Dogs – a tribute and a warning
I feel that a tribute to dogs is due here. If only because as I was patting my 12 year old Labrador cross who’s been steadfastly at my side for all those years, I realized that he had put up with so much of me and despite all my failings, still thinks the world of me and has never failed to brighten my day no matter how bad it’s been. Now was that long enough statement? It’s no wonder that they are man’s best friend. Happiness is hugging a warm furry puppy and equally lovely wet kisses!
Which I guess is why I feel so incensed when I see dogs that are brought into the vet surgery who have been found by some well-meaning stranger because they’ve found them wandering aimlessly on the roadside. Imagine the confusion, the bewilderment, the sense of betrayal! Obviously their previous owner had decided that they couldn’t care for the dog anymore and just dumped the poor thing on the side of the road. It’s no wonder that pound dogs have so much ‘baggage’. Some are frightened to death of men who have obviously abused them in their past lives. Others are petrified of car rides because their last ride was the one that ended up with the dumping on the side of the road. Still others will follow you around the house and won’t allow you to leave their sight for fear of ‘losing you’ again…
So my warning to all pet owners who are well-meaning and want to take in a pound dog is that they need a lot more care and loving than most puppies that you get straight from the breeders. That’s not to say that they won’t make wonderful pets – and they do, but you just need to be prepared for the long haul. There’s nothing worse than a pound dog who’s been adopted with the best of intentions only to be returned a week later because it was destroying furniture when left on its own (a trait common in dogs with separation anxiety). One dumping is bad enough, twice is doubly worse.
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