The Stolen Squirt

Sadly, this is a true post about how my little Jack Russel was given away without my permission; I wish this was fiction.

The arrangement was this: my ex would watch and take care of my little Jack Russel Squirt after our breakup. He was to keep the house we once called home and I was to vacate and live in an apartment alone. Because apartments that allow pets were beyond my budget, he would take care of my dog until I found one that I could afford. We thought it wise if we didn’t separate our two dogs, since they grew up together and would find it difficult to stay happy once separated. This was last December.

Recently, my ex went on a trip to the mainland and asked if I could watch Squirt for the duration. His mother (who lives on the same property) couldn’t handle watching all the dogs herself, so it was agreed I would watch Squirt while he was away. It was only fair and I accepted it. Unfortunately, I still couldn’t have Squirt stay with me. I hired a friend who was a dog-sitter to care for her for the one week he was gone. It was great to be able to play with my dog again!

After his trip was over, the dog-sitter returned Squirt to my ex. He mentioned his mother had some friends who might be interested in keeping Squirt. He asked if I would agree to letting her stay over for a night — sort of a trial run. I begrudgingly agreed, reminding him that I was still looking for a pet-friendly pad.

Shortly after that discussion, my boyfriend and I signed a lease on an apartment that allowed pets. This was a great turn of events and I called my ex right away to inform him I’d be taking Squirt soon. For the next three weeks, he never returned my phone calls, emails or text messages. This was downright not right and I was getting frustrated.

During our transition to the new apartment, I tried not to think about it. It wasn’t until I got a call from the Hawaii Humane Society that I was confirmed something was wrong. Apparently, my ex’s mother had given Squirt away to the trial family. What was supposed to be temporary has become permanent and I was pissed. They were trying to register her microchip info, erasing me as her owner. — the nerve!

I’ve called multiple times, demanding an explanation, but all I’ve gotten was an email saying the family who has Squirt is being contacted. I reminded them that I am still legally her owner and they will never be able to change her microchip information as long as I am. I had the right to be bitchy.

It’s been weeks and I haven’t heard back from either my ex or the Humane Society.

We currently have inherited two dogs from our friend who moved to Boston. They’re two adorable medium-sized dogs. They’re very well behaved, but they’re still a handful. All the work that goes into taking care of them has made me reconsider pursuing the custody of Squirt. Maybe it’s a sign that I should let her go. Maybe she is happier at this new place. Maybe I’m going against my Taoist beliefs by not accepting things as they are.

I still feel cheated and it still shouldn’t have happened this way.