.. daughter fell in love with it
.. son smiled as big as ever, ear to ear
.. can't say no.. as a puppy they adore him
.. he sleeps a lot
.. has puppy breath
.. loves to play
.. he eats a lot, and leaves little puppy piles in the house
.. he pees on the carpet
.. he chews on the couch
.. he chews on the walls
.. he chews on the couch pillows
.. he chases the cats
.. he barks at 3AM
.. the novelty and cuteness wears off
.. this isn't a puppy; it's a chore
What does the family do?
.. it's a purebred
.. should be able to get at least $500 for it
.. no takers
.. we'll drop it to $200
.. no takers
.. we'll drop it to $100
.. no takers
.. free to good home!
.. no takers
They ask friends and family
.. no takers
So, they decide that they'll take a trip to the shelter
.. the SPCA is full
.. animal control is full
.. the Humane Society is full
Now what?
.. cute little puppy
.. became a big problem
.. can't get rid of it
.. we'll set it free out in the woods
Puppy starts to grow
.. sleeps in the dark
.. roams around, and his nose leads him to nearby houses
.. learns to live out of garbage cans
.. learns to dodge cars
.. learns to eat road kill
.. drinks dirty water on the side of the road
.. finds that life in the woods isn't the same as the "home" he was promised
.. misses the family that once loved him
Puppy starts to mature
.. natural urges surface
.. finds a mate
.. has puppies of his own
.. finds another mate
.. and more puppies
.. finds another mate
.. and more puppies
His luck runs out
.. as he's found in the road
.. he was good at dodging cars, but this time he was too slow
.. cars screech
.. people get out to help
.. but it's too late
There are many things that the Humane Society of the Nature Coast does. Yes, it offers a temporary home to those pets that don't have a home. Or, had a home, but aren't welcomed there any more. They educate the public on the importance of spaying and neutering. They try to make folks understand that a pet is a major responsibility, not a novelty item - not something that is disposable on a whim.
They try to be the voice of animals that would otherwise be silent.
If you ask me, they're doing an outstanding job.
I sincerely hope that we win this makeover, so that when the time comes for the next novelty to be thrown over the fence, or left in the woods, there will be room for him. He'll be given the chance to find his forever home.
http://www.HumaneRescue.org
-- Bill Pierson, Humane Society Volunteer, blogs@humanerescue.org
