The cache was marked as needing maintenance just a few weeks ago. Yea, chances are the owner is long gone and wont be fixing their cache, but you have to at least give them a chance to fix it before taking their cache from them. I also noticed that the person who marked it as needing maintenance March 21 offered to adopt it at that time, so it seems like they are first in line to adopt it.
Those are the facts.
Now, here's my personal opinion. I don't think you should be allowed to adopt that cache just 'cause you're acting like a baby. Going out and fixing that cache was a great thing to do out of kindness. However, by your later actions on the cache (taking back the replacement cache and putting the broken cache back in it's place) and posting this forum thread it looks like the only reason you did it was because you expected the cache to become yours.
Do you really think it's a stupid rule to give the owner 4 weeks to fix their property before confiscating their cache and their cache page? How would you feel if you came back from a nice vacation to find someone else now owns your cache because you didn't maintain it within 2 weeks? Like I said, in this case I'd bet money that the owners are MIA and have abandoned this particular cache; but the rule is there for a reason and it's far from a stupid one.
If you had taking the time to read the logs it was stated back on July 14 2001 that there was a hole in the container. So if the owner has been on vacation for over 6 years I could see your point.
It is not about adopting a cache it is about maintaining it. It does not bother me who has the cache as long as someone maintains it.
There is nothing worst then going out and dumping wet smelly contents out and the owner does nothing about it.
As for acting like a baby I would say I am acting like the stubborn Dutchman that I am. I am just trying to see what else rules apply to the game that I am not aware of.