# Diamond's Fate...a dog story **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 3, 2015, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772 "2015-02-03T23:04:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2015, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/1 "2015-02-03T23:04:16Z")
You may remember the sad tale of Mr. Rogers: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=18006215#post18006215](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=18006215#post18006215) Since then, we tried again. An hour’s drive away, we met a dog named James, a young 80-pound mixof pit bull and Plott hound. Since he sseemed interested, we brought him home for a trial. That did not go as we’d hoped. James was anxious and ceaselessly active. He barely paid any attention to our resident dog, Simone, even trampling her as he paced. Every time he was taken outside, he tried to get into every car he got near. We concluded he wanted to go back to his foster family. There are things we could have done to help him settle in, but we think Simone really needs a canine companion, and it didn’t look like James would be good with her. So we took him back and gave the rescue a donation for all thetime they’d put into helping us. My wife continued to look online. The problem is not finding an available dog…one rescue nearby currently has ninety souls up for adoption. The issue is finding the right dog. But we have a soft spot for the underdogs of the world, so my wife focused on those less likely to get homes. And soon she was going back again and again to the grainy photo of Diamond, a little brindled pit bull huddled in a concrete pen in another state about 12 hours away. In a public pound. Diamond’s kill date was last Friday – they only get 7 days to find a home in that jurisdiction…then it’s the needle. My wife made calls and worked Facebook and e-mail for days, trying to get a rescuer to pull Diamond in time. This, despite our trepidation that Diamond was as much an unknown as James had been, and might not work out. Finally, a very gentle dog rescue volunteer had a long conversation with my wife and reiterated that it makes little sense to struggle to save Diamond when there are dogs in need everywhere whom we could evaluate without the time pressure of an approaching kill date. And so, hearts heavy, we decided to let little Diamond go to whatever fate lay in store for her. Because we had contacted the shelter and shown interest, however, we were told her time was extended…until today. All weekend we tried not to think about the little dog on a deadline. But yesterday we got an e-mail from one of the volunteers. Between all the contacts and urgent messages, there had been a mix up. Somehow our intent had not been properly communicated. Against our stated desire, a deed had been done. One of our contacts pulled Diamond out of the shelter for us, one day before the needle. And so I must end my tale for now. To sleep. Because I’m about to ditch work and spend at least 24 hours on the road. Our anniversary is coming up, and I have to get my wife a Diamond. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2015, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/2 "2015-02-03T23:34:42Z")
AWWWW! Should we start calling him the Hope Diamond? Because I sure hope it works out. You are good people. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2015, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/3 "2015-02-03T23:56:45Z")
You have quite the gift for spinning doggy tales. 😃 Best wishes for the new arrival! ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2015, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/4 "2015-02-03T23:57:50Z")
Oh yeah - and pics! ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/5 "2015-02-04T00:21:33Z")
You’ve upset my dog by making me cry. I tried to tell him it was a good thing. He’s still concerned. It’s people like you guys that keep those of us in the rescue world going when we get down. The very gentle dog rescue volunteer was right, and I have had to give basically the same speech. It generally makes more sense to rescue one close to you that you can evaluate vs. taking a chance on one far away. Either way, you are saving a life. In this case, though, it seems the fates had Diamond in mind for you. I hope your drive goes well and I can’t wait to see pictures. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/6 "2015-02-04T05:20:53Z")
Best of luck & travel safe. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/7 "2015-02-04T13:58:24Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > But yesterday we got an e-mail from one of the volunteers. Between all the contacts and urgent messages, there had been a mix up. Somehow our intent had not been properly communicated. Against our stated desire, a deed had been done. _shakes fist_ Oh, you…you… You nice folks, you! Let us know how it goes, please. ---
**Author:** ![KinkiNipponTourist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9bcb4/32.png) [@KinkiNipponTourist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KinkiNipponTourist)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/8 "2015-02-04T14:15:03Z")
Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/9 "2015-02-04T14:17:00Z")
A little over halfway there (hence, 1/4 the round trip). Posting from a well-maintained rest stop. So far no trouble. In response to popular demand, here’s a picture of Diamond taken by the volunteer who pulled her. [Diamond](https://flic.kr/p/qLpkNo) She said Diamond is “a real doll.” Miss D is currently boarded at a vet. More later! ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/10 "2015-02-04T14:36:51Z")
Such beautiful ears! ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/11 "2015-02-04T15:00:11Z")
Good god, dude. As if I didn’t hold you and your wife in high enough esteem already!! ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/12 "2015-02-04T15:54:00Z")
Look at those ears!!! She looks kinda scared, but soon she will be landing soft. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/13 "2015-02-04T21:38:07Z")
I have her now. [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/7302/16259445767_f754ff5c59_b.jpg "Diamond at last.") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/pinfeatherphotos/16259445767/) She seems easy so far but has a ton of energy. She’s a lover! My trip was 15 hours to get here…I doubt I’ll make a direct run home, that’d be over 30 hours on the road. Heading out to see how far I can safely get. ---
**Author:** ![Lorene89095](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@Lorene89095](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorene89095)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/14 "2015-02-04T21:53:33Z")
She’s got reverse tiger stripes – and those _ears!!_ ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/15 "2015-02-04T23:26:43Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Such beautiful ears! Can she fly with those things? 😃 Keep us posted, **Sailboat**. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/16 "2015-02-05T00:41:51Z")
If she makes the trip without going potty in the car, does not go nuts trying to get out at stops, gets back in willingly, then you will lose if the wife has to chose… he he he ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/17 "2015-02-05T01:00:54Z")
Great story, **Sailboat**! Good for you for rescuing a dog. And brindle pit bulls are so beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/18 "2015-02-05T01:15:48Z")
Congratulations **Sailboat**! I think this is a great story… and if you haven’t a title already, how about “A Valentine’s Day Diamond for Simone”? …like Hallmark is short of movie ideas… ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/19 "2015-02-05T01:40:35Z")
I love her face and her ears! She’s beautiful! ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772/20 "2015-02-05T02:17:50Z")
I decided it’s suicidal to drive directly home (27-30 consecut. ive hours on the road), so I booked a cheap hotel. Here’s Diamond with her brand-new toy: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/7401/16445732362_c7c13b4a0a_b.jpg "First toy.") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/pinfeatherphotos/16445732362/) She’s super energetic, but unlike James, she looks to me for approval, which I take ss a good sign. She’s also a bit naughty: I noticed her toys scattered on the bed included an unapproved item…a hotel hand towel. 🙂 Going to hit the hay and resume my Mission from Dog tomorrow [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-fate-a-dog-story/711772.md?page=2)