Friday, 6 Jun 2008
Did anyone watch the Oprah show on Puppy Mills? It was on awhile back, and then there was another on sort of like an update or something yesterday possibly?
Well, I recorded the origin show. I usually record Oprah, and delete the ones I don’t care about. So, I’ve had the puppy mill show on there for quite some time. I’d be looking for something to watch, and I’d go through the Oprah shows, and pass over that particular show. I wanted to watch it, but when I thought about it I got a knot in my stomach.
It recorded again yesterday or something, and it was at the top. There was nothing else on, so I pressed play. I started out covering my eyes. I watched a lot of the first 10 minutes like that. Then when I watched there was a lot of groaning, and me saying things like “I fucking hate people!”.
Then there was the happy parts where the man who rescues these dogs, takes them to the rescue, they get medical care, and groomed and adopted. Yay!
THEN! The show takes you to Fort Worth, TX. to a shelter. The guy there shows you the process of how they Euthenise the dogs. From the process of picking out the dog, they show the dog, he marks his card with a red “E”, and if that dog isn’t adopted that day…the next morning they are put to sleep, they show that mornings process “Let’s start with cage 1″, you see them going to get the dog. Then they show you them putting a dog down…I think…my face were covered with my hands as I sobbed.
I cried hard, and it was the saddest thing ever. I really can’t understand how people can do that. I understand that there are a lot of dogs out there, and what is the shelter going to do with the dog?
Yet, still it is so sad. It’s heart wrenchingly sad for me to watch dogs or animals in general to be mistreated. To me mistreated is leaving your dog in your backyard it’s whole life like it’s a plant or something, even if it’s had a dog house. Obviously mistreatment of dogs gets far, far worse then that…but I still feel really bad for those dogs left in yards or chains.
Before we got Betty, we went to a couple animal shelters in the Valley to look at the dogs and give them love. It seemed like at least 1/4 of the shelters was Pit Bulls. Same on Oprah. Every shelter they showed, had at least 2 Pit Bulls in the line of runs they went down. We spent time with all the Pit Bulls there, because you know the chances of them being adopted by a nice loving family is slim to none. Especially the really big guys who look a little intimidating, even though they are just a much love bugs as the chihuahua down the way.
I never really know what my passions are, or what I want to do with my life. I’m 32, shouldn’t I know this? Anyway, I do know that animals are a huge passion for me. They always have been. I like animals better then people. Dogs are my favorite though. I feel like I have a connection with them.
I’ve wanted to volunteer at a shelter and walk the dogs, and give them love. I just can’t bring myself to do it though. It’s emotionally draining going to the pound for me. It bums me out, and makes me sad. I get choked up as I leave, and feel like a jerk that I can’t bring them all home with me and give them love, and a warm comfy house to sleep in.
I think I could volunteer at a rescue at least they aren’t being squirted with a hose as their run gets cleaned out of the poop and urine. A place where the dogs are treated with kindness and love. So, even though they don’t have a home or a family they aren’t being mistreated.
So, I’m going to find a pit bull rescue that Jeremy and I can go volunteer at on the weekends.
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June 6th, 2008 at 3:41 P
I would have lost it, and cried for days. I’m very passionate about domesticated animals, and I can’t bare to watch things like that.
My “5-year plan” is to own an animal sanctuary, probably somewhere in Colorado. You and Jeremy can come and volunteer for me
June 7th, 2008 at 4:38 P
I saw that show when it came on a few weeks back. But, I have known for a very long time how cruel people are with their animals. Since I live in Florida, pit bull rings are very common. I have had boxers all my life and when my last boxer passed, we rescued a boxer. His name is Ernest T. Bass and is a wonderful dog to have. Boxers are used for bait in pit bull rings. There is only one way in and no way out. It’s very sad.
I’m glad you are giving some time to dogs to care for. It’s a wonderful feeling to help them out when you can. Take care.
June 7th, 2008 at 5:48 P
Reading your post, you remind me of myself. Exactly like myself. I love animals more than people and cried just reading about the euthanasia of the dogs you described. I find it horrific and heartbreaking. I don’t understand how it’s justified to put animals to sleep because no one wants them. We don’t do that to people who aren’t wanted. The government needs to spend money on advocating spaying and neutering of pets, I think that would be a good start. I know so many people who tell me that they just can’t afford to fix their pets so they just keep letting them have litters and try desperately to find homes for the puppies or kittens. The homes that they do eventually find in the long-run were potential homes for dogs or cats from the pound or rescues.
I volunteered at several rescues for cats, a couple of years ago. It feels rewarding yet sad at the same time because you know you’re helping them but you’d like to help more by bringing them home to nurture and protect them all.
It sickens me how the majority of society treats animals.
June 8th, 2008 at 7:13 P
Julie- Yes! I would totally be down to do that! I would also love to be able to have some sort of rescue for dogs. I think that would be the best feeling ever, knowing your giving them a place where they are respected and loved.
Tammy- when i was watching Oprah Lisa Ling, said “she didn’t know it was that bad at the puppy mills” and I was wondering how the hell she didn’t know this? Pit Bull fighting rings just disgust me more then anything.
wyther- I agree on the government thing! although there are plenty of places to spay and neuter your pets for really low fee. I say this as my youngest dog isn’t spayed but, she also doesn’t go crazy when she is in heat looking for a way out, nor are we irresponsible with her and put her in a situation to get pregnant. We really need to get her spayed though, just for health reasons.