Earlier this week the news reported on an animal abuse case. I refused to listen to the newscast and avoided the newspaper stories. Not that I wish to remain ignorant to animal abuse cases, but I just knew my heart couldn’t take hearing about what happened to the pups.
Sometimes the stories have happy endings. Even so, I find it so difficult to think of what the animals endured.
(Photo of Jiffy, above, from USA Today)
Another story is (arguably) not so much a case of abuse, although the dog involved did suffer. Thankfully, there is a happy ending. A recent Dogster blog shared the story of Jiffy, and 11 year old border collie who had become so obese, it could barely move. One frigid night in December 2008, he couldn’t get off the sidewalk. His owner called 911 for help, but unfortunately had to leave the dog outside–it had frozen to the sidewalk. That makes me so sad.
But here’s the happy ending. The dog was saved, the owner ticketed and forced to give him up, and now, after more than a year, he has lost weight and is 76 pounds. Still overweight, but much healthier.
It’s hard to hear about animals suffering. But it helps a bit when people step in and do the right thing, when animals are shown love and compassion, and when there are happy endings.
I, too, have to look away and mute the TV when those commercials come on. It hurts so much to see how evil people can be to these helpless animals. I love them so much and if I could, would give many homes. (I have in the past to the point someone said we had a sign in our yard, "Unwanted animals have a home here." But I live in an apartment now, am disabled and waiting for a kidney so I go to the Animal Rescue Site daily and click to at least help.
Thank you Autumn, for helping animals, in whatever way you can. It sounds like many animals have already benefited from your compassion. You'll be in my prayers as you deal with health issues.
Peggy, I, too, have to sometimes take a break from reading the stories of animal abuse because the images stay in my mind. It's heartbreaking to see how cruel and downright evil some people can be. As the woman at the humane society said yesterday, when we adopted our new cat, some people treat their animals as family, others treat them like they would an accessory, like an iPod. We need to remember that they are living, breathing beings with feelings and personalities. If you don't like them, leave them alone. If you can't take care of one, give it up to an animal shelter so it has a chance to have a good home. There is no excuse for animal cruelty.
BTW, I enjoy reading your columns. Good info and insights.
Thank you Donna. And congratulations on your new kitty. You've stepped in to provide a home to this animal, what a loving thing to do. I bet you wish you could have taken them all!
Oh my! That's SUCH a sad story!! Thank goodness for the happy ending.