Willi is still at the Big House on vacation. He’s been there since Monday. I miss my dog. I think my friend Rob is thinking of getting himself a dog from the Humane Society. Oh yes…the Humane Society. Actually, I should thank the Human Society because without them I would never have found Willi. Willi did not actually come from the Humane Society; on the contrary, he came from a good breeder in the Albion Hills.
At the time I had a Springer Spaniel named Sam. Sam was a great dog but I sensed that he was getting a bit lonely for the company of other dogs, so I thought it would be a good idea to get him a friend. My first thought was to give an unwanted dog a home, so off I went to the Humane Society. I went back a couple of times and each time was heartbreaking because I felt like taking them all home with me. By the second visit I had chosen one particular dog I thought would make a great family member.
So I went to the front desk and told them that I had found a dog that I was interested in adopting. I was then lead into a small room by one of the attendants where she proceeded to conduct an adoption interview. First I was asked to fill out a form, and then was asked a series of questions. At the end of the interview I was told that I was ineligible to adopt a dog because the dog I currently owned had not been neutered. Sam would first have to be neutered before I might be eligible to adopt one of their already neutered animals.
I understand all their concerns; of course they don’t want more stray animals being created in the world by unfixed dogs. What animal lover would sign up for that? However, my dog was never going to get the opportunity to impregnate another animal unless by design. So the dog at the Humane Society lost a wonderful loving home and stayed there to wait for another family to come along, or to be put down; I then went and bought Willi, my adorable and much loved West Highland Terrier, from a reputable breeder.
As much as I wanted to support the Humane Society, I felt they were more interested in agendas and policies and therefore prevented this particular animal from being adopted into a loving home. As I said, the dog I had wanted to adopt was already neutered (as all the abandoned animals are) and was not at risk of creating any new puppies. Later I was told by a student of mine, who had some insider knowledge of the Human Society, that they receive government funding for each animal they have to put down. Hmmm. That would be evil wouldn’t it? So, what is humane, and what is society? It’s a difficult area and has a dark underbelly.
The end outcome of this story is that Sam remained unfixed until the end of his life as well as Willi, and neither of them was ever granted the opportunity to impregnate another dog; simple as that. So thank you Humane Society for Willi; and as for that dog in need…I pray that a loving family adopted him before he became a government subsidy. I had been willing and able.
So, the day begins…
