Monday, October 20, 2014

Dogs Among Us



“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.
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Quote for the Day -- "The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mahatma Gandhi
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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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