Dogs Deserve Better is gearing up to its Valentine’s Day Campaign. 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, 7232 Valentine’s were delivered to homes all over the country (plus to some areas of Canada and Australia). The goal this year is to send Valentine’s to 10,000 homes.
They are asking for three things:
1) People to make Valentines
2) People to send in discount coupons for dog treats
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 year has proven that some people take it to heart:
From the DDB site:
From PA Rep Tena Emerson, “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.”
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 are interested in participating, please visit the page at Dogs Deserve Better