I wanted to share the response I received from Carol Haldewang, president of the Kosciusko Humane Shelter. After my letter was in the Times-Union yesterday, she called me and explained a little bit of their practice and regulations that I didn't know about.
They didn't pass Maggie's toys, treats (which was a brand-new never-been-opened bag actually), or open bag of dog food on to the adoptive parents because they take a chance on passing germs on to whoever adopts the animal. They did give her little bed to the new people, but not the pen. The pen is there at the shelter, and my brother can go pick it up.
So I'm glad I wrote the letter or I wouldn't have known we could go pick up the pen. I guess they did ask the people who adopted her if they wanted the black and brown bear toy, but they said no, that they would buy her toys, which I didn't know and they evidently weren't told that it was Maggie's favorite toy.
Carol also said that they have decided when someone brings a pet in with its "stuff" like we did, they are going to start taking the things home and wash and dry them and put them in a plastic bag to send with the animal, along with any list that you put with them to tell them the animal's likes and dislikes.
Also, the people who adopted Maggie called and said that Maggie is now acting happy, eating, and is very healthy again. I honestly feel myself that she was scared of the new surroundings and not having familiar things around her and just made herself sick. That's how Chihuahuas can be, and I told Carol that's why my brother wrote the little note that was supposed to go with her.
So I have accepted her explanation, she was very kind and caring about Maggie, and I respect the fact that she said they learned a little from me, too.
So Carol, thank you, I never meant to make the humane shelter look too bad, but my heart was broke for the dog we love so much.
Everything is good now. Maggie and her adoptive parents are all happy, they love her as much as we do, and life is good ... smiles.
