Why Not To Give Dogs As Gifts

I have been harping on the fact that we are dogless for the past couple of years. "Wait until we retire" is all I ever get from my other half. That and "we aren't home enough to take care of a dog". So we have been dogless since 2000. I have enjoyed other people's dogs and watched dog shows and looked at adoption sites on line. But to actually seek out canine companionship was not in the cards.
Then this past Christmas it became an issue. Not for myself mind you, but as a gift to my mother-in-law. She also has wished aloud for a dog. So this year her daughter declared it the year to get her a dog. I was to search the local shelter and she would get the accessories necessary such as bedding and dishes.
Well after several calls to our Animal Control Officer I was finally able to meet him at the shelter. We have a small shelter and there were only 4 possible choices. The 1st was a pair of black lab/chow siblings that he wanted to adopt out together. Not an option for us. The 2nd was a yellow lab that was very rambunctious. Also not an option. The 3 pits were on death row. REALLY not an option. And the final choice was "Fat Boy", a beagle/spaniel mix with some age on him. And some funk on him too! He was black and white and very sausage-like, I believe he could be described as portly. But he was gentle. An "old gentleman" Parker would later call him.
So phone calls were made, the dog was put in my clean car with his pink leash and smelly blanket and off we went to my office. Oh yeah, the last person that took him home brought him back because he threw up in their truck.
First order of business was the smell. We have a laundry tub in the shop. I ran some warm water, found the Joy dishwashing liquid and said a prayer. This fella still had all his goods and I was a stranger to him. But on a mission I was. Into the sink he went. All 37 pounds of him. And he let me wash him! It still amazes me. From little spaniel head to his curiously shortened tail I scrubbed every inch with hopes he would soon be lemon fresh.
Well the first layer came off with a cup or two of his black and white coat. Rinsed and rubbed down with an old towel he was allowed back on ground level and out on the leash to shake. Apparantly I did not use enough Joy. As the men came in from work all I heard was "good gosh what is that smell?". Then they would see the dog and understand. At home that night he was scrubbed again. After he christened my living room rug. hmmmm dogs...
The next morning we went to the vet. He was examined and declared to be wonderful with one exception. Heart Worms. $300.00 worth of heart worms. But worth fixing according to the vet. She confided in him that he was about to have the "life of Riley!". He revelled in her attention, his stubby tail had to be doing 1725 wpm (wags per minute). He tolerated having his shots and we were on the way back to town. After discussions with all parties involved it was decided that one does not give a dog with heart worms as a gift. Seems kinda tacky doesn't it?
Back to the shelter we went. Afterall no one else wanted him either. I turned him over to Roy and left with a very guilty conscience. What would become of an older dog with heart worms? Do you really need me to tell you?
As I headed back to the office my cell rang. "Let's go ahead and let Mom meet him. If she likes him we can all help with the vet bills. He's so sweet."
Back to the shelter! Quick! Before he gets re-funked! What a greeting he gave me! Jumping up and offering kisses as though I were his long lost friend.
Back to the office. Back to work. Back to stinky dog smells. Teach elimination communication!