Pet Shelters Having it "Ruff"

  The number of pets being abandoned seems to be connected directly to the fact people no longer have jobs, food costs too much money, and they can't buy gas for their cars, oil for their furnaces, or pay their utility bills. St. Francis is very busy thanks to Congressional immorality.

I adopted my Charlie after he was found tied to the statue of St. Francis in front of the Easton PA chapter A.S.P.C.A. He was already dumped once and he might never recover if it happens again. His self-esteem would be so low. He'd never again ask a girl out from a rich family. He'd actually start eating dog food. He might even be desperate enough to turn tricks like "sit up!", and "roll over!" No, it shouldn't happen to a dog, or cat, or ferret. Luxury "items" are always the first to go when facing financial lack. So if folks consider their dog,cat ,etc. a trivial "thing" then they shouldn't have pets in the first place.

As for me, I will share my last piece of toast with my fur baby Charlie. We are in this together through thick and thin. He loves me deeply. He runs at the speed of light when I come home if I go away for a couple hours; or God forbid, for a few days and leave him in anothers care. He protects me from harm, even if it's the screen door slamming in the wind , an oddly shaped bag of trash,or the neighbors new menacing Puma statue in the driveway.

So when my dog needs his nails clipped, I go without getting hair dye for myself and cook beans and rice for a week. It's also a vendetta against the evil powers that rule the purse in America now. They robbed me of so much already, why should they also take my fur baby? While I am still breathing, my dog will stay by my side. The humans are suffering for the globalist money mess, and now so are the animals. But let's not take it out on them. They don't even know what money is. After all, food just appears in their dishes by "magic". It's not their fault gas is so high. They hate cars and my Charlie is getting on in years and he doesn't drive that much these days.

I'm not alone in my Dr. DoLittle philosophical thinking . My neighbor is working a part-time job to feed and neuter the stray cats she rescues. Her home is lovely, but when you enter it feels like a scene from the Alfred Hitchcock movie "The Birds". There are cats perched everywhere looking at you as you move carefully about. Just don't touch the meatloaf on the stove or they'll all jump you at once and you'll have to run from there like Jim Carey did from the cave of the Great White Bat in the "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls" movie. Note to self: Meatloaf-No Touchy, Buy Band-Aids.

Large dog owners need to consider that large breeds are harder to get adopted. They are the equivalent to the teenager in an orphanage. Shelter volunteers must go to extremes to adopt out the larger breeds. They say things like,"He's just tall for his age.",and  "He'll grow on you." Yes, he will, and right through the roof from the looks of things.So before you abandon Clifford, think twice.

It's even more dire for Pit Bulls. Unless you have a really creative shelter volunteer around."Look at how handsome he is! And those teeth. He's so fit! His name is "Brad". Then they send you home with his sunglasses and bottle of Fiji water.

Overweight dogs might as well throw in the towel. Food costs so much that those looking to adopt bypass the fatties. Clever shelter volunteers will say,"She's just big-boned.",or  "He makes a good foot warmer.", or "She'll save you money on heat because she lays in front of the door and stops drafts all day and night." Then they'll sweeten the deal by throwing in free dog food. A 4-ounce Zip-lock bag of chow that the dog inhales like snuff while you're still filling out the adoption papers.

The wolf mix breeds are a great option if you're concerned about the cost of pet food. They not only catch their own food, but yours as well. "How'd you like that venison cooked there Balto?" They have some strange habits so beware. My nightgown often goes missing. By the way, NEVER tell them to fetch. Ever. I found the remains of a red cape and a picnic basket half-buried in my yard. I haven't seen the little girl lately who used to live next door.

Small dogs are showing up in larger numbers at the shelters where before the economic crunch, previous owners just re-sold them or traded them like consignment shop clothing. I found a Bichon Frise hanging on the purse rack at my local thrift shop by mistake. In fact , I stuck my smartphone, keys, and gum inside her before I realized she was a dog.By the way If anyone wants a Bichon she's hanging next to the Blue Coach bag. But neurotic small dogs can be a great asset in this economy. Pepe the Chihuahua thinks all paper is evil so you never get to read those sale papers, thereby saving you lots of money. If only he'd stop looking at you with one eye he might find a home.

As the icy rain pounds the window, my Pomeranian Charlie and I are sharing a bowl of buttered grits and some bananas. Being a Christian, I know that we must protect our pets and cherish them. If the Mighty Creator's eye is on the sparrow, one can assume he is shaking his head at every pet that gets kicked out of a speeding car. And if we do the right thing by trusting God will enable us to provide for our pets, he surely will.


So if you are making sacrifices to keep your pet, know you are not alone by any means. Hang in there pet owners. This too shall pass.

by Kimarie Manhart-Freeman