Nothing to report… he didn't show up on time, and I had to leave the house. My boyfriend was home and met him when he did come, a couple hours later. He had his two youngest kids with him, and they were on their way somewhere else, so he couldn't take his cars at the time but he's supposed to come back tomorrow morning. And instead of bringing us a puppy, he brought a pie...
I wouldn't really characterize him as manipulative, but he does know I'm a softie. It is hard for me to say no unless I have good reason -- especially when I'm caught off guard, which is what happened when he first requested to bring his trucks over. I'm the type that has to steel myself before potentially awkward moments, but then I'll stick to my guns if I've made a firm decision beforehand. Like if he DOES try to push the puppy issue again, I won't have a problem refusing. But I think he got the message.
Don't get me wrong, the guy has his merits too. He clearly loves his children, and does everything he can to make them happy. The question of what he's teaching his children about the disposability of pets is separate from how he raises his family. I plan on bringing up the puppies as casually as I can, something like, "Hey, I was at the pet store the other day [not really] and I got some info on cheap spaying clinics that I thought you might be interested in. Did you know [our city] gives huge discounts on spaying your pet? And then you don't have to go through the hassle of raising anymore puppies and finding homes for them… Or if you'd like some help adopting out the puppies, you can contact these folks." And I'll hand him a list of local rescues who will surely reiterate the spay and neuter schpiel IF he gets in touch. Etc. etc.
He was actually trying to sell at least one of his cars before his family emergency came up. So he really does have a lot on his plate. The least I can do is offer to drive his pets to a spay appointment and whatnot... hell, I'm volunteering to do the same for local rescues. But the first move really does have to come from him, and I hope putting all the information in his hands will just make it easier.