My Plea

My mother and my husband have unilaterally decreed that I need another outlet when it comes to animal cruelty, dogs in particular. According to the verdict, I put myself in dangerous situations and need to take a more hands off approach. My mom suggested a blog. I on the other hand feel that I need to intensify my role as an animal advocate as abused creatures seem to cross my path in herds these days.

I wish I could eloquently explain my sensitivity to the subject. I know that if I tried, people would ignore the desperation of the voiceless creatures for which I speak and see my words as the eccentric despair of yet another animal rights activist. I will simply say that this goes deeper than heartache for me. I write this entry as I am hourly (ßnot an exaggeration these days) haunted by the miserable brown eyes, tail between the legs, tongue hanging out desperate for water, skin and bones dogs that burden my thoughts.

I type this as a plea to my fellow animal lovers, to the humans who do not leave their animals sweltering in the parking lots of Wal-Mart or JoAnne’s or Gold’s Gym; to the person who does not get drunk and throw his dog on the pavement outside my house; to the individual who walks his dog in the early mornings or cool evenings-not tied to the back of his bike at 3:00 p.m. during a heat wave. I compose this for the men who resist using a shock collar on their puppy as evening entertainment on my street corner; for the family who brings their dogs into the air-conditioning instead of leaving the pups baking in the treeless backyard. Please fellow animal lovers, continue to love your pets unconditionally. Dear humans with a conscience, please put the humane society’s number in your phone because not everyone loves their pets like you do. Please call the humane society and speak for the unloved animals because I am scared to leave my house these days…and I am not abused.