Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Time Giveth and Time Taketh Away

I get posts and cross-posts from many rescues and coordinators who are desperately trying to place dogs in foster or forever homes.  I also read posts about neglected, abused and mistreated dogs daily.  The problems are huge and they are everywhere.  People need to understand the gravity of this problem and to realize that many healthy, sweet, adoptable dogs are being euthanized for lack of space or because of local politics.

I have not posted for a while.  I needed a break.  These poor dogs need some breaks.  Their lives are in our hands.  There is no good reason to buy a dog from a commercial breeder or even a hobby breeder if it is just a companion animal you want.  Go to www.petfinder.com and look for almost any breed, age, gender dog that suits you and your situation.  Adopt, don't shop...but think this decision over carefully.  These dogs need us and not just for today but for their lifetime.


What is Time?

 Every year, the "Time is up" for 12 million 
companion Pets.  Do you have the "Time" to make a difference?





A Shelter Dog asks God...
  
Dear God,

What is "Time"?
I hear the sadness in the voices of workers here. 
They say my "Time is up", that they have to make 
room for yet another dog.
My "Time" is up. I don't know what that means, God. I 

only know that my new friends are so sad, and the more I 
wag my tail---the harder I try to make them feel better--
-the sadder they become.
I know I have heard that word "Time" before, but I don't 

understand. When I was younger, my people would 
say "Time to play!" They would throw the ball, and I 
would run fast. Sometimes I brought it back to them, but 
other times we'd end up chasing each other having fun.
I remember "Time to eat". My people would put down a 

bowl of food, and I would enjoy dinner, wagging my tail 
in joy. There was also "Time for your walk". My boy 
would put my leash on, and we would go walking together,
visiting the neighborhood and enjoying each other's company.
When I was younger I thought "Time" meant fun.
Or maybe Love?
I don't understand. "Time" must mean something else, but 

how can it change, God? Before I came here, I heard my 
people say, "No time to feed you now, boy. Later, when I 
get home." Sometimes my family would forget, and there
was no food in my bowl.


Does "Time" mean when my belly hurts?
My people said there was no time for walks. I tried to 

hold it all day long-- but God, I just couldn't anymore. 
When I finally had to go, it made my family very angry.
Does "Time" means anger? Or maybe Loneliness?
My family said they didn't have "Time". They didn't have 

time to play, or time to take me to the vet, or time to 
go for walks. They didn't have "Time", 

so they brought me here.
Maybe I was right... They said they didn't have time, 
and if "Time" means Love, how did they lose it?
Did I do something wrong?


God, I think my new friends are sending me to you. Do 
you have "Time"? May I sit on the couch?
Am I a good Dog, God?
Is it "Time"?