Breakdown

I ran the Charm City Reptile and Amphibian Rescue for 14 years (no longer in operation). 

I was happy when a prospective adopter called. She sounded like a caring person who would provide a good home. She wanted to adopt several animals. Five of them were frogs a friend had donated. I couldn’t pay the rescue’s very high electric bills. When several of my reptile breeding friends donated baby or surplus animals, I hoped to raise some money. It was really sweet of them. 

The woman was going to adopt five frogs, two boas and a couple of lizards. I usually don’t let people adopt a big group of animals like that. However, she was really nice, it sounded like a good home and it was two hours to get here. I made an exception in her case.

Kat, a rescue volunteer, was with me that day. The woman and her adult son pulled up in front of my house. I can’t remember if the car was smoldering or if it made a big bang, but something didn’t seem right. The frantic woman came to the door and said, “My car broke down right in front of your house.” The woman was frantic. I was freaking out. Thank goodness Kat and her clear head were here!

The people asked if they could stay here overnight because it was after 5:00 and they couldn’t find a mechanic who could look at the car right away. I said, “No.” Looking back, that seems pretty harsh, but I was all alone and I didn’t know these people.

Kat went online and found a cheap place for them to stay. I remember the woman crying. Nothing like the sound a crying woman to cap off a long day. I felt badly, but I don’t have a spare room. The animals are in the two spare bedrooms. And, like I said, I didn’t know these people. I mean, I approved them for an animal adoption, but not as roommates.

It put me in an awkward position, but I have to feel safe. I would not have slept knowing strangers were in my house. Two of them could easily have overpowered me. I know, I know… I read too many murder mysteries. You never know when someone is telling the truth or trying to take advantage. It seemed kind of harsh to send them away. Maybe if someone else lived here with me, I would have let them stay. But, I didn’t.

And, honestly, I don’t deal with crying people very well. 

They stayed at a hotel. Kat (angel of mercy) drove them. They had no change of clothing or anything. I felt terrible about it.

They returned the next day and adopted only a few of the animals because they spent so much money on their car. That really sucked for everyone involved.

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Read more by Holli Friedland.