NSAL Sucks!! Sad day!!

Yesterday was a very sad day for me! I thought my prayers were answered for a new pup. I have always beleived in rescueing animals. All my past dogs have been rescued from shelters and NSAL was one of the shelters. I have been without a furry friend for the last two years due t moving arrangements and have now settled into a new house we purchased and are on the search for our perfect companion. Let me give u some background info...
My boyfriend has always grown up with small dogs such as yorkie, maltipoo and collie. I have grown up with larger breeds like retreivers, shepards, rotties and such. When deciding on a dog i told him i will not budge on the size! As a personal preference i can NOT with stand the barking and hyper activity of a small dog. Especially the yelping. I like a strong feirce but cuddely dog. I want something like a teddy bear! So of course my first choice was a Newfoundland!! OMG gorgeous...but he of course was TOO BIG as per the BF. Second choice was tibetian mastiff or st. bernard...he said NO again cause of size and drewling. So then my third choice was either the Greater Swiss Mountian Dog or the Bernese Mountian dog...only difference is the hair length. He Loved them and we agreed this was our match. We also decided on a smaller breed incase, the english bull dog. I personally am not to sure about that one cause of the snorting and i do not care for the drooping eyes. What i love about the above breeds is the ability to cuddle with them like a bear lol So seems i got what i wanted (as always) lol with just a litte persuasion. The ONLY down fall to these large breeds are their short lifespan and possible gentics. But we are willing to deal with it.

So its been atleast 2 long months of sitting on computer, searchin adds, writing people in search of this dog. I personally still want to rescue one but this is a pure breed and chances are slim to none. Plus all the scsammers out there, my hopes hae been let down so many times by these cruel people. Also working against me is that there are no know breeders that i can dinf on Long island that has this dog. I want to meet the parents and make sure the gentics have been tested for since the dog is being priced any where from 950-2000. I am not looking for a show dog but a pet. So please people if you know of anyone or hear of anything, please get in touch with me!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well now to my story...Yesterday i decided that i was no longer going to sit around and not rescue an animal. I wanted a dog and ive always rescued and the BF wasnt doing naything to help me research or look so i made an executive decision to go to NSAL and find me a dog regardless of what he said. All day i had butterflies in my stomach like i knew something was suppose to happen today. At the end of work,3pm, i headed to NSAL. I walked in, still with butterflies, walked steadly passed all the sad adult puppy faces looking up at me. I then proceeded to the puppy area. It was like a bright white light hit me, there HE WAS, stairing right at me. The fluff ball that i beleived to be a BMD mix. I literally ran to the cage and was astond that this was it and what were the chances and no wonder my stomach was turning all day. i quickly searched for help and asked the young attendant, "is this a BMD?" and she replied "yes it is" and my immediate responce was "OMG ill talke it." She then said, "im sorry but this dog is surrently being adopted." iwas like no way this cant be ture. She then continued to say, "well he has a sister there also" i then replied,"ill take her then, right now". Mine you my heart is pounding a hundred miles a min and had already taken a xanex about an hr before due to a shiotty day at work. She then told me, "this dog is also in the process of being adopted." I then felt my stomach drop to the floor and my face start to turn red and heat up in pure sadness. I began to tell the girl how this is the only dog i want and have looked every where for it and it was fate they were here and so on. She probably thought i was a little crazy lol. I asked her if there was a way i could wait to make sure they were adopted and approved, this way if they became avail i would be there to adopt them. She told me to see the front desk.

I walked in and i recognised the voice of the young lady behind the counter cause i call there every week asking if there are puppies there. I was not looking forward to this coversation cause she is not a pleasant person. I then asked her about the dogs and that i was aware they were being adopted and was wondering if there was a chnace the applicant wouldnt be approved...she informed me most likely they will be adopted. I asked if i could leave my number since there was a slight chance that they wouldnt and i would immedialty take the dog. She said NO she would not call me and that it was 1st come 1st serve basis. I explained well iam here and i want the dog so i am first serve, why cant you call me. She said no i will not call you. I then said i would wait there until the dogs were abopted, and could you call or get me if not approved or if approved. She said no again. I was like ***. I explained she was being difficult and that i would wait however long it took til i see the dogs walk out the door with thier owners and i would come and check in with her every 510 mins until she told me they arent avail. I then walked out the door ****** and back to look at the dogs. I played with other puppies as to NOT look interested in the ones i really wanted cause i was curious as to which people were taking them. I also in the meantime filled out a preapproval to get dog for the Just incase it became avail. As i am standing there i hear a mom, dad and child discussin the fact of not taking a dog, ironically the BDM. I wa slike No ***** way. The girl that was assiting me before immedialty looked at me to see if i was still interested and mouthed to me the dog looked like it was going to be mine. I cant tell you the excitement that over came me. So much i started to get watery in the eyes. I waited patiently listening to what they had to say. They were not confortable with a large breed dog. The attendant was answering questions and telling them the size and life expectancy and i hear her give not so accurate info. I have done my researcha dn i knew the facts and i wanted to make sure these people knew it was a large breed cause it would work in my favor so i jumped in. I informed them that 80lbs is the wrong weighr....they can be 100-120lbs and live not 10+ years but 6-8yrs. And i then took out my ipod and showed them pics of the pure breed. I had hoped my honesty would deter them from getting this large breed. The mom kept tellin the child that its to big and no we cant get it and well come back another time. My heart couldnt havebeaten any faster, i thinkif i hadnt takin my xanex i jjust might of had a heart attack lol. The attendant then proceeded to tell the family, "if you dont want the dog, you must go to the front desk and inform them of you decision so that the dog can go up for adoption again." The familly left the room and the girl came over to me to talk. She was telling me that shw thought the dog would be mine and wanted to make sure i wanted it. I explained to her how excited i was and it was fate and so on. I then went outside to call the BF to inform him i found her and i am taking her home. He asked me to take a pic and so i snuck back in and took a pic and was going to send it but someone walked in so i put my camera away. The girl then asked me if i wanted to play with her and immedialty i said "yes" and just as she went to open the cage...the family came back in to state the CHANGED thier mind and were TAKING the dog!!! I died right then and there! I honeslty beleive that i destroyed a piece of my heart that day. Out of over emotion i started to cry and had to excuse myself from the attendant who looked like she felt so bad for me. I went into the hall way and proceeded to cry like a child who had just been given candy and had it taken away. How could they do this, it wasnt fair! I then went to text the BF the pic and ironically the pic wasnt there it was a pic of blackness (VERY WEIRD). So was it fate or what?
I went to bathroom to clean myself up and proceeded to wait to make sure the other one was adopted and it was! It was now 7pm at this point.

