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The Gimp

Journal dexterpexter's Journal: The one with the waggely tail... 11

Journal by dexterpexter

I visited the animal shelter today, hoping to come home with a new companion.

Instead I came home crying.

I am not someone who easily shows those emotions, but I honestly broke down there in front of the shelter staff. To see a terrified dog (more precisely, many dogs) crouching in the back of his kennel (admittedly fairly nice kennels), abandoned there because his owners "put in new carpet" or "the old dog didn't get along with the new dog/cat/child," I was angry beyond words.

Those pleading barks, asking for nothing more than some pats on the head in exchange for unconditional love...

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The one with the waggely tail... More

The one with the waggely tail...

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  • I have to agree with you in that animal shelters are one of the saddest places I can think of. I hate them with a passion and resist any and all attempts to go to them. That said, we adopted our cat from a shelter and it was honestly, one of the best things that I've ever done. I did not want a cat.... My wife wanted a cat and I wanted to make her happy, so I went down to the shelter and was struck by this little 7 week old kitten and I knew instantly that I had found our pet. The funny thing about him

    • I don't hate the shelters when they are well-ran, as the one that I visited appeared to be. I hate that they are necessary.

      In this shelter, there was one dog to each kennel (and luckily plenty of empty kennels for more arrivals) and they had very nice beds for the dogs. Still, being alone in a cage with a bunch of strange dogs around you can't be the happiest feeling in the world, especially on that second day when the dog's family doesn't return the way that he expects them to.

      Adopted animals rock, thoug
  • the old dog didn't get along with the new dog/cat/child

    I can understand if the old dog does not get along with a child. That scenario makes sense to me, though I would hope there would be some effort to find a better place for the family pet than dumping it off at a shelter. Otherwise, though, it would be akin to abandoning a family member.


    • The scenario makes sense and I can certainly understand this as well. My parents' dog wanted nothing more than to kill me out of jealousy when I was born, and I wouldn't expect anyone to endanger a baby, or to torture a poor dog by forcing them to live with an unusually cruel child.

      That said, I cringe when I hear new couples talking about getting a dog in the meantime until they have children, or "to bring [them] closer together." In this case, the dog is sometimes a hold-over plan until the bun comes ou
  • I ended up with the saddest looking one the last time I visited. Took about a week before she warmed up to us enough to bark... now she's a guard dog that simply won't shut up ;)

    This is why I encourage people to get their pets from the SPCA instead of forking over money to a breeder. They are free, already spayed or neutered, and usually already have their latest checkup done.
    • Comment removed based on user account deletion
      • Absolutely. The hardest thing to do is go to the shelter and not come home with every single one. We've gotten three dogs from the shelter and they have all been amazing. Dogs know when they have been rescued, and they will show their thanks with unconditional love. One of the greatest things in the world is to come home to a happy dog. No matter how great your spouse and kids are, no matter how much love you share, there will be days were your return is more "meh" than "whoopee!" Not with dogs. Ever

        • I didn't get one, not just because I was a bit upset, but also because I knew that of the dogs there that didn't already have several applications, we would not pair up nicely despite my heart telling me to take them all home.

          I actually went there looking for one particular dog, which I guess was adopted out before I arrived. That is why I was walking through the kennels, looking at the other dogs.

          I will keep looking; every time I have contacted someone about a dog, I have been too late. This is a good s

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Abm0raz ( 668337 ) *
      The one thing that people need to be prepared for when adopting from the pound/SPCA is the cost. Plan on spending up to $400 to adopt. Between supplies (food, dishes, leashes, toys, collars, etc...) and vet visits (shots, fixing...) it is an investment. Most dogs in the pound/SPCA will have some sort of infection or illness when you get them just because of the conditions. that many strays in such a confined area is a breeding ground for doggie plagues.

      -Ab

      ps. I'm getting a puppy in the next 2 weeks. I'
  • I guess I feel "left out of the club" because I never had a pet of any kind (unless you earth count worms in a bucket).


    • Not left out of the club at all. Not everyone needs or should have a dog (or a cat or a horse or a snake...), and certainly not everyone wants one. :)

      I just have my heart set on getting a little fellow; since Fat Dog has passed away, I think it would be a good idea to get a companion for my other dog.

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