HoundsGood: Chronicles of a Virtual Volunteer

Dogs Deserve Better has once again mounted a Valentine’s Day Campaign.  There is still time to volunteer. Many people, including many children are meeting to create Valentines and stuff envelopes and send them to homes that have chained or penned dogs.

Last year, 12,113 Valentine’s were delivered to homes all over the country (plus to some areas of Canada and Australia).

They are asking for three things:
1) People to make Valentines

2) People to send in discount coupons for dog treats and donations for Valentine postage and materials.

3) People to send in addresses where they know a dog is chained up outside or penned. Last year there were more cards than addresses. This is so important.

At first I was skeptical, thinking that an owner of a chained dog would just throw out the card, and maybe some do, but response from the previous years has proven that some people take it to heart:

From Bobbie (2009 ):  On Valentines day a woman called me and said she received our Valentine again this year. She had received them in previous years and called the police to report harassment. I sent one again this year. And she called and said “come get her.” Not because she was angry with us, but with her family for wanting to keep the dog chained. Her daughter has severe allergies which is why Mackenzie was out there in the first place. She did the brave thing and went against her familys (sic.) wishes and surrendered the dog to us. Now we need to get her out ASAP. She told her husband and children “how would you like to be chained?” She read the brochure and looked at the website and she now believes that chaining is cruel and inhumane and is going to try to teach her family. Mackenzie is about 9 years old spayed, submissive with other dogs. She comes when called off-leash. We took her for a walk but I have 9 dogs and 4 cats here. Regan got adopted and was returned after 4 days or I would have been able to take her. We can help transport almost anywhere.
Thanks,
Bobbie and Terry, Greencastle PA REPS

From PA Rep Tena Emerson (2008), “Two dogs, a chocolate lab and a terrier mix have been taken inside by their owners after getting their Valentines card. I have been working with this family for some time. The husband was all for bringing in the dogs and wife not…she told me ‘that Valentines card just did it, it pushed me to the yes’. Her husband said he was very happy when she said ‘bring them in’ with tears running down her face. Well, after getting their valentines cards, the dogs are happy inside and groomed. I have let them know I am here if they need anything…

From Martha Honus, North Carolina: “I am a volunteer with Carolina Poodle Rescue. One of our members lives in your area and gave us information on your organization. I sent a neighbor’s dog a valentine. It is a beautiful brindle dog that is tied to a tree with a piece of loose tarp for a house. I found out their name and address and sent one of the Valentines to the pup. On February 16 the little dog had a little barn house and is not always tied out there now. Thank you so much for the valentine.”

Ohio Rep, Marla Dakes, reported her first Valentine Success Story. Harley is a beautiful long-haired German Shepherd who spent his life living in a pen. As a Valentine’s Day gift of love - His caretakers called Marla, and released Harley to rescue. On 2/24/08, Harley was delivered to his forever home in Canada! Marla drove many of the miles from Ohio north herself. She is Harley’s rescue angel.

Sometimes its a little message that someone reads in private that makes all the difference.

Some people look at their dogs and say “they have dog food, they have a water bowl, and there’s an awning in case it rains,” and they think that they are fine. Well, a dog is a “pack” animal and being seperated from their “pack” (YOU!) is torture to a dog. It can cause loneliness, behavior problems, and more. Some may justify this because they go out and pat the dog a little each day and then refuse to bring the dog inside because the dog jumps and acts crazy when they are paid attention to. You would act desperate too if you were stranded alone somewhere and saw a chance at being able to be with family again. In a “Pack”, you walk together, you eat together, and you sleep together. Now, I am not saying that every dog has to sleep in a person’s bed, but a dog who is not allowed in the “den” and is forced to live a part has a lonely and unhealthy life indeed.

If you can make Valentine’s, provide addresses of chained dogs, or can help in other ways please go to Dogs Deserve Better’s Valentine’s Day 2010 page http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/Valentines2010.html

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