To Ponder: Should Dumbasses Be Allowed to Own Dogs?

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Driving to the grocery store today, I saw two puppies cross the road in front of me (speed limit: 50) and start romping in some tall grass. I pulled into a side road and, seeing me, the puppies dashed across the street--ignoring traffic--and started jumping up on me. 

There was a man at his house, fixing a tractor nearby. 

"Excuse me, sir?" I called. "Are these your dogs?"

"Ay-huh."

"Okay, I just saw them cross the road and wanted to make sure they weren't lost."

He chuckled. "Nope." He slapped his legs and the puppies went running to him.

When I got home from the store, these two friendly beasts trotted up to greet me and tried to nudge their way into the house. They were panting, so I gave them water and a little dog food I keep on hand for strays. I've tangled with that beige one before. I'm pretty sure the dogs belong to people nearby, maybe in the apartment complex behind us. But it galls me to no end to see dogs running up and down streets. Who knows who could grab them or what happens if a driver not paying attention comes along?

BTW, these two dogs are now conked out asleep in the shade of my front porch.

What's an animal lover to do? 

BRENDA FOUND A HOME!

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Brenda playing with her new doggy sisterAfter Brenda appeared on WFMY news on Friday morning, she had 2-3 families calling about adopting her. A member of our APSRC group and the Humane Society of Rockingham County performed background checks and on Saturday Brenda went to live in her new forever home. She has two doggy sisters, a dachshund and the dog you see below. She's got a yard and toys and lots of love. For a dog that was literally minutes from being put down not once but twice, it's absolutely amazing to know she's now got a full life 

I have to say a special thanks to Tom Haizlip who was the one to suggest sending Brenda's story to WFMY and took a real interest in seeing her adopted. Also, Al and Faith Walker with the APSRC were tireless in their efforts to get Brenda a home. And a huge thanks to Ed Matthews of WFMY who is, quite possibly, the nicest man on the planet. 

Brenda has a home! This is a very, very, very good day. 

Brenda (the dog with 9 lives) Still Needs A Home

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I believe I have met the world's first puppy-cat. Brenda, the dog I blogged about 2 weeks ago, is now working on what must amount to her 4th or 5th life. She was quite literally minutes away from being put down last week, TWICE, and each time we (Animal Protection Society of Rockingham County) managed a stay of execution. I imagine someone running into the put down room at the vet's yelling, "Wait! Wait! The Governor called!"

Bottom line, Brenda is currently at the Humane Society in Eden, NC. She's still living in a cage, but she's alive. And I now believe more than ever that this dog was meant to live for a reason. She is going to make someone a GREAT pet. The photos you see here were taken at a volunteer's home. They kept Brenda for the weekend before being able to release her to the Humane Society. They said she was cheerful, fun, didn't bark, and got along great with their cat and other dogs. She also l-o-v-e-s her rubber bouncy ball. 

June is National Adopt-A-Cat month but given that Brenda has that 9 lives cat thing working for her, I'm asking everyone to please work on finding Brenda a home this month as well. She is so much love and fun all wrapped in a furry bundle. And look at those ears and that smile. What's not to love? 

Should We Adopt A Dog?

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Should we adopt Brenda the brindle? This question has been at the forefront of my mind for the last 48 hours. I go about my business, trying to picture life with a dog at my side. It's raining, I need to walk her anyway. I'm reading a book - wouldn't it be fun to have a cuddle partner? Where would she sleep? Where would she eat? Would the cats ever forgive me? Ooh, I bet she'd make a GREAT running partner!

I've asked numerous friends and the odd stranger on the street what they think I should do. The answers I receive are of little help. Everyone who owns a dog says, without reserve, that they are fountains of unending love and they can't imagine life without their best friends. "Yes, you should do it!" these people tell me. Yet many of these same people admit that once their current dog passes, they're unlikely to get another dog, at least anytime soon. "Too much work," and "Ties you down," are the phrases I hear repeated. 

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