Your Dog Is Not Your Date

“…the girlfriend is a good cook so the dog has to go.”

Yep! You’ve probably guessed it. Somebum (as opposed to someone) is getting rid of his hound in favor of a new girlfriend. Testosterone and culinary ability take precedence over “…a good well trained dog (that) is house trained, kennel trained, and very smart…..loves children, loves to run and play….is truly the smartest dog I have ever owned.” (The bum’s own words).

This was part of yet another Craigslist ad that caught my attention, the gist of it being that the girlfriend had moved in with her dogs, including a rottweiler that didn’t get along with Patches. So instead of doing the right thing and taking a little time and effort to train the pooches to live in harmony, poor Patches had to go after three years of love, loyalty, no complaints, ready kisses, obedience and companionship. Wonder if the bum will get all that from the girlfriend? In fact, what do you want to bet that she’ll even be around three years from now?

If you’re looking to re-home a pet or are thinking about adopting one, take a look at these other articles on Purrs ‘n Gurrs:

How Not to Foreclose On Your Pet

Kids Want A Pet? Take A Test Drive First

Is Pet Adoption Right For You?

And take a look at Don’t Get A Dog for things to think about before you bring a pup home.

“A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker.” ~ Buddha

A Good Girl Named Remy

16 month, blue-brindle, female pitbull. 40-45 lbs who will be coming in heat anytime now. If you’re interested, please email me. Thank you. Rehoming fee of $250 obo.

That’s how a recent post read on Craigslist. But it left me with a few questions like……. If she’s such a good girl, why are you getting rid of her? Is she usually tied out on such a short chain and with no water in her bowl? Does that mean she doesn’t get exercised and isn’t socialized? Why is she not spayed? Did you breed her or were you just too cheap or too ignorant to ensure she couldn’t have pups, especially by some stray who might mount her while she’s tied outside?

The most pertinent question, of course, is why did you get a dog in the first place?

Here’s another…..

Cute dog needs a good home!

4 month Golden Retriever/Boxer needs a good home!

He is crate trained and is a very active puppy. He can already sit, shake, and lay down. He is more of an inside dog and does not run off when you take him outside. Needs a home where he can be inside most of the time and not tied up! $25 rehoming fee to let us know that you are serious about keeping him.

For crying out loud, he’s just four months old! And the way he’s dressed I’d say he was a Christmas puppy so somebody really put a lot of thought into this (note the biting sarcasm) because 9 weeks ago you had to know you couldn’t afford a dog! Or is it just that you didn’t think? You didn’t think that puppies chew, they need to be house-trained, they need time and effort and patience! You didn’t think that this is a living creature and by bringing him into your home you would be making a lifetime commitment; that a puppy is not like an old rag that you use for a while then throw away.

Oh, and by the way, how much did you pay for this pup? Must have been less than $25 if you think that’s all it takes to find someone “serious about keeping him”.

And here’s a slightly different one….

3 year old white dove w/ cage and stand

Beautiful white dove 3 years old handled by a 9 year, who has a very busy after school schedule. so he would be better off with someone who has more time to love him. small re homing fee.

Come on! You had the bird before the kid’s schedule “got busy”.  A captive dove can live for 12 – 15 years. It was pretty unrealistic if you thought your then six-year-old would care for the creature through college age; you should have been prepared (and willing) to pick up all the slack before you brought the dove home.

OK, you see what I’m getting at here. When you get a pet, it’s for the life of the pet. Just ’cause your girlfriend moves in with her rottweiler who doesn’t get along with the hound that’s given you love and loyalty for the last four years you don’t just chuck the hound out! Try training! (By the way, I wonder if the girlfriend will give love and loyalty for four years).

Because your kid whines about wanting a pet don’t wimp out and just get one. Do your due diligence and help your child understand what it takes to care for an animal.

When it becomes inconvenient to care for your two 12-year-old cats that have been with you since kittenhood because you want to spend time on the road with your new boyfriend, you don’t euthanize them with the excuse that “they’ve had a good life anyway”. (Yes, I used to know someone who actually did this).

Of course, there are people who are beset with genuine hardship, who do everything possible to keep their pets. And if it truly does become impossible, they do everything they can to ensure they find a wonderful new home including, perhaps, putting an ad on Craigslist. Shelters and rescue organizations also use Craigslist and it can be a great resource for prospective pet parents.

“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed” ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Lovable and Looking

There’s an email that’s been doing the rounds now for years. It shows a singles ad that was reportedly listed in the Atlanta Journal, which in fact isn’t true. Someone sent it to me again recently. Read it first, then I’ll give my comments.

“SINGLE BLACK FEMALE seeks male companionship, ethnicity unimportant. I’m a very good girl who LOVES to play. I love long walks in the woods, riding in your pickup truck, hunting, camping and fishing trips, cozy winter nights lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. I’ll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me. Call and ask for Daisy, I’ll be waiting……

Please scroll down.”

Photo is courtesy of Lisa D, of Barrie, Ontario.

While this is admittedly rather funny, please take it for what it is – a joke! I’m all for getting people’s attention when it comes to pet rescue but an ad of this sort is not likely to attract the right kind of pet parent – someone who makes an informed choice after careful deliberation.

The Rescuer’s Creed

I promise I will take your unwanted animals.
I will heal their wounds, their diseases, their broken bones.
I will give them the medical attention they need and deserve.
I will nurture their starvation and give them a warm place to sleep.
I will spay and neuter them, vaccinate them against the diseases that can harm them.
I will treat them and honor them.
I will buy them toys, blankets, balls, and teach them to play.
I will speak softly to them.
I will try to teach them not to fear, not to cry, and not to hate.
I will whisper sweet, kind, gentle words into their ears, while gently trying to stroke their fear, their pain, and their scars away.
I will face their emotional scars and give them time to overcome them.
I will socialize them, potty train them, teach them to be obedient, show them dignity, and hold their paws, and stroke their ears if they have endured too much and walk them over the Rainbow Bridge, BUT most of all I will teach them LOVE.
Author Unknown