I hear you, on every count.
For the most part, the situation out here is far worse for cats, since the area is developed enough that packs of feral dogs will simply not be tolerated. Incredible numbers of barn cats, though. Hopefully the trap-neuter-release program will pay some dividends in the coming year on that front -- idea being that 1) a neutered cat can occupy a niche that might otherwise be filled by a fertile cat; 2) people are more likely to participate in a population reduction program if it doesn't mean killing all of the animals (most people, anyway); and 3) people have tried killing the suckers (humanely and otherwise), and it just doesn't work, 'cuz they just reproduce too fast.
It's all an interesting challenge, I think -- trying to integrate herd and individual approaches to medicine, trying to make the right decisions about which animals are going to have a legitimate shot, trying to account for and manage staff (who are, to an individual, grossly overworked and underpaid for their physical and emotional expenditure), trying to figure out how to manipulate the public so that they want to do things to help you (and, of course, the critters). It's all a big beastly mess, and I really hope I don't just slip into private practice and lose contact with it in a couple of years...
I try to explain the whole situation to my own mutts and tell them how lycky they are, but they just want to eat more and run outside...
If you don't have a dog -- at least one -- there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life.
Vincent Van Gogh
Posted this a while back on the quotes thread but it seemed appropriate to repeat it here.
The dry cleaner down the street from us has a pit bull named Gus who is very friendly and interacts with the customers. When I'm going to the bus, I will sometimes see him but I tend to not greet him until I'm going home at night as he will kiss so much that he'll lick the makeup right off me.
Yesterday afternoon, I saw him sleeping on the floor (the door was open because it was a little warm) in the following position: his back legs were perfectly straight and his toes were pointed, he was on his side and his mouth was open and his tongue hanging out the side, and his two front paws were curled like he was begging. It was sort of like the position a horse makes when jumping.
I went over to him and softly whistled a few times. He woke up, kind of shook the cobwebs, realized I am someone he likes, and promptly cleaned my face and glasses for me.
guilty of some transgression... but how can anyone stay mad at this adorable critter for more than a second?
Even when he does his thing on the new carpet.
here's a pic of the critter, from
here.
Handsome pooch.
I don't usually like the little ones.
awwwww, oooooooh. i want a puppy!
Puppies are disgusting. Much better to have a dog. (If only kittens turned into dogs when the grew up...)
Quote:Puppies are disgusting.
maybe that's why they're so friggin' cute?
Dogs I have loved:
Major: Our black cocker spaniel
Mitzi: Our white and brown spitz
Colonel: Aunt's English cocker spaniel
Timber (Timmy): Uncle's golden retriever
Cinnamon: Cousin's great dane
Jane: Cousin's mutt
Flower and Arbuckle: Daughter and son of Jane
Buttons: Neighbor's dog. I walked her every day once I was considered old enough to be responsible
Loved each and every one. Sigh. Nothing like a dog.
You're all trying to make me melt away, right?
As folks here know, I'm going through some last stuff (not sure quite how last, but soon, very soon) with my very loved Pacco.
Just connected with mcbeans, whose dog had the same problem. Her experience doesn't make me cry less, but does give me some history..
Never mind my mishugas, puppies are wonderful.
