Our dog's caretaker won't give her back to us

maybeitstrite · 09-06-2005, 09:37 PM

Hi, my name is Natalia. I am sixteen years old and for my 15th birthday my dad bought me a Shih Tzu. That was a little over 2 years ago and a lot has happened since then. To make long things short, we moved into an apartment building which first told us they would allow us to have Gypsy (my Shih Tzu) in the apartment. A few days later the manager decided he wouldn't let us keep her and that we had to find someplace else for her. We had no idea for how long we would have to have someone take care of her so instead of paying for a care center we gave her to my father's friend and told him if he could take care of her until we were able to have her back in our apartment. We made it clear we still wanted her and that we only wanted someone to do us the favor of taking care of her indefinitely.

Just a few weeks ago, the manager told my mom that he would let us have our dog and that he wouldn't say anything. I am always thinking about Gypsy and miss her whenever I see a dog on the street or even on TV. Now we want her back because really she's ours. So, my dad called up his friend and told him we could have our dog back but he at first told us that his cousin was taking care of her and that he had gone to Mexico so he'd call us back in a week. A week passed and he never called so my father called him. He said that he had let an elderly lady with cancer keep her but that they wouldn't give her back.

This is the most cold-hearted thing I've ever heard of. I miss Gypsy so much and now that we can actually have her in our apartment, I can't have her with me because the guy who we thought would take care of her gave her to someone else to take care of her and they won't give her back. This is my dilemma and the question I have is if anyone knows of anything I could do legally to get my dog back. Any type of advice or help would also be helpful and greatly appreciated.

linnie · 09-06-2005, 09:58 PM

How old was Gypsy when she went to this old lady?
And how long has she had Gypsy?
The dog is legally yours and I am sure you would have some proof?
But you need aslo to consider the dog. If you havnt had contact with her since a young pup and she is really attached to this person would it be fare to take her?

If you could see gypsy and then you may be able to make a decision as to what to do.
If you really want her back then I think you will have to insist and demand that they return her to you or you will charge them with theft.
( in other words Bluff your way through it)
I hope you find the right answer for you and Gypsy

maybeitstrite · 09-07-2005, 01:07 AM

This wasn't that long ago, it was this year (5 months ago) because that's about how long we've been living in the apartment building. We had her since she was a puppy (since September 14, 2003 to around March 2005), it was just recently that we had to give for someone else to care. Yeah, I have proof that she's ours: the receipt from where we bought her, the rabies shot receipt and certificate that was given to her this year around March (just a few weeks before we gave it to the "caretaker"), as well as her vaccine records. My question is what legal action,if any, we can take against this person. I appreciate your help, thank you.

shandoggy1 · 09-07-2005, 06:31 AM

As long as you have proof of purchase I would definately take them to court!! All of them. You asked someone to do you and your family a favor and they do that! That isn't right. Have your parents take legal action.

Keep us updated.

bigdoglover · 09-07-2005, 06:53 AM

Get a lawyer, show them your papers, and even get the phone records if you can to show that you have made contact with these people. Document everything, including all conversations with the landlord, your dad's friend, etc. That way you are well armed should you go to court.

Mellie · 09-07-2005, 08:12 AM

"I am sixteen years old and for my 15th birthday my dad bought me a Shih Tzu. That was a little over 2 years ago...."
"This wasn't that long ago, it was this year (5 months ago)...."

I'm confused.

Kade · 09-07-2005, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mellie

"I am sixteen years old and for my 15th birthday my dad bought me a Shih Tzu. That was a little over 2 years ago...."
"This wasn't that long ago, it was this year (5 months ago)...."

I'm confused.

They moved five months ago. They've had the dog for two years.

Natalia, I would contact the police.

calgal · 09-07-2005, 09:36 AM

Your young enough to learn a valuable lesson with the two terrible things that happen to you and your family. First, ALWAYS get a contract drawn up for people to sign when you negotiate any kind of deal. One with the landlord saying he is allowing the dog would have ended any further problems. If you have any pictures of you with the dog, or any of the dogs medical papers with the dogs name and your name on them and anything else you may have showing the dog is yours, then get them all together and take your dads friend (questionable here as to the friend part) to small claims court. Go find the lady who has the dog and take pictures, ask her questions, write them all down and have her sign what you wrote. Tell her this is going into court. Maybe she doesn't realize the dog did not belong to the guy who sold or gave it to her. She may be willing to give the dog back to you if you show her what proof you have that the dog is yours. Good luck with this.......it sounds very familiar somehow.

