Sunday, October 12, 2014

He's Mine, Legally

~Charlie in August~
With cooler temperatures I can now take a dog along with me when I run a few errands.  On Saturday I took Charlie. When I came out of the grocery store standing by my van was a man talking to Charlie who was sitting in the drivers seat. As I approached my van, he asked me where I'd gotten Charlie. As I opened the door to roll down the window for the two to meet, I briefly explained to him that Charlie had come from a shelter about 8 years ago when I was helping Old English Sheepdog Rescue. He told me that he and his family had a dog that looked like Charlie, named Sammy, and that they had lost him. He asked me my name and again where I'd gotten Charlie. When I told him the name of the shelter, he told me that he'd lived with his family in that town (that's not far from us) during that time. I told him that it was a pretty slim chance that Charlie was his dog, and I asked if his dog had a single blue eye.  He couldn't really recall if he did or not, but he *thought so.*  I said to him that Charlie's eye was a pretty unusual characteristic and I asked how he would not be able to remember that detail about him.  He ignored my comment, and was pretty adamant that Charlie looked a lot like the dog he'd lost, and said that he thought he was.
~A first photo of Charlie in 2005~  
I will admit that (for once) I didn't know exactly what to say.  I did think to say that I had Charlie legally-- He'd done all his time in the shelter that was required by law, no one came and Charlie was then made available for adoption.  I added that I'd met Charlie on his last day when he was turned over to Sheep Dog rescue. Ignoring what I'd said, he again asked me for my name, and I said to him that I wouldn't give it to him because there was no reason. By this time I was shaking a bit, and I told him that even if Charlie was his dog, he was mine, legally and had been for more than 8 years.
~Charlie in 2006~
He didn't even acknowledge what I'd said and instead again asked for my name.  I tried to remain polite even though I felt like he was bullying me a little, and all I felt I could do was to say that I wouldn't give it to him and repeated that Charlie was legally my dog. I added that if he was the dog he lost all those years ago, that he could feel good knowing that Charlie had a good home with us. I thanked him for the little chat, and told him I was going to leave. As I got into my van and started it, he didn't move for a moment, but stepped back and I drove off.

I find the whole encounter with this man really unsettling, bizarre, and a few other things.  I also realize that he could have taken down my license plate, so I'll admit to having been slightly concerned that I may not have heard the last of him. However today, I think it is. Just in case it's not, I found the paperwork that I have from the shelter when I got Charlie. Proof that Charlie is indeed mine, legally.
~Rerun of a photo from Thursday~

44 comments:

  1. he did sound like he was bullying you! i don't like that! and he better not bother you again!

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  2. Oh my, I am glad the incident ended and you drove away. With Charlie.

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  3. Makes a person wonder what kind of scam he's running... anyone would remember his eye, especially if he owned him.

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  4. Kind of creepy Kim, gave me goose bumps reading this. If Charlie was his dog would one not move heaven and earth to find a beloved pet, like check the shelters around ones home. So happy Charlie is safe with you, Blessings Francine.

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  5. Does sound like he was spinning you a story! Those eyes would have been a dead give away. He may have had a dog like Charlie, but after all this time and with paperwork, Charlie is yours.

    What a strange, unsettling experience.

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  6. Kim, it is a little weird after eight years this man is still looking for his dog? I would not give my name to him either, that is creepy! Charlie belongs to you legally!

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  7. Stranger Danger!!! Charlie wasn't his dog he's full of shit!

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  8. What a story! If Charlie was his dog and the center was in the town where he lived, why did he not go there and claim him. Sorry you had to go through that.

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  9. I live in fear that the same sort of thing will happen to me. I am so sorry this happened to you. I hope this is the last of this.

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  10. I`m afraid I am no good in holding back anger,I would have given him hell for not looking for his dog,& Charlie belongs to me.Sorry you had to deal with someone like that,I agree,stranger,danger! Phyllis

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  11. What a loser!!! If he lost Charlie he sure didn't do much looking, did he? Charlie is yours PERIOD! If this nut comes around, call the local authorities. I don't know if just anyone can access the DMV site and info...I think it has to be the Police Dept, so don't fret if he got your plate....:)JP

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  12. Wow... after 8 years, I would be thankful that if it were my dog, that he was in a great home. Glad that you got out of there.

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  13. I would have made a nonemergency police report
    stay safe

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  14. That is scary...does sound like he was trying to bully you. I would certainly be shaken up.

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  15. Scammer. If you hadn't stuck to your guns, insisting that Charlie is yours, I'll bet he would have offered to let you 'keep' him for $$$. Call the police non-emergency number tomorrow and tell the officer in charge what happened. They need to know what's going on, in case it happens to someone else.

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  16. That must have been so disconcerting. He "couldn't remember" if his dog had one blue eye? He must not have cared that much about his dog, if that's the case.

    I know how this feels. After I had ownership of Shyla, I had a somewhat similar scenario, except that the bullying escalated and the person knew all my contact info. I must admit that we didn't leave the dogs alone anywhere (not even in the house) for a little while, until we felt convinced it wasn't going beyond bullying.

