Fido… Come… Sit
By Yvonne Passmore
http://www.FidoComeSit.com
My husband is working at a housing complex. He’s worked at a few and can tell you horror stories about the conditions that some people live in. Some of these people are content with a lifestyle that would appall most. Sadly, children and animals are often forced to live with these people. These victims have no say in who they live with or how they live.
Recently my husband started a new project, and he is working near the owners of a new puppy. Acquiring a new puppy should be the beginning of a fun and optimistic relationship between man and his ‘best friend’. This puppy, just ready to begin his new life of love and adventure has drawn the short straw. More times than not, this puppy is tied and tangled in the owners’ backyard without adequate shelter and company. His hours spent barking, crying and whining don’t foretell a life of love, adventure, fun or that optimistic future that his littermates are hopefully enjoying.
Many people would say, ‘it’s just a dog’, and that we have other more important things to worry about in life than the happiness of a puppy. Perhaps. However, our society has certain decency standards with regards to providing a proper, rich and loving environment for our pets; some of those standards are law. Most of us take great care and consideration into the type of dog we get and sort out how to manage the daily care for that dog. I hope the smart ones realize that right now may not be the right time, and just because we can doesn’t mean we should. The prevalent mentality of entitlement leaves many victims in its wake, and this puppy is one of them.
I have bred a few litters and have found homes for the puppies from those litters. My family is amazed, flabbergasted, amused and maybe even a little confused about how picky I am about potential puppy homes. I am very picky. I chose to bring those pups into this world and I feel it is my duty to find the best possible homes for them. It means I turn quite a few people away. They aren’t bad people. I’m sure most are lovely, but they did miss something that I feel all puppies need: time for true companionship.
Over the centuries ‘man’ has continued to develop the dog to be dependent on people for all of it’s physical and mental needs. At least I can feel comfortable that none of my puppies are going to be that puppy that drew the short straw. I doubt the puppy’s breeder asked enough questions, and for that, s/he should be ashamed. Shame, too, on the new owners that brought home this puppy without much thought to his life. Thankfully there are organizations that can help, so we are taking notes, taking names and know who to call.