This hits too close to home. I do Great Dane rescue, and you’d be surprised how many people give up young adult Great Danes with the comment, “I didn’t know he’d get that big.”
Pet owners should be made to register and get periodical certification. If they abandon, they should be made to pay for the upkeep of the poor animal till it is adopted.
Honestly, would you give up your child because he ate too much, got too tall, or too fat?This is why I foster and help at the pet rescue. You all know the story of my Foster boy. Fostered him for 6 weeks, found him a home and 11 months later the lady decided it wasnt working out. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS DOG!Please, I beg of you, if you are not ready to commit at least 10 or more years, a dogs life span, to caring for a pet, DO NOT GET A PET!This dumb lady, in the very next breath after telling me she could not keep Foster, told me she wants to get another dog, this time a poodle.There should be a State list that shows people who have given up pets and they should NOT be allowed to get another one.
I have adopted Foster now, and am just so grateful that at least she contacted me to take him back instead of just dumping him at the shelter. HE is coming home to join my menagerie and will be with us until “death us do part”.
My apologies for being so heated but I feel that I must speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Please! Think before bringing a pet into your family, and remember they will be a part of your FAMILY.And of course, many thanks to Mick and Mason for this strip. It brings attention to a very serious issue.
I had a boyfriend in college who’s family had 2 beautiful Dobermans. His folks had a big house, with plenty of room, but the dogs were kept outside in a kennel. One summer, his mom wanted to have a big family reunion and asked him to take the dogs to the pound because they’d “be in the way”. I went with him. He cried the whole way there and back. Needless to say, we did not go to the reunion.
I have volunteered at many a boxer rescue. So many people have surrendered their dogs for such stupid reasons. “I didn’t know he/she’d be so hyper.” “I didn’t know they would get so big.” or my favorite. “S/he is just too old, and doesn’t play anymore.” (There are some legitimate and honest reasons as well.) People need to do the research BEFORE getting a pet. Pets (no matter the breed, or type) ARE for the term of the pet’s life span. Not till you are tired of it, kids don’t play with it any more, or the like. I do wish people would understand this basic, simple rule. getting off my soap box now (sorry for the rant)
There is an animal control office near me that chips all of their guests. If the animal is returned, it makes it easier to collect their “Return Fee”. If they are returning it for one of their very limited list of reasons, the return fee may be waived. If the animal is just dumped or found uncared for, the fee goes up – lots. Having the chip lets them know where to go to get the fee. They do a good screening and matchmaking before the adoption goes through – that’s the best way of controlling the number of returns. 8^)
One of my 3 dogs was dumped in the parking lot where my husband was working. I expected to take her to a shelter, because we already had “enough” dogs. Three years later… I have loved lots of dogs in my life, but for the first time I know this dog loves ME!
@MUFFI, Dear Muffi, I cannot say more than Thank you and may the love you give out be returned to you ten fold (I’m sure it does) And last, I agree that some people as good intentioned as they might think they are, They prob’ly aren’t, And yes, rescue shelters need to have a policy to screen those that have surrendered pets in the past, I don’t care how long ago it happened, a pets life cannot be considered dispossable by no one, (did I mentioned I love cats?) cause I do we’ve rescued three loving kittens and now they think they owns us (They do)
Dogs, like small children, adore their “parents”, no matter HOW they are treated. They look forward to their return from that oh so long trip out to the mailbox and back or after a long day alone whilst their caretakers are away at work. Cats, even though they are quite independent and sometimes aloof, they still adore their “meal servant”. I’ve had dogs growing up and had the joy and heartache that went along with it. I was the one to hold my son’s guinea pig and my daughter’s hamster as they each gasped their last breaths when their time had come and cried like a baby the whole time. (Getting choked up just typing about it now. If you tell me about “so-and-so passing away” (relative or not), I’ll respond with polite sorrow. You tell me about your pet passing away or an abandoned, neglected animal, I will be fighting back the tears. ¯\(ツ)/¯ ) We had a really great cat once (emphasis on the many meanings of great…he was a beast, size wise…26 pounds aand not an ounce of fat on him) and due to falling on really hard times, we had to find a home for him as we were in a situation where we couldn’t even afford to eat, let alone feed another mouth or face a vet bill. Save the sermons. I spent a really long time beating myself about the head and shoulders and agonising over this decision and in the end, we found a loving home for our big boy where he got everything he could ever want and more. We loved him very much and it was one of the most difficult decisions we had to make. I know I cannot give my time fully to a dog or cat due to current schedules, etc, so I know I cannot get one. It doesn’t stop me from WANTING another pet, I just know I cannot GET another pet. In the meantime, I greet every dog I come across and scritch every cat that will come up to me. I may not be able to give my home to these critters, but it doesn’t stop me from giving them some love.
Adiraiju about 5 years ago
Ten thousand alligators and pigs want a turn next!
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member about 5 years ago
That’s fair.
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member about 5 years ago
Did you hear about the guy who left a tiger, locked in a cage, in an abandoned house?
Enter.Name.Here about 5 years ago
See! Pitbulls can be REALLY good dogs.
jdunham about 5 years ago
This hits too close to home. I do Great Dane rescue, and you’d be surprised how many people give up young adult Great Danes with the comment, “I didn’t know he’d get that big.”
