The Lingering Shame Of Mankind ............continued

Household pets, like cats and dogs, are considered as much a family member as their very own children by many caring, responsible people across the land. Yet in less considerate situations, they are neglected and abused when their owners decide they have become a financial encumbrance and shirk all responsibility for their continued care. Rather than being taken to an animal shelter, rescue facility or sanctuary, they are often abandoned in remote, desolate, uninhabitable places where their chances of survival are very slim. Dogs acquired as puppies become “backyard dawgs”, chained to a fence, post or tree for hours or days at a time, without shelter from the ravages of hot, cold or inclement weather, and with minimal food and clean water at their disposal. As a result, they become susceptible to life threatening disease and ailments from prolonged exposure to such conditions. Yet , in spite of neglect and abuse, many dogs remain inexplicably loyal to their owners, perhaps because of an intrinsic need to love and belong to someone, rather than not belonging to anyone at all. Sometimes, even under the worst imaginable conditions, a dog’s ongoing loyalty to its owner(s) is legendary. Is it any wonder then, that the indomitable canine has earned the noble distinction of being called “Man’s Best Friend”?