February 23, 2010
“Life is as dear to a mute creature as it is to man. Just as one wants happiness and fears pain, just as one wants to live and not die, so do other creatures.” -Dalai Lama
Last night I spent the better part of two hours viewing American Bulldogs for adoption at www.adopt-a-pet.com. I had received an e-mail earlier in the day about a dog brought into a Florida shelter a couple of days earlier, a possible bait dog. For anyone not familiar with this term, a bait dog is used to test another dog’s fighting instinct. Most often the bait dog is younger, and smaller; and is mauled or killed in the process.
His name was Rex, and he appeared to be a pit bull/labrador mix. It was obvious that Rex had been mistreated. His ears were full of bloody puncture wounds, his white coat dull and dirty, and his face bore the expression of a dog beaten and broken beyond his years. He was estimated to be approximately 2 years old, and in his short life, it is doubtful he ever experienced much beyond fear and hurt; pain and suffering. Love was probably a four letter word he never knew.
I found out later in the evening, his time was short, and that rescuers were working like crazy to find a mixed breed rescue that could take him before today. My heart was broken for a dog I never knew, and I was saddened by the little time he had left for the chance to experience love and companionship.
I checked the shelter site this morning, and the picture of Rex was no longer displayed. I haven’t called the person who told me about him yesterday because my heart is not ready to hear what my mind already suspects. I would have received a message if he had been saved.
If you’re looking for a dog, check out your local shelters. There are also excellent resources on line at www.petfinder.com or www.adopt-a-pet.com
There are thousands of wonderful dogs in shelters and rescues just waiting for someone to love. Their time is often short, and as in Rex’s case, less than short. To Rex, you deserved better; you were loved.
Please adopt.