As i waited i could hear and see many things. I over heard the attendants say something about bringing out my puppies from back...they were hiding puppies in the back..who does that. I also had them tell me they get "SHIPMENTS" of puppies usually every friday. Who gets Shipments of puppies...are they coming froma puppy mill or are these rescues??? How is NSAL the biggest puppy seller? Something isnt right. Plus three weeks ago when i went, there was this lage husky in a cage too small for him to turn around in, and now i go and he is still there in another cage even smaller. ***. There was larger cages avail. I hear stories all the time about NSAL and not god ones. All my dogs but one i got from them were good dogs with minor sicknesses. But you hear of bad things all the time..anyone have stories to share?

Well, another xanex later, i was heading home tearfilled and heartaching. I found a new hatred for NSAL. I do beleive the pups went to good homes so i am happy about that but the rudeness of staff and care for the animals has made me sick.

Please if anyone knows of a NSAL worker and can get them to notify me of any St bernards or Bernese mountian dogs that come there, call me!!! If anyone knows of any rescue shelters with those pups or workers who could contact me when they get them in, call me. If anyone knows a long island breeder, call me. Its such a sad day : (

Re: NSAL Sucks!! Sad day!!

i'm confused.

why does NSAL suck because you didn't get the dog you wanted?

and as far as keeping puppies in the back - of course, that makes sense, there isn't enough room for them all out front.

and yes, they probably do come in batches (and could be called "shipments") because often they are rescued in bulk from puppy mills. same thing happens with kittens. i've seen the "deliveries."

also i am curious how you happen to know that the young woman behind the counter at NSAL "not a pleasant person." how often are you at NSAL? not that it matters but man, your story makes it sound like you are there a lot!

i think maybe it's time to change your expectations of what kind of dog you need to bring home.

and the fact that you had to take two xanax when faced with the prospect of not being able to adopt that dog concerns me a little. okay, it concerns me a lot.

Re: NSAL Sucks!! Sad day!!

Ditto. I really hope you're choosing dogs based on how well you can care for *their* needs (energy, personality, training, grooming) not only by their size, how much you like their appearance, or how they make you feel.

Shelters and rescues are supposed to do what is in the best interests of the animal, so the animals never have to come back because people weren't prepared for the responsibility. Due to this, I cut them a whole lot of slack, because anyone who adopts an animal should have that animal's best interests in mind too.

I liken the time involved in the adoption process to buying a gun. There is a waiting period because people who want the gun NOW are not the people you want to give it to. That kind of manic need is a warning sign. A good dog and a right fit is worth waiting for, isn't it? Dogs have their own personalities and choosing one to compliment your own personality and situation should be your first concern.

Re: NSAL Sucks!! Sad day!!

Yes u both have valid points. To address all your remarks let me first start by saying i wrote that in the heat of passion so maybe i shouldnt say NSAL sucks, but on that particular day it sucked to me : ). I know there is a waiting period, i know it very well cause like i mentioned, i have adopted most of my past dogs there. Plus i had also filled out the pre-approval so that if i found the dog, i would be able to adopt it immedialty. (all my references and lifestyles were APPROVED by NSAL). I also mentioned that I know the above mention puppies appeared to have gone to good homes so that made it a better feeling. I was more upset with the desk person who was so rude in how she handeled things. Writing what occured cant really demonstrate what happened. It would have been a even longer post. I was however hurt that a family stated they werent gettiing the dog, therefore i was next in line to adopt it, so technically the puppy was about to go home with me and come out of the cage to play. As the puppy was to be released to me, the family came back into the puppy room to say, "weve changed our minds, were taking the dog." Unfortunalty they are entitled to do such, but it doesnt change the fact that here i am thinking its mine and then denied. I think any person would be upset by that.

