HELP ME - CENTRAL

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Three months ago, one of my Scottish Terriers was diagnosed with cancer of the lower jaw. The diagnosing veterinarian advised me to immediately euthanize Ballantine. He said that the cancer had progressed too far (even though Bally had been given a clean bill of health two weeks earlier!), there was no treatment, no hope, and Bally’s demise would be swift and painful. I almost said yes...please end Bally’s suffering!...but then a little voice in my head told me to sleep on the advice before making a decision. The next morning my husband retrieved Bally from the vet’s office and I spent the next week frantically seeking information, advice, and hope.  Bally subsequently received a referral to the veterinary clinic at Ohio State University, underwent surgery to remove her lower jaw, and today she is a survivor, living with cancer...with a good quality of life.*  Every day with Bally is a gift.

     Some people have questioned my decision. After all, Ballantine is "just" a dog.  Why spend money on one most likely terminal dog when there are millions of animals in need? "Every year, between six to eight million dogs and cats enter U.S. animal shelters; Between four to five million of these animals are euthanized because there are simply not enough homes.  The animals killed in our shelters each day include kittens and puppies that never had a chance, adults, seniors, purebreds, owner drop-offs and strays.  Many shelters are so full that any animal that is an owner surrender is immediately "put to sleep".  The number of animals killed each year in shelters does not include animals that die on our streets and in our neighborhoods due to abandonment, injury, starvation, or neglect."*

We ought not to treat living creatures like shoes or household belongings, which when worn with use we throw away. ~Plutarc

#25  Female 4-5 year old Beagle Mix - PUT TO SLEEP

     Every day I post and cross-post animals in need on this website and on Facebook...dogs, cats, and other animals who have been abandoned, abused, neglected, and/or surrendered to kill shelters.  I post pleas from shelters hoping to find foster homes, adopters, rescues, or sponsors for animals that will be euthanized if no one steps forward, pleas from rescuers who have gone into debt trying to save animals on death row or in need of  medical treatment, and requests from people who need to re-home animals because of circumstances out of their control.  Many days I lose hope and think all of the time I have spent online has been wasted and futile. There are just too many animals in need and not enough people who care. 

     During several of my visits to the OSU clinic I sat in the waiting room and watched  people come in with their cats and dogs of all shapes, sizes, ages, and breeds.  Some of the animals were healthy, some looked like they had undergone treatment of some sort, some looked ill, some were missing limbs, but all of them had something in common...they were accompanied by someone (more often than not an entire family) who loved them. They were not "just" dogs and cats, but family members. I had refused to give up on Ballantine because she was an important part of my life, and from what I observed in the waiting room, I am not alone in my feelings.

"Hazel & puppies 319174 Pit Mix Female 1 yr ~ Hazel was at the shelter for at  least two week before she gave birth, and you could tell her heart was broken. SHE WAITED TO BE RESCUED BUT NO ONE CAME.   Her babies were still born/deformed. Hazel (mom) was sick and suffering. All were euthanized. RIP."

     And this is what I find difficult to reconcile. What is the difference between the people who love animals, who consider the non-humans in their household to be family members, and the people in our society who view animals as things to be used, abused, and  expendable? Why do some people spend much of their time and money trying to save animals while others don’t search or care when one of their dogs or cats goes missing, think nothing of dumping an animal at a kill shelter or on the side of a road when mostly likely their actions will result in death, or think there is nothing wrong with leaving a dog  in a hot car or outside on a chain without food, water, shelter or companionship?

"TAZ Pit Bull Terrier Medium Adult Male  EUTHANIZED - RIP   Sadly with the Pound flooding today, any dog showing aggression had to be put to sleep, as there was no place to move them. These are the days we hate. We had a dog that LOVED people, but not other dogs so much. Because of this and his breed mix, nobody would show interest in him for adoption or rescue. He wagged his tail and gave kisses until his dying breath. We're sorry the human race let you down, friend. "

     I hope that someday people can understand it's not "Just A Dog." It's the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "Just a man or woman."  ~Unknown

     Some days I have to step away from my computer because the sadness, frustration, and anger are overwhelming.  When I receive an update that a dog or cat has been rescued or adopted, it is a small victory, but it is the ones we couldn’t  save who haunt our days and dreams...and who give us the motivation to post one more animal or cross-post one more plea.

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