    I hope that you never hear from this guy again. To find out who you are from a license plate, he'd have to somehow convince the cops to tell him - which almost never happens (and if the cops were to investigate - he's legally yours - there is no issue here).

    So, please try to rest easy... We all know what an incredible home you've given Charlie for all these years. I think this will just blow over.

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  17. I couldn't even imagine what you went through. If they did that to me I would have not been nice and probably called the police right their and then. Knowing that you have the papers is all the matters now. I would definitely get a non emergency report just incase.
    Hoep you have a nice rest of the weekend.
    Hugs, Ana

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  18. Anyone that would know the color of a sheepdog's eyes had to be peeking.

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  19. Ditto to Sully's comment - which made me laugh out loud.

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  20. Please google "scams about dog ownership".
    Mayhap he needs a Charlie to fill an order...
    I don't mean to scare you, but this has sheister all over it.

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  21. I agree with some of the other comments. There is no way anyone could mistake a dog with one blue eye if his didn't have one. Glad you and Charlie made it home safely.

    Cindy

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  22. Oh Kim,,, That man sounded soo creepy!! I am glad you did not budge and give any information at all! You were brave even though you might not have felt brave..
    To not remember a trait like a blue eye,,, total craziness..
    But regardless.. Charlie is yours , and you belong to Charlie.
    love
    tweedles

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  23. That had to be a very upsetting experience. I hope you have seen the last of him.

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  24. I, too, agree with Sully. :) Sorry you had to interact with the creep.

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  25. Don't you just hate it when some jerk ruins your day like that? I'm sure nothing will come of it but I'm so sorry it happened. I hope you never see him again.

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  26. I forgot. If that scuzzball loved his dog so much, why didn't he get the dog microchipped? He would have gotten his dog back long ago.

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  27. Sully's comment takes the cake. What a creepy encounter -you handled it so well!
    oxox
    Daisy

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  28. So sorry, you were questioned like that. It is hard to be trusting when there are people like that running scams, especially when we it comes to our defenseless pets. You did the right thing, by being polite and leaving.
    Gus' Mom

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  29. What is wrong with people these days??? I was a little freaked out reading this, so I can imagine what you went through. I sure hope that you never, ever run across him again! You did the right thing. I'm sorry this happened to you.

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  30. I agree with the others. The guy was not legit. But, since you don't live in, say, a subdivision with neighbors just feet away, do file a non-emergency police report and then keep an eye peeled when you are out with the dogs. Not forever, of course, just until you are convinced that the scammer has moved on to someone else. And, of course, perhaps don't let Charlie out alone or just with the other dogs for a while. Better safe than sorry.

    Wonder what the fellow would have said if, when he asked where you got Charlie, you'd said, "Do you think you lost him? When and where did you lose your dog?" (Not that I would have; honest people aren't on guard for dishonest ones that early in a conversation.) Bit too convenient that he was from that area, at that time, when he supposedly lost his dog.

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  31. oh my gosh.
    you were not being bullied "a little". you were being bullied a LOT.
    he was rather sinister. they couldn't have tried very hard to find Charlie... judging from the length of time he was in the shelter.
    and there is NO WAY you could NOT remember those beautiful mis-matched eyes. THAT is charlie through and through. . . and the very FIRST thing you see about him. you could never forget that.
    the nerve of that man. i hope he leaves you alone.
    actually... following 'rafe's hotel' comment above... might give you some ease. at least until a bit of time passes.

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  32. Bizarre is the word!! Glad it didn't go further than that... Well, lesson to us all - if a stranger asks "where did you get your dog", we should probably say "why do you ask?", and adjust any further conversation based on their answer!

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  33. checking to see if your okay.
    love
    tweedles

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    1. Crikey ..... you're a good bloke Tweedles!! I'm so glad to have you as a friend.

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  34. Crikey ...... that Sully!!!! She got it right, aye?? Too funny Sully. So sorry that happened to you. Very disconcerting!! My Mum would have been shaking too. How lovely is Tweedles. Such a caring bloke, aye??

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  35. What a horrible experience Kim. You poor thing - no wonder you were shaking. I hate it when people behave like that. Well done for standing your ground. xx

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  36. Oh my goodness - that is frightening! I felt like it was my own dog being threatened. I agree with you though - I'd think he'd remember the blue eye rather clearly.

    BOL - love Sully!

    Monty and Harlow

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  37. That is scary. I'm always afraid when we're out with Sebastian that someone will try to claim him. Sebastian is so friendly that he'd go with anyone. We tried to find his owner but no one stepped up so now he's ours and that's that.

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  38. this is a time when you say "wait here, I'll call the cops and they can straighten this out". He'd be gone in 5 seconds. If not, call the cops. I don't know what he was trying to do, but it was not going to be good for you or Charley.

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  39. That was an unnerving encounter. I hope that is the last you ever see or hear from him again!

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  40. Well that was a horrible experience for you! I'm so sorry you went through that. I would have wanted to spray mace in his face and drive away.

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  42. Oh my gosh! How horrible for you ... and Charlie. Such a situation to think fast - you did good! Thank goodness you just got away and home. I would not have believed that one either...

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