Q. Doggie Advice: I’m currently unemployed and working a few babysitting jobs to make some money. One of the families has a filthy house and doesn’t pay me well, but I keep going back for one reason: their dog. “Chester” is the sweetest, smartest, and most lovable animal I’ve ever met. It kills me he’s not well cared for. He doesn’t get proper food, exercise, grooming, or medical care, is not housetrained, and is alone all day. I want Chester. After I finish working for this family I’m considering asking if I can have or buy him from them. They don’t seem very attached to Chester, and one of the kids even implied that he doesn’t want him. Would it be OK for me to suggest I take him off their hands? And if so, how do I do that without sounding offensive?
A: I hope you get the little guy. You can do it without saying, “You’re horrible people and your dog is suffering.” Just say, “I have become so attached to Chester that I wanted to see if I could adopt him or purchase him. He and I have really bonded, and I’d love to be able to be with him full-time.” Let’s hope they’ve long wished they could dump the dog and you have turned into the proverbial “home in the country” for an unwanted pet.
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The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.
If things are so bad that she feels the dog should be removed from the home, why isn't she already calling animal control? That's my issue. It must not be THAT bad if she's still allowing the dog to live there.
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Was it a bad day?
Or was it a bad five minutes that you milked all day?
If things are so bad that she feels the dog should be removed from the home, why isn't she already calling animal control? That's my issue. It must not be THAT bad if she's still allowing the dog to live there.
Maybe it isn't that bad--but it doesn't mean she wouldn't give it a better home, especially if they don't really want it. The worst they can do is say no.
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I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
