"Comedy of Errors" (Reply)

(Picture left: There are "perfect dogs" out there -- like Coby pictured left and rescued in 1992. But, at the time of his rescue as a one-eyed, battered, filthy and "old" Harlem junkyard dog, no one wanted him. -- He was the best dog I ever had. )

Alison in California Writes: I thought what you said about the old lady who didn't want a dog with a saggy belly was hilarious.

Reply: Thank you for your supportive comment.

Yes, many of the things in animal rescue/placement work would be truly funny, if they weren't in fact, so tragic. For examples:

The people who tell you they are "committed" -- as long as they have the pet. That is like someone saying they are "committed" for the few hours of a one-night-stand.

The people who go into a tizzy when you inform them that you "don't have a magic wand" to come up with the instant home for their discarded cat or dog before they "move" tomorrow morning.

The people who call you on a furry Chow Chow -- and then in the next breath, tell you they "don't want a dog who sheds."

The people who call seeking a young and healthy dog. But, then tell you two seconds later that the dog should be "already trained, mellow and not jump on my 6-year-old child." -- In other words, "I want an old dog in a young dog's body."

Something, we unfortunately cannot wave our magic wands and create.

The people who threaten to "report you to the Better Business Bureau" because you dare to ask them why, as pet owners, they chose to move into a "no pet" apartment? What seems like the most obvious and logical question under the circumstances, is instead, major "insult" to those who should have asked this question of themselves before calling us to unload their pets.

The people who call seeking to give up a purbred dog that they bought in a pet shop or from a breeder (and presumably paid big bucks for), but then cry "poverty" when you request that they neuter the dog. "I don't have the money for that!" they pleade. (No, but they had plenty of money to BUY the dog!)

The people who need "to give up my loved cat or dog" but then have "no time" to email you a picture of the animal for Internet advertising. "Love" apparently knows "no time" these days.

Oh yes, one could indeed go on and on about all of these things, which on the surface seem bizarre, ironic or even laughable.

But sadly, combined, they contribute to and add to the deaths of millions of dogs and cats in this country every year.

In the wise words of William Shakespeare, Life is a "comedy of errors." -- PCA

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