A face only Magnolia and I can love, apparently. You guys! This poor dog. After I found him a home and slept in my daughter’s bed for four nights, I wake up in the night to a howl that is eerily familiar, and believe myself to be dreaming. In the morning, I just come into the library for my morning cup of joe to do some blogging and Scrabble, when I hear it again. I look out the window, and there’s Cletus in his crate in the driveway. Probably since 2 a.m. I resisted the urge to call the guy who did this and rip him a new one. Afterall, I kind of understood. It’s not like you can just walk into the humane society these days and say, “Well, this one just didn’t work out.” There’s a waiting list and a surrender fee. Let’s blame it on the economy. Still, this guy was single. It’s not like he had another dog that was in danger or kids to disappoint. *clears throat* He should have dealt with his decision.
Oh, and the dog stunk like death and drank an entire bowl of water. So, I re-list the dog on Craiglist. My heart is breaking. I go to work. (Sorry Josh, I love you.) Josh takes a call. Someone is interested. They come over and explain they want Cletus for a second dog. Josh says, “Uh….the ad clearly states why we’re not keeping him. He’s not good with other dogs,” and they take the dog anyway. Maggie calls me at work to say, “Yay! Cletus has a new home.”
Yay!
An hour later the couple calls. Shockingly, it’s not working out!
They list the dog. People call us to tell on them for “Turning the dog around?” Same people (I presume) create a listing shaming us and the couple for how we are treating this dog. Because really, I don’t feel bad enough.
Sooooooo, I will not be finding a dog via Craigslist again. Also, I’m not convinced there won’t be a part three to this doggie drama, so please stand by.
Jody Sparks Mugele 
OH. MY. GOD.
First, there is NO friggin excuse for that guy to have left a dog crated in your driveway in the middle of the night. What is he, Batman? He can only swoop in when it’s dark out?!? What a horrible thing to do to an animal and you guys. What a COWARD.
Second, the people going around “shaming” people for trying to find a home for an animal and not LEAVING said animal in other people’s driveways (or out in the country — you would not believe the amount of morons who think that’s a good idea, I have friends who have dogs dumped on their properties all the time) are complete morons. You (and the couple relisting Cletus) are simply trying to find him the right match. If no one looks, no one will find! You can’t commit to keeping an animal for life just because you once thought you could. Yes, the idea of a “forever home” is great. But sometimes it just doesn’t work out. Besides, I don’t see those people stepping in, so they should just shut up (or go rag on the twerp who left the poor dog in your driveway at 2am).
GRRR.
I love you for your empathy, Tammara!
That is just the saddest thing I have ever heard of! Poor puppy, if people only knew how hard it is for you to give up a doggy!! I will pray that something positive will happen very soon and you will all be happy again. Good Luck friend =)
Thanks, Jennie.
Wow. What a phuckpalooza.
Exactly.
Hello Jody!
As Mother Hen was picking corn from her beak and enjoying your blog, she found herself wondering about the source of the name “Cletus,” both because it is a truly awesome name for a basset hound, and because she has a sneaking suspicion that a certain character from The Simpsons might be Cletus’ namesake.
Philip Marlowe is a similarily a scintillating choice for the pet of a writer.
Mother Hen always loves a nice pop culture or literary allusion! It has such a lovely way of elevating the level of oxygen in a room, does it not?
Anyway, greetings and salutations from another student of the “hunt and peck” method of communication!
Yours Literarily,
Mother Hen
http://www.motherhensnest.wordpress.com
Nice to meet you, Mother Hen. Thanks for stopping by. You know, I hadn’t thought of the the Simpson’s reference. The dog came to us with that name. I thought it was a Dukes of Hazard homage (even though Cletus was a cop, and the basset hound’s name was Flash). But, I concur that the name is fitting for the dog! And I’m glad you enjoy our other dog’s name too!