Our family decided we were ready to adopt a dog. We wanted another lab since our dog Trouble had been so wonderful. We decided we would do the responsible thing and go through a lab rescue group. Here's how the process went. We communicated only through email.

Thank you for your interest in adopting a lab from Labrador Friends xx xxx xxxxx, Inc. We have received your application.

In order to process your application, can you please send us contact information for your veterinarian so we can conduct a vet check on your animals? I tried looking up the vet's phone number based on the information provided, but when I called them, they did not have record of you, so I think I called the wrong one.

We will continue processing your application once we have heard back from you.-- Sincerely,KristineAdoption Coordinator

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Our Vet is xxxxxxxxx xxxxx Animal Hospital, Brandon xxxxx, DVM,, xxxx Hwy xx E., xxxxxxville, xxx-xxx-8381. I hope that helps. We are new to that vet clinic, but I have taken my dog Max in for a check and our cat Mark/Boomer had his first vet visit there and was fixed. So, if there are anymore problems, please let me know. If you have any other questions, please let me know thanks,Leigh xxxxxxxxx

_________________________________________________________________ What name are the animals under? That is the one I called, and when I said the name Mxxxxxxxx, they did not have a record for you...

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Ok, I just talked to them and they do have my records. They thought you said "Lxxxxxxxx not Mxxxxxxxx. They should be expecting your call again. Sorry for the confusion! Leigh MMMMMMxxxxxxxxx


Thank you for the information.

On your app it states you had a dog that had an accident in the backyard. Can you please explain what happened?

We apologize for the internal nature of our questions. We just want to gather as much information as possible about our potential adopters to ensure our Labs are going to great forever homes.

Thank you in advance to your response. We will continue processing your application once we have heard back from you.

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Hey Kristine, Well, it's kind of a long story, so I'll see if I can do it in an email. We had been living in our new house in Ga. for about 7 months. Most weekends, we went out as a family exploring the area and trying to get acclimated. Whenever we would leave, we would leave the dogs in the fenced in backyard. We also did this in our last home that also had a fenced in yard. Well, we got home from one of these excursions and only Max (our current dog) met us at the gate. I knew immediately that something was wrong and I got out of the vehicle to find out where Trouble was. I found him with is head stuck in our gate on the other side of the house. We're not exactly sure what happened, but we think a neighbor was shooting off fireworks and it scared him and he tried to push through the gate. Once his head was through, he couldn't break the fence and he couldn't pull back in because the gate opens in. It took both Blair and me to get him unstuck, but he was already dead. It was a devastating loss, as he was born on our property in NC and was 7 years old when this happened. If this is a concern, we'd be happy to show you where it occured. Hope this helps. Leigh


We are so sorry about the accident that occurred in your backyard and for your loss.

In light of this information, we do have some concerns. We adopt our dogs as inside dogs only, and since you leave your dogs outside while you are gone, we have decided to deny you for adoption.

