Christmas Dogs: The Perfect Post-Holiday Gift
It's a sad thing to see, Christmas gift dogs returned after the holidays. Let's try to make it a Merry Christmas for the pets available at our local shelters!
When volunteering at a local shelter -- a shelter that specialized in one particular breed -- I discovered the holiday season wasn't always like a PetCo commercial. Not for all too many pets, anyway. This shelter dreaded January, because we could expect a whole lot of new clients – the Christmas Dogs.
Dogs purchased in bad faith, to serve as nothing but super cute and seasonal window dressing, to be disposed of once the tree hit the curb and the lights came off the house.
I was going to get all preachy, but this is certainly not the place. Anyone who reads a pet rescue column is already in the Amen corner, and feels at least as sad and disgusted as I that others can treat living, loving, sentient beings with such cruel and careless disregard.
When the American Kennel Club publishes the annual list of the 10 Most Popular Breeds of Dog, it's like a death knell, one that tolls the creation of new puppy mills and all the attendant problems that will bring – hip, behavior, heart problems. They'll mate father to daughter and sister to brother, all in the interest of a glossy coat or squishy nose. Well no, it's all in the interest of money, of course. Dog trafficking.
Oh darn, I did start preaching, didn't I. On to the good news then.
Last week's Tiger, Grey, and Bulldog were all adopted. Yay!
I wandered around the Pasadena Humane Society by myself this afternoon, which really doesn't work very well because I lose all focus. And maybe I was a little downhearted because I saw two dogs who had been rescued, and I don't know their stories, but they had obviously been starved prior to this. And like almost (almost, not all) dogs I've ever met, still they were friendly and excited and most forgiving to the human side of me.
So here are some beauties, some cuties, some purebreds, some mutts. Don't miss the two snowballs – pure white dogs of gentle temperament.
You know, I have a very good friend who sent to France for a very special pup from a very special litter of a very special breed. "They were bred to guard against lions," she said. And he's a good dog, make no mistake. But I don't think we have a huge lion problem here in Altadena. I know for a fact, a dog equally impressive in all other departments could have been found at a local shelter.
What do you think about dog breeding?
Tell us in the comments.
Leslie Aitken
6:10 am on Thursday, December 9, 2010
Keep up the good work!
Lisa Hastings
8:43 am on Thursday, December 9, 2010
Shame on the person who cut that cute boxer's ears---pit bull fighter style no less! This is a great column you do. Thank you.
Kathy
9:51 am on Thursday, December 9, 2010
This brought tears to my eyes, Karin! I am constantly amazed at the inhumanity of some people towards our wonderful animals...it breaks my heart. Thank you for doing such a wonderful job promoting their well being!!! And I agree with Petrea too...this would be an excellent article to feature on all the local area Patch sites!!!
Jean Spitzer
4:05 pm on Thursday, December 9, 2010
Absolutely. This could work for all the local (LA) Patch sites.
Barbara Ellis
5:30 pm on Thursday, December 9, 2010
Look at that worried dog in the photo, waiting for his owner to return, the person he pledged lifetime allegiance to. Too bad the human didn't have the same sense of loyalty. (Of course, he may be there because someone can no longer keep him, or maybe the owner is sick, but a lot of dogs and cats are rejected for much more trivial reasons). many shelters in England don't allow adoptions just before Xmas - you can choose the pet, but won't be allowed to take it home until the New Year, when things in the home have calmed down a bit. Nothing is quite a chaotic as an excited dog, a Xmas tree, and a house full of visitors, and the new pooch gets the blame. I hope these lovely pups all find loving, stable homes soon. You've had a lot of success so far, Karin, keep up the good work!!!
PJ
5:52 pm on Thursday, December 9, 2010
Of course, I would love to have each and every one of them but I have to believe they'll each find their forever home soon and get all the love and attention they deserve. You've given a special gift of the season, taking time with each one of them and posting their images. Priceless.
Karin Bugge
7:58 am on Friday, December 10, 2010
Lisa, why anyone would clip a dog's ears baffles me. But this guy was very sweet and handsome, as was the boxer/lab mix in the big photo. Oh heck, as they all were.
Stephanie Clayton
12:47 pm on Friday, December 10, 2010
For protection from the local lions, they could have gone to So Cal Ridegback Rescue, too. Uh, oh. Now Miss Janey is preaching...
ShellSherree
5:23 am on Saturday, December 11, 2010
Amen. I don't need much encouragement to climb up onto this soapbox, Karin. Thank you for all that you're doing to help such a vital cause. Yet another bunch of honey-pies here. And double Yay for Tiger, Grey and Bulldog.
Susan Campisi
12:05 pm on Sunday, December 12, 2010
You're a good soul, Karin. The animals of Dena are just as lucky as the humans to have you in their corner. I'm happy to hear about the recent adoptions and hope the dogs featured here find loving homes as well.