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Who couldn't love this face? She's so sweet and earnest and so very simple in her needs. All she needs is a warm, soft place to sleep, yummy food and the occasional treat, some tummy scratches, a few tosses of the orange squeaky ball, and a few trips outside each day. Oh, and someone to love her. I like to think that I've done a pretty good job. I've certainly tried my best to do right by her because that's what I signed up for when I got a dog.
I understand that dogs aren't children. I understand that some people think I coddle my dog or that dogs don't need as much of our time and attention as kids do. I know some people think it's ok to leave dogs outside as long as they have some shelter and are given food and water.
But I also know that dogs are sweet, loving, living creatures and they have needs. People who aren't willing or prepared to meet those needs have no business having a dog. If you don't have time to see your dog for up to 14 hours a day, if you aren't able to pay for someone to come take the dog for a walk, or if you aren't thoughtful enough to see if maybe your neighbor can check on the dog for you, then don't have a dog.
Every dog deserves a safe home with loving people who can meet that dog's needs. It infuriates me to see a dog not receiving the care and treatment it deserves. I hate being put in the position of having to go to bed knowing there is a sad, neglected dog next door and having to feel like I'd be committing a crime if I took the poor thing into my home for the night. I don't appreciate having to ponder taking actions that would permanently damage a relationship with a neighbor.
If you can't take better care of your dog, do the right thing and find the dog a new home. At this point, Maddie and I would gladly step up.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
2 comments:
Completely agree. I find that most folks say "well she's a bad dog! She destroys the house if we let her in!" Yeah, I know, and that's still your damn fault.
TRAINING.
It is very similar to children in a lot of ways (though I wish I could crate my kids and leave the house for an hour, let me tell you!). And if you don't put in the time to discipline and teach your dog, just like with kids, you will have bad dogs.
If you want a dog, be prepared to work with your dog. And it's ongoing. My sis is a foster family for dogs (something you could look into) and she gets so many GOOD DOGS that are turned in for chewing or what not because their owners aren't willing to work with them.
You know what else is frustrating? That I can't just go to most shelters and pick up one of those dogs because I can't come home at lunch or because I don't have a fence or any number of other silly reasons.
Of all people in the world who should not be rejected as a dog mom, I'm pretty sure I have proven my worth.
Off topic, but it just irks me the way some rescue groups and shelters get so self-righteous about what is a worthy home for a dog that they consider me unfit.
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