My Dog

http://www.southflorida.com/news/chi-05082...fla-news-fringe

Robert Larson wanted his dog back--and was willing to sue his own mother to get it.

Robert and his wife, Carol, sued his mother, Linda Larson, in DuPage County Court last week, demanding she return his 12-year-old whippet and pay the couple $150,000 in damages for keeping Mitchell from them the last two months.

On Monday, a judge ordered Linda Larson, a respected whippet breeder, to return the dog via a safe drop--a local veterinarian's office--by Saturday. In the meantime, the judge signed a restraining order forbidding the dog from being harmed or removed to another state.

"It's shocking. It's also embarrassing," said Carol Larson. "I mean, as we recount it to other people or out loud, it sounds ridiculous."

This pitting of mom versus beast started two months ago, when the Larsons went for a week's vacation and left Mitchell, who resembles a miniature greyhound, with Robert's sister, Emilie.

When the couple returned to their Aurora home, Emilie Larson allegedly told them she'd given the dog to Linda Larson, who had given the pooch to her son and daughter-in-law as a family pet 11 years ago.

But Linda Larson didn't want to return the dog, the couple alleges in the lawsuit. Just why, they don't know, they said.

First, there was "geriatric testing" that needed to be done on the aging dog, according to lawsuit. Later, Larson allegedly told the couple she had no intention of returning their dog, saying she would kill it before returning it, according to the suit.

Neither Linda nor Emilie Larson would return phone calls seeking comment. Linda Larson's attorney, Thomas McCulloch, won't say what the dispute is really about, calling it "mostly a family matter," but said Thursday the two sides were near a settlement.

"I think if you were to characterize this case, it deals with a mother who cared more about the welfare of her son's animal than the son cared about his own mother," McCulloch said.

Robert and Carol Larson said they think Linda Larson believes the couple, who are expecting their second child, might not have the time or desire to properly care for the aging pet.

"I think she just felt she could do the job better," said Robert Larson. "I think she just felt she could be a better caretaker for the animal than we are."

Whippet breeders tend to be very protective of their charges, said Gregg Gammie, board member of the Greater Chicago Whippet Club. Many keep close contact with the dogs even after they're sold or given away, making yearly visits or even frequent phone calls. Most have "higher standards" of care than the regular dog owner, he said.

"To a whippet breeder, making sure the dog has enough water or a place to sleep isn't enough," Gammie said. "Sure, the dog might be physically healthy, but how much attention is the dog getting? If he sleeps in the basement or the back yard and doesn't see anyone, he might not be mentally healthy."

Mary Magee, another whippet breeder and editor of Whippet Watch magazine, said Linda Larson has a good reputation as a caring keeper of the sweet-tempered pooches. Though she knew nothing of the lawsuit, Magee said it wouldn't be unheard of for a breeder who suspected ill treatment to remove a dog from a home, adding that many breeders include that right as a clause in the sale of the dog.

But Carol Larson said any allegation that Mitchell hasn't been cared for is ridiculous. The couple have a veterinarian's letter testifying to their good care, she said. They keep other pets, including foster-caring for a shelter dog.

And they love their dog, she said. Mitchell "has the run of the house" and sleeps in their bedroom. He's a part of their family, with the sweet, gentle personality of a child, she said. And she said Mitchell enjoys dressing up in Halloween costumes as much as her daughter. Last year, they wore matching witch outfits, and the year before, her daughter was dressed as a Dalmatian, Mitchell as a fireman.

"He's been with us for almost as long as my husband and I have been together," she said. "He's a huge part of our family."

Robert Larson filed harassment charges with Aurora police against his mother after she allegedly called him repeatedly and threatened to euthanize the dog if he didn't drop the custody dispute, he said. According to the state's attorney's office, Linda Larson is due in court on Aug. 31 on that charge.

Carol Larson said the couple tried every legal channel they could before suing, asking police, various sheriff's and state's attorney's offices, and even an Ohio dog warden, to intervene after she learned the dog might be stowed out-of-state with one of Linda's friends.

"Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like police take your pet family member missing seriously," she said.

The couple said they may give the dog up in a settlement with Linda Larson, though they won't say what that might be. Robert said his main concern is the dog's safety and that his mother promise not to euthanize the dog. But whatever the settlement, he doubts it will mend the family fences anytime soon.

"They say time heals all wounds," Robert Larson said. "But I don't know if there's enough time on the calendar for this one."

His name is Robert Larson....His name is Robert Larson...

Ok, I didn't really think this was a 'locker room' funny kinda story, but I thought it was a little rediculous how far they are taking this. That dog will be dead in a year or two.