Nachikethass about 5 years ago
Pet owners should be made to register and get periodical certification. If they abandon, they should be made to pay for the upkeep of the poor animal till it is adopted.
Pet about 5 years ago
Good boy Will!
Honestly, would you give up your child because he ate too much, got too tall, or too fat?This is why I foster and help at the pet rescue. You all know the story of my Foster boy. Fostered him for 6 weeks, found him a home and 11 months later the lady decided it wasnt working out. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS DOG!Please, I beg of you, if you are not ready to commit at least 10 or more years, a dogs life span, to caring for a pet, DO NOT GET A PET!This dumb lady, in the very next breath after telling me she could not keep Foster, told me she wants to get another dog, this time a poodle.There should be a State list that shows people who have given up pets and they should NOT be allowed to get another one.
I have adopted Foster now, and am just so grateful that at least she contacted me to take him back instead of just dumping him at the shelter. HE is coming home to join my menagerie and will be with us until “death us do part”.
My apologies for being so heated but I feel that I must speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Please! Think before bringing a pet into your family, and remember they will be a part of your FAMILY.And of course, many thanks to Mick and Mason for this strip. It brings attention to a very serious issue.
myrendal about 5 years ago
I had a boyfriend in college who’s family had 2 beautiful Dobermans. His folks had a big house, with plenty of room, but the dogs were kept outside in a kennel. One summer, his mom wanted to have a big family reunion and asked him to take the dogs to the pound because they’d “be in the way”. I went with him. He cried the whole way there and back. Needless to say, we did not go to the reunion.
ScretWitch about 5 years ago
I have volunteered at many a boxer rescue. So many people have surrendered their dogs for such stupid reasons. “I didn’t know he/she’d be so hyper.” “I didn’t know they would get so big.” or my favorite. “S/he is just too old, and doesn’t play anymore.” (There are some legitimate and honest reasons as well.) People need to do the research BEFORE getting a pet. Pets (no matter the breed, or type) ARE for the term of the pet’s life span. Not till you are tired of it, kids don’t play with it any more, or the like. I do wish people would understand this basic, simple rule. getting off my soap box now (sorry for the rant)
Margo Premium Member about 5 years ago
Excellent, Muffi. You said it all and you said it well.
1MadHat Premium Member about 5 years ago
There is an animal control office near me that chips all of their guests. If the animal is returned, it makes it easier to collect their “Return Fee”. If they are returning it for one of their very limited list of reasons, the return fee may be waived. If the animal is just dumped or found uncared for, the fee goes up – lots. Having the chip lets them know where to go to get the fee. They do a good screening and matchmaking before the adoption goes through – that’s the best way of controlling the number of returns. 8^)
exness Premium Member about 5 years ago
One of my 3 dogs was dumped in the parking lot where my husband was working. I expected to take her to a shelter, because we already had “enough” dogs. Three years later… I have loved lots of dogs in my life, but for the first time I know this dog loves ME!
Ebenezer Stooge Premium Member about 5 years ago
Dogs and cats are terrific people (mine are!), but I’m not certain about some humans. One of my cats is 23 years old.
sufamelico about 5 years ago
@MUFFI, Dear Muffi, I cannot say more than Thank you and may the love you give out be returned to you ten fold (I’m sure it does) And last, I agree that some people as good intentioned as they might think they are, They prob’ly aren’t, And yes, rescue shelters need to have a policy to screen those that have surrendered pets in the past, I don’t care how long ago it happened, a pets life cannot be considered dispossable by no one, (did I mentioned I love cats?) cause I do we’ve rescued three loving kittens and now they think they owns us (They do)
Plods with ...™ about 5 years ago
THANK YOU, Mick and Mason!
ajakimber425 about 5 years ago
Good job, Will! I’d let it go.
dsatvoinde Premium Member about 5 years ago
Dogs, like small children, adore their “parents”, no matter HOW they are treated. They look forward to their return from that oh so long trip out to the mailbox and back or after a long day alone whilst their caretakers are away at work. Cats, even though they are quite independent and sometimes aloof, they still adore their “meal servant”. I’ve had dogs growing up and had the joy and heartache that went along with it. I was the one to hold my son’s guinea pig and my daughter’s hamster as they each gasped their last breaths when their time had come and cried like a baby the whole time. (Getting choked up just typing about it now. If you tell me about “so-and-so passing away” (relative or not), I’ll respond with polite sorrow. You tell me about your pet passing away or an abandoned, neglected animal, I will be fighting back the tears. ¯\(ツ)/¯ ) We had a really great cat once (emphasis on the many meanings of great…he was a beast, size wise…26 pounds aand not an ounce of fat on him) and due to falling on really hard times, we had to find a home for him as we were in a situation where we couldn’t even afford to eat, let alone feed another mouth or face a vet bill. Save the sermons. I spent a really long time beating myself about the head and shoulders and agonising over this decision and in the end, we found a loving home for our big boy where he got everything he could ever want and more. We loved him very much and it was one of the most difficult decisions we had to make. I know I cannot give my time fully to a dog or cat due to current schedules, etc, so I know I cannot get one. It doesn’t stop me from WANTING another pet, I just know I cannot GET another pet. In the meantime, I greet every dog I come across and scritch every cat that will come up to me. I may not be able to give my home to these critters, but it doesn’t stop me from giving them some love.