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by Dr. R. Lee
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BackThe Connection
by Dr. Roberta Lee
I love words. Most of us just use words because we have learned the language without ever giving thought to the intricate balance of how certain parts of words are joined, to make up the one and only word, that will convey exactly what your emotion of the moment is, or extrapolate an explanation of your thought, which will explain to another, an understanding of what your thought is. For example the word connect comes from the Latin word connectere; meaning to bind together.
The word connection; from the same root word means; a joining, 3. a relation between things that depend on, involve, or follow each other; d) relation by family ties; 6. a group of people associated together in politics, business or by common cause.
I know that by now you are wondering why I am writing about words when this site is dedicated to the topic of dogs. Because you see, I see a connection!
Is there a greater connection in the world than to have a relationship with a being that will love us unconditionally? I don’t think so. Now, it is certainly true that there are other animals that love unconditionally, but I think that the dog has the capacity to be the most giving and loyal, the most thinking and kind, the most forgiving animal on the planet.
Who else in your life would forgive a brutal beating? Or starvation? Or abandonment? Name one other individual in your life now, or ever, that will love you no matter what? Your dog doesn’t care how smart you are, what type of education you have, or job you work at. Your dog doesn’t care if you are fat or thin, funny or morose. Even though given the opportunity, your dog may eat you out of house and home, if the cupboard is bare, your dog will never leave you of their own accord. And there have been cases, where someone has taken their dog out to the country to dump them, and the dog beat them back home. Not once but three times. (True story) I would certainly say that there was a connection there, if only one sided.
I have seen people get so frustrated and angry with life, that if the dog does something that at the moment the owner doesn’t care for, they have given that poor dog, a good hard kick. Did that dog say, “the heck with you,” and leave? No, it cried out in pain, crawled over under the table, and then in the next breath, when the owner called, the dog came out with tail wagging ready to do it’s masters bidding. Would you then say that there was a connection?
For most of us, there is no question that our dogs are not lower animals, but true members of the family, with all of the rights and rewards accordingly. But unfortunately, there are still those that have not heard the call of the individuals that are concerned about the plight of the dog world, in this country and around the world.
There are those that have spent thousands of dollars to save the life of their beloved dogs when the need arose. Would you call that a connection?
There are those that have eaten less to be sure that their dog had more. Would you call that a connection? Those, that have lived in areas that they didn’t care for, because finding a house or apartment to rent with a dog is almost impossible. Would you call that a connection?
When you can tell your friend that you lied, or lost your temper without cause, or that you ate to much, or that you stole something; that you cheated or let a friend down; and they don’t judge you, but will cuddle up and kiss you, would you call that a connection? You can tell your dog, and many have, your deepest darkest secrets, fears and longings and they will love you just the same today as they did yesterday, would you call that a connection?
Then why are there still so many dogs that are being put to death because there are those that will dump? Abandon? Abuse? Those that have not and will not make the connection.
There are those that have a connection to all dogs. But far too few. Most dog lovers love from afar, except the dog that is theirs.Why this dis- connection?
All dogs have the capability to be loving and loyal. To be fun to be with. To be our protectors and saviors. To understand the difference in our moods. To help us live longer and help us to heal faster. To be our hands when they fail to work for us, our eyes when we cannot not see, our feet when they are immobile. All dogs will sit by our sides when we cry, and play with us when we laugh. Why then do we as a species, allow so many dogs to go needlessly to their demise, alone and in an untimely fashion?
Don’t you understand that if it were children that we treated that way, if we as a country knew of another civilization that treated their children the way that we treat dogs, we would rise up against that treatment any way that we could, and yet we still condone PUPPY MILLS, Humane societies that shoot their dogs, over crowding of shelters, gang related and professional dog fighting, dogs that are sold to other countries for meat, buy goods from countries that use dog fur in toys, over breeding, we will turn our backs when our neighbors leave their dog out in the hot noon day sun, or freezing cold, chained away from water or shelter.
TheDogPlace is where connections can be made and formed, from the age of three or four years old till you can’t read any more. Where people that really care can make a difference in the universal care and treatment of dogs the world over. It is time to stop blaming the dogs for the behavior of humans and shoulder the responsibility that was given to us to really take dominion over the dogs and become humane caretakers. But it shouldn’t stop with just our personal dogs. It should be dogs anywhere, everywhere.
I don’t mean by passing laws that intrude on the privacy of our neighbors, and or their rights to have dogs, and breed dogs, IF, they are humanely cared for. But if you knew that your neighbor was beating their child you would step in and do something about it. If you saw that your neighbor had their children outside in pens so filthy that it would cause you to retch, would you just walk by saying nothing? So then why not their dog? It is time that we became interested in the laws that are passed that concern our dogs, and our ownership of dogs. If you don’t make the connection now, it may be too late, and you will never have the opportunity to do so. And that will not be the dogs loss, but most assuredly, YOURS.
It is time for YOU to make the commitment, and the connection.
If you know of a state law that is being formulated, or about to be passed that will infringe on your rights as a dog owner, or if your state WON’T pass laws that will enforce the humane treatment of dogs, please write to THEDOGPLACE. There is power in numbers and together we can and should make a difference. The time is now. Let’s make the CONNECTION.
Contact: rlwhitedov@ca.rr.com
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