Please read the following articles to see why we feel so strongly about this subject.
Outside Dogs
Many potential adopters ask "Is this an 'Outside' dog?" Our answer is, "Not anymore." We attempt to place dogs with people who understand the need of a dog to be a part of the family. Even thousands of years ago when man and all animals lived "outside", there was a cave or den for shelter, and man and dogs lived in small groups or "packs". The truth is, times have changed but we and the dogs haven't. Both humans and dogs are "pack" animals, we do not tend to be solitary. Domesticated, companion dogs no longer have packs of other dogs to live with, so dogs now need to be members of human families or packs. Furthermore, both people and dogs are "den" animals. This is the reason that dogs can be housebroken. Dogs want shelter in a safe, secure den - your home - and they want their den to be clean.
Obviously dogs can be forced to live outside, alone and away from their families. But to force this kind of life on a dog is one of the worst things you can do to him. Such a life goes against a dog's two most basic instincts: the pack and the den. If you have any doubts about these ideas, think of all the whining, barking, clawing dogs you have seen tied up alone outside. Dogs trying desperately to get their human families' attention, and then just giving up to become hyperactive, listless, fearful, or vicious when the stress of enforced solitude becomes too much to cope with.
The rationale given by people who permanently keep their dogs outside is that they will spend time with the pet outside. Even the most well-meaning pet owner does not spend significant time outside, particularly when it is raining or cold. Consequently, under the best of circumstances for the outside dog, a bowl of food and water hastily shoved before him, a quick pat given, and his owner, his WORLD is gone, leaving the animal to spend another 22 or 23 hours alone.
A dog brings you the gifts of steadfast devotion, abiding love, and joyful companionship. Unless you can responsibly accept a dog's offer of these great gifts, please do not get a dog. If you already have a dog, perhaps this article will help you to see things from his point of view, and possibly motivate you to change your relationship with him. A sad, lonely, bewildered dog, kept outside, wondering why he cannot be with his family, brings only sadness and unhappiness to the world.
- Michigan Humane Society
Outside Dogs
I'm familiar with hundreds of dog breeds, but what's an outside dog? Unless you're medically intolerant of the dog (and therefore can't take care of him in a medical emergency, so you shouldn't have the dog anyway), making a dog stay outside is a costly waste. If he's for protection, what do you think I want to steal - your lawn? When you leave, do you put your valuables and your kids out in your yard? Just what is the dog protecting out there? Most dogs kept outside cause far more nuisance complaints from barking and escaping than any deterrent to intrusion. Such complaints cause teasing, antagonism, release and poisoning. With your dog a helpless victim, it's no laughing matter.
If I'm a crook and your dog is out, your fence protects ME, not your possessions or your dog. If I just open the gate, 9 out of 10 dogs will run off! I can safely shoot, stab, spear, poison, snare, strangle them, or dart through the fence and you just lost your dog AND everything I steal!
If he's tied up and I keep out of reach, he's useless. He'll bark, but outside dogs bark so much, they're usually ignored. But let a dog hit the other side of a door or window I'm breaking into, and I'm GONE! I can't hurt the dog until he can hurt me, and nothing you own is worth my arm. Deterrence is effective protection.
Protection and aggression are not the same. Protection is defensive, reactive, often passive, and threatens or injures no one. Aggression is active, harmful and offensive, threatens all and benefits none. Yard dogs often develop far more aggression than protectively because everyone who passes by or enters has already violated the territory that dog has marked dozens of times a day for years. That's not protection, it's not desirable and it overlooks two facts of life today:
First, property owners have implied social contracts with others in the community. Letter carriers, paper boys, delivery people, law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, meter readers and others are allowed near and at times on your property without your specific permission. And sure that ten-year-old was not supposed to jump your fence after his Frisbee; but neither you nor your dog are allowed to cause him injury if he does. Imagine this: A neighbor looks into your yard or window and sees you, your wife or child laying on the floor in a pool of blood. They call 9-1-1 and your dog prevents paramedics from assisting! Should they shoot your dog or just let you die?
Great choice.
Second, even if the intruder is a criminal, few places allow you or your dog to cause physical injury to prevent property loss. Convicted felons have sued the dog's owner from jail and won more in the suit than they ever could have stolen!
Appalling? True.
And don't be foolish enough to believe your homeowner's insurance will cover the loss. Now you see why many feel that an outside dog is a no-brainer.
The more a dog is outdoors, the less behavioral control you have. It's easier to solve four or five indoor problems than one outdoor problem. The reason is valid and simple: The more you control the stimuli that reaches your dog, the more you control the responses. You've got a lot more control over your living room than you do over your entire county! When your dog is bored, but teased by every dog, cat, bird, squirrel, motorcycle, paperboy, airplane, firecracker and backfiring truck in the county, OF COURSE he'll dig, chew, and bark.
Would you sit still all day everyday? Do you want unnecessary medical and parasite fees, especially as the dog ages?
When a dog is alone indoors, you are still 30% there because your scent and things he associates with you, constantly remind the dog of you and your training. When he's out, your dog is alone whether you're home or not. Do you really expect him to keep YOU in mind while the entire world teases, distracts and stimulates him?
The media is full of stories about the family dog saving everyone's life during a fire. How many people, including children, would be dead today if those dogs were kept outside? SURE - you ALWAYS get up to investigate every time your yard dog barks. And I've got this bridge.
An outdoor dog has an address, not a home. Dogs offer real value as companion animals. Stop behavior problems and start enjoying real protection and companionship. Bring your dogs inside.
By Dennis Fetko, Ph.D. Reprinted from August 1995 issue of Whiskers & Wags, Halifax Humane Society Newsletter
Thank you for your interest. We hope you understand our position.
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Thanks,
LFS

Now, I realize that there was miscommunication on their part. Our dogs are far from outside dogs. But I was so mad by the time this was all said and done, I just burned this bridge and moved on. I did respond to them. These groups make it sound like they have the best interest of the dogs at heart, but I'm convinced it's really a power trip for those involved. We ended up getting our dog from a breeder...supposedly part of the problem. And I feel bad for all those dogs that are looking for good homes. They seriously missed out by passing us by.