All of my life I've been a journal writer. I've got a book shelf lined with journals from the floor to the ceiling in my home. They hold memories, highlights, low times, and general thoughts for over two decades. Stuffed in the front cover of each book (roughly 5" by 9") are mementos from that year: cards, ticket stubs, notes, petals, illustrations; created for or by me that help paint a vivid picture of experiences that may have otherwise slipped through the cracks of my memory over time.
Often I think about how my accumulation of over 30 journals would be among the items I'd grab in the case of a fire or natural disaster. Of course there are many possessions of mine that I would never want to lose, but my collection of journals carry essentially, my life.
A few years ago, as my dedication to writing became less of a priority than my burgeoning career and industrious lifestyle, I began pulling random journals from their chronological dusty spots on my shelf, and read them before going to sleep at night. Often it felt as if I was reading a new book about a fictional girl's life, while sometimes pages seemed to transport me back in time completely.
I love the act of writing; pen and paper. It was always a significant task; finding just the right pen to use for my mood at the time of the current journal entry. Typing seems to take the spontaneity away a bit. I can write directly from my gut, or from my heart, yet a computer allows the deletion of a phrase as if it had never existed. It's a little sad I think, but I strive to adapt to the "modernity" of our current virtual reality. I suppose it's a good thing that I can truly edit what I put out to...oh, the entire universe here. (!) Nevertheless, this is definitely considered a personal risk for me; to perceive my blog as a contemporary journal entry, equal to a bigger peek at what's in my head.
What do I want to say here? Well, I want to impart upon everyone to share when you've learned something new with others.
By now, most people know of my professional (and personal) dedication to ending pet overpopulation. My deep urge to let people know is unwavering. What are the circumstances and reasons behind the fact that in the U.S. up to six million cats and dogs are euthanized in animal shelters each year? The use of scare tactics, guilt, or by solely pulling on heart strings isn't necessary. There is basic information that we can get across in a creative or plain way.
Why are millions of animals dying in our shelters at our own hand?
We live in a society that is so in-the-moment, that most cannot predict the results of our actions. The mere fact is that hundreds of thousands of healthy, lovely dogs and cats enter the animal shelter system: daily, weekly, monthly, yearly across the country.
People that understand what happens at your local government shelter may be afraid to fully face the dreary facilities, and look into the sad, scared eyes of the precious creatures that sit behind the cages. They may not want to endure the helpless feeling that can rage inside your stomach when you realize that not every animal in there will find the loving home it deserves. Actually, not even half of them will.
So we lose those pet seekers who do not want to enter the shelters at all. They will opt to find a pet elsewhere - perhaps it's a pet store, or a breeder, or best yet, through a rescue organization. When a pet is adopted from a rescue organization, that will enable the group to go straight to the shelter and rescue one more. (Thus, the true definition of "rescue.")
Yet, even if every animal was adopted or rescued out of the government shelters all at once right this very moment, in two weeks the shelters would be full once again with more beautiful sets of lonely eyes peering in from cold, barren spaces.
One of the top three reasons that dogs enter shelters is due to personality, lifestyle and/or lack of training. Most of the previous owners did not practice obedience training or seek outside guidance to ameliorate any issues. Guess what? They will get a new dog and continue with the same actions as with their last discarded dog. Is the dog to blame for the owner's ignorance or lack of effort? What does it matter when they will pay with their lives time and time again.
How important is it to find the right match? VERY important! It is everything when considering a new pet, most certainly with dogs. There are many types of breeds with different types of personalities and needs. Find the one that fits your lifestyle - not the one that is the cutest. With the dog that best fits you and your life, you'll both be content.
New dog owners that do not prioritize basic obedience training will not be as successful as those that understand the vital importance of starting your relationship out together with one leader: you.
Sterilize them! Yes, of course spaying and neutering your pets is important for many reasons. Pets will live longer, have less chance of getting cancers, be more attentive and easier to train, and will not have litters that people are unprepared to care or find homes for.
Yet there are many pet owners who will not sterilize their dogs or cats for various reasons. Although recent legislative efforts to enforce sterilization are in full force, there will still be the accidental litter that leads to hundreds of animals entering shelters, or given to others who may not sterilize, or keep their unneutered dog secure in the yard which will lead to even more accidental litters in multiple neighborhoods. "Accidental litter" is additionally on the top of the list of reasons healthy dogs and cats will come in by the thousands each week in most metropolitan areas.
There are many definitions and beliefs about what a "pet" truly means. Dogs serve as a purposeful protective service for some, cats may be deemed as "part of the neighborhood," to others, meanwhile images of pets sleeping cozy in owner's beds are played repeatedly via commercial media, and may be the only driving factor for some to own a four-legged animal; a true companion.
I hope it is clear by now: the issue of the pet overpopulation crisis is extremely convoluted.
- People don't want to go to shelters where they may look into the eyes of an animal that will die for no good cause.
- Dogs are being adopted for every reason other than it is a great match for someone's lifestyle or situation.
- Dogs are not being trained, nor are the owners.
- Cats and dogs will have hundreds of thousands of accidental litters every year because they aren't sterilized, or kept protected.
- Not everyone has the same definition for "pet."
How do we not get emotional and focus on being productive? What about concentrating on prevention? This problem begun many years ago, affecting and affected by all demographics. Someone with a Harvard education, or somebody on welfare could both be in the dark about the gravity of the situation, unaware of their detrimental contribution to it.
The majority of tactics intent on increasing awareness, funding, and action about the plight of shelter animals have preached the saving, rescuing, and assisting of healthy pets, as opposed to developing a multi-faceted strategy towards preventing them from entering the shelters. I am 100% committed to the latter, and envision a sustainable call to action. An action that is clear to anyone during any moment, what the positive outcome will be.
In the meantime, please help spread the word...
If you've learned something, please share it with someone. Your word has an impact on others, and that's the first step to letting people know how we are all affected by our actions.
Thank you, and here comes 2008.
