The Tale of a Dog

This is the story of a lost dog and questions about human behavior. It began when, walking our dog Petey, a little Jack Russell followed us. Approaching home, this dog followed us up the walk. Concerned about street traffic, I decided to invite her in and try to find her home. The way that she accepted my invitation and food and water made us think that here is the world’s cleverest moocher or a truly lost dog. Although a little frightened at first, she showed signs of having come from a home of love and care. She had no collar or license. We posted “Found Dog” posters around town but there was no owner response.

People in town told us that quite obviously people from out of town come here and drop off cats and dogs that they don’t want to keep any longer, hoping that someone would take them in. This made me furious and prompted me to write this letter to the editorial pages of the local newspapers.

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“Recently we have observed a rash of stray dogs and cats showing up in Los Alamos. (It probably happens in other communities as well.) It appears that people drive in from surrounding communities to “dump” their pets that they no longer want to care for. For anyone who has done that, we have a question: What were you thinking?

Think about an abandoned pet, frightened and confused, darting back and forth trying to find its way home. Later, hunger adds to the fear and confusion. And eventually this pet may have an excruciating death under the wheels of a car or be torn apart by coyotes. This was your pet, your friend, the one who thinks you are the most wonderful being in the world. How could you?

There may be reasons why someone can’t care for a pet—financial and other. In such cases, please…please take the pet to the county animal shelter where it will be fed and safe and have a good chance of finding a new home with caring people.”

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Of course the letter wasn’t expected to help find the little Jack Russell a home, but it was a release for my anger. In the meantime, our guest, now known as Lady, made herself at home and showed us a lot of friendship and signs of having been well trained and cared for.

We contacted the animal shelters and the volunteer dog rescue societies. It was a learning process. The volunteer societies promise not to euthanize their animals, but were all filled. The County shelters will “make every possible effort” to find a good home for the pets. But one cannot be blind to the whole picture. No pet lover wants to think about a healthy pet being put down. But not all dogs are as adoptable as “those cute puppies.” Yes, the puppies adopted so eagerly and often returned when an inexperienced owner learns everything that is required in having a dog.

The shelter was not to be the next chapter in Lady’s life although we took her there to be evaluated, get rabies shots and a health certificate. But we didn’t want to take on the responsibility of another dog. So she now resides with us as we patiently look for that good home that she deserves.