My sister recently adopted a puppy from our local animal shelter and had to stop in to ask a question. I accompanied her. It was awful. BIG mistake. It smelled, and there were sad animals in cages everywhere.
I'm an animal lover from way back. I'm also allergic to just about any kind of fur. I decided as a child that the fates were playing some depraved prank...like they decided, "This child shall love all animals and be miserable, watery, itchy and wheezy every time she comes into contact with one" (cue the heartless deep laughter).
Now I realize that the fates were preparing me for the fact that I would fall in love with a dog hater.
My sister and I left the shelter and immediately contacted our significant others, pleading with them on behalf of the 80 plus puppies, 20 plus adult canines, and who-knows how many cats. We both were ready to be the saviors of at least one of the numerous lost mammal souls.
My sister's beau actually humored her for several days. They even commited to taking a puppy until her beloved decided, the night prior to puppy acquisition, that he wasn't ready for slobbery raucous devil number two. She called me in a fit of tears, sad that the puppy would spend Thanksgiving alone, and riddled with guilt because she had told the shelter she would take him off of their hands and now had to rescind. I consoled her, explained that puppies are the first to get adopted, and assured her that this cute little pup had no idea that the country would be gorging on dead turkeys while he misses out on serious table scraps.
Later that afternoon a much more chipper Spaz left me a voice mail. She convinced our mother to adopt the puppy, and one more dog has been saved.
As for 2x4...he was much smarter than my sister's beau. He actually agreed to go with me to look at the dogs. This left me stupefied. 2x4 does not like dogs. His disdain for the canine population is no secret to anyone who knows him. In response to my amazement that he agreed to seriously consider my doggy proposition he said, "If getting a dog will make you happy, then I will go with you to choose a dog". Sly huh? He made me feel guilty for asking. Immediately he made it obvious that he was willing to sacrifice his own comfort for my happiness.
DAMN he's good.
Needless to say, we didn't adopt a dog. Nor did we look at the poor homeless miserable mutts or felines residing in my local animal shelter. I don't think I could go back there without a being on a well defined mission to save an animal soul by accepting it into the family. If I was capable, I'd save them all. For that matter, I'd save all of the poor souls the world over (human and otherwise), the oppressed, the victimized, the poverty stricken, the sick...but I can't.
That's a tough pill to swallow. Maybe Magoo will find a good home. Let's just assume he did, on a farm owned by animal loving happy people, with lots of room to run. Yeah, that's what happened.
Luckily, this particular shelter is a no kill shelter. That's why they have so many animals. The kill shelters bring in the ones that are on death row.
Nice huh? Seriously, I'm sure Magoo has a home. For real.
*Why is coming up with a witty title so difficult for me?
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10 comments:
First of all, I'm not a dog HATER. I'm not a dog LOVER, but I'm not a dog hater, either.
Secondly, I certainly understand how one could feel so torn over wanting to save all the poor orphan dogs and cats of the world, while knowing that it's not really possible. I have a tremendous amount of empathy for animal lovers. I just don't seem to be one (cats excepted). I don't think that makes me a bad person. Hitler was said to be very good with dogs. That didn't make him a nice person, either.
I wasn't logged in and my comment went *poof*. :(
I'm not a dog lover, but definitely not a hater. I'm all for getting them from a shelter too. I'm hoping magoo finds a great home. :)
Come on 2x4, you sure had some strong words to share when I was thinking of adopting a dog. In fact, I think your exact words were:
No. Resist the temptation to get a dog. You'll thank me in the long run. They are evil. Every. Last. One.
Admit it. You're a hater. And no, it doesn't make you a bad person.
I can't go to those shelters without either leaving in tears without an animal or dragging one home with me. All those little faces staring out at me. Can't bear it.
I WAS QUOTED OUT OF CONTEXT! Damn liberal Canadian media.
I'm sure Magoo was adopted by a nice young couple who couldn't have children of their own and will shower all of his days with love and affection. Not to mention raw meat for dinner. ;)
We saved our cat from a shelter and she's the greatest thing ever (I didn't even like cats before we got her). I once heard someone say that when you rescue an animal from homelessness, they are eternally grateful.
Your heart is so in the right place!
I am a dog lover and refuse to enter a shelter because I would come home with three. My best friend is adopting a pooch once she moves into her new home, so I can't wait to be a new "aunt." :)
I think that any animal a person likes, even if it is a lizard, is a good person. :)
2x4-Whatever. You dog hater. The Hitler example is old and tired, let it go.
Shpprgrl-He did. On a farm. with vegetarian animal lovers who have introduced him to the world of soy protein. He loves it and has never been happier. I live next door in imaginary town, where everything is only as good as your imagination will allow it to be.
Mel-I KNOW! Isn't it just awful? I was considering volunteering until 2x4 was kind enough to point out that my free time is, well, nonexistant.
Steph-Oh! The cats! there were so many! One even stuck his poor sad little paw out when I stopped petting him, pleading for me to take him home. 2x4 almost got his wish for a cat that day.
Thursday-Yes, I now get to visit my mom's new pup whenever I want. I agree that animals have a keen sense of who's good, and who's not so much.
I can't go to animal shelters, or pet stores or anything like that b/c I get way. too. upset. It's too hard to see them all and know that no matter my good intentions, I simply cannot save them all.
=-(
I enjoyed this post. I myself am an animal lover and would love to save them all. Just the other day my beau and I made the stupid mistake of going to a shelter "just for fun!" and of course fell in love with a 9 month old mutt named Baldwin. We debated it for days, but eventually just decided to assume that he was adopted by a family who lived on a ranch. *sigh*
Want to see my blog? go to www.blindedmemory.blogspot.com
I can't handle animal shelters.
At all.
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