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Thread: This brought tears to my eyes

  1. #1

    Default This brought tears to my eyes

    INTERVIEW AT THE DOG POUND

    As a journalist, I decided to go to the dog pound, and interview some of the “inmates”. I wanted to know what it was like in there from their perspective. What follows is not for the faint of heart.

    I entered the building, and one of the workers accompanied me to the holding area. This is where dogs are kept before they are allowed up for adoption…IF they are allowed up for adoption. If the dogs are found to be aggressive in any way, euthanasia is employed. Fortunately, if “fortunately” is the word to be used here…this is a Canadian establishment, and they use lethal injection, not a gas chamber.

    The pound worker led me past a big steel door that says “Employees Only”.

    “What is in there?” I asked. From the look he gave me, I knew that this is where some dogs go, and never return.

    We moved on to a row of kennels. The dogs were barking loudly, there was the acrid smell of urine and feces, and a feeling of despair seemed to permeate the room.

    “Go ahead,” the worker said. “They’re all yours.”

    Petey

    I looked into the first kennel, and saw only the back of a medium sized dog who was curled up in the corner of his kennel, shivering. He was mostly white, with some black spots. “Hello?” I said. “May I come in?” He lifted his head, as though it weighed more than he could bear. When he looked at me, I could see he was a Pit Bull. His eyes were gentle, but filled with grief. “Enter,” was all he said.

    I stepped in, closing the gate behind me. He put his head back down, facing away from me. I crouched down a few feet away.

    “My name is Pete. Petey my Master called me,” he said, still not looking at me.

    “Why are you here Pete?” I asked.

    “I am here because Master cannot afford to move to another province. I am here because someone with power said I am vicious, and a killer. Someone who never met me. Master took me for a walk one day, and some lady started to scream when she saw me. I got frightened, and barked at her. The dog police came, and they took me away. I have been with Master for 10 years. The last time I saw him, he just held me and cried. He kept telling me he was sorry. I worry for him. Whatever will he do without me?” Pete shivered even more. A tear slid down my face. I am supposed to remain objective, but this was wrong…so wrong.

    “Thank you Pete.” I said. He said nothing as I got up and left his kennel.

    Popper

    The kennel next to Pete’s held a very young looking dog. Pure Border Collie by my guess. He stood on his hind legs, looking at me through the gate.

    “Hello. My name’s Popper. He tilted his head. “Are you here to take me home?”

    “No, I’m sorry,” I replied. “But I would like to talk with you.” ”Sure. What would you like to talk about?”

    “Popper, how did you come to be in this place?” I asked.

    Popper dropped down from the gate, with a perplexed look on his face. He walked to the back of the kennel, then back to the front. I noticed he had one blue eye, and one brown. He was quite beautiful. His black and white coat was shiny and thick.

    “I am not certain WHY I am here. I think maybe my family will come back for me. They bought me when I was only 6 weeks old. I remember they said how intelligent Border Collies are, and how it would be so easy to train me. They were very excited at first. The little ones played with me all the time. But the trouble is with little Masters, they refuse to stay in a group. I constantly had to nip their heels to keep them together.” He looked confused. “Why won’t they stay in a group?” he sighed. “So I did what I thought I should do. I am not quite sure why the little ones screamed when I did my job, but they did, and the Masters got very angry at me. They also got angry when I had to relieve myself, and did so in the house. I am not sure where they expected me to go. All they said was that I was the smartest breed in the world, and I should just KNOW better. Then they left me in the yard for a month or so. I got bored a lot, and I dug holes in the grass. The next thing I knew, the Masters brought me here.”

    Popper jumped back up on the gate, his white paws protruding through the links. He looked at me with his lovely eyes, and asked “Will you please let them know I want to come home? Please tell them I promise I will be good?”

    “I will Popper,” I said.

    Spartan

    My heart was breaking. I was beginning to regret coming here, but their stories had to be told. I moved along. The next dog I saw looked to be easily 100 lbs., a Rottweiler. He was handsome indeed, except for the scars on his face and back. He tilted his head, and looked me right in the eyes.

    “Hello. Who are you?” he asked.

