don't take this the wrong way because as Badass will tell you I'm honest to a fault and don't mean to be rude) I have to admit I'd be a little prickly too if I worked there and someone asked for the adoption fee back. That fee pays for a microchip, care for the dog, a vet visit prior to you getting the dog, etc. Believe me I'm (way) far from rich and I understand wanting to recoup some expenses, but at that point I would've chalked it up as an acceptable loss since the money does go to help animals and I'm sure it was listed as non-refundable in the contract.
But as you were in tears and the woman could plainly see you were upset, she should've been more sensitive and a lot less bitchy.
Good luck with the cleaning and for what it's worth, I hear Labradoodles are great dogs for highly allergic people.
I was so sorry to hear of Mike's problems with Stella and having to take her back. Amazing that the humane society person was so unfeeling. I sure hope that you can find a puppy that can really be yours -- your Bo, perhaps? There are a few breeds out there that don't shed and have excessive dander. Too bad for both you and Stella. Good luck with the cleaning. Perhaps having a cleaning service (like ServPro who deal with disaster cleanups) would be a good idea, despite the expense.
I can't believe that that woman was so cold to you when you were obviously in such distress. I'm so sorry about Stella and the heartache that you and Badass are feeling. Good luck with the cleaning.
How freakin' callous of the woman to be bitchy while you were crying!!!
Well, for one this week I worried about you and Badass...
And for the other I just felt funky and sad and dispirited for no particular reason. But I also sorted paper work like a mad woman!
That woman is a bitch. It's a shame when non-animal loving people work in places like that. In fact, people like that should be stripped off the earth. Would you like me to write a letter on your behalf. I have some rage I could redirect! :)
That is a terrible thing. I don't understand how people can be so callous.
I hope things get better for you both soon.
I think I would go over her head and talk to the vets there or something. You should get your money or some part of it back since you returned the dog. Part of an adoption fee covers the shots, spay/neuter or the animal, and whoever ends up adopting Stella will be sure to pay the full adoption fee, and it's already been paid by you for an animal you couldn't keep, through no fault of your own.
(Found you through Badass Geek's site).
I'm so sorry for you both for having to go through this whole ordeal. :( The woman definitely seems to be bad at customer service. (As someone who has worked at a humane society before), I'm guessing that she was probably just feeling too much for the dog coming back to the shelter and not hiding those feelings very well. In which case she should probably be a tech in the back and not a receptionist, if she can't muster some sympathy for all those customers who come in having made such heartbreaking decisions. Anyway. I really wish you luck with the aftermath and hope that your and Badass's health and situation improves quickly.
I've thought about you all this week knowing what you were going to have to do and how terribly difficult it was going to be.
And THEN I read your post!! You need to speak to someone about that woman. And if you want, I'll come up to visit and hold the bitch while you punch her!
I'm guessing that she was probably just feeling too much for the dog coming back to the shelter and not hiding those feelings very well. In which case she should probably be a tech in the back and not a receptionist, if she can't muster some sympathy for all those customers who come in having made such heartbreaking decisions.
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Hi Boss Lady ( I too found you through the Geeks's Blog)
Sorry to hear that it went so bad for you guys. Hm, I dunno why Missy Receptionist was so sinister. I wonder if that happens a lot at the Humane Society: people (and I'm talking EVIL people, not you guys!) returning pets because... oh.. you know... fur colour and wallpaper don't harmonize and then they expect a "full refund"!
I know, you were crying and really upset, so yeah, that definitely should have clued her in. I'm not taking her side or anything - maybe she's burned out, has done the job too long and can't pick up signals of true distress anymore.
A littel heads up will do her good.
How much money did you invest in sweet Stella?
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