For years I have used craigslist.org. I like to make furniture and what I don't have room to keep, I sell on craigslist. I've always enjoyed it and never had any complaints. Until now. A puppy fell into my lap and I couldn't bear to leave her where she was. I took her in, trained her, gave her the love she deserved and began looking for a good home for her. While I would love to be able to keep her, this is an impossibility. Before I found her, my roommate and I already had 3 full grown dogs and a puppy. My roommate moved out and took 2 of the dogs, so we each had 2 which was manageable. I had to find a good home for Izzy.

I asked around, made flyer's, and was unsuccessful in finding Izzy a new home. She is darling and house trained so I was SHOCKED! Refusing to take her to the pound, I opted to place an ad on craigslist. While I know that you are not able to sell animals on the site, she is not for sale! We just want her to have a good home. I placed the ad and within minutes, I had a response. It seemed kismet. The family was wonderful, the environment seemed great. We arranged a meeting. I packed my beloved puppy and took her to meet her potential new family.

Upon arrival, everything was perfect. Izzy was wonderful with the children (1 and 2yrs) and the woman said "I don't want her to leave this house." The first meeting turned quickly into my final good bye. I was more than comfortable with this because it fit so well. My prayers had been answered: Izzy had a great new home. Everything was as it should be.

I came home and responded to the other inquiries I had and told them Izzy was no longer available. A few hours later, I checked my email and, apparently, the family's other dog doesn't like Izzy...they want to give her back. I now have to get this dog and start over.

My problems are not as much with Craigslist as those who use it, though I have erks about both, I will explain below.

• When I wrote my ad, which was perfectly in line with their rules and specifications, it was flagged ad deleted - for no reason - twice. Apparently other users of craigslist can flag your add over and over and get it removed. But why? Why would someone do this when I am trying to find a good home for a great dog?
• There is a large problem I read about that some of the dogs exchanged on craigslist are going to puppy mills and being mistreated, making it absolutely NECESSARY to screen anyone interested in your animal!!
• if you are getting an animal and have and older animal at home, it generally takes a day or two for the old grump to get used to the new puppy.
• As I'm now re-responding to those interested in Izzy, I have to wait for those who have her to give her back to me before I can find her a new home.
• Craigslist makes it impossible for me to advertise in the two large cities I live between, making it even more difficult for me to find the perfect home.
• This is an animal we're talking about here, not a chair that didn't look good in your living room. I told the woman to think about it and she wanted the dog - now I have to go get Izzy, having put her through the trauma of staying with strangers for a night.
• To make it worse, I am no longer getting a response from her.

The point is this: use caution when using Craigslist! Be ready for the 'buyer' to change their mind. Don't think 'all sales are final,' especially when it's a living creature - because people think that the "perfect dog" is perfect over night.

While Craigslist makes it easy to get rid of old furniture, finding a good home for an animal is getting ever more difficult. If anyone knows of a good way to find a good home for a loving pet, please. I'm going back to the beginning with my craigslist Russian roulette and hope I can find the perfect family for little Izzy.

As a pet owner who prides myself in rescuing animals, nursing them back to health and finding them new, happy homes, I am disheartened by the many I am finding that appear to share my passion for animals, but lack the drive, follow-through, and persistence that is required to truly help animals in need. Also, Izzy is a well-behaved, cute puppy! I am in shock and saddened that she still doesn't have the home she deserves and is currently stuck with strangers!

If any other pet owners or lovers have advice or any tips on how to find a good home for a great dog, PLEASE HELP! I have exhausted every possible avenue I know of and am desperate to find the perfect match!

I am happy to report that Izzy found a great home with a great family. And, yes, I found them on craigslist. Thank you so much to Joy and James for giving Izzy the love she deserves! Her new best friend, America fell in love with her immediately and we knew we had the perfect fit! While I probably won't use craigslist to find a home for a pet in the future, persistence and thorough examination of interested parties can really pay off! Izzy and her great new family is proof of this and that there are still great pet lovers who are willing to adjust to save a puppy!

Thanks again to Joy and James!!!