[DianaDrk]

How much money do you guys think I should offer if it comes to that? She's awesome, but older, and crappy teeth from chewing on rocks. I don't want to offer hundreds of dollars or anything else rediculas. Yea she has her shots, but I've also spent $90 on obedience classes for her. I was thinking $75, I've already spent $90, so that would make $165, total for her.

[piramirra]

How much is saving her worth to you?

[Lymneterfeiff]

Thats a very random figure! I would have said at least drop a hundy. What you have spent on training or anything else is irrelevant. You have probably spent money on food as well but these are general costs of caring for an animal and must be additional to the cost of the animal. At the end of the day you would have to spend what they are willing to take to release the dog. Nothing anyone says here can change that.

[ATTILAGLIC]

Has the dog been in your possession during all of this? If so, that might work in your favor.

[Xibizopt]

Yep, tell them you want to buy the dog, and offer them a hundred bucks. WRITE A RECEIPT. Then immediately get the dogs vaccination records and register her in your name.
When you offer to buy the dog, explain to them that she won't eat anyone because you will properly contain her.
They probably just want to keep her now because you have been training her. Money talks.

[DianaDrk]

Hundred bucks sounds reasonable. Maybe I should offer $75 and haggle a little? I'm worried if i offer to much, they'll ask for alot more. She has not been in my posession.(I wish), But I have been buying the treats and such. I go work with her as much as possible, usually 5 or 6 days a week, mondays are obedience classes My apartment doesn't allow dogs, but she's also my moms neighbor, and lucky me I work for my mom. I'm actually in a pretty good position even though I can't have her in my house. You guys are helping me out alot. Was kinda at a loss, before. Thanks

[Xibizopt]

don't haggle. don't even act like you WOULD haggle. tell them you'll give them a hundred bucks for the dog. say it firmly, but friendly, like you are trying to buy someone's car. they don't think of the dog as a family member, so get down on their level. just tell them "i have 100 bucks on me and i want to buy your dog with it."

[DianaDrk]

I like that idea. $100 cash will sound like alot to them. They think I'm nice and poor. so that'll probably be the way to go Hubby makes $.... no exact numbers, that doesn't need to be public info. We'll say more than enough. I only make $400 a month though (only for my pet expenses). She doesn't know my husbands income. Lucky me. I have 6 weeks left to convince them. Mom's been working on them for years, and they suddenly lost their cat (unknown heart defect, just keeled over sat morn). So they need time to grieve, before I bother them more. My husband it tired of their stupid crap and says we should just steal her, they won't notice. Which is probably true. Whenever/however I get her. I will take her away, and leave that horrible collar attached to that chain. She loves it when I take off that thing.

[DianaDrk]

First off, awhile ago I posted pics of my dog Pebbles, to ask what you all thought she was. Mostly decided catahoula/pitbull. Well, she was actually my adoptive dog who I was going to take w/ me when i move in a month. At that point it was a sure thing, her owners are suddenly having a powertrip. Her story: She was bought as a puppy, for the first few months she lived inside, got potty trained, not loved much, but got pats and cookies. Her then owner decided to dump her on her parents, who didn't really want the dog, but they took her. What do they do with her? Dump her outside, chain her on a 6ft chain to a crappy doghouse w/ hay inside. (Food and water are provided, minimal vet care, only cause owner works at vet office) And there she has stayed for NINE YEARS! Her owners are my moms friends. My mom has been trying to convince her to sell her, put her up for adoption, ANYTHING. Mom brings her cookies whenever she can. When I decided to move, I asked if I could take the dog. Train her up a bit, and have her as my walking partner. "yea sure!" was the answer. I've had only guard breed dogs in my life, so I know what it takes to keep these awesome guys I've been working with this dog for about a month now. Man is she AWESOME! So smart! We are in our second week of obedience, and she learned down after two times of me making her. Now she does it like a pro! Dog friendly, people friendly, NO agression. Will even ignore running cats, after a stern "leave it". She has made 18 new friends! Loose, wagging tail, head up, but not puffed out chest. Perfect doggie manners. 11 humans and 7 dogs. Amazing for a dog who has had little human contact, other than one dog, she has been attacked by the nighborhood dogs multiple times (all she did was try to escape). I assume she learned her doggie etiquite as a pup. On mon, one of the dogs growled and snapped at her, whats she do? Comes back to me and ignores her the rest of the class. Now, where its time to complain... Before I met the dog. First, they told me she's a dangerous pitbull, completely untrustworthy, the owner "doesn't like the way she looks at her granddaughter". First time i met this dog, all i got was happy wiggling Ok... weird. After i met her, I asked, why doesn't she live in the house with the other dog (her good experince dog). She'll eat the cat, and she's dangerous. Now that I have been working w/ her (i'm paying for the classes), I am thinking WTF?!! These people don't even know their dog! They basically just dump food in her bowl. They're reasons y i shouldn't take Pebbles (not kidding). She'll EAT your future kids, she'll maul the neighborhood kids, she'll get in fights, she might attack someone, she might have to live in an apartment (cause living in an apartment w/ daily walks, and chillin on a couch inbetween is worse than living on a 6ft chain in the cold). She's gonna jump the fence and hurt something. OMFG!!! So now here I am trying to convince them to let me take this dog! Its more the father's on a powertrip i think, he's stupid and an a$$. Oh and don't forget her previous "fun" was chewing on rocks! "Oh yea, thats fine, she loves to do it!" They honestly think they take good care of her... SOOOOOOOOO FRUSTRATING AND... JUST... GRRRRRR!!!! Just wanted someone to listen, and i knew you guys would understand the insanity, and see how special Pebbles is. I JUST want to give her a good last few years, a soft couch, warm bed, excersize, and LOTS and LOTS of loves. Feel free to comment. Thanks everyone.

