making a difference
It makes me feel very happy to hear about someone taking time to care about animals and actually try and do something! We live about 20 min. south of Los Angeles. It has been about 40 at night, which is "freezing" for us. I can't imagine what it must be like where you live or if there were, GASP!.......snow! That's the cold white stuff, right?
Keeping "guard dogs" is very common here. I have seen (not in our imediate area) many dogs that are chained and encouraged to look "scary." There are also many who use "these types" of dogs to portray an image of power and/ or virility, etc. The ASPCA and other shelters around here don't take it very seriously as long as the dog is not harming anyone. I have also noticed that there are many people who breed in their yard and sale the dogs.
I cannot even begin to espress how the combination of these situations and the general lack of social concern makes me feel. As we have two, we are constantly asked if we want to breed them. I politely explain that they are both "fixed" and all the shelters are full if they want a dog. Also re: the shelters, they will adopt to ANYONE. In addition, I have been asked by children which one of my dogs is better at fighting and other questions along these lines. The first time it happened (Reznor was about 10 months), a young teenager commented that he looked like he would be "tuff" and wanted to know how he could "get one like that." Also, when Reznor came home as a puppy, the vet warned us to be careful, because she had recently been made aware that puppies (mostly Boxers and Terriers) were being stolen and used as "bait" dogs. Long story short, I do everything I can to help and educate that dogs are not just cool or tough toys that are disposable. I have been laughed at more than once!
Again I commend you on your caring and action to help this guy. Hopefully he will not become emotionally and socially crippled from living his life on the end of a chain. Take care.
It makes me feel very happy to hear about someone taking time to care about animals and actually try and do something! We live about 20 min. south of Los Angeles. It has been about 40 at night, which is "freezing" for us. I can't imagine what it must be like where you live or if there were, GASP!.......snow! That's the cold white stuff, right?
Keeping "guard dogs" is very common here. I have seen (not in our imediate area) many dogs that are chained and encouraged to look "scary." There are also many who use "these types" of dogs to portray an image of power and/ or virility, etc. The ASPCA and other shelters around here don't take it very seriously as long as the dog is not harming anyone. I have also noticed that there are many people who breed in their yard and sale the dogs.
I cannot even begin to espress how the combination of these situations and the general lack of social concern makes me feel. As we have two, we are constantly asked if we want to breed them. I politely explain that they are both "fixed" and all the shelters are full if they want a dog. Also re: the shelters, they will adopt to ANYONE. In addition, I have been asked by children which one of my dogs is better at fighting and other questions along these lines. The first time it happened (Reznor was about 10 months), a young teenager commented that he looked like he would be "tuff" and wanted to know how he could "get one like that." Also, when Reznor came home as a puppy, the vet warned us to be careful, because she had recently been made aware that puppies (mostly Boxers and Terriers) were being stolen and used as "bait" dogs. Long story short, I do everything I can to help and educate that dogs are not just cool or tough toys that are disposable. I have been laughed at more than once!
Again I commend you on your caring and action to help this guy. Hopefully he will not become emotionally and socially crippled from living his life on the end of a chain. Take care.