    “I am a reporter,” I replied. “May I speak with you for a little while?” ”Most certainly. My name is Spartan. You can come in, I won’t bite,” he said.

    “Thank you Spartan. I will.”

    I entered his kennel, reached out and stroked his giant head. He made a loud grumbling noise, and closed his eyes.

    “Spartan, why are you here?”

    Before he could answer my question, he was suddenly in the grip of a nasty coughing spasm. It sounded painful.

    “Please excuse me,” he said when it passed. “Kennel cough. It seems all of us who come in here get it.

    “Why am I here? Well, about two years ago, I was born in the backyard of some person I can’t even recall. I had 11 brothers and sisters. I recall a day when a big man came and gave that person some money, and took me away from my mother. They had to chain her up, as she was very angry that he took me. They chained her and beat her. I came to know the man by the name of Jim. I overheard him telling his friends that I would grow up to be big and mean like my mother. But as I grew older, all I wanted to do was play and be friends with everyone. Jim said I needed to be taught how to be mean, so he chained me up in the yard. No more house for me, he said, I was too spoiled. When people came by to visit, I was so happy to see them. I wanted them to come and play. But that made Jim angry, so he beat me with sticks and chains. When he came near, I would roll onto my back so he would know I wasn’t a bad dog. That made him beat me more.” Spartan’s eyes clouded with grief. “Then he brought me here.”

    I reached out and stroked Spartan’s massive gentle head once more. “I am so sorry Spartan. Some people are just plain evil.” I gave him a kiss and left his kennel. As I walked away, Spartan called out, “What will happen to me, nice lady?”

    I shook my head. “I can’t say Spartan. Maybe someone kind will come and get you. We can only hope.”

    Patsy

    I walked a little further down. I could see a shape moving at the back of the next kennel. “Hello?” I called out. Suddenly the shape lunged at the gate in a fury, barking and gnashing its teeth. I stumbled backwards, and crashed into an adjacent kennel. The other dogs began barking loudly and jumping at their gates.

    “Don’t go near her,” a small female voice came from behind me. “She’s mad.”

    I gathered myself back together, and saw a little brown and white Jack Russell Terrier behind me.

    “Thanks for the warning,” I was still trembling. Across the way, the other dog, apparently a Husky and German Shepherd cross, was glaring at me, lips curled back revealing brown stained teeth. Her ribs and hips showed through her dull, matted grey coat.

    The little dog invited me into her kennel, and I gladly went in.

    “Who are you?”

    “My name is Patsy.” The little brown and white dog held a paw up to the gate in greeting.

    “My owner surrendered me. She said she wanted a cute little dog like the one on the TV show, Frasier. She didn’t bother to look into the type of dog I am.” Pasty heaved a sigh.

    “I suppose she expected me to just lie about and only need a short walk each day, just like Eddie, but my energy was so high that I needed to run and play.” She glanced at her surroundings. “Now I am here. I suppose it could be worse. I could be like…her.” Patsy looked towards the still growling dog across the way.

    “What happened to make her so vicious?” I asked.

    “From what we could gather,” she replied. “she was found tied in a back yard. She only had a three foot chain. Some days there was no water. Rarely was there any food. One day a nice neighbour came by and brought her some meat. By then it was too late. She was already mad. She broke off her chain, and bit the poor man badly. We know she will be going behind the steel door. I am sad to say, I think it will be best. Perhaps then she will know some peace.”

    Just then, the door at the end of the building opened, and a woman stepped inside. All the dogs began to bark wildly, then one by one, they went quiet. I whispered to Patsy, “Who is that? Why have all the dogs gone quiet?”

    Patsy breathed deeply through her little nose, and closed her eyes. “SHE is a Rescuer. Can’t you smell it?” she asked.

    “Smell what?” I was confused.

    “Compassion. Love. Sorrow. It emanates from her pores. She is here for one of us, but nobody knows who just yet.” Patsy looked hopeful.

    The Rescuer moved from kennel to kennel, looking at each dog. I sat quietly watching. I could see tears in her eyes as she made eye contact with each one. She stopped at Spartan’s cage and spoke quietly to him.

