I love animals, especially our pets. Our dogs, cats, hamsters, parrots, I love them all. I wouldn't have started this blog if I didn't. There are so many folks out there who have pets -- and my first reaction is, "good for you" -- but they don't take care of them or protect them or hug them or, yeah it's important, get them spayed or neutered.
I know that I'm preaching to the choir here but in case someone else accidentally stumbles by...
SACRAMENTO – Saying he made a mistake months ago that would have made it easier for shelters to kill stray dogs and cats, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Friday he has reinstated the state's six-day waiting period before lost animals could be killed.As part of his budget proposal that was first drafted in December, the governor had asked the Legislature to repeal a 1998 law that requires the shelters to hold animals up to six days before destroying them. The governor wanted to save money bu cutting the waiting period in half.
But after a nationwide storm of protest, the governor hastily organized a press conference outside his Capitol office and told reporters of his error.
Many of the dogs running loose that are picked up are actually someone's pet. They got away, got picked-up by the "dog-catcher" and their uncaring owners don't give a rat's-butt. And they (the poor dogs) will be killed quickly by the state.
But some of them simply "slipped away" and got lost. It can take time for the owner to locate them. Six days simply isn't enough to allow for the owner to call a state animal shelter. Well, it should be, but it isn't.
We would never treat humans this way. I'm thankful that Arnold finally backed down from his "quick-kill" policy.
But this brings up OUR -- as in us pet owners -- responsibility: We need to, firstly, get our good dog friends fixed, as it were, and secondly, take some control over their movements. They shouldn't be running around loose in the streets where some animal control officer will scoop them up and take them to the death-house.
If you don't care what happens to your dog then you shouldn't be allowed to adopt one. If you don't care that these poor strays are being put to death at the rate of 400,000 thousand each year just in California, then you shouldn't even be allowed to pet one.
You wouldn't allow your kids to run free, would you? Aren't your dear dogs (and cats) worthy and deserving of the same attention?
Damnit! I don't mean to rant here on my "nice blog" but I get so frustrated by all the un-cared for dogs and cats running around. If folks would just get them "fixed" that would eliminate most of the problem. If they would just give a crap about their health and well-being and especially their where-abouts, that would eliminate the rest...
Truth in blogging: Years ago, I let my cats out on a very busy street. I'm thankful, now that I know better, that they all survived. Now, even in "rural Vermont" I don't let them out of the house. I just couldn't stand the thought of coming home and finding one laying dead at the side of the road. I just can't do it and all of my cats have adjusted to this. Except for Rainbow, who used to roam free about (Ghod, can you believe it!) 20 years ago as a kitten, none of them even try to leave our little NEST.
Again, I'm sure that any of you visiting this "pet friendly blog" agree with me but please implore your friends and neighbors to somehow follow the same precautions. You LOVE the way your cats wind their way around your ankles and rug their forheads against yours. You love your loyal dog riding with you, and when you park your truck to run into the store, your good dog hops into your driver's seat and waits so patiently for you to return.
Don't allow them (your pet friends) to wander around and get "caught" by animal-control officers. They could wind up sitting in a cold-cage, alone and scared, and then put to death because after only six days, they were (apparently) un-wanted.
Lastly, it's the weekend and I think you should all stop doing your busy weekend things and just give a big hug and smooch to your dear pets. Just spend some time with them today and Sunday and just play with them and stroke them and let them know that they are the most important , wonderful beings in your private universe... Kiss them, talk to them, PLAY with them. Let them know that you consider them equal members of your family and you love them and you promise to take care of them and protect them for all of their lives. Trust me, you'll feel really good about it afterwards. And if they jump up on your bed tonight, don't push them off. Wrap your arm around them and give a small prayer of thanks to God that he provided us with these loving, wonderful friends.