Today started like most other Monday mornings, except for the fact that I don't have to work today.
Went to the gym, stopped by the store and the post office and then headed to the bank. The bank wasn't a necessity since it isn't even opened today, but we figured we'd go ahead and deposit some checks through the ATM.
Unfortunately, I looked to the right and noticed that there was a dog walking through the parking lot of Eckerd (right next to the bank). He didn't have a collar on so I knew there was no way to contact his owners. We called Animal Control but they are closed for the holiday and the police officer I spoke to told us there was really nothing we could do.
We knew we couldn't bring him home...for a bunch of different reasons. We don't know anything about him or his health so we can't risk Pebbles and Bam Bam getting sick.* We really can't afford another dog. So with Animal Control and all the shelters being closed, we didn't really have an option.
When we pulled out of the bank parking lot (after numerous phone calls), he was curled up behind a clothing donation drop box. I can't get that picture out of my head. And all I could do when we got home was hug my dogs and cry.
I am outraged by the way people treat animals. Why in the world doesn't he have a collar on? I can only pray that he's okay and eventually finds his way home. And I know I'll always feel guilty for leaving him there. Now I'll spend my holiday wondering where he is and how he's doing and wondering if leaving him there makes me a bad person.
None of this would have happened if we'd waited to go to the bank until tomorrow.
*When we eventually brought Bam Bam home (after he spent a week at the shelter in case his owners were looking for him) we built him a special pen outside because our vet said that not only should we not bring him in the house but he shouldn't even go in the same yard space where Pebbles goes. He stayed in the pen for almost 2 weeks until we could confirm that he wasn't sick and made sure he had all his shots, etc.
2 comments:
Hi Lora.
You are not a bad person for leaving the dog. Don't allow your mind to take your emotions there.
Some people should not have dogs-it's that simple. And some dogs are better off without owners who don't care.
As I read your post, you did all you could. In any given situation we hope to do all we can, but we cannot afford to dwell on what we cannot do, wishing we could.
Life goes on, both for us and for those we try to help. And for the dog.
I hear your hearts cry for the dog and against the cruelty, mental and physical against defenseless animals-and that is good.
However, you have done all you could. Sure, feel for the dog, but temper your sadness with the joy from the knowledge that when no one else was concerned for whatever reasons, you were!
Dogs are resourceful creatures, they did very well for themselves before domestication.
Please, do not distress that you could do no more, it is enough that you did what you could.
Sorry the comment is so long.
God Bless you and Chris.
Eddie,
Thanks so much for your kind words...you are always so encouraging.
I completely understand what you're saying...and I know that for every dog I see there are probably 10 that I don't see.
I know I can't save every dog, but it's so frustrating when you see evidence of how poorly animals are treated.
Thanks for taking time to lift my spirits.
God bless,
Lora
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