At this point, Butch has been with us for about 6 weeks. We have addressed his weight issues and most behavior problems so I started my search for a good match. Up front, the behavior problems would best handled by someone who had previous terrier experience, not necessarily, but it would be a big asset. I also figured no kids and possibly a single dog. The most important issue was a strong willed person who would insist that Butch not be allowed to be in control.
With that shopping list of requirements, I sorted my list and I didn’t have a great feeling about most of the names I had for a dog with these issues. Then, I got a referral from someone who should knows about terriers and they gave me a number for a young couple. The young lady had been raised with a Westie and was fully aware of the behavior she had seen.
Given that, I invited them over. They were eager to take him. The young man had never owned a dog but with the young lady’s experience, it seemed workable. The young lady’s mother lived close by, with a Westie and could give support.
I kept them there for well over two hours. I went over Butch’s record in detail, with a major focus on how to control him and how to assume the pack leader role so he would be submissive to them. We spent a long time on alpha issues. The young lady was in full agreement and the young man was willing, although a tad nervous since he had never owned a dog. It looked workable to me. I believe I told them to sleep on it and call me back.
Ready for his new home.
They did and they were eager to adopt Butch. They came over, we went over everything again. I told them to call me if there were any issues, I would be glad to talk things over.
I called in the next day to see how things were going. There were a few small issues but they all seemed surrmoutnable. I always talked to the young man who really wanted to know how to deal with Buitch. No problem.
Then calls were coming to me. The issue was Butch and the older Westie that lived with the mother. Butch wanted to be in charge. Butch may not have thought of taking prisoners. We went over all of the standard things to do. Have them meet in a neutral area like a park, not at the Westies’ home turf. Make sure Butch was always 2nd, never received that first pet. Let the Westie make the first move. There were occasional issues with Butch on leash when strange dogs were around. We went over those issues and how to deal with them. We talked almost every day, but late in week, he called and now things were not at a good place.
The mother of the young lady had issued an ultimatum, either get rid of the evil devil dog from hell or they would not be allowed at her house. No dog was allowed to beat up on her Westies. He sounded desperate but he wanted things to work out. We went over things again. The next day, when the young lady was on the phone, I knew what the conversation was going to be. Saturday morning, Butch would be coming back. No problem at all on my end, we want these placements to work out. I told her that Butch is just a dog and she needs to do what is right for her relationship with her family. I will find a home for Butch, he should not be a reason for the family to be pulled in different directions.
Well, they showed up with Butch but behind them in her SUV was the mother. Mom was younger than I expected. From the conversations, I was expecting someone, in their 60′s with gray hair, and set in her ways, prepared to protect her little baby from evil dogs. Only the last part was right. So, they all come in and I take Butch to the back yard with the 4 Cairns running around. Mom’s jaw drops and it seems to stay that way forever. She fully expected that the devil dog from hell would go in the back yard and tear into any other dog in his view. Never happened. Butch spotted his buddies, they all ran around sniffing butts and frollicking around the yard. Never a single challenge. Butch was a very happy camper. Things are good in the pack.
At home, in the kitchen with Riles in the background.
I pulled out my Butch file and got the adoption fee check I still had and returned it after I got the young lady to sign the surrender agreement. In the meantime, the young man is on the floor, on his knees, looking at and talking to Butch through the patio screen door. It is very clear that the young man who never owned a dog had made a real connection with Butch and the separation would be the hardest on him. He is the last to leave, wiping his eyes as he moves to the front door, but things are good in the pack.