calliecritturs
Posted : 7/12/2008 11:18:34 PM
Thanks -- it's interesting. David and I have talked at length about the initial 'owners'.
First off -- she's a woman living on a military base and her husband has been deployed to Iraq. Dunno 'when'. Dunno if he's been gone some time, or if he just went over.
she did a lot of things VERY wrong -- but I also have to make myself remember she was likely over-whelmed and had not a clue. It sounds like she got this pup in order to breed her (she already HAD a male) -- those of us who hang here are pretty well acquainted with how BAD an idea that is, but I'm thinking in today's financial climate, with the fear associated with suddenly being in charge of a family there could have been a lot of contributing factors to this.
She was on a military base, which should have made certain things easier ... but in the same sentence it also makes certain things much harder (just having a spouse at war?) I doubt she was at all dog saavy -- and this being an area of the country where they routinely sell dogs out of the back of a pickup truck, it might have sounded like an easy way to make extra money. It's how most all backyard breeders get started.
She tried to sell this dog on Craigslist for a *month* (in this condition?) -- that tells me money was a big huge mega issue for her -- maybe it was the husband's idea, maybe she was fearful he'd be mad to find out the money spent was a waste? Who knows.
But we do know she was embarassed and mortified at the condition of the dog when she surrendered it.
Lots of folks in the south keep dogs outside and think it's the "ONLY" way to live. The fact that a pug can't tolerate it, just wouldn't be something people like that would know, and putting a dog outside who 'stinks' would be a common reaction. The dog gets more sick and you start getting worried the authorities will come down hard on you if they 'find out'.
Part of me is incensed beyond belief at how bad she allowed this dog to get before she finally surrendered her. but my ex was military -- and I can imagine a difficult situation for this woman only tooo easily.
I'm appalled -- and sad. I'm just glad we have her. But my heart breaks for all the other 'bad situations' out there during this really unfortunate economic climate tinged with war. for every family who loses their home to foreclosure -- there are MONTHS precipitating that of stress, tension, fear, BAD decisions and more bad decisions on top of other bad decisions.
So I try to remain somewhat neutral. A college professor of mine once said to our class "When you are pointing your finger at someone to tell them they are bad or at fault -- look at your *own* hand ... and please notice... for that ONE finger pointing at the other guy -- there are three pointing right straight back at you!! so be careful pointing fingers -- it may not be all the other guy's fault!"
I appreciate so much all the support you guys have been ... but the whole thing just makes me sad. It happens SO often.