These times are hard due to the economy and it can be even more difficult when you may have to give up your best friend because someone in your household has lost their job or your house is in forclosure.
There are many reasons why someone may have to give up their pet, and in any situation it can be devistating. Many of you may have faced this delima yourselves or know someone who has, and they were able to keep their pet.
So many of the animals that have recently arrived at the shelter have come in because people did not know of any alternative to keeping their pets.
Do you have any ideas or suggestions? If so please share them with us.
Who knows your ideas may help keep a pet in their home.
The Last Kennel
This is my little girl Phoebe, I adopted Phoebe back in late October, 2008. My girlfriend had been hounding me about finding a dog that could keep me company while working out of town. So one sunny afternoon we took a stroll through the local animal shelter, if you've ever been to an animal shelter you know that it's a sad sight to walk up and down the isles and have to stare the dogs in the eyes knowing that you may be their last chance at a decent life.
Some dogs bark and jump on the doors, some dogs cry and lay cuddled within themselves in the back corner of the cages, some of the dogs you can tell will never have a chance. As we were nearing the final row at the shelter I hadn't seen any particular mutt that caught my eye enough to trigger the emotion that would potentially save any one dogs life or at least offer it a better life. Low and behold as we approached the last kennel on the right I peered into the back corner of the cage and small mangy white fur ball was nestled up in the back corner. She didn't bark, she didn't cry, she just lifted her head and returned the deep stare that I had given her. With her ears laid back and her tail tucked between her legs she slowly approached the cage door. I presented my hand to the door and proceeded to sniff the cold metal fencing that separated us only trying to get a small glimpse of her future. She was being housed with two other dogs, an old weenie dog and a small cocker spaniel, the papers that the kennel had for her stated that she was terrier mix and nearly two years old. You could tell that the other two dogs in the cage weren't letting her eat as they bullied her around and pushed her to the side simply to get my attention. She turned and went back to her corner and laid back down closing her eyes as though she wished she were somewhere else. I had my doubts and didn't really want to adopt a dog, but I did. I took her out of the cage to an area out back to see if she would warm up to me. She didn't know what to do, she just stood there like a deer in headlights.
I made the commitment and signed the adoption papers and took the little girl home with me. For the first few weeks she didn't really do anything but lay around my apartment and sleep, she ate only when I was there to feed her. We went on walks and she slowly started to gain my trust. It's been a little over five months now and she's the best thing that ever happened to me. We go everywhere together, to the park, to a friend's house for dinner, to the store for milk. She's there everyday when I get home and all she wants to do is love me for coming home to see her. I leave the curtains open over looking where I park my truck and everyday when I get home I look into the window and there she is, waiting for me and smiling. As I enter the door she spins around like top out of control with excitement, then falls to her side and with legs in the air begs me to rub her belly. She's healthy now and loves her new life. I couldn't have asked for a better dog, she's house broken, I don't have to walk her on leash and she listens to every word I tell her almost as if she wants to speak back to me. That's the best part, you can tell her anything and she'll listen, sometimes tilting her head back and fourth as if she's puzzled by what you're saying and she can't tell anyone. She doesn't care about finances or the economy, all she cares about is me.
I truly believe that a dog saved from the pound understands that you saved their life and is grateful for what you did. You here stories and probably know someone who bought a dog from a store and paid some ridiculous price that's nowhere near reasonable. I just wish people would take the time to visit the local shelters and at least take a small glimpse at what could be a part of there future. Maybe this brief story will inspire one person to save a puppies life vs. over paying for one that most likely will not appreciate what you've done for it. I promise you that if you take the chance like I did and even though you may not want to adopt a dog, it could be the best thing that ever happened to you. My suggestions would be to go to the local shelter and look each and every dog or puppy in the eyes and see what their response is to you, I know there is one that will love you. Just take a chance.
Sincerely,
Peyton Woody
Posted by Peyton Woody, 04/17/2009 6:32am (3 years ago)