New debate re:dog adoption

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

TV viewers in the US will be aware that there's been a controversy about a dog adoption involving Ellen DeGeneres. (I'm avoiding my inclination to drag this into the concern people display about the adoption of children, here. )Here's a link for people who actually watch "news". http://television.aol.com/news/story...16225309990004

My question is, if the problem actually is that the family has an 11 year old and a 12 year old, what do you think about rules that prohibit the adoption of certain dogs by families with younger children? How would this have affected your family?

[The Telcontarion]

Yeah I remember hearing something about this and Helen was crying on her show.

The way I originally saw it was what stupid crap was this where you take away the animals from kids who are bonded to them. why? According to your article, it turns out there are rules that this animal rescue agency has in place for the protection of the animal; I still think it makes no sense what so ever and now the children suffer - why can't children under 14 cannot own a dog, the way I see it that is the perfect age for a dog. A child under 14 has time to run and play and spend time with the animal (just as I did at 3 years old and up with my dog). After that age with increasing responsibilities, social life, school hobbies etc. the purpose for a child owning a dog becomes more now sentimental than practical, a family member as appose to a play mate. There should at least be an exception; it's a policy, not frickin law. Where is the humanity in this decision, I see known.

[Nautipus]

Originally Posted by The Telcontarion

Yeah I remember hearing something about this and Helen was crying on her show.

The way I originally saw it was what stupid crap was this where you take away the animals from kids who are bonded to them. why? According to your article, it turns out there are rules that this animal rescue agency has in place for the protection of the animal; I still think it makes no sense what so ever and now the children suffer - why can't children under 14 cannot own a dog, the way I see it that is the perfect age for a dog. A child under 14 has time to run and play and spend time with the animal (just as I did at 3 years old and up with my dog). After that age with increasing responsibilities, social life, school hobbies etc. the purpose for a child owning a dog becomes more now sentimental than practical, a family member as appose to a play mate. There should at least be an exception; it's a policy, not frickin law. Where is the humanity in this decision, I see known.

Amen, brother.

Although, their policy is that children under 14 cant have a dog, and was probably in the agreement. But once the dog is adopted, wouldnt the person who owns it be the person to make the decision of who it goes to? There's really no reason for taking the dog away. I, like The Telcontarion, have had a dog since I was born, and see no reason for children of the age that these kids are not to have a dog. To me, it really is ridiculous.

[The last sane person]

How...daft.

I am assuming that once they signed the contract, responsiblity for the dog passed over to the new owners. It is up to them as to what happens to the dog after that. Or, that is how it normally goes, seeing as the actual contract isnt there to be read.

And no small dogs to children under 14? What kinda bullshit is that? If you are over fourteen, why do you want a small dog? I think small dogs are actually better for small kids, seeing as the kids would be able to more handle something terrier sized rather than german shepherd size. "For the safety of the dog" my ass, if some little kid didn't take a shine to dogs just like that one they'd be dead in a matter of weeks in a pound.

I really dont see what all the fuss is about.

[Earniel]

I'm thinking, a contract once signed, should be followed. And if the contract states that the dog-adopter should return the dog to the agency should he or she no longer want to care for it, and that no dogs can be adopted through this agency by families with young kids, she should have complied.

If an adopting-agency deliberately broke its own rules, people would have gotten on its case too. No matter how unreasonable the rules sound, they were clear from the beginning and the first owners agreed to them. It is a pity both the dog and the second family are now at the short end of things. But I don't think we can fault the agency for following its own rules.

I also think it's rather irresponsible to go complaining about this on television, resulting in death threats at the address of the agency, and no doubt a drop in prospective dog-adopters. Especially when you're the one at fault. Personally I would just have gone to an agency with less of such limiting rules, and adopt a dog with less hassle.

That said, I find the rule of no small dogs for kids below 14 rather strange. If they were dangerous dogs, then it would make sense, but 'small dogs'? Of all dogs that sort should be safe to kids. To reverse that reasoning and say that it's for the dog's protection, thus implying that kids below 14 are a possible danger to those dogs, is just far-fetched. I don't think I want to know what sort of kids they were thinking of when making that rule...

I know plenty of children younger than 14 being able to care perfectly for pets. I've had several pets when I was that age, although most of them were strays and not adopted (that only happened afterwards) so the situation wouldn't have applied. But being around animals when you're young can only be beneficial IMO, for both children and animals. A lot of animals may not have been adopted if not for companionship for kids, and kids learn a lot from and about animals when they can come in contact with them at home.

[brownjenkins]

I agree with Eärniel, a contract is a contract, eventhough the rules about kids are kind of strange.

That said, I wouldn't get a dog for my kids for it's own safety. With the damage they do to one another, I can't imagine how a dog would fare.

[Tessar]

Originally Posted by The last sane person

And no small dogs to children under 14? What kinda bullshit is that? If you are over fourteen, why do you want a small dog?

I'm 19, and I wanted a small dog because I wanted a lap dog . Something to cuddle with and hold in my arms--she's my little baby.

Also she eats less, poops less, would have more trouble physically harming me by purpose or accident, isn't hard for me to control if she gets scared or wants to chase something, and in general I've found that the few scared-of-dog people I've met have been somewhat less frightened of my small dog.

That's why people over 14 might want a small dog .

[BeardofPants]

Smaller dogs are more likely to have the 'small dog thinks its a big dog' syndrome. There's a reason why chihuahua's are known to be vicious little ****ers.