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Why is this story here? Read it and when you finish reading, if you still don't understand why a rescuer does what they do, why they will fight whomever needed to save the life of an innocent Angel who has been dumped in a shelter by it's owner, abused and/or beaten, used for nothing but breeding or fighting .. then you never will.
Interview at the Dog Pound*
Copyright
Sally Hull
July 6th/2006
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 dogs go in, 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. Theyre all yours.
Pete*
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 Pitbull. 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 Petes 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 names Popper. He tilted his head. Are you here to take me
home?
No, Im 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 smart 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 with little Masters is, they refuse to stay in a
group. I constantly had to nip their heels to keep them together. He
looked confused. Why wont 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 wont 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 cant 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 wasnt a bad dog. That made him
beat me more. Spartans eyes clouded with grief. Then he brought me here.
I reached out and stroked Spartans 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 cant 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.
Dont go near her, a small female voice came from behind me. Shes mad.
I gathered myself back together, and saw a little 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 didnt bother to look into the type of
dog I am. Patsy 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 likeher. 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. Cant 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 Spartans cage and spoke quietly to him.
No more beatings my man. No more. You are coming with me. >From here on
in, its 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. Patsys 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 Petes 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 Im sorry old boy.
He came out, with Petey in tow. The old dogs head hung down in
resignation, and they both disappeared behind the big steel door.
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Always consider adoption first- thanks....