    “No more beatings my man. No more. You are coming with me. From here on in, it’s all going to get better.” The Rescuer produced a leash, opened the kennel door, and took Spartan away. As he walked beside her, his little stubby tail wagged with delight.

    Patsy sighed again. I could see the disappointment in her eyes, and it grieved me. They all had the same look, as they watched The Rescuer depart.

    "I am so sorry Patsy,” I said in a whisper. “But you are a little dog, and everyone loves little dogs. I am convinced you will be rescued soon.” Patsy’s brown eyes twinkled at me, a little bit of hope returning.

    I had heard and seen enough. I needed to tell people how it was for these unfortunate creatures. They were all here through no fault of their own. I stood to leave. I passed by many other dogs I did not interview, looking at each one, wishing I could take them all home with me and give them the love they deserved.

    I stood by the door taking one last glance back, when it opened, and one of the pound workers came in. His face was drawn and sad. He walked by without a word, and stopped at Pete’s kennel. I heard him take a deep breath, then he paused, and opened the kennel door. The words were muffled, but I am sure I heard him say “I’m sorry old boy.”

    He came out, with Petey in tow. The old dog’s head hung down in resignation, and they both disappeared behind the big steel door.

    Copyright
    Sally Hull
    July 6th/2006
    1.1.0 Bearded Dragons (Damien and Miss Priss)
    0.1.0 Crested Geckos (Priscilla)
    2.6.0 Leopard Gecko (Tonka, Rhaco, Hermine, Talia, Kalypso, Serendipity, Faith, and Sprinkles)
    0.0.1 Henkeli Leaf Tail (Houdini)
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  2. #2
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    Mar 2007
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    Thats just heartbreaking. all the more so because this happens to all types of animals.

  3. #3

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    Yup, sure does...and it's awful :(
    1.1.0 Bearded Dragons (Damien and Miss Priss)
    0.1.0 Crested Geckos (Priscilla)
    2.6.0 Leopard Gecko (Tonka, Rhaco, Hermine, Talia, Kalypso, Serendipity, Faith, and Sprinkles)
    0.0.1 Henkeli Leaf Tail (Houdini)
    0.1.0 Chacoan Black and White Tegu on her w

  4. #4
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    Oct 2007
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    This just made this grown country boy cry. This world has problems.

  5. #5

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    So sad... I have tears in my eyes.

  6. #6
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    Oct 2007
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    :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: I don't under stand how people can do that.It is one thing if they get an animal and they decide they don't want it any more and sell it or give it away.But bringing them to a place where they know they are probably are going to be put to sleep just hurts me and upsets me very much.I know there a lot of people out there they don't have a heart look they even kill there own kids.I better not get into this.Thank you for sharing the story. :cry:

  7. #7
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    Sad and True story.
    Ben
    0.1.0, 2007, Bearded Dragon (Uresaii)
    1.0.0, 1999, Hermann Tortoise (Tama-chan)
    0.1.0, 2007, Redfoot Tortoise (Kame-chan)


    Got msn? If you want to talk to me just leave me a private message !

  8. #8

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    Wow, if that don't bring tears to your eyes your not a animal lover :cry:
    I have to go hug my lab and my english mastiff :!:

  9. #9

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    Interesting stories every one. And...noting this is Canada I can say from personal experience also true in the US.

    I was out of work for a long time. I was getting a mit depressed as it was a very bad time to be out of work with my skill sets. They were a bit out of date and not in demand. So it would take time. Mind you I was married at teh time and the hubby worked so we managed. So i did something with a few of my days. I worked the local shelter. I told them "I spoke" fluent Dog and ok cat...

    I did a lot of cat stall cleaning. All the tame ones and the others did the wild cats. I wasn't much of a cat person but I learned a bit from a very nice Mom cat. Her kittens were adopted one by one and two had to be euthenized for sickness.

    She and I missed them as they vanished but at least I know they went home.

    Then in the Kennels there was a few dogs. A big German Shepard mix and i mean huge. We called him Brut. Steady looking fellow and a bit with that hint of I can eat you if I want to about him. It took a while for me to trust him let alone he to trust me. But we got along after a bit of one not hurting the other through the fencing then inside.