oc_spirit · 09-07-2005, 02:18 PM

Yup you can deffinately take this to court sinceyou have proof of ownership to the dog. Good luck!

momtobella · 09-07-2005, 07:32 PM

I have seen cases like this on The Peoples Court. If you have proof that the dog was yours I would take them to court!

maybeitstrite · 09-07-2005, 08:12 PM

Thank you all for your help. I'll keep you updated on what happens.

maybeitstrite · 09-07-2005, 08:37 PM

oh i forgot
Gypsy has was taken in by the caretaker about 5 months ago and I'm not sure how long the supposed old lady with cancer has had her. My dad says that when he went to his friend asking him the favor of taking care of Gypsy, that he told my dad that we didn't need to supply food for Gypsy since he had tons of dog food because he has 2 or 3 Pomeranians of his own.

Another thing, in the 5 months that Gypsy was under the caretaker's care, we did not visit her. Why you may ask. Because of me. I knew that if I saw her living with someone else and not with me I'd break down. My parents asked me a few times if I wanted to go see my dog but I refused, as much as I missed her (and still do) I knew that after having seen her I would be depressed. It seems like we will have to take the case to court. I will keep you updated thank you all I really appreciate it.

PS I have all kinds of stuff to prove Gypsy's ours: receipt from where we got her, vaccine records (last update around March this year), rabies shot receipt and certificate (taken March this year), pictures of when she was still a puppy and as an adult.

linnie · 09-08-2005, 04:28 AM

I can understand that,
As you had bonded with her and had her for some time and it was only five months I would certainly insist on having Gypsy back.
I was originally worried in caase she was only a pup when you had to have her cared for. But I am sure she will be most happy to be re united with you.
Fight for what you want

Leto86 · 09-08-2005, 11:56 AM

Good Luck getting her back!

calgal · 09-08-2005, 01:05 PM

Sometimes we have to put our own feelings aside in order to make them happy, and to know we are still around. I would have been over there every day.

09-06-2005, 09:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
maybeitstrite Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Our dog's caretaker won't give her back to us Hi, my name is Natalia. I am sixteen years old and for my 15th birthday my dad bought me a Shih Tzu. That was a little over 2 years ago and a lot has happened since then. To make long things short, we moved into an apartment building which first told us they would allow us to have Gypsy (my Shih Tzu) in the apartment. A few days later the manager decided he wouldn't let us keep her and that we had to find someplace else for her. We had no idea for how long we would have to have someone take care of her so instead of paying for a care center we gave her to my father's friend and told him if he could take care of her until we were able to have her back in our apartment. We made it clear we still wanted her and that we only wanted someone to do us the favor of taking care of her indefinitely. Just a few weeks ago, the manager told my mom that he would let us have our dog and that he wouldn't say anything. I am always thinking about Gypsy and miss her whenever I see a dog on the street or even on TV. Now we want her back because really she's ours. So, my dad called up his friend and told him we could have our dog back but he at first told us that his cousin was taking care of her and that he had gone to Mexico so he'd call us back in a week. A week passed and he never called so my father called him. He said that he had let an elderly lady with cancer keep her but that they wouldn't give her back. This is the most cold-hearted thing I've ever heard of. I miss Gypsy so much and now that we can actually have her in our apartment, I can't have her with me because the guy who we thought would take care of her gave her to someone else to take care of her and they won't give her back. This is my dilemma and the question I have is if anyone knows of anything I could do legally to get my dog back. Any type of advice or help would also be helpful and greatly appreciated.
maybeitstrite Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0

09-06-2005, 09:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
linnie tibbie girl Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 3,051 Rep Power: 172	How old was Gypsy when she went to this old lady? And how long has she had Gypsy? The dog is legally yours and I am sure you would have some proof? But you need aslo to consider the dog. If you havnt had contact with her since a young pup and she is really attached to this person would it be fare to take her? If you could see gypsy and then you may be able to make a decision as to what to do. If you really want her back then I think you will have to insist and demand that they return her to you or you will charge them with theft. ( in other words Bluff your way through it) I hope you find the right answer for you and Gypsy
	__________________ Caution...Dogs can leave footprints on your heart

09-07-2005, 01:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
maybeitstrite Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	This wasn't that long ago, it was this year (5 months ago) because that's about how long we've been living in the apartment building. We had her since she was a puppy (since September 14, 2003 to around March 2005), it was just recently that we had to give for someone else to care. Yeah, I have proof that she's ours: the receipt from where we bought her, the rabies shot receipt and certificate that was given to her this year around March (just a few weeks before we gave it to the "caretaker"), as well as her vaccine records. My question is what legal action,if any, we can take against this person. I appreciate your help, thank you.
maybeitstrite Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0

09-07-2005, 06:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
bigdoglover Giant Schnauzers Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West-Central Illinois Posts: 3,624 Rep Power: 177	Get a lawyer, show them your papers, and even get the phone records if you can to show that you have made contact with these people. Document everything, including all conversations with the landlord, your dad's friend, etc. That way you are well armed should you go to court.
	__________________ Glory and Greed will destroy the breed.

