12 years driving and can not find a decent job...

So I have been driving for 12 years now. 10.5 OTR (owned my own truck for 3 years) and the last 1.5 as a local driver hauling gas. I was hurt in a car accident back in August thanks to a friend who could not drive without hitting a tree. While on medical leave I was laid off from my gas hauling job. Now that I have been able to work since the beginning of March my company has not been able to take me back (too slow). I tried a couple other gas hauling companies and no such luck. So I decide to look into going back OTR until I can get back into hauling gas. Well this has been comical at best. A lot of the companies I call tell me they can not hire me because I do not have "recent OTR experience". No, only a year and a half ago and only 1.5 + million accident free miles of it. Do they think I forgot how to drive 1000 miles in a straight lline?? I was actually told I would have to learn how to sleep in a truck again. And that driving to a warehouse and backing into a dock is harder than taking a gas tanker to a station made for cars. Give me a break! I'm sorry, but I feel like driving OTR is entry level in truck driving. Most anyone can do it. But to be able to handle a tank filled with 8500 gallons of explosive gasoline and menuver it into a lot on a busy street corner around pumps, other cars, garbage dumpsters, etc. and line up in a perfect spot to unload takes far more skill than aiming down an interstate for miles and having 40 acres to line up and back into a dock. Not to mention the hazmat backgound check (yes, OTR drivers do that too) and also the background check for a TWIC card and being tested at some loading racks 3 times before you are issued a card for that facility.
I have found a couple companies that offer what I desire, like frequent home time, ability to bring my dog, and halfway decent pay. But there are some of the major companies that have told me they can not hire me or like one of them who have blue trailers from Nebraska told me, "we can take you on, but you have to ride with a trainer for a couple weeks." REALLY??? Some trainer who possibly has less than half the experience I do?? How much will I make when I have to show him some tricks of the trade??
I find it laughable that some twerp recruiter who most likely has never been in a truck is going to tell me I am not qualified to drive OTR because I have been "local" for too long. If anyone else has had this happen, please let me know I am not alone.
Also, as I have not signed on with anyone, if anybody can direct me to a company that allows you to bring your pet (I have a boxer) and will not hold my lack of recent OTR experience against me, please, forward that information to me.
Thanks