What are people thinking?

I recently read an article in the Chicago Tribune about how foreclosures are leading to a rise in abandoned animals. The animals are either left to fend for themselves in abandoned houses, along the side of the road, or dropped off at shelters (the lucky ones). On a visceral level, one could say that anyone who has to give up an animal simply because they can't make their mortgage payment evidently can't afford an animal and shouldn't have one in the first place. But, the chain of events that might lead up to a foreclosure are not that simple, so people shouldn't be instantly condemned for making the decision to give up their pet.

What they should be roundly condemned for is abandoning their pet and leaving it in danger, possibly to starve or freeze to death, or get injured or killed. There are alternatives. It doesn't cost anything to drop an animal off at a shelter, even though that isn't a guarantee of a happily ever after ending. Also, it may be possible to find a temporary home for the animal (maybe even a neighbor who knows your animal) until you get back on your feet or find a new place to live that takes animals. Many shelters and rescue groups have foster care programs which provide a better living environment than a cage at a shelter.

Under the law in most states, pets are treated like personal property. Obviously, this isn't the case with Phoebe and Jake. It really makes me sad when animals through no fault of their own suffer because humans make bad decisions.

Just wondering

I just want to know why -- just because the temperature falls to, say, zero -- all of a sudden I don't get to go on my morning walk. I have a nice thick coat. I have sturdy feet. I love the snow. But no, human companion won't take me out. Being let out into the yard just isn't the same. At least the dog walker comes and takes me out... though I'm still nervous around the dog walker.

Where to begin?

So we decided to leap in with all twelve feet and write a blog. Sometimes it will have a human perspective, and sometimes it will have a doggie perspective. To get things off on the right feet, let’s first hear from the dogs.

Hi there! I’m Phoebe, the pretty dog you see in the photo. I was rescued from the pound in Chicago, otherwise known as Chicago Animal Care and Control, when I was about three months old. They say I am a chow-collie mix. The jury is still out on whether it is genes or repressed experiences during my first three months of life that have had the most significant impact on my personality.... but I’m sure you’ll hear more about that later.

Yo! Jake here. The handsome one! Quite a guy, aren’t I? I was adopted from a traveling adoption organization visiting the local Petco. My best friend says she wasn’t too pleased with the adoption agency, something about saving me from starvation, but you’d have to ask her about it. From my perspective, even though they kept me 24 hours a day in a crate for more than 4 months, I finally went home with her and, believe me, since then, well, let’s just say, I’ve really made my mark! They told MBF that I was a border collie mix with a hint of Australian Cattle Dog. In any event, everyone who looks at me says I’m totally ACD (or was that ADD?). My grandparents must have been very strong swimmers to get to Chicago from Australia! I love to swim., too. Maybe I’ll make the reverse commute one day. Of course, MBF would need to swim with me there, because we’re a team and she needs me. I simply can’t abandon her. My mission in life? Give me a job! Give me a job now!! Then give me another job!!!

So, there is your first introduction. Going forward, we’ll write about some of the challenges and rewards of life with Jake and Phoebe.