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jumpergirl

For Pet Lovers

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I'm sorry... I didn't mean to upset you.

Some people don't realize what happens when they leave their pets in the pound. They just assume that someone else will come along and "love" their pet like they did. In reality, if they really "loved" the pet in the first place then it wouldn't be in the pound!!!

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I'm glad that you posted this, but it is making me sob. I haven't been spending much time with my dog lately as she lives with her "grandparents" where she is very loved. I miss seeing her every day. :(

Edited to add: Dogs are not allowed in my building, and my parents have a 2 acre home where Chinook swims and plays with the bunnies, squirrels, skunks, ducks. Despite not being with Mommy every day, she loves it there. :)

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A co-worker sent that to me and I sat here at my desk crying!! I just had to leave my dog in Texas with her "Granny" while I move into a new place here in Florida. I don't know when I will see her again, but at least I know she is loved and "Granny" will take good care of her. I cry every day because I miss my dog so much. I can't wait until I can get her back! :(

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:(I had to refrain from reading the whole thing as I have read so much about related affairs, puppy mills and ect. This happens SO much you wouldnt believe. Everyone likes (most everyone) kittens and puppies. But they dont like dogs and cats. So stuff like this makes me go nutz.

B|By the way Olav Zipster got a mohawk on Sunday. His head is black with a white stripe down the middle going backwards. So he looks just like a Gremlin. He is a Shih Tzu. LOL

~AirAnn~

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Just a note on Italian Greyhounds for anyone interested in buying one.

They are cute, fun, affectionate little dogs, but they are extremely needy and are notoriously difficult to housetrain. If you own an Italian Greyhound, do understand that it is a dog that you may well have to take everywhere with you, as they are prone to separation anxiety, that will demand that you let it sleep with you, usually under the covers, will probably have accidents in the house, no matter how hard you work at housebreaking, will be absolutely miserable in colder climates during the winter, and can ABSOLUTELY NOT be punished severely.

These are awesome little dogs, but like skydiving, are not for everyone.
A One that Isn't Cold is Scarcely a One at All

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No matter what the breed, NO DOG, OR ANY ANIMAL FOR THAT MATTER, should ever be punished severely. That is absolutely the worst thing you can ever do. A firm and loud, "NO" is more than enough to let them know you are upset. NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER hit your pet!! >:(

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I have a pet-sitting business, and also have had many pets of my own through my life, and it just breaks my heart to see the kind of treatment companion animals are given by some people.
As a Buddhist I maintain that we need to widen our circle of compassion to include ALL animals, even the less attractive or desirable.

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HOW COULD YOU
By Jim Wills, 2001
This piece touched me, It is beautifully written and applies to any animal that can be kept as a pet, I hope it affects you too. Please be sure before you buy that puppy or kitten

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad", you'd shake your finger at me and ask "how could you?" But then you'd relent, and roll me over for a belly rub. My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be anymore perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love". As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch-- because your touch was now so infrequent--and I would have defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family. I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understood the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to prise your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you, that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream...or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realised I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate. I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a seperate room. A blissfully quiet room. she placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?" Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained that it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever.
May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.
THE END.

A note from the author: -- If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, It is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly owned pets who die every year in Animal Shelters around the world. Anyone is welcome to distribute the essay for a noncommercial purpose, as long as it is properly attributed. Please use it to help educate, on your websites, in your newsletters, on animal shelters and Vet office bulletin boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the killing, and encourage all spay and neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals.
Postscript:- A man in Michigan, USA. took out a $7000.00 full page advertisment in the paper to present this essay to the public. It really touched my heart and I hope it has yours too.

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

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:(:(:(:(

Ok, now that I have whiped the tears from my eyes and of my desk.

I worked first as a volunteer, then as an Animal Care Assistant for a No-Kill Humane Society. We were not state funded so we were not bound by the regulations of taking all dogs that were dropped on our door step. Most of our dogs were taken from other shelters death row.

Most people do not know that if a state funded shelter is full, and dog is dropped off, they must euthanize for space....:(

I felt so good working for the shelter, we saved so many lives of animals that would have died needlessly.

Both of my dogs are rescues, the Husky in fact came from the shelter while I was there, he had a major history of being a flight risk (6 times picked up by animal control) so seing I had history of training dogs with issues of running...he is now mine.....and a wonderful dog...

>:( Getting on soapbox>:(
I have issues with those that think it sooo cute to let there dogs have puppies...just cause it is cute. There are breeders out there that do this and will take the dogs back if the owners no longer want them or can have them, let them deal with the breeding, this is a passion for them.

One step higher I have serious issues with those that are to lazy to have their pets spayed or neutered!....just in case you didnt know, or forgot....MOST WILL DIE! or be passed off from home to home to home.....PLEASE FOR GODS SAKE GET THEM FIXED! Check with your local humane society, they usually can point you to a vet that will give you a discount,
>:( Getting off soapbox>:(

eeneR

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A firm and loud, "NO" is more than enough to let them know you are upset.

Yes, I agree. Also, I have seen people start shouting "No, no, no!" many times, but this sounds like barking and is rarely acknowledged by the dog.

Say "No!" once and change your face to an unhappy/angry face, then walk away. This way they know that this is undesired behavior. Sometimes, I clap my hands together once (or stomp my foot sharply once) for emphasis just before "No!" with eye contact. Keep the tone of the voice deep and firm.

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[thinking to self] Oh... PM... never thought of that... duh. [/thinking to self]

Thank you Jumpergirl, you're too kind for recognizing that I have superior mental abilities, but I'm sure everyone here has already realized that.

[thinking to self] Mwahahaha! That oughta keep 'em fooled! [/thinking to self]

:S

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

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Vanilla, you are exactly right. Just enough to let them know that "Mommy is mad at me" and it'll work. The best punishment is to let the dog know you are upset. They love you so much that it is devistating to know that they let you down. Hitting them only makes them lose their trust for you.

EeneR: I know you are talking in general and not about ALL people who breed their dogs. There are very responsible breeders out there and they should be acknowledged as well. :)

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