Letters to the Editor
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A letter about letters.
Holy cr*p, look at the volume here. Heather, when you tone down the snark a few notches, you're quite insightful. May I suggest: less snark and more insight in your tuber columns.
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Been there
About 7 years ago, my husband and I decided our lives were settled enough that we could have a dog. We weren't living in apartments any more. Our work hours were steady instead of crazy and unpredictable. We had a large yard. And our son was still a toddler, but no longer a baby. It was, finally, time.
Being a dog-loving sort, I wouldn't think of breeders or pet shops. My son and I started a weekly habit of visting the local shelter, looking for a good fit for our family. Maybe a year of this. Once, we almost adopted a dog named Cookie, a few years old, about 45 pounds, patiently and happily hanging out with my son in the shelter's yard. Unfortunately, someone walked by with a cat, Cookie went crazy, and she bit my son. Sadly, we were back to the search.
On a Saturday visit to an animal rescue event, the three of us fell shockingly in love with a mutt named Ozzie. We weren't expecting to adopt that day- but here was the perfect dog for our family. Perfect size, temperment, everything.
We filled out an application and interviewed with the rescue people. Who ultimately judged that we were probably unfit to be dog owners. They had a problem with the fact that we both worked 40 hours a week (!), and didn't approve of my answer to the question, "Where will the dog sleep?". I answered, where does the dog want to sleep? I mean, that's sort of how sleeping arrangements were determined when I brought my BABY home, for god's sake. I figured the dog probably had its own personality and needs, and we'd figure it out together.
The rescue people begrudgingly offered to come to our home with the dog, and MAYBE, just maybe, they'd decide to leave him with us. We said, thanks but no thanks, and walked out of there insulted, hurt, and depressed that we weren't bringing Ozzie home.
We later adopted a wonderful dog from a friend of a friend who was moving into a no pets situation. He's laying next to me now. He's wonderful, we love him to death. He's been with us for 5 years.
When he leaves us (he's not young), the last thing I'll do is subject myself to nazi interrogations by pet rescuers.
If I were Ellen, I'd be losing it, too. Just the sheer injustice and stupidity would tear me apart.
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happens at kill shelters too
There's an article in the local paper this morning (Memphis Commercial Appeal) about how Memphis Animal Services, which kills on average 32 animals a day, obstructs people who want to adopt animals. One woman quoted in the article was trying to adopt a dog, and they slammed the door in her face and euthanized it with her standing there.
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some sympathy for Ellen, not much for this writer
"I thought she was expressing anger and frustration at people who preferred to enforce their rigid policies in a situation that clearly called for flexibility and compassion."
Hmm...compassion. For the people who want pets, not quite as much for the animals themselves. The big reason most abused animals get abused is not because they are being bought or adopted by dog fighters or other people who deliberately want to harm animals. It's because people who love the pet are forced to give it up (they move, they have a child, they develop or discover an allergy), and then pass it off to their friend who they "know" will give it a good home. This may happen a couple more times, until the pet is starving outside in a cold shed. Everybody got what they wanted out of the pet, and no one's conscience was pained. Pet shelters are understandably frustrated by this, however, because they pet they rescued, brought back to health, neutered and then give away to an enthusiastic owner a year ago could now appear back in the shelter, barely alive. If you want to see "self-righteous", witness some of the pet owners who have written letters, who demand the right to do what they want with their pet.
Ellen had a much better attitude--she admitted that she was in the wrong, but asked for a reconsideration of her particular case (Ellen didn't seem "angry" to me). And yet she wasn't shedding tears for the pet. The tears were for the little girl who wants that pet and no other. Fortunately there are people for whom pet adoption is not all about the humans.
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Dog Bullies
If I were trying to find a new home for one of my personal pets, you can bet I'd be picky as hell and require certain criteria be met. Not just anyone would get one of MY dogs (not that I'd ever give them up, but that's neither here nor there). Trouble is, I only have 3. I can be picky.
I don't understand the rationale to impose so many restrictions for potential adoptees when they have HUNDREDS of dogs needing homes, and more arriving daily. You'd think that finding a decent home (one that would provide food, love, shelter, and human interaction) would be better than the dog (or cat) sitting in a cage for days or months or even years on end.
I do think it's ridiculous that these rescues would try to adopt out older, sickly pets. I currently own an older, sickly pet. And while I don't mind caring for her issues (I've had her since she was a puppy) and cleaning up after her accidents, who in their right mind would adopt a dog they don't know who is going to require eye drops, insulin injections, and expensive dialysis treatments?? Clearly if the dog's owner isn't willing to do it, not many strangers will. Some pets should be humanely euthanized.
I am a responsible pet owner who provides FOREVER homes for my pets. But I'm sure I wouldn't qualify to adopt a pet from these rescue groups. Why? I rent. I have kids. I don't have a fenced yard. I don't have a paystub.
All of my dogs until recently were strays I adopted from friends. But recently I wanted a little dog. After years of waiting for the perfect little dog stray to cross my path, I gave up and bought not one, but two purebred dogs in a small breed I love, rather than subject myself to the scrutiny of these nuts.
And yes, I'm entitled to call these rescuers NUTS. My sister is one of them.