Aug 18, 2009

How much do you love your dog?





That's right. This first cup of coffee tastes wonderful and I am loving it. Today I just have a question. This is for dog lovers, as I am one. What prompted this pending ? is on Saturday night me and two of the girls I work with went out to the local Waffle House (where else?) for some coffee and gossip after our shift. I always bring a box of steak bones and scraps for my dog Auggie. So does the other girl for her dog. We get to the Waffle House and as we walk in we see this black lab, barely able to recognize him as a lab. He was starving. He was soaking wet from the rain. He was wagging his tail. Kathy ran to her truck and got her black box of steak out and this dog was in doggie nirvana. I know people are having hard economic times. The local humane society here has a 27 day waiting list to pick up animals and than if a home isn't found within a week, they are euthanized. This dog was dropped off at the only busy intersection in this little town. He demolished all 3lbs of Filet Mignon, Ribeyes and fat. It broke my heart. It costs me about $12 a month to buy one huge bag of kibble at Wal-Mart to feed my dog. This dog has been with me for two years. He was rescued from a shooting gallery. He waits for me to come home, barks fiercely if anyone comes near our remote home. He licks my wounds, sometimes literally. His fur holds all of my tears. I love my dog. Here is my question. If you were forced to downsize due to finances and things got very hard, would you be able to drop your dog off on the side of the road and drive away? To me, dogs are the most amazing, loyal pets you will ever own. Dogs work as aids with the elderly and disabled. Dogs take bullets for the police. They love you back with all that a canine can. So if anyone who reads my little writings is a dog lover or just has an opinion please respond. This dog dumping is happening more and more. What's next? Your kids? (Ok, that was dramatic, but my dog is rather like one of my children and is actually better behaved and doesn't talk back and ask to use my bank card) Have a great day.

9 comments:

the walking man said...

Nope the dog that killed the bear would suffer the same fate and fortune as the rest of the family...but then that was how she came to us, someone put her out, let her out or generally didn't take care of her so I say once in a lifetime is enough.

butterflies said...

I cannot imagine how anyone can be cruel to an animal..yet its in the papers every day.
I love my dog too and she looks like your dog! shes got lovely red fur and she sleeps on a dog bed with soft blankets that are washed every few days.Shes a spoilt dog and so well loved..She barks when someone comes,keeps me company and catches my tears (I loved that line you wrote)

I had another dog.A blue heeler..she was beautiful..One day on thanksgiving she was diagnosed with lymphoma ..the same cancer my husband was living with! she died the following year on Valentines day.

Now my dog is 12 yrs old and Im thinking I should get a puppy as I never want to be without a dog in my life.
Thanks for this post.

Lori said...

Walking Man- I recall from your postings that you are a dog owner. I bet you are a softy with your dog. I would wager that is your early am. companion in the darkness.

Butterflies- Thankf for the compliment on Auggie, my dog. I never knew I could love an animal this much until we got him. Now that my husband has died, it's me and the dog and my son. My dog knows secrets that I don't tell anyone. I am sorry that you had a dog with cancer. Vets are so expensive and it is hard to watch your pet decline and suffer. I think if Auggie gets to be an old man, I might get a puppy. That is a good idea. Pets grieve I learned. When my husband was dying from cancer Auggie knew how sick he was. He was so gentle with him. When he died he kept pulling out pieces of his clothing and hiding them. He knew. This darn dog keeps me on track and sane. Us dog lovers are our own special breed. Have a blessed day, and hug your furry one from me..

Lou said...

I'm a cat person, but still I can't imagine someone leaving a dog like that. I wish there were no pet stores or breeders, until all the dogs/cats at the shelter got adopted.

Lori said...

Lou- God, that makes too much sense for it to ever happen. You know how innate greed works. Sometimes I think that could almost apply to children. There are so many homeless, needy infants, children etc...I was adopted when I was 4 months old. To dream the impossible dream....ah...maybe I shall break out in song..NOT!!! Have a great day.

the walking man said...

I ain't no kind of "softie" Lori...but yes she does wander round the house with me.

Lori said...

Mark,

I have found being a dog owner that all our dogs want from us, is to be loved, please us, and be by our side. Wish people were more like that. The world would be a better place. Yeah, I am a dreamer.

Rachel said...

Hi Lori,
I came across your blog from a post you left on Lou's page and am so glad I did. My husband and I were just talking about this topic the other night. We have two dogs and they are a part of our family. We also have to kids who LOVE our dogs, climb all over them, and love them to pieces. It makes me so sad people think animals are disposable. In a word.....Bullshit. The amazing Ghandi once said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." If that is the case, we're in trouble.

Lori said...

Rachel,

Nice to meet you. That's a great quote. We are in trouble. Our dog is just like any other member of the family. I couldn't imagine him being hurt or in pain, just like one of my kids. Sadly, it seems that everything these days is becoming "disposable". Not a good sign of things to come....