My landlord berated me and sent me into a panic attack. I think it was on purpose.
You see, he doesn't want me to start training a replacement for Púka.
I have a 10yo min pin service dog who in awesome. Not just in my eyes, everyone who meets him tends to adore him, he’s charmed the daylights out of most of the residents here in this very insular building, and I get tons of compliments on how well-behaved he is, how quiet, how he never barks unless there’s a knock at the door or a phone call, how he’s the very modal of a mini service pincher dog.
Most of you know him as Púka.
The building has some issues for the deaf. While my apartment has a fire alarm that flashes (for if there’s a fire in my apartment), the building has it’s own, completely separate system. And that’s okay--except that there is no wiring into my apartment that hooks up to a flashing light.
This means I’m completely dependent on Púka to wake me up and/or let me know in the event of a fire that does not originate in my apartment. And he’s getting old.
But! In somewhat sad, but good for me news, one of my aunts friends needs to give up her emotional support dog. He’s also a minpin, 4yo, we know he’s suitable for service work (always the sticky area), and she’s only giving him up because she can’t care for him anymore (she’s going to a complete care facility). For her, him going to me is perfect, because she knows this will be a forever home where he’ll not only be loved, but get the care and mental stimulation he needs. And I get exactly the right dog for me, at the perfect time.
My landlord doesn’t want me to get him. NOPE. No way, no how. Doesn’t want more than one PET in an apartment. Set’s a bad precedent, doesn’t it? Never mind that they aren’t PETS!!!!
I have called my state senator’s office, and the Maine Center for Disability, and sent a message to the person who used to run the local service dog training facility (now defunct, but still). I know the law is on my side, but I’m in subsidized housing, and I only have a week to get this sweet boy.
He’s just what we need. I don’t want to die in a fire just because the landlord doesn’t think the other residents can’t tell the difference between service animals and pets.
Yes, I’m crying.
I’ve also spoken to the other residents with dogs. They think this is ridiculous. Of course my service dog (and possibly an addition) is a completely different case from their pets, and of course I’d want another dog trained, used to me, and ready to go before my darling boy dies or needs to retire! :consensus: How could anyone get confused? this /= that. So they are writing letters to management stating that I should be able to get my training prospect, and that they in no way feel that this entitles them to acquire more animals.
Sometimes, this building is pretty good.
Don’t mess with me when it comes to service dogs. I’m relentless.
The Maine Center for Disability called, and gave me the (of course) obvious solution. I facepalmed hard, after I thanked them. They did say it was a common issue in my situation. While it would be perfectly legal for me to simply move the dog in (and multiple service dogs are encoded in the law), if I want to be nice I could get a prescription.
So I got on the phone to my doctor’s office and requested a prescription for a service dog in training, given my current service dog’s age, and the length of training, and the building’s inadequate set-up for deaf residents.
I ended up getting a lovely letter from my psychologist (with whom I've had several conversations over the years about how I would cope should Púka die), and a script from the truthfully rather reluctant call-in NP who doesn't like writing scripts for patients he's never seen. He got tired of me in the waiting room after two hours, though.
The stand-in landlord didn’t show up (I put on makeup for nothing!), but one of the LNPs found the complaint line for the management company! Because the letter from my psychologist and the script I sat in the doctor’s office for for two hours means nothing if no one will look at it.
I did sent them to our usual manager, but it went straight to his vacation mailbox.
But the lady on the complaint line (I had an extention) is looking into it, and will call me back ASAP. She wasn’t impressed that management didn’t show. It is their only day here. And since I have documents from medical professionals stating my need…
Who am I kidding? I’m scared to death.
11:55 AM PT: The fill-in manager stopped by. He used to be the manager here, and by all accounts was very good.
He knows the law regarding service dogs, and has no apology for the current manager. All he could say was, "Maybe the thought they were like pets. Of course they aren't, but it's the only thing I can think of."
He told me he knows that the law is in my side, and that I shouldn't worry, the answer will be yes, but that because he's not the official manager, he needs to get word from the higher-ups. He understands the time crunch.
He asked me to please not file suit. His boss is traveling between locations. He's really not trying to put me off. To please believe him. :snerk:
1:50 PM PT: It's 1640 and I've heard nothing.
So I emailed my aunt and told her that I will be excited to provide a home for this little guy! And I am looking forward to it. :)
Of course, I'm also worried. But I'd like to thank all of you lovely Kossacks for being here, for giving advice, and for holding my hand. Don't worry, there will be pictures when he gets here!