Zippy Zippy is a five year old rat terrier. He weighs 12 lbs, and I have to find a new home for him. I have contacted Rat Bones Rescue, and they were full. I also put an ad on Petfinder, but I received many scamming messages and didn't feel comfortable with anyone who replied. I am desperate and need to do something quickly. This situation has gone on for about a year now, and it isn't getting better. Here are the issues:

My neighbor hates my dog. My neighbor hates everything and everyone, but mostly Zippy. I would move if I could, but the market in FL is a mess and I presently rent my house. My crabby neighbor says that Zipper barks (which he really doesn't do when I'm home), and he calls Animal Control. For someone who has a regular vet, keeps Zippy up to date on shots, teeth cleaning, and heartworm, this is embarassing. Well, the animal control officer will stand at the fence with the man - and then yes, Zippy will bark like crazy. Since I cannot afford the fines and don't want to see my neighbor do something nutty, and since the owner of the home is beyond frustrated, I need to do something quickly. I've tried to work with this, and I can't find another answer. I purchased a citronella collar, and he fell into the pool with it on and wouldn't bark for help. A worker in the back had to rescue him (although he can swim. I'm guessing he didn't go to the steps and hung onto the side). He either runs down the battery or the spray, because the man still complains. Since I'm not home, I don't know what is actually happening.

I'm aware of crate training, but Zippy cannot last 8+ hours in a crate, nor is it fair to him. My life demands have changed, and it seems that I work more now. He must have a pea sized bladder, because I tried leaving him out in the house while at work. He won't destroy anything (other than Q-Tips - I don't know why), but he cannot refrain from peeing. He can jump a child gate.

The positives of Zippy: he is adorable, playful, loves to snuggle, loves to clean out the leftovers in your cereal bowl, he is thin and in great shape, he likes other dogs - even at the dog park, he will let you dress him up (although he may not be crazy about it), and he is used to children and other animals (birds and other pets).

The down sides: Zippy would do wonderfully with someone who is home more. He can be a digger, although he hasn't done much digging lately. He apparently is prone to barking when someone isn't home. He will ask to go outside, but he apparently has accidents. He is not opposed to being crated, but he isn't crazy about it. He will go in there, but I would hate to leave him in there for long periods. If you are home and he is crated, he will whine. If he is outside and wants inside, he will jump on the sliding glass door until he is ready to pass out. He makes his needs known!

I feel that Zippy would be better off in another home where people are home more often and where the neighbor doesn't hate him. We are in Central Florida. Does anyone know of a welcoming home for Zippy?

Where in Central Florida are you? I am in Deltona. I have 4 ratties, but I would be willing to put the word aout around here, that you are looking for a new home for him. Do you have any pics of him?

Also, my ratties are crated, almost 8 hours a day. It is really the best thing for them, so they sleep, and do not get into trouble while you are gone. Try leaving a radio on for him too.

I cannot crate Zippy for the length of time needed, and he jumps the baby fence. He typically doesn't bark when we are home (unless something really gets him going), but we have to work.

I am in Merritt Island, by Cocoa Beach. It is about an hour from Orlando.

I have tried the pee pads. He tears them up all over the place... and he confuses carpeted mats with them. Unfortunately my neighbor is retired. I doubt he will have any kids in the future! It would probably be good for him, but I doubt he likes kids either!

It is hard to find him a new home, but it would be best for him. I appreciate the help!

I think Rattagan's mom was willing to foster, and I am not  sure where in FL she is but when she comes onto the site she may be a resource.............just a thought

Edited: deleted original post that I put here because it didn't offer anything constructive and probably came across as patronizing. Not one of my better days...

I guess like raising children, people have different philosophies and ideas when it comes to pets. I've always loved animals deeply. I have always seen to it that my animals had appropriate vet care, and time with the family.  When I had my own house in TX, I rescued pitbulls - because there was such a need. However, I cannot afford to buy a house in FL, so I rent one. Because it is not my house, I don't get to make all the rules. When a problem arises, such as the one with my neighbor, it is not completely up to me. In choosing a place to live with my family or re-homing the dog, well, one has to be rather practical.

If I know that Zippy is miserable sitting in a crate for 8-10 hours, does that make me a bad person? To me, that seems like punishment for him. I do crate him, but if I have to crate him all day and then at night, what is his quality of life? If I am trying to re-home him rather than dumping him at a shelter, is that not preferable? I really admire people who run rescue groups. It is difficult, expensive, and challenging. As much as I can't imagine it, I can see why people take animals to shelters. It is hard to step out to rehome an animal and have people insinuate that you are doing everything wrong in their eyes. I do appreciate the help, please don't misunderstand me. I just think people should be aware, so that others who genuinely care and want to find a decent, loving home for a pet won't be put off. I respect that some of you might do things differently; however, I am in this situation, and I need to figure out what is best for this little dog. Enduring judgement isn't helping.

Thank you for your time, and I appreciate those of you who would like to help. Forgive my frustration, as this is not an easy situation.

I am glad you can at least see that we are here to help. Sometimes the thought of rehoming a dog just makes people question, you know? You are not being judged and we will help. There is also rat terrier Resq..... ratterrierresq@ yahoo.com and ratterrierresq.com. They may have an opening. And like MB mentioned, would you be able to keep him while he is listed on the ratbones site under the GAP program? That may get him adopted pretty quickly also, he is an adorable little rattie, I love his huge ears!! His "issues" really aren't much or unfixable, so I don't think many would consider them downfalls.

Janie, If I needed to be fostered your house would be the place I would want to go to most.

  yes!  Janie you rock!!!  And Yay - Ratbones has another foster mom!!!

Awwww - that is exciting news! Zippy loves to play with other dogs! He is used to bigger dogs, but he really has fun with dogs his size.

I don't generally crate him at night, and I do let him sleep with me; however (despite being offered a trip outside prior to bedtime), he has been known to need to potty in the middle of the night (when I'm asleep) and he does this in the hallway. My husband said we should crate him at night to prevent this (which one would normally do), so that is why I said he could be crated far too much. I wouldn't want that for such a spirited, fun dog. Of course I don't crate him when I am home! It's not that I'm not used to crating, as I have used it with all of my dogs. I'm just saying that I don't see it being a viable solution for his life in this situation.

Right now, I have my yard fenced in half where the neighbor can't get to him. Also, the man has thankfully been out of town for two weeks. I have a screened porch where Zippy likes to hang out, but apparently the man can still hear him bark from there.

I cannot tell you how nasty of a situation this has been. The man has never once come to talk to us about it. He either calls the owners of the house or the city. We have always been congenial with him, and he has talked to us in the past... but never, ever mentioned the dog. Once the home owners alerted us, we started with the pee-pads, the bark collar... and so on. Nothing seems to make the man happy. He complained that our neighbors didn't mow enough around the mailbox, that the school behind us leaves the lights on at night, that the school didn't maintain the land behind the school (that was once part of the yard) - so they came and took the land. I am serious that he is an unhappy man. One day we hope to either move or see him move!

If Rattagan is a little tired and Cammie still wants to play this could be a great outlet. Oh Janie saying many prayers for a smooth transition and a happy bunch.