I was thrilled to learn that a Sacramento shelter has been emptied and cages are vacant, at least for a little while. Too bad it can't stay that way, but of course it won't for very long. Perhaps all the shelters in the region should consider hosting events like 11-11-11, offering deep discounts to help place more shelter pets in new homes. It's nice to know that so many pets will have a good home for the holidays, and for the rest of their lives one hopes.
Fact is, not everyone is able or willing to pay as much as it usually costs to adopt a pet from a shelter. It can be a deterrent for many. I was nearly discouraged by the $250 required to spring Beau from the Stockton shelter (how glad I am that I did pay it--I would have missed having the sweetest dog ever and the greatest love of my life). Private rescue groups usually charge much more; of course, that fee helps cover medical care and myriad costs associated with maintaining a rescue operation, which must be difficult in this economy. I hope that all the people who adopted a pet for $11.11 on Veteran's Day were made aware that it's a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of caring for a pet throughout its lifetime. Last night while sorting out old stacks of papers, I came across all the receipts from my last five basset hounds (Dolly, Bramble, Patti, Daisy, and Bubba), and it totaled thousands of dollars. The most expensive receipts for care were from VCA hospitals in the area. If we can't have universal health care for all the people in this country, perhaps we can get it for all our beloved pets. Either way, adopting a pet is a major commitment, not to be taken lightly.
I long for the day when there are no more homeless pets, and it's because they've all been adopted or weren't bred (and inbred) in the first place. On that note, I must say that I was appalled when I talked to someone at the Sacramento City shelter the other day about finding a Scotty or Scotty mix to adopt for my mom. I requested the number of a local terrier rescue group and was instead advised to go to a breeder. What???? Is that the advice they give to people seeking to adopt a pet? With shelters overfilled with homeless pets due in large part to overbreeding? I couldn't believe my ears.
Speaking of ears...
I've discovered that Beau has an ear (well, two actually) for music. I'm learning to play the guitar, and whenever it's time to practice, he comes into the room and makes himself comfortable on his soft bed to keep me company while I play. I wonder how he will react when my new piano arrives this Friday and I start playing that instrument? It's been many years since I had a piano, so I'm very excited about getting another one after all this time. I hope I remember how to read music! No matter how poorly I play, though, I doubt my conservatory canine won't mind. Truth to tell, he just loves to be wherever I am at any time of day, but I really do think he also likes the sound of the music. None of my other dogs have ever shown any real music appreciation, although I remember that one of my dogs, a mongrel named Snoto, used to like to sit on the piano bench while I played. Music doth have charms to soothe just about anyone.
Fact is, not everyone is able or willing to pay as much as it usually costs to adopt a pet from a shelter. It can be a deterrent for many. I was nearly discouraged by the $250 required to spring Beau from the Stockton shelter (how glad I am that I did pay it--I would have missed having the sweetest dog ever and the greatest love of my life). Private rescue groups usually charge much more; of course, that fee helps cover medical care and myriad costs associated with maintaining a rescue operation, which must be difficult in this economy. I hope that all the people who adopted a pet for $11.11 on Veteran's Day were made aware that it's a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of caring for a pet throughout its lifetime. Last night while sorting out old stacks of papers, I came across all the receipts from my last five basset hounds (Dolly, Bramble, Patti, Daisy, and Bubba), and it totaled thousands of dollars. The most expensive receipts for care were from VCA hospitals in the area. If we can't have universal health care for all the people in this country, perhaps we can get it for all our beloved pets. Either way, adopting a pet is a major commitment, not to be taken lightly.
I long for the day when there are no more homeless pets, and it's because they've all been adopted or weren't bred (and inbred) in the first place. On that note, I must say that I was appalled when I talked to someone at the Sacramento City shelter the other day about finding a Scotty or Scotty mix to adopt for my mom. I requested the number of a local terrier rescue group and was instead advised to go to a breeder. What???? Is that the advice they give to people seeking to adopt a pet? With shelters overfilled with homeless pets due in large part to overbreeding? I couldn't believe my ears.
Speaking of ears...
I've discovered that Beau has an ear (well, two actually) for music. I'm learning to play the guitar, and whenever it's time to practice, he comes into the room and makes himself comfortable on his soft bed to keep me company while I play. I wonder how he will react when my new piano arrives this Friday and I start playing that instrument? It's been many years since I had a piano, so I'm very excited about getting another one after all this time. I hope I remember how to read music! No matter how poorly I play, though, I doubt my conservatory canine won't mind. Truth to tell, he just loves to be wherever I am at any time of day, but I really do think he also likes the sound of the music. None of my other dogs have ever shown any real music appreciation, although I remember that one of my dogs, a mongrel named Snoto, used to like to sit on the piano bench while I played. Music doth have charms to soothe just about anyone.
Labels: Roll over Beethoven Beau
posted by Sue @ 6:52 PM
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