Sad thing

Surfguy · 12-09-2002, 09:35 AM

Driving in to work this morning I saw a dog on a busy 40 mph road on the far right in a grassy area where train tracks are. The weather is cold and it is raining. There is this dog which looks like a black lab sitting there at attention as if almost begging for someone to stop and help. It was as if this dog had lost all hope. This dog was completely drenched(probably shaking from the cold) and just sitting there watching cars go by.

This isn't the first time I've seen a stray dog. But, this one really gets to me. I wanted to stop and see if the dog had a collar with a tag or something....but I didn't. Now, I feel guilty that I didn't stop. I just hope someone with some free time stops and tries to help this poor animal.

In case you didn't know, I have two dogs and I have my hands full with them as is. I don't think I could handle taking care of another dog. My ridgebacks would probably not accept another dog, either.

I just feel for that poor dog. I hope it was just out for a morning stroll and returns home. It is probably a stray, though. I feel like if I try and do something for one dog, then I will feel even more guilty the next time I don't do something for the next dog. I know I can't save all the dogs. This one just stood out because of the circumstances and how the dog appeared to be sitting there facing traffic as if it were begging for help.

I am going to have a heart-broken day now. I hope the dog doesn't get hit trying to cross that busy road. I guess that makes me a hypocrit because I didn't stop to try and help the dog yet I feel terrible for the dog. Maybe if I were more of a complete person...I would have stopped and tried to help the dog instead of feeling for the dog's plight from afar.

So, I guess I'm heart-broken and I suck. ***** me.

Surf

Cohen · 12-09-2002, 10:21 AM

Surfguy,

I feel like I just passed by that dog myself.

I have passed by animals that I possibly could have helped. I imagine that we all have. But I also have stopped and helped others, and I've contributed to shelters, in large part because of the lost animals I have seen.

FWIW, and from what I understand, the Labs have great coats for water, so it may not feel the wet weather like you might think. They are also quite bright, and he will probably start roaming again to find some assistance, if he needs it. As you mentioned, that dog might not have been lost at all

Maybe this was just meant to provide you with the determination to save that next 'lost' dog that you see, or to contribute to an animal shelter (thus helping many lost dogs). Who knows?

haven · 12-09-2002, 10:25 AM

I hate seeing dogs or cats like that. I always feel so guilty, not helping, since it's not like their predicament is in any way their fault.

What really makes me mad is that the #1 reason for returning animals to the pound is that they're "not cute anymore." That pisses me off. People should be more responsible for living creatures that they adopt. If you don't want a pet - fine. But if you get one, you'd better treat it well and not throw it away when it's no longer a puppy or kitten. I really think people should be more liable for what they do with animals. Intelligent pets shouldn't be put to sleep because someone's bored with them.

And for God's sake... if you don't want puppies or kittens... get your dog or cat fixed.

arno_ed · 12-09-2002, 10:27 AM

don't feel bad Surfguy.you can't help every dog you see,or every person or every animal.you already take care of 2 dogs.and you do not know if the dog was nice.maybe he was a agressive og, and you probebly coudn't catch it if you would, most stray dogs do not like people alot.

Refman · 12-09-2002, 10:49 AM

Quote:

I hate seeing dogs or cats like that. I always feel so guilty, not helping, since it's not like their predicament is in any way their fault.

I felt that way for a long time. I finally got it through my head that I can't help every stray I see. It is the one you can help every once in a while that makes you feel pretty good.

Quote:

What really makes me mad is that the #1 reason for returning animals to the pound is that they're "not cute anymore."

That is the lamest excuse I have ever heard. That must be Latin for: "I got it home and I realized very quickly that owning a pet is a lot of work, rather than just all cuteness and fun. This isn't what I bargained for because I'm stupid...please take the animal back." If somebody doesn't realize that pet ownership is at times a lot of work...then that person should never own one...and should NEVER have children.

Quote:

I really think people should be more liable for what they do with animals.

I agree. I'd be more than willing to serve as the "enforcement" arm of that arrangement. There needs to be real consequences for shirking your responsibilities when you adopt a pet.

I can't talk about this anymore...I'm starting to get angry.

codell · 12-09-2002, 11:11 AM

Hey guys,

If you are in a position to do so, one of the best places to donate money or food to is the S.P.C.A.

Both my wife and I are actively involved with them and we both donate 5% of our yearly salaries to the SPCA.

You would be suprised how far $10 bucks can go. That would feed a Puppy for a month. They need all the help they can get. This organization really does love animals. :D

rocketfan83 · 12-09-2002, 12:55 PM

Don't feel bad you cant help them all, this is my worst experience with animals on the road.
I was in my Girlfriends neighborhood dropping her off, I notice a turtle in the middle of the street. I was going to go pick it up but she insisted that she had to hurry up and get to work. Which she was she was already 10 minutes late. So I drop her off, having every intention on going back and putting it in somebodys yard but when I got back to it somebody already ran it over no more than 2 minutes after I saw it there.

Surfguy · 12-09-2002, 01:48 PM

I did donate some money to SPCA this year. I just got another request for donation from some other animal agency. I guess they are trying to milk me. Oh well. You make donations and you can look forward to future mail asking for donations for all sorts of worthy causes. Of course, I am skeptical as to how my donated money will be spent. I'm by no means going to support all these agencies by giving away all my money. I will do something, though, and donate some.

As for that dog I saw this morning, I didn't see the dog anywhere on my drive home. At least the dog wasn't hit and dead on that busy road. It stopped raining so hopefully the dog is drying out. Eat some grass or rip up someone's garbage...poor fella. Maybe he was out and about looking for some bootay and then went home. Males have been known to do that.

Well, I can still hold my head high as I take very good care of my pets. It's people who don't take care of their pets that are the problem.

Surf