i don't know if it's the time of year or what, but it seems like there are many more dogs being surrendered right now than there are being adopted.
this is chance, an owner surrender. chance is a youngfemale, loves people, dogs and children. she is a gorgeous lab/pit mix. chance is adoptable and has been waiting on her forever family for over a year.
when I arrived at the shelter yesterday my first sight was a white van with a man pulling (and I mean dragging) four frightened, helpless puppies out of the back. the pups were about 5 months old so at least big enough to fight what was ultimately the inevitable- they were being surrendered by their owner, their person, their caretaker. and it didn't take a rocket scientist to know that these pups were scared to death and wanted no part of what was happening. they sensed exactly where they were going, and even worse, that the person who claimed to love them and whom they loved so much, was ABANDONING them. my heart broke a thousand times as I watched the four pups dragged in, clinging to the ground, looking up at their master as if to say "WHY? WHAT DID WE DO WRONG?"
the man saw me staring and yelled out that they were good pups, trained, socialized, and in his own words "just wanting to be loved"....well kind sir I thought 'why the heck are you dumping them here then, to be alone and terrified and certainly not getting that "love" they so enjoy'?
about an hour later a truck pulled up with a gorgeous brindle pitbull in the back. two young men tended to the while the older man went in to fill out the paperwork. i knew immediately tell me this is going to be another dumped dog, who was once loved but now...discarded like trash.
for me the holidays are a time to embrace and be grateful for all that you have, and in my house that includes both 2 legged and 4 legged family. my home wouldn't be the same- celebrating, praying and giving gratitude would mean nothing without ALL OF US.
to watch these loving beings ripped from the familiar and put into cages is a truly gut wrenching thing to watch. i am not sure what the holidays mean to others, but thought that they mean a "pass" to dump your dog is beyond me in so many ways.
unfortunately, I fear this trend is continuing and the dogs that are dumped will far outweigh the dogs we can adopt out. And we all know what that means. Death. to many many wonderful, adoptable dogs, with hope in their eyes and memories of thier past families in their hearts.
on a positive note, many people DO want animals as the holidays come around, as gifts as and as new beginnings. so, i beg of you all to cconsider adopting this year. and if there's anyone on your list who wants or needs (and who doesnt really?) a forever companion and lifelong friend, visit a shelter and make somone's dreams come true.
this is dexter (formerly axel), dumped by his family, likely for being deaf, dexter finally found his forever home and looks like he's pretty happy about all the newfound love he's getting. and his owner seems pretty happy too! what an amazing story!
sweet, sweet queen was also dumped by her owner though i for the life of me can't see how anyone could NOT want this beautiful, sweet and oh so gentle dog. queen is currently in boarding and is adoptable.
this poor owner surrender, sunshine, is an older dog, which makes it even harder - both for her in terms of stress, and for those of us trying to adopt her out. sunshine is a gorgeous dog and would make a wonderful addition to any home. she is adoptable through FCAC.
if you are interested in helping or adopting any of the dogs in this posting, please contact me. God bless you and yours this Holiday season.
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