Journal dexterpexter's Journal: The one with the waggely tail... 11
I visited the animal shelter today, hoping to come home with a new companion.
Instead I came home crying.
I am not someone who easily shows those emotions, but I honestly broke down there in front of the shelter staff. To see a terrified dog (more precisely, many dogs) crouching in the back of his kennel (admittedly fairly nice kennels), abandoned there because his owners "put in new carpet" or "the old dog didn't get along with the new dog/cat/child," I was angry beyond words.
Those pleading barks, asking for nothing more than some pats on the head in exchange for unconditional love...
Agreed (Score:2)
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I don't hate the shelters when they are well-ran, as the one that I visited appeared to be. I hate that they are necessary.
In this shelter, there was one dog to each kennel (and luckily plenty of empty kennels for more arrivals) and they had very nice beds for the dogs. Still, being alone in a cage with a bunch of strange dogs around you can't be the happiest feeling in the world, especially on that second day when the dog's family doesn't return the way that he expects them to.
Adopted animals rock, thoug
Family member (Score:2)
I can understand if the old dog does not get along with a child. That scenario makes sense to me, though I would hope there would be some effort to find a better place for the family pet than dumping it off at a shelter. Otherwise, though, it would be akin to abandoning a family member.
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The scenario makes sense and I can certainly understand this as well. My parents' dog wanted nothing more than to kill me out of jealousy when I was born, and I wouldn't expect anyone to endanger a baby, or to torture a poor dog by forcing them to live with an unusually cruel child.
That said, I cringe when I hear new couples talking about getting a dog in the meantime until they have children, or "to bring [them] closer together." In this case, the dog is sometimes a hold-over plan until the bun comes ou
Yup... (Score:2)
This is why I encourage people to get their pets from the SPCA instead of forking over money to a breeder. They are free, already spayed or neutered, and usually already have their latest checkup done.
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I didn't get one, not just because I was a bit upset, but also because I knew that of the dogs there that didn't already have several applications, we would not pair up nicely despite my heart telling me to take them all home.
I actually went there looking for one particular dog, which I guess was adopted out before I arrived. That is why I was walking through the kennels, looking at the other dogs.
I will keep looking; every time I have contacted someone about a dog, I have been too late. This is a good s
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-Ab
ps. I'm getting a puppy in the next 2 weeks. I'
huh (Score:2)
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Not left out of the club at all. Not everyone needs or should have a dog (or a cat or a horse or a snake...), and certainly not everyone wants one.
I just have my heart set on getting a little fellow; since Fat Dog has passed away, I think it would be a good idea to get a companion for my other dog.