    He got adopted after he lightened up a little. I'd liek to think I helped a bit.

    Then there was Red. I got to name him. He was as red a dog as I have ever seen and he was a wrigling 25 pound handful with short hair and floppy almost beagle ears.

    I got him out on leash and collar taught him sit down and come. He took to it like it was his lifeline. He too got adopted. I got to demo him to a couple of people looking. I was told one came back and took him when I wasn't there.

    But then there was Shep. An Ausi Shepard mix. He came in after biting the catcher. he already had strikes against him. He bit the county worker and i knew they were very likely gonna hold him and stick him for it. I looked to the keeper of the shelter adn she qouldn't meet my eyes. I softly said no and she walked away. Shep was beautiful but so needed just a bit of help.

    "I said I;m going into the kennel and was told no. I was a helper not a employee their insurance wouldn't cover it. We quietly argued. I eventually won. My comment was if I can prove he's not viscious will he get a chance. Defeated in my arguement since I wasn't taking no for an answer she said yes.

    i got to prove my fluency in dog.

    He had been thrown into the side Kennel with no other dog nearby. He had gone to the middle of the Kennel turns sat and stared at the door. A door without a window so when I opened it that is exactly what I saw. Two brown eyes boreing holes through the door. For a moment i doubted my decision sighed let all fear drain away and stepped in facing him and softly closed the door behind me.

    It goes to not I have been attacked by a ferral starving beaten dog once before when i went for a walk and he was showing me about 15 % of that in his body language. That's likely why I had that visceral response when I opened the door.

    I spoke in a soft voice. People will tell you that it doesnt matter what you say to a dog but I disagree. There is somthing they learn in the language of their country that kick in or you wouldn't get sit down and come taught repeatedly in Englsih German and French and i have seen it done.

    So I spoke of not wanting to hurt him and that things were ok here and I wasn't going to chase him like the big man did before and his body seemed to relax. I moved the water bowl to oneside and crouched to do so. His head came up and his ears perked. I din't have treats on me and cursed myself. Food is often a great motivator for dogs.

    But I had his attention and it wasn't agressive so I fisted my hand and reached out to him and he leaned his nose forward. There was still 20 feet between us but the action was one that brought some hope to me. So I slowly stood walked to make it about 7 ft between us and tried again. He responded the same the dry tip of his black nose just brushing my hand. I told him he was a good boy and it was ok and opened my hand to just brush at his muzzle. I swear I heard him sigh at the touch.

    I also exhaled a moment later waddled foreward slightly and reached under his chin and gently scratched. His response was to lean into my hand. I knew right then and there I had won. I smiled for him nodded and told him he was a good boy. He squeeked. Its the only think I can write to describe the sound I heard. He squeeked softly almost sounding like a rusted hinge.

    My other than reached over and stroked his head and behind his tuliped ears and I moved in closer by putting my left hip on the ground. Slowly he crawled into my lap and just stayed there. I was patting and talking to him the entire time.

    i was out there for a while. This was a long process. It was long enough to concern my fellow kennel workers. there was no sounds of a fight or screaming but she had to se what the heck was going on. She opened that windowless door and peered out making the dog lift his head from my lap to look at her. And all I said softly was. "I told you I speka fluent dog." She nodded and said "You ok?" You see I was crying when I said it. I just nodded adn she asked if she shoudl get some treats and i said yes but be slow quiet and careful when you come in. Show him your fist first. He's had quiet a scare.

    He was adopted by an older Lady who was mobile enough to walk him and who needed a companion who would take care of her. She too was quiet steady adn kind. They were a perfect match.

    he went when I was away from the Kennel but she was told his story and there was a note in the file about her without her name and that she said thank you.

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by agro
    Wow, if that don't bring tears to your eyes your not a animal lover :cry: :
    Careful with this kind of argument, It's not because you didn't cry that you are not an animal lover. :wink:
    Ben
    0.1.0, 2007, Bearded Dragon (Uresaii)
    1.0.0, 1999, Hermann Tortoise (Tama-chan)
    0.1.0, 2007, Redfoot Tortoise (Kame-chan)


    Got msn? If you want to talk to me just leave me a private message !

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