Let’s Talk Commitment

Let’s Talk Commitment

One of the many reasons dogs of all ages and sizes and breeds end up in a shelter or with a rescue organization is that the families who adored them as puppies, who committed to providing them with a loving home to live out their days in, suddenly find that the pet is "not a priority" in their lives. In rescue, we hear a lot of reasons for giving up long-time pets–everything from divorce, to new babies in the house, to housebreaking issues, to an unwillingness to handle the expense of medical care.

I’d like to share a few stories about rescue Maltese that we have placed or fostered to make one simple point: when you bring a dog or a cat or even a ferret into your home, you are making a commitment to love and care for that animal for its lifetime. It is a commitment that is no different to the one you make when you have or adopt a child, and it is essential to consider this BEFORE you purchase or adopt any animal and bring it into your home.

Now to the stories. Imagine three little Maltese who have lived together their whole lives, when suddenly their parents divorce. This is a major change in lifestyle for their "custodial parent." She works all night and has to sleep in the day. The dogs are relegated to a garage, where they eat, sleep, and "do their business." They bark a lot now. She doesn’t have time or energy to give them attention; and one of the little boy dogs, especially, thrives on attention. He is depressed. She is concerned. She feels the dogs will be better off in new homes. Of course, they will be separated. Eventually these little ones will be placed with families who want them and will bond with their new families. But for three little guys heading into old age, this is a tragedy. Surely they will miss each other and their original family.

Another little Maltese is taken to the local shelter. Perhaps his family doesn’t know that if there is any sign that this dog is unadoptable (age, disposition, health), he will be euthanized (read that killed, NOT "put to sleep," as it is so euphemistically called) almost before they are out the door. And, if no one adopts him within a few days or so, he will suffer the same fate, so the already overburdened shelter can make room for the next dog. So why is this Maltese at the local shelter? Well, his family says they can’t afford to care for him any longer. The little one is current on his shots, so at least they kept that commitment. But his teeth are a disaster and may need to be pulled; he’s never been neutered; and he has allergies that make him prone to asthma attacks. All in all, he probably needs a couple of hundred bucks worth of medical care. But his family doesn’t feel they can handle the expense. Something they should have considered when the brought the little guy home. All creatures need at least some basic health care during their lives; and, no, it isn’t free.

Next, we have a little girl Maltese. Cute as a button. She is 8. This little girl had gall stones that were left untreated for more than a year because surgery "wasn’t a priority" for the family that committed to her all those years ago. They have human children now, and they way they see it, providing the kids with what they want and need is more important than medical care for "a dog." Fortunately this little girl came into rescue and was fostered. She was in so much pain that she didn’t even want to be petted. But her foster family provided the love and trust she needed, and the surgery released her from pain. She was placed with a family that will love her for the rest of her days, BUT she has been uprooted twice in a few months. What do you suppose she is feeling?

And finally, a story about my own little rescue guy, Boo. He was another "throwaway" dog–a casualty of life changes. Boo was 6 when he came to me. His "mom" had a new job and worked 12 hours a day plus another hour or so commuting. There were a couple of teenagers in the house, but they couldn’t be bothered with "mom’s dog," and the boys and their friends thought it was great fun to kick him around like a football. So, Boo ate and ate and peed in the house (no walks) and cringed in fear or growled and bit when feet came to close. When rescue was contacted about him, the reason given for dispatching him was "we are getting new carpet and don’t want him to ruin it." This little guy mourned his family. For more than a month he sat at my front window with the toys he’d brought with him and watched for his "true family" to come for him. Boo is now 11 and a well-loved member of my family. But even now, when he sees someone who resembles his old family members, even after years of love and care, he stops in his tracks, picks up his ears and watches. You can hear him thinking: Is that my old family? Have they really come back for me? Boo knows the meaning of commitment. Do you?

This is a plea to anyone planning to buy a puppy, to anyone looking to adopt a dog from the local shelter or rescue organization. THINK THIS THROUGH. A dog is a long-term commitment. They require not only your love and attention, but your assurance that they will be taken care of until they leave for Rainbow Bridge–not for a year or 5 years, but 10 or 12 or 15 years. When you find yourself considering a furry addition to your home, please think of Boo–he committed to his family for life. Can you make less of a commitment? Unless you can honestly say "yes–no matter what, I will be here for this pet," don’t bring one into your home. Buy a goldfish; their lifespan is much shorter.

UMR 2001Š