I am in a relationship and well there is this thing called compromise. He wants one things and i want another so we've compromised on a certian breed. We not only compromised on size but i RESEARCHED all the breed and thier compatabilities with out life style, future children, living arrangements and socialization aswell as life expectancy and medical issues. So i am set on a particular dog, and there is nothing wrong with that. I had went to the shelter in hope of finding that breed and chance had it that on that particular day it was there. I was over excited cause not only do i get to rescue this dog but its also of the same breed we had hoped for.

As far as mentioning the "shipments" and me calling there all the time. I call there every week in hopes that this dog will be there, i call to make sure they have puppies in so i dont travel all that distance and there not be anything there.I do not like the word shipments. Puppy mills breed animals in inhumane conditions and most breeders are doing it for money, not the love of the animal or to GIVE IT AWAY. So that leaves me wondering how does the NSAL get all these "PUPPYMILL PUPPIES"? Maybe these mills are being busted for breaking certian rules and they get shut down, so these particular animals are rescued. OR just maybe NSAL are working with the puppy mills and money is being exchanged. Think about it, these puppy mills are in farm lands and its the breeders lively hood...why on earth would you give you living away for nothing. Its two possible cases. I HOPE that NSAL isnt like that. I have rescued animals there and it was just be awful if thats the crap that is going on. We'll never know but ill pray its that the mills are closed and NSAL is rescuing them.

Also as far as there not being enough room for all the puppies to be shown, there was pleny of open cages. It was not over crowded. I just found it weird, but you could be right, maybe they werent ready to come out for some reason or another. Neither one of us will know.

FYI, i can't express to anyone how much i love animals and if i had the resourse i would be the best person to have a shelter. Anyone who knows me knows the love i have for any animal. I save birds on the side of the road, get into accidents to avoid the damb squirrel in the road lol (almost accidents), ect. I would rescue any animal at the shelter if i could have my way but i am in a relationship and its not about me anymore. Its about what in the best interest of my family so decisions have to be made and i cant buy/rescue something on impulse anymore.

we are all entitled to our opions and i thank you for expressing yours. Sometimes writing things can't really show you the true emotions of an individual. Sometimes when you write something it comes out or is read all wrong. My mother always use to tell me that if im mad/upset that i should write it down, read it and throw it away. Then write another one the next day cause it will be more rational lol. She is right.

I hope that i will find the dogi wish for and it would be evern better if i could rescue it. Ill keep it posted. Thank you again for reading and sharing your thoughts.

Re: NSAL Sucks!! Sad day!!

Am I the only one who thinks it was pretty shltty to try to dissaude that family to suit the OP? BMD range between 65-120 lbs depending on the sex, so the worker was correct in her information- especially since it was a femaile puppy.

Sorry- but I'd be hesitant to adopt out to a person who behaved the way you were describing. Even though you may have done research and prepared yourself to adopt, your actions seemed to be that of someone who was being very impulsive.

Maybe I'm misinterpreting your post, if I am I'm sorry. Good luck in your search.

Re: NSAL Sucks!! Sad day!!

Re: NSAL Sucks!! Sad day!!

my aunt works in the vet. part of NSAL and has 7 rescue dogs from them. I couldn't disagree with you more on the statements you are making about them. I can tell that from what I know about my aunt and her coworkers that work there that these animals are VERY well taken care of. Many puppies are not on the "floor" because they are still recovering from traveling, procedures, illnesses, etc. I understand why you are upset. It's upsetting to leave there empty handed - but you have to understand that they are not there to field calls regarding people's desires for certain dogs - you're not the only person who does it and if they tended to everyone they would have no time for anything else. My cousin got his dachsund from one of their puppy mill shipments - mills get raided and they go to rescue them. All of the shelters have these programs - some call them Passage to Freedom. why not check out a rescue group for BMDs?

Message edited 9/20/2009 10:36:43 PM.

Re: NSAL Sucks!! Sad day!!

It's my understanding that the NSAL does a very careful screening process to evaluate the people they allow to adopt their animals. If I were you, I'd be careful to avoid acting so overly emotional while I was there next time, in case they decide you're too unstable to adopt to at all.

Re: NSAL Sucks!! Sad day!!

thank you all for your comments. I will take them into consideration. I will also not EVER post anything in the heat of the moment lol I think you all have me pegged wrong but thats ok.

I understand they have a screening process and cant call everyone intereste din a breed. But you should also understand i was pre-approved, the people stated they werent getting the dog which technically allowed it to be up for adoption. So as one would be, i got excited that i was able to adopt the dog and then boom, they decided last min to take the dog back. It was a tease, but not something that anyone would have know would have happened. I have learned from this.

I still keep my hopes up for NSAL, i will still pay visits there to see what is available for rescue but at this moment in time, we've decided that we just may save a little more money and travel ouyt of NY to a reputable BMD breeder and get the dog that we initially intended to get.

I should have not rushed into anything.

I appreciate everything : )

Ill keep u all posted