[Morrigoon]

My mom has experienced this with some of the rescue groups she works with. Occasionally someone has asked my mom to take their dog for whatever reason, and she has often taken them on privately because she felt that the group she was fostering for was just a bit *too* strict on pet placement. However, she agrees with some of the rules, such as the one about not letting tiny dogs go to homes with small children.

Now, IMHO, 12 and 13 are big enough to deal. Perhaps the group had a rule against it, and I know MANY groups do have a stipulation in their contracts stating that if you give up the dog, you have to give it back to the group. This is to protect the dogs from being sent to the pound or being given to highly inappropriate homes.

In this case, I think the group could have insisted on reviewing the new owner's family and home, and perhaps could have granted an exception based upon that review, as well as get the new owner to sign a contract as if they had adopted the dog directly. Facing a reposession of the dog, the new owner would probably have complied. Then everybody would have been happy (if a bit inconvenienced).

This group could still save face by coming back and being willing to offer the above opportunity to the hairdresser, or by holding the dog till the younger child turns 13 and then granting a special exemption.