A HOPEFUL dog owner was left speechless after her application for a puppy was rejected with a bizarre response.
Alice Gray, 29, was gobsmacked at the blunt message she received from a dog shelter after she applied to rehome a puppy named Angel.
In her application to the shelter, Alice, from Cardiff, Wales, wrote: "I'm an active 29-year-old professional, working from home full time.
"I am looking for a young dog as a companion and to make a family.
"I would love a dog that is active and enjoys running and hiking with me, as well as lots of cuddles and affection."
Alice, a presenter, also offered to provide more information if the dog shelter wanted to find out more about her.
But the bizarre response to the application, which Alice shared on Twitter, left her "speechless".
A member of staff replied with a short, blunt message – rejecting her.
"If you read Angel's description she is a calm puppy who loves cuddles," it said.
"She is not at all suitable for active, running and hiking."
Alice tried to reason with the dog shelter, insisting the puppy would be her "companion".
She wrote: "Thank you for your quick response. That's a shame that I am not being considered.
"As she is so young I obviously wouldn't have started her off with lots of activity until she's older.
"But I'm hoping for a companion that can do that (and) can grow with me and do those things in the future."
The response said the puppy "would have hated" being active with Alice.
It said: "Hi. It is nothing to do with her age. She would have hated it.
"We have a duty of care to our dogs to ensure they go to the right home for them."
Alice did not name the shelter or member of staff in her post, which has been shared thousands of times and sparked a lively debate about dogs and exercise.
She later clarified: "So this went a bit mad – just because this seems to be a reoccurring theme:
"1) I read the description of the dog very well. No where did it say she doesn’t like exercise or needed limited walks.
"2) I wouldn’t apply for a dog that I wouldn’t be able to offer the right home to."
Alice's experience divided the internet, with some suggesting she had made an "honest mistake" and "dogs are not meant for running".
One Twitter user said: "It’s an honest mistake and many long time dog owners do it but dogs aren’t meant for running like people.
"They will do their best and be happy to make you happy but it’s very uncomfortable for them. They are suited for short sprints around a field.
"Saying you would run with your dog was a red flag for me also but the better way to handle it probably would have been to explain the situation and then make a judgement call if you seemed to listen and take in the info or not."
Another more outraged social media user said: "I'm speechless that you want to take a dog running with you. How selfish. Dog walking is about the dog, not you.
"They need to sniff about, cock their legs and socialise with other dogs. They don't want to be panting at the end of a lead trying to keep up with you."
But others described the shelter's response as "absurd" and "nuts".
"I am belly laughing at the absurdity of this response," one user said.
"Genuinely one of the most joyless and tactless things I've ever read."
Another Twitter user reassured Alice: "My dog is super active and loves running about, but will just decide to be an a*** some days and just down tools for no reason.
"Some people think they're the only ones capable of looking after dogs… hope you find a new best pal soon."
Charity Dog's Trust said demand for puppies has soared during the coronavirus lockdown, with Google searches for "buy a puppy" soaring by 166 percent.
A spokesperson for the charity told the Mirror: "Every dog is different and has specific requirements for their forever home, our job is to ensure they are matched with someone who can give them everything they need to thrive long term.
"We would ask people looking to rehome a dog to be patient, as the unprecedented demand for dogs may mean you have to wait a little longer to find the right dog for you."
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