Post Punk Kitchen Forum

I've been thinking for a while about adopting a dog from the local shelter. My lease says,



I don't want to start seriously looking at the dogs available for adoption until I know that I'll be able to adopt one. How should I phrase an email to the landlord asking her if I can get a dog? (I'll probably be adopting a small dog, and an adult rather than a puppy.)

What kind of landlord do you have?

That is really going to dictate your approach. If you have a management company, I'd call the office and casually say that you're thinking about getting a small dog and were wondering what limitations they have

It's just one person. It's a house with an attached apartment (with separate entrances -- two front doors going out onto a shared front porch) and she lives in the main part of the house and I live in the apartment.

What is she like? Is she still upset about the mice/mouse?

I don't know. She hasn't mentioned the mice in a while. When I was having issues with the smoke detector this week, she was really nice about it, and apologized a bunch of times that she wasn't able to get someone in sooner to fix it.

ooh good! Then ask her now before she gets annoyed again. I'd just say that you're thinking of getting a small, welltrained adult dog, and is there anything she wants you to keep in mind. Some insurance cos won't cover pitties, GSDs etc. so making sure you aren't getting someone who is going to mess up her insurance policy is important

Yup, just ask her straight up. Maybe tell her you are more than happy to pay a pet deposit - money talks :) Good luck!

Thanks. Any suggestions on the exact wording to use?

"Hi, I was thinking of getting a dog. How do you want to work this? Do you need a deposit or something?"

...and go from there.

Maybe you've already done this, but before I talked to the landlord, I'd consider: getting recommendations for a good veterinarian, making sure you know the local laws as far as immunizations and licensing, having a plan for a designated potty spot and poop pick-up in the yard, locating a positive trainer just in case the dog needs brushing up on basic manners, knowing exactly how the dog will be safely contained during any times you're not home and can't have the dog with you, things like that. Then, you can give solid answers to any questions or concerns your landlord may have and she'll be reassured that you've put a lot of thought into this and it's not just a snap decision.

ETA: If you have renter's insurance, it might be worth finding out if they can add a dog to your policy. I know I found it easier to rent with dogs when I could show that I had insurance that covered them.

OK, I sent the email. Now I'm all nervous that she'll say no. And I'm also looking at the local shelter webpage, where there are photos of a litter of chihuahua mix puppies who are just adorable. I think that an adult dog would be a better idea for me right now, though.

She said yes! Now, to find a dog.

Yay! you're getting a doggy! woohoo!

Yay! Happy dog time!

Woot!

Good work. 8)

Yay doggy!

Hurray!!!

And yes to adopting an adult dog! :) They're so awesome, and so many in the shelters are extremely sweet, well-trained, and just over-all awesome, but they ended up there because of unfortunate circumstances.

Whether you choose a puppy or an adult dog, congrats and good luck! Companion animals are the best.

How is the dog search going?

Yay doggy!

This is too late, but I BEGGED my landlord to get a cat. She wavered and worried a lot about the furniture (our apartment is semi-furnished), and I just told her a million reasons why my cat won't destroy the place, most of which I was guessing about because we adopted the cat. When the SPCA called her about the adoption she wavered again, and I was SO nervous, but she eventually went along with the idea and it turns out that my cat is a perfect angel and hasn't ruined anything. Unlike myself, who has spilled everything you can imagine on the couches and carpet.

Doggy updates soon, please!

we're going to need pics!

I'm probably going to go down to the shelter to put in an application this weekend. I'm not sure if they have any dogs now that would be right for me (I want a small, relatively mellow dog), but if they don't, then I'll put my name on the list to be contacted if a dog that seems right comes in.

Yay, I'm so excited for you!

I just submitted the application for this dog. http://www.haventohome.org/animals/deta ... ID=5129062 Now I've got to wait for them to process it and everything.

Soo cute! Good luck!!

I'm not so good at waiting.