Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Put yourself in their place


It's that time of the year. The time when these frigid temps have me thinking of the poor animals that are forced to stay outside and suffer while their owners stay warm and snug inside.
It'so very cold outside in the midwest right now, and while it's still hard for me to understand why anyone would have a dog and choose to keep them outside, I know that many do. I'll never "get it". Why have one of these wonderful companion animals just to keep them away from the very thing they love most.....human companionship, a family.
Anyway, if you are one of these who keeps your dog isolated and away from you, and chain it up outside, please stop for just a minute and think about what their life must be like, and then think about how very cold it is outside in many areas right now. Please have some sort of Mercy and bring he or she inside, preferably forever, but if you just cannot bring yourself to do that, then bring it in during these very dangerous sub zero temps. It's great to think you can stuff some straw in the doghouse to keep him warm, but even that is not enough. Dogs who are forced to be out in this weather can freeze to death, it's just too cold. Beleive me, I know first hand. My Bastard ex husband would not bring in his dog during a cold spell some years back. He rufused, after my begging him to at least bring the dog in to his laundry room for the night, but out of spite he would not. We were divorced at the time, and my daughter was w/ him for a weekend visit. The next morning I called there early and told my Becky to go out and check to see if her doggie was OK. She put the phone down to go out and see, and w/in a minute I could hear her sobbing, and I knew. My poor sweet 8 year old daughter had discovered her beloved Benji had froze to death. No animal should ever have to endure this and no child should have to see this and know a parent could let this happen and could have prevented it.
PLEASE....is you have animals, please be responsible, and bring them in during the cold weather! If you see a dog being left out, please call the ACO or Humane Society in your area, if you are in an area where the animals have some sort of rights, sadly not all areas do :(

11 comments:

Mad Red Hare said...

I was just thinking about this when I was driving home early this evening. I saw a cat dart across the street and I wondered if it had somewhere warm to go into. On the other hand, my 4 greyhounds have plenty of couches and nice warm blankets! Don't you wish that sometimes people who treat animals cruelly should have the same fate bestowed upon them?

TDIPT Mercantile said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dogpatch Primitives said...

oh, I feel so sorry for any animal that is out in this brutally cold weather, and the cats too. I always hope they can find some kind of shelter. I worry mostly about the dogs, who are chained, and can't get to some kind of shelter. I used to think that people could not be so cruel, but now I know otherwise, and far too often they can be.
Oh yes...I do wish that people who have no regard for others, and are responsible for causing suffering, could trade places, and maybe then they would wake up and "feel"!

I'm so happy to hear that your beautiful greyhounds are warm and have such a good life. They are such a gentle natured animal, aren't they?
Thank you for stopping by...and stay warm :)

LoveThePrimLook said...

I am with you 100%. I have no problem calling and turning someone in for animal abuse of any kind. I firmly believe that one day karma will get them.

Angie

Janelle Willis Hurt said...

GREAT post Patty!
Although Luk Luk's breed is said to be able to endure below zero weather, as many do in Siberia, Alaska and such.....I could NEVER allow him to be an "outside" dog....even here in FL, the temps get cold, and what's the point in having a pet - a companion as you so wonderfully said, if it's going to be left alone with NO companionship....
Janelle

Anonymous said...

Amen my dear friend..... Hugs, MO

GoldieLoo Woodworks said...

Patty I'm getting some weird errors when trying to post, I hope this don't get posted more than once.
That's a sad sad story but all too real. Im sure it happens way too often because too many idiots think they want to own dogs. Hopefully we can keep fighting & get these kind of people educated.
Wet kisses from Goldie & Biscuit. ~~Pam

Jamie Lott said...

AMEN Patty!!

I stalked a neighboor most of the day yesterday knowing it would be around 16 degrees here last night in South Georgia! They are the "keep their dogs on chains" type and I was bound and determine to dognap if necessary. Fortuantely, it wasn't necessary but I am still on patrol!

Briar Rabbit Primitives said...

Well Said, Patty...Well Said! The Pet Abuse site is now full of stories of poor dogs frozen to death, like your Daughter's poor Benji. Still people just don't take the time to have Mercy or Compassion on the animal they chose to give a "home" to. I will never understand or forgive them their cruelty. Until the laws are made stricter on Animal Abuse...and yes, this IS abuse...There sadly is not enough penalty or punishment for their cruelty. Thanks for your post Patty. I could not agree with you more! Hugs, Starla

Jennifer said...

I will never understand someone who lacks compassion for Gods little creatures. Never. It breaks my heart and never ceases to leave me feeling sad and devastated...
Thank you Patty for always being on the side of the animals...
Jen

Kady said...

I'm so glad you posted what you did. I couldn't have said it better. I've been an animal activist for years and it never ceases to amaze me that people still don't "get it". I truly think some of them just don't care. Keep up the good work!

Kady