It’s easy to judge other people. Who hasn’t said, “How can they do that?!” Or “I would never do something like that!”
And maybe sometimes there’s a tiny voice whispering to us, “Maybe you would do that if you were in their circumstances.” But it’s only a whisper, right?
It’s especially easy to judge other people when it comes to how they treat their dogs. And if you spend any amount of time in sheltering, you’ll soon discover that a lot of those harsh judgments are totally justified.
But there are also times when they’re not.
In the past year, I’ve personally known three people who made the decision to give up their dogs. In two cases, they had the dogs from the time they were puppies. In the other case, the dog was rescued when he was very young.
In all of the cases, the men were distraught at the idea of giving up their long-time buddies. And let me tell you, when you’re comforting a man who’s shaking with sobs and telling him, “You’re doing the right thing,” a lot of your old judgments fly right out the window.
And in all of the cases, they were doing the right thing.
Each dog was in an environment that couldn’t be changed for a variety of reasons, and the dogs’ needs weren’t being met. They weren’t fulfilled, happy or secure. No matter how much the families may have loved them, it wasn’t enough to provide the dog with what he needed on a daily, even hourly, basis.
These people were giving their dogs a chance at a better life.
Now don’t think for a minute this is advocating dumping a dog at a shelter when things get difficult at home. In each of these cases, our DogsHome team worked with these people to discuss management and training techniques, and ultimately, we assisted them in rehoming their dogs.
And yes, there will still be times when you’ll hear about someone giving up their dog and you’ll say, “I would never do that! You’d have to cut off my right arm before I would give my dog away!” I’ve said those very words myself.
But I haven’t said them lately.
Because what I’m wondering now is whether I would have the strength to do with these people did, if I knew it meant a happier life than I was able to provide for my dog.
If you or anyone you know is considering surrendering a dog to a shelter, please contact us first. We may be able to help. ContactUs@DogsHomePA.org
DogsHome: Providing shelter, training and love
I volunteered at a sheltered for a short time because I couldn’t take it when people gave up their dogs because “my girlfriend is having a baby and she doesn’t want the dog around anymore” or “I have to move and they don’t allow dogs there”, or the hundred other excuses people use to dump their dogs off at a shelter. It broke my heart. I adopted two dogs from a shelter and one from a backyard puppy mill. My last dog came from the shelter where I volunteered and she was 13 and blind, taken away from her owners because they abused her. She is now 15 years old and loved and cared for.