Just saw this thread. WOW! I think people should have to take some kind of test before having kids, especially with a particular popular news story right now, think everyone knows the one I am talking about. I am 23 and have not had a child yet because I feel like I am not financially ready, not psychologically ready, and just plain scared of having a little one yet. So I am critical of these psychos like the ones you experienced. I feel for that child because they ruined her life!
I had a situation like yours. I found a shih tzu that had been mistreated, neglected, and dumped and took her in, cleaned her up, and took her to a vet. I really did not need another pet, though the urge to keep her was difficult to ignore. I worked up the nerve to rehome her and asked for a rehoming fee, thinking that would insure a good home.
I had someone call me and she seemed ok until she said she wanted to meet in a "Family Dollar" parking lot. Now, I must say I am ok with Family Dollar and go there on occasion, but it is not the place to rehome a shih tzu. Then she started saying she had a dog before but "got rid of it" because it was "un-house-trainable" After I hung up, I thought of an excuse, close to the truth and called her back. I told her I had to leave to go see my sister who was expecting any day. Well I really did have a sister who was expecting any day so I used her as an excuse. The woman was really mad saying it was a present for her daughters birthday and she already told her she was getting the puppy and the daughter was already all excited. When I still said no, she cursed me up and down. Now I have a mouth on me like a sailor but I bit my tongue and let it go. I ended up hanging up on her after she was getting way too rediculous.
A few hours later, a woman called and was very polite, told me she had had the breed before and it would be very welcomed at her house. I told her I would like to know more about her before I said yes, but she sounded like give a great home to the shih tzu.
An hour later I got a call from a lawyer who said they were calling on behalf of the woman who had called me earlier and she was considering suing me because I was racist and the second caller called to prove I would sell to someone who was white. Well I received threats, many calls, and was slandered on craigslist for what happen. This is all great except you cant tell color over the phone.
They all left me alone and apologized after they found out that though I am white and take after my mom's irish side and my father is white, my grandfatheron my fathers side is black. I respect my heritage and would never disrespect my family's background. They honestly thought I was lying until I produced the paper work- birth certificates, death records, pictures, and a census. I thought about suing for slander and harrassment but I just wanted to go back to peace and quiet.
I just worry about the crazy's out there. Just like you, I felt I was simply going about my business and became a victim. Its scary!
Elizabeth