09-07-2005, 08:12 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mellie Springer/Saint Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Vermont Posts: 449 Rep Power: 98	"I am sixteen years old and for my 15th birthday my dad bought me a Shih Tzu. That was a little over 2 years ago...." "This wasn't that long ago, it was this year (5 months ago)...." I'm confused.
	__________________ "One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him." -- Chinese Proverb

09-07-2005, 06:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
shandoggy1 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 1,209 Rep Power: 97	As long as you have proof of purchase I would definately take them to court!! All of them. You asked someone to do you and your family a favor and they do that! That isn't right. Have your parents take legal action. Keep us updated.

09-07-2005, 09:36 AM	#8 (permalink)
calgal My Yorkster kids! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: central ca. coast Posts: 6,794 Rep Power: 229	Your young enough to learn a valuable lesson with the two terrible things that happen to you and your family. First, ALWAYS get a contract drawn up for people to sign when you negotiate any kind of deal. One with the landlord saying he is allowing the dog would have ended any further problems. If you have any pictures of you with the dog, or any of the dogs medical papers with the dogs name and your name on them and anything else you may have showing the dog is yours, then get them all together and take your dads friend (questionable here as to the friend part) to small claims court. Go find the lady who has the dog and take pictures, ask her questions, write them all down and have her sign what you wrote. Tell her this is going into court. Maybe she doesn't realize the dog did not belong to the guy who sold or gave it to her. She may be willing to give the dog back to you if you show her what proof you have that the dog is yours. Good luck with this.......it sounds very familiar somehow.

09-07-2005, 02:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
oc_spirit Snow Girl Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,615 Rep Power: 144	Yup you can deffinately take this to court sinceyou have proof of ownership to the dog. Good luck!
	__________________ My dogs WORK, what do yours do? Even the quietest whisper can be heard over the loudest gunshot. When? When it speaks the truth! I shall stand by your side and fight! Together we shall prevail through all life's adversities!

09-07-2005, 07:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
momtobella Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 94 Rep Power: 0	I have seen cases like this on The Peoples Court. If you have proof that the dog was yours I would take them to court!
momtobella Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 94 Rep Power: 0

09-07-2005, 08:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
maybeitstrite Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Thank you all for your help. I'll keep you updated on what happens.
maybeitstrite Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0

09-07-2005, 08:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
maybeitstrite Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	oh i forgot Gypsy has was taken in by the caretaker about 5 months ago and I'm not sure how long the supposed old lady with cancer has had her. My dad says that when he went to his friend asking him the favor of taking care of Gypsy, that he told my dad that we didn't need to supply food for Gypsy since he had tons of dog food because he has 2 or 3 Pomeranians of his own. Another thing, in the 5 months that Gypsy was under the caretaker's care, we did not visit her. Why you may ask. Because of me. I knew that if I saw her living with someone else and not with me I'd break down. My parents asked me a few times if I wanted to go see my dog but I refused, as much as I missed her (and still do) I knew that after having seen her I would be depressed. It seems like we will have to take the case to court. I will keep you updated thank you all I really appreciate it. PS I have all kinds of stuff to prove Gypsy's ours: receipt from where we got her, vaccine records (last update around March this year), rabies shot receipt and certificate (taken March this year), pictures of when she was still a puppy and as an adult.
maybeitstrite Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0

09-08-2005, 04:28 AM	#13 (permalink)
linnie tibbie girl Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 3,051 Rep Power: 172	I can understand that, As you had bonded with her and had her for some time and it was only five months I would certainly insist on having Gypsy back. I was originally worried in caase she was only a pup when you had to have her cared for. But I am sure she will be most happy to be re united with you. Fight for what you want
	__________________ Caution...Dogs can leave footprints on your heart

09-08-2005, 11:56 AM	#14 (permalink)
Leto86 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: St. Thomas, Ontario Canada Posts: 115 Rep Power: 0	Good Luck getting her back!

09-08-2005, 01:05 PM	#15 (permalink)
calgal My Yorkster kids! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: central ca. coast Posts: 6,794 Rep Power: 229	Sometimes we have to put our own feelings aside in order to make them happy, and to know we are still around. I would have been over there every day.

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