“The only
creatures that are evolved enough to convey pure love are dogs and infants.”
Johnny Depp
In July of 2014, a friend of mine in Canada sent
me some information on an animal shelter in Roswell, New Mexico, where "the police have now taken over the
animal shelter and every day at 8 am, they are randomly selecting 6 or 8 dogs
to kill, Because they can. Not because they are sick, or old,, or anything..no
criteria, puppies,"
In October of
2014, a friend of mine in southern California posted some photos on my Facebook
timeline of dogs in incredibly poor, starving, sickly conditions being held in
an animal shelter in Brinkley, Arkansas, where "the Conditions in the Shelter are downright disgusting and
inhumane and every animal there is in danger…All of the animal are in dark damp
cages and some don't see the light of day."
In
both cases and many others, these situations are deplorable and unacceptable.
“Dogs have
given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the
focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It
is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made. ” Roger Caras
According
to the APPA, there are about 80 million dogs owned in the United States, with
somewhere between 37% and 47% of all households with a dog.
“The average
dog is a nicer person than the average person.” Andy Rooney
There
are some 13,000 independent animal shelters nationwide with no national
organization monitoring them.
Approximately
4 million dogs are interned into animal shelters nationwide every year. Only
about 10% of those received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. About 26%
of those turned in are returned to their owner -- 35% are adopted and 31% are
euthanized,
“If a dog
will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home
and examine your conscience.” Woodrow Wilson
I
have had many dogs in my life -- Shadow, BlueJean, Clipper, Blackjack, Bummer,
Scout, Poco Loco, Gypsy, Hobo.
“Once you
have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished.” Dean
Koontz
My
current dogs are Buddy Lee and Donner. I rescued Buddy Lee from the animal
shelter in Horseshoe Bend in 2005 when he was 4 years old. He likes to sit on
my front stoop and eyeball the driveway for incoming vehicles. Donner was
rescued by my Nephew a couple of years ago but he was unable to keep him when
he moved back to Colorado, so I took Donner in and have zero plans to part with
him. Donner likes to wander off on his own and explore, and take long naps when
he returns back to home base.
“Dogs feel
very strongly that they should always go with you in the car, in case the need
should arise for them to bark violently at nothing right in your ear." Dave
Barry
It
breaks my heart when dogs, or any animals, are neglected or mistreated. A dog's
mission in life is to please their human companion. They give unconditional
love and deserve our devoted care in return.
“For people
with patience, time with a dog is a little slice of heaven.” J.J. Brown
I salute all of those who give of their time and
energy rescuing animals -- you help to make this world a better place.
“If I could
be half the person my dog is, I'd be twice the human I am.” Charles Yu
Always remember -- dogs are people too.
___________
Quote for the Day -- "The greatness of a
nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mahatma Gandhi
___________
Bret Burquest is the author of 10 books. He
lives in the Ozark Mountains with a couple of dogs and sweet memories of dogs
gone by.
___________
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