Really Upset

Stories like this really have an inpact on me too and it's hard to shake. I just make the assumption that anyone who has dogs also cares for and loves them, but I guess that's not always true. It's just heartbreaking and there's probably so many stories like this or worse that we never hear.

*sigh* I have Pennsylvania German blood strongly in my background, and I can tell what the situation is just by reading the article (that doesn't say much).  Dogs are simply a cash crop to people like these -- and rifle shells are cheaper than vet bills *and* they weren't prosecuted the way they might have been if they'd have turned them in (besides they didn't have to travel to do it). 

It's such a shame that they have so little conscience that the animals were allowed to be in that shape to *begin* with.  That's horrible.  But to take the "easy" way out is unconscionable.

I have a farm background (altho not a large farm at all) but I tell you -- my Dad was reared to always be sure an animal didn't suffer and that was drilled into my head as a child.  I wouldn't say his discipline methods are mine ... but an animal was never allowed to suffer or be sick.  Hunters used to use my grandparents land, and many many times my Dad and his brothers went out to finish a 'kill' when some weekend hunter bragged he'd "almost gotten" an animal but hadn't bothered to track it and finish it. 

This isn't about hunting -- it's about mindset and what's acceptable.  I can't even imagine the fear of the last 79 ... *sigh* (and yeah, Anne -- it made me sick to my stomach too)

*sigh* I feel ya. Puppy mills are EVERYWHERE.

We are in the process of trying to shut one down here. We confiscated 121 small breed dogs - 4 months ago. We are still going to court trying to get full custody.... PM me and I can send you the link to the story if you want - it's not fun stuff, so I wont post it here. I see these dogs daily, and it still makes me teary to re-read their stories and such.

There are no laws inforced for animals down here - FL has some of the worst animal cruelty standings in the country. We're not giving up though, and we really hope that after this case is done, some things will change, for the better.

Thank you, Callie.  You totally get why I'm so upset.

 Annie it made our news this morning

They mentioned that legislation had been put forward to make it illegal to shoot dogs/pets (not sure of the of which)

This may be the 'theme' you need for your walk fund raising, especially since it is so close to home

hope you are feeling better today

Karen

Karen, what a GREAT idea!  I'm feeling better today, thanks.  I owe that to going out to dinner with DH, talking to him about it more.  He totally understood where I was coming from & I just needed to talk my feelings out.  It also helped that I got LOTS of Pibble kisses last night.  I think there's something magical about big dog kisses.  The owners of the restaurant I chose have 2 Pibbles.  I asked if I could get some kisses from them & their mama was glad to oblige me.

 It's hard to deal with stuff like this, and I'm glad that the pibbles were there to help wash some of it away. :-)

There's a dog hoarder not too far from where I live. Animal control took away 300 dogs from him but let him keep about 50. Fifty! Can you imagine? The local community tracks him now, (I think) but still. I can't believe they let him keep ANY dogs. He wasn't feeding them or watering them "enough." Of course they are all tied out to dog houses like sled dogs. It makes me crazy.