Would you give a dog back to a family that gave him to you but then wanted him back?

[Anonymous]

Asher and Me

I adopted a dog from Craigslist. The family re-homed him due to their autistic child not doing well with the dog and not having enough time for the dog due to care for the autistic child. I have a screen shot of the old Craigslist add. I also have all the texts from the time I got him. They decided they wanted him back. I didn’t give him back because I bonded to him and was concerned they would need to rehome him again. I think the dog caused outbursts for the autistic child. I have all the texts saying she needed to do what was best for her son and rehome him. He was supposed to go to someone else but they liked me better so they gave him to me for free.

I got a few texts saying how awful of a person I am and cruel for keeping him. They also won’t give me permission to change his akc microchip information into my name and information. It’s still in theirs. So if he gets lost, they will be contacted. I feel it’s cruel of them. The dog actually was scared to be pet and touched when I first got him and he also did a lot of submission urine out of fear. I think it was from the autistic child’s outbursts. He doesn’t do that anymore. He is in a calm loving situation with me. I just recently took him to the beach, We’ve gone hiking, go to the park everyday. I also have him as an emotional support animal. I’ve been through a lot of emotional trauma and his calm demeanor has been very supportive. He has been with me since November 2023 and it’s now May 2024. He has been with me for 7 months. He was only with them for a little while, maybe two months as I got him at 4 months old. They also sent texts saying that their son misses his best friend. That’s not the message I got when i adopted him. It was opposite. The texts were about the son hating him and not doing well with him. It’s been so very confusing. I love this dog very much and I’m attached. They also didn’t have him UTD on shots and I got him up to date. I’ve spent a lot of time and money on him.

[Somoneelse]

No. Keep the dog. The fact they wanted the dog gone already for their kid shows nothing will stop them from getting rid of the dog later in the future again. Including the kid apearently abusing the dog as well. Poor thing! The dog now has a lovely owner and it should be that way. You were very smart to screenshot everything as when they might sue you, you have good evidence. I almost have a feeling they are trying to sell him for money as you got him for free. Like how would that autistic kid now randomly love the dog instead of abusing him?

[Asker]

Thank you so much! It’s made me feel so nervous and upset! 😢 and affected my health today

[patois]

They abandoned the dog before, so they will do it again when things get rough... The dog deserves a responsible person to live with.

[Asker]

That’s how I feel. He’s been with me for 7/8 months and we’ve spent Thanksgiving, Christmas, new years, other family events, hiking, the beach, and he’s bonded with my two toy poodles. They told me I was a horrible person on all levels to not give him back. They’re blocked now.

[patois]

Yeah they are selfish... It is what it is. They took on a responsibility they couldn't handle and then they bailed on a living creature because it was inconvenient at the time. I know. I had a dog die a year ago that was abandon by a family when he was a puppy. The little girl wanted the dog back, but the parents got rid of him because they didn't want to deal with the responsibility. He lived a full happy life with me.

I currently also have a 9 year old dog that is still alive an kicking that was abandoned after 3 years because the owner didn't like paying high prices for pet friendly rentals. The dog was locked up behind a dog fence all day while he was at work. He rarely bathed him or trimmed his hair. That's just how some people are. They think dogs are toys and don't respect the animal. So as soon as they make life uncomfortable at any point, they get rid of them. It's sad.

[Asker]

Awww thank you for your reply. You sound like an angel for the dogs! Glad you’re looking out for them!

[Asker]

All this made me so upset and nervous I threw up this morning and cried a little it’s stressful and makes me wish I had never gotten a dog off Craigslist and just gone to humane society or a breeder.

[Smashingdoozy]

They legally cannot take the dog back as you essentially had a written agreement. I don't believe you need permission to change the details on the microchip. It should just be able to be changed at the vet, if not you can contact the microchip company to have it changed.

[Asker]

I did contact the microchip company. They said they have to have an email from the previous owner stating it’s ok to change. I saw they posted him as missing on the Akc website. It’s so weird they went from my autistic child is not doing well with him and that’s why we need to rehome him and then saying he fell in love with him and wants his best friend back. My mom thought they wanted him back for money as they may regret he was given for free.

[Asker]

They don’t know where I live exactly or much about me as we met in the parking lot at a tractor supply.

[Smashingdoozy]

Send the company the messages you have from the previous owners. Maybe they will be understanding of the awkward situation

[Asker]

Good idea!

[Asker]

I’m just nervous for when I get him neutered at 18 months of age (as recommended). The microchip company said they may scan for microchip and call company to verify. Then what? I bring up the texts and the screen shot of the Craigslist add? Call the police? My mom thinks I should already go ahead and file a police report and get a restraining order as I feel really weird and not at peace now. They know what city and state I live in but not my exact place. Hmm I can’t afford an attorney! I don't know! Getting a new dog should be a fun and exciting peaceful experience!!

[Smashingdoozy]

You could definitely contact your local police and tell them about the situation, I'm sure they'd be willing to help. Even contact your local SPCA for advice

[Asker]

🙏 thank you

[Agape93]

Sure. But remind em that if the dog is too much, I'll take it back.

[Phoenix98]

Keep the dog it seems like it's far better off with you then it was them.

[Iron_Man]

How many times are you gonna make this message? You’ve been doing it for months

[Iron_Man]

Last time it was about the relative given the dog away to the other relative then they wanted it back

[Asker]

I have never posted about this before. That was someone else.