Nicky29 Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Hi guys, my name is Nicky and I'm from Sydney, Australia. Im brand new to these forums and am hoping to get some friendly advice. Its a long story, and to cut it very short, here goes: My girlfriend met an American guy in Sydney around 10 yrs ago now and moved back to The States with him, married him, had a family, bought the dog etc etc. Anyway, they decided that they wanted to move back to Sydney last year to start their new lives over here so they sold the house and made the big move back here. They moved to a small 2 bedroom apartment here in Sydney which they are renting and left their dog with a friend in the US while they got things organised here. After a few months, they arranged to fly back and pick up their beloved dog to bring her back to Sydney. In which they did. However, as they were living in an apartment where they could not keep a large Labrador, they asked my husband and I if we could dog sit for a little while whilst they could find a house to buy. We said that we would help them out as we have a big backyard to keep her and we love animals. This was 7 months ago now! They have kept in touch and bought her food around every now and then, but its not a weekly visit and we have grown very attached to her in this time. They now tell us that they have made a big mistake and Sydney is way too expensive to buy a house so they have decided that they are moving back to the US to live for good this time. This is only when he sells his big expensive truck that he shipped over here and had converted to right hand drive which cost him a bomb. So, we are left here with their dog that we have loved and looked after for 7 months, still not knowing when they are actually leaving. it could be another 6 months before his truck sells (if it does) Im sorry, this was supposed to be a long story cut short, but our whole family absolutely love this dog and she loves us and after this period of time, I just believed that we are being used and the friendship has definately been stretched. Any thoughts? Much appreciated;) Link to post Share on other sites
wow04 Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Is it possible to tell your friend that you and your family are attached to this dog? Can you ask if you can keep it? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 I hate it when some people treat pets as furniture or fashion accessories. Link to post Share on other sites
TaraMaiden Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Seek legal advice, but AFAIK, you can get a lawyer to write to her and tell her that, as the situation has unfolded in this way, you feel legally entitled to keep the dog, given that all expenses have been met by you, (other than the odd occasional food parcel) and you will resist in the strongest terms any attempts on their part to get the dog back. Write this after they move back to the USA. Only offer this information verbally if she asks. then tell her what your intentions are. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Nicky29 Posted May 10, 2012 Author Share Posted May 10, 2012 Thanks guys, appreciate your advice and might just talk to a lawyer Link to post Share on other sites
whichwayisup Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 Just be completely honest, say that you and your family love the dog and has been in your home for so long, bonded with you all for 7 months and for them to please think about giving you the dog since they are out of sorts and not sure where or when they're leaving, or coming back. It actually might be on their minds but they're not sure how to bring it up to you. Not sure if legally you have a right to their dog if they choose to take it with them. Link to post Share on other sites
TaraMaiden Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 Just be completely honest, say that you and your family love the dog and has been in your home for so long, bonded with you all for 7 months and for them to please think about giving you the dog since they are out of sorts and not sure where or when they're leaving, or coming back. It actually might be on their minds but they're not sure how to bring it up to you. Not sure if legally you have a right to their dog if they choose to take it with them. what they would do - depending on the legal situation - is have a lawyer/solicitor write a letter on their behalf stating that as they have had sole ownership and responsibility of the dog for xx months, and they have paid all associated bills, they feel further disruption, by shipping the dog across the world would be unnecessarily stressful both for the dog and them, as they have become very fond of the dog, and have begun to view him as a family pet. "Possession is 9/10ths of the Law." The onus would be on the people going back to the USA to prove the dog does not belong to the family, and to show beyond all reasonable doubt, why they should have it back. This expense would have to be footed by them, and it depends how attached they are to the dog as to how far they are prepared to fight for it. But the proviso is, of course, taking sound legal advice first. Link to post Share on other sites
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