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Saturday, December 8, 2012

It's BJ.  Now that I'm feeling almost all better I can sit down and write the next chapter in my history with Lynda.

Lynda really wanted me and she wouldn't give up in getting to keep me.  First, she has lived in a rent stabilized apartment for a few decades, hence her rent is low compared to similar apartments on the open market.  (In case you're not familiar with the rules for stabilized apartments, the landlord can only raise the rent by the percent decided on by the R S Board.  And they must give you a lease.  They cannot make you move.  If you do move, he can raise the rent to market value.)   The landlord would do anything to get me out so he could raise the rent.

The building had been pet friendly but because of an irresponsible dog owner it became non-pet friendly.  Since there were other dogs and there was never a formal notice of the change she got me.      As soon as the landlord found out the problems began.  They sent her letters saying she had to get rid of me.  She ignored them and eventually was forced to answer.  Her sister scared her into getting an  attorney.  We learned until later that the attorney was not very good and put us through processes that could have been avoided.  Of course then he wouldn't have been able to suck money from her.

She had to get a letter from her doctor saying why she needed me; she had to get friends to give depositions about how she was happier because she had me.  He filed a motion with HUD.  Nothing is simple.  First she had to have a meeting to determine if there was cause to file with HUD.  There was.  Then you can file.  Then you wonder why the government is so inefficient and costs taxpayers so much.

Anyway, because the attorney couldn't find a resolution with the landlord, it dragged on, and on, and on.   He was making money and mom was suffering.  She cried a lot when it seemed it wasn't going to be settled.  More than a year later we finally went to court before an arbitrator.  The arbitrator determined that Lynda could keep me.  YEA!  And, that was how I got to stay.

Mom really wanted me and spent thousands of dollars to keep me.  I know she really loves me and is a good person for not sending me back to the shelter.  I tried to be a good dog.  There were some ups and downs, like my chewing a brand new pair of cashmere lined leather gloves, to name one.

The words "forever home" has an indescribable meaning to me.  It's been 12 1/2 years since I came to my forever home and I have been sooooooo happy.  I never want to go anywhere else.

4 comments:

  1. What a heartfelt share, Lynda... this finale has touched my heart. You n' BJ were meant to be!

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  2. it was a struggle but was worth it. i was just very fortunate to have the money to spend on the fight.
    i had little support from my family. They wanted me to return him the shelter.

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  3. I have been waiting to read the rest of your story BJ and I'm so glad you posted it...It's such a shame that one "bad" dog owner can spoil it for the rest of the responsible owners isn't it...And your struggle with government bureaucracy and incompetent legal advice makes me very sad...But your mom is such a good person that she didn't give up on you or the fight and your long life together is proof of her victory...You are the best of friends and deserve to be happy together

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  4. Hey BJ, Jet here. Hi Miss Lynda.

    Thanks for having the courage to share such an arduous (VBP - vocab builder project) journey. Thank goodness you both kept each other and now, all these years later have a lifetime of special reflections to share with us. :)

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