My family brought me home cradled in their arms.
They cuddled me and smiled at me and said I was full of charm.
They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys.
I sure do love my family, especially the girls and boys.
The children loved to feed me, they gave me special treats.
They even let me sleep with them -- all snuggled in the sheets.
I used to go for walks, often several times a day.
They even fought to hold the leash, I'm very proud to say.
These are the things I'll not forget -- a cherished memory,
because I now live in the shelter without my family.
They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe.
But I didn't know the difference between the old ones and the new.
The kids and I would grab a rag, for hours we would tug.
So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug.
They said that I was out of control, and would have to live outside.
This I did not understand, although I tried and tried.
The walks stopped, one by one; they said they hadn't time.
I wish that I could change things, I wish I knew my crime.
My life became so lonely, in the backyard, on a chain.
I barked and barked, all day long, just to keep from going insane.
So they brought me to the shelter, but were embarassed to say why.
They said I caused an allergy, then they each kissed me goodbye.
If I'd only had some classes, when I was just a little pup,
then I would have been a better dog when I was all grown up.
"You only have one day left." I heard the worker say.
Does that mean I have a second chance? DO I GO HOME TODAY?
-- Sandi Thompson
Please Don't do this to your pet, find a better solution first. Giving up a pet because they misbehave is like giving up a child for the same reason. Pets do have feelings, and they do love you, don't abandon them assuming someone else will take care of them, there aren't enough someones in the world to care for all your discarded dogs and cats. If you really can't handle the way your pet acts, please contact a local trainer or ask you veterinarian or local humane society to help you.
Please, if you must have a dog of a specific breed, find a reputable breeder or breed rescue organization, please do not purchase your pet from a puppy mill, backyard breeder, or pet store. If you can't tell the differences, a brief definition of each is below:
Reputable Breeder: Someone who breeds only one breed of dog, has a maximum of two litters per year. This person also shows the dogs they own in kennel club competitions, or in hunting or field trial competitions of some kind. When you buy your pet you should receive papers certifying it's health, that all it's shots have been given, and asking you to contact them first if you have problems with your pet.
Breed Rescue: There are many organizations throughout the US that rescue specific breeds of dogs, these dogs may be unclaimed strays, or left for other reasons, they are not inferior to puppies, they are simply homeless, it is not their fault. The web is a good resource to find these organizations as is your local humane society. These organizations also need people to volunteer to be foster parents for lonely pets.
Puppy Mill: You will generally find a large number of breeds of dogs. Dogs are kept in unsanitary conditions. Adult dogs are generally unfriendly and shy of humans. Dogs may be kept in a variety of different cages, one I visited out of curiousity kept the dogs in old mink cages. Dogs are often overpriced, with poor genetics, no health certification, and no gaurantee at all, they are unconcerned with what you do what you do with the animal once you pay for it.
Backyard Breeder: Maybe in any home from a farm to a city. These people either bred their dog to profit from it, or for some ridiculous excuse such as they thought it would be a good thing for the children to experience, or maybe the dog just got pregnant accidently. These breeders offer no health certification for their puppies, puppies may also have poor genetics and poor health. There is also no guarantee on this kind of pet purchase.
Pet Store: Very often supplied by Puppy Mills, puppies are handled very little, are highly overpriced, offer no health certifications or guarantees.
If you purchase a pet from one of these sources you are perpetuating a problem. You are not "rescuing" an animal from poor conditions, you are only giving these same people who are mistreating animals the money and suggestion to continue their practices. If you think these animals need to be rescued, please contact your local Humane Society, they are much better at rescuing abused animals.
If you are unconcerned with the breed of dog you have, or are looking for a cat or other pet, please visit your local humane society. They have many many pets there that need homes very badly, especially those in shelters that cannot afford to keep them for long periods of time, these animals are eventually put to sleep in most shelters. These shelters need your support by adopting animals into your home, or by donating funds to these organizations so these pets don't have to die needlessly. Pets living in shelters are inferior, they are not badly behaved, they are simply unwanted because some person didn't wish to take the time to care for them and work with them to be the best they can be.
And please remember, unless you plan to become a reputable breeder yourself and register and show with a kennel club, please have your pet spayed. We don't need more animals that don't have homes. Also, please tattoo or microchip your pet and keep a collar on them at all times. This will insure that if your pet accidently gets away from you, you have an increased chance of them coming home again.
Below are some helpful links for finding pets and caring for them
Wisconsin Humane Society - Milwaukee, WI
Kitty Village - Atlanta, GA
American Pet Association
Hugs for Homeless Animals
Tatoo-A-Pet, Pet Protection and Recovery Network
Animals In Need Of Homes
Dog.com
Pets Missing In Action
Dog Owner's Guide
ASCPA - American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
American Humane Association
Purina Foods
American Kennel Club (AKC)