I am compelled to respond to "Most Humane Thing," the person who posted comments following the article "Humane Society to Consider Policies on Aggressive Dogs" and suggested euthanizing all "unadoptable" animals. I have questions for this person and anyone else making snap judgments: What is your expertise? What training and education did you have that you are qualified to judge these animals? Is your judgment based on scientific findings, or are you going by a "gut feel?" Define for me an "unadoptable" animal. Is it:
• Animals with physical defects? If so, you're wrong. I have a three-legged cat, two one-eyed cats and one with chronic bowel disease. I love them all dearly.
• Old animals? Sorry, wrong again. I adopted an older German Shepherd who was with me until she died of cancer at 13. Old animals always will be welcome in my home.
• Unsocialized pups? I adopted two of them from GCHS. When I first brought them home, their jaws were clamped expressing their worry. You should see their happy faces now.
• Dog-aggressive dogs? I had one for 11 years, until the day she died. With responsible management, she lived a great life and never hurt another animal. She brought me years of love.
The policies GCHS are creating should be rooted in doing what's right for animals and for people. So, "Most Humane Thing", after reading your (and other) comments, it is clearly evident to me that we should consult the experts on creating these policies. Best Friends Animal Society (bestfriends.org) is a national leader on humane policies. Visit its Web site and learn something. Then, after you have learned what it really means to do the "most humane thing," go down to the GCHS and offer your services. They desperately need you. They desperately need a new shelter designed with animals in mind. Perhaps that aggressive dog is just a stressed-out dog.
God judges all of humanity equally. He also loves all of us equally regardless of the way we look, our personalities, our quirks, our problems. You are not better than me, and I am not better than you. He wants all of us to be saved. Isn't it about time that we reflect that kind of compassion toward the animals with whom we share this planet? Come on, people, we are responsible for these animals. Their blood is on our hands.
• Animals with physical defects? If so, you're wrong. I have a three-legged cat, two one-eyed cats and one with chronic bowel disease. I love them all dearly.
• Old animals? Sorry, wrong again. I adopted an older German Shepherd who was with me until she died of cancer at 13. Old animals always will be welcome in my home.
• Unsocialized pups? I adopted two of them from GCHS. When I first brought them home, their jaws were clamped expressing their worry. You should see their happy faces now.
• Dog-aggressive dogs? I had one for 11 years, until the day she died. With responsible management, she lived a great life and never hurt another animal. She brought me years of love.
The policies GCHS are creating should be rooted in doing what's right for animals and for people. So, "Most Humane Thing", after reading your (and other) comments, it is clearly evident to me that we should consult the experts on creating these policies. Best Friends Animal Society (bestfriends.org) is a national leader on humane policies. Visit its Web site and learn something. Then, after you have learned what it really means to do the "most humane thing," go down to the GCHS and offer your services. They desperately need you. They desperately need a new shelter designed with animals in mind. Perhaps that aggressive dog is just a stressed-out dog.
God judges all of humanity equally. He also loves all of us equally regardless of the way we look, our personalities, our quirks, our problems. You are not better than me, and I am not better than you. He wants all of us to be saved. Isn't it about time that we reflect that kind of compassion toward the animals with whom we share this planet? Come on, people, we are responsible for these animals. Their blood is on our hands.