[EzekelEnzino]

That sucks just keep trying maybe they will give in and let you take the dog with you. explain how much she means to you and the work you are putting into her also maybe try the I will feel safer with her living with me as protection thing might work even though APBT are normally poor guard dogs they do not need to know that .. good luck

[DianaDrk]

Also, any suggestions are WELCOMED!! I need as much advice as possible!

[xochex]

Well, it can be really simple. Gather enough evidence to prove they are unfit owners, then bring it up again that you want her. If they try to say you would be unfit, present them (respectfully) with the evidence and let them know that if they don't make it easy you can make it hard, because it is the dog's well-being that YOU have in mind. You can call and have the dog seized by Animal Control, if the dog is well mannered enough, and then get her from AC. Remember, you have to prove that they neglect her unlawfully, and some places don't take into account the dog's MENTAL health.
Otherwise, it doesn't sound like there is much you can do besides just stay on their butts about it.

[WebDocMan]

So they aren't going to let you take her now but they still let you take her to dog class and such? People are so weird.

Just keep working on them. Offer them money. Whatever it takes. But either way, you taking her to classes and hanging out with her and all is still a step in the right direction for her. What you are doing is a great thing, and even if she can't live at your house, don't give up on spending time with her!

[Queueftof]

Money sometimes changes peoples minds. Offer a large amount to buy the dog from them.

[cQT6nmEc]

Sorry you're having to go through this. Hang in there and try to be patient. Don't give up trying to prove that this breed is a great breed.

[DghtRdc]

Well, it can be really simple. Gather enough evidence to prove they are unfit owners, then bring it up again that you want her. If they try to say you would be unfit, present them (respectfully) with the evidence and let them know that if they don't make it easy you can make it hard, because it is the dog's well-being that YOU have in mind. You can call and have the dog seized by Animal Control, if the dog is well mannered enough, and then get her from AC. Remember, you have to prove that they neglect her unlawfully, and some places don't take into account the dog's MENTAL health.
Otherwise, it doesn't sound like there is much you can do besides just stay on their butts about it.

Won't work. If the dog has adequate shelter, is fed and watered, and healthy...AC can't take the dog.

To the OP. I don't understand the dog's owner's mentality any more than you do. First they said you could have the dog. YOu've been working with her. Now he's says you can't have the dog for all those rediculous reasons.

The owner either does really like the dog (and just doesn't show it to the dog) and is trying to convince you not to take her, or he hates the dog (which from all the reasons he gives you not to take her it seems like he does) in which case I don't understand why he won't let you take her.

Try buying the dog. Maybe he's loathe to give her to you for fear that if the dog does do something bad, you'll turn around and blame him. You can offer to sign a contract stateing that once the dog is handed over to you, you will not hold him responsible for anything that happens after, or any vet bills that may come up.

You should have a contract signing the dog over to you in any event, so he can't later try to take the dog back.

If you are paying for anything for this dog, keep all receipts. If it comes down to it, you can use these in court to prove that you have been providing care and that may help you win custody.