On My Knees

I have said in the past that I frequently find myself to be a "beacon" to homeless animals. They seek me out, find me as if they know I drive around with a box of treats in the back of my car (ps everyone should have a dog catching kit in their car that includes a slip leash and box of treats).  Well I find myself more and more becoming a beacon for fellow dog rescuers. I've received several emergency texts or calls from friends and family in need of advice with what to do with the stray dog that is now in the back of their car.

The advice I usually give is to call the local animal control. In the county I live in this is the best solution as all dogs that get picked up by the professional dog catchers get taken to a no kill shelter where they can stay forever whilst awaiting their forever home.

When I get calls from people out of state like the one I got this afternoon from my sister who lives in rural Texas, I'm not sure I am able to give the best advice. People live differently in rural areas and they treat their animals differently. It's "acceptable" to allow dogs to roam neighborhoods freely without identification and without spaying or neutering. Why they think this is okay is beyond me. Regrettably with the different lifestyles come different attitudes of law enforcement. People look at you strangely when you say you picked up a stray dog, like "well why didn't you just leave it alone, it would have found it's way home." Maybe that's true, but maybe it would have gotten hit by a car on the VERY BUSY ROAD THAT YOU WERE LETTING IT RUN UP AND DOWN! Come on people.

So when I told my frantic sister to take this dog to the local animal control she learned the hard way the reality that is our country's way of dealing with stray pets. She was told that if the dog wasn't picked up or adopted within a week, it would be euthanized.

We both know that this is happening at shelters and pounds across the country on a scale larger than I can stomach to think about. But when it's staring you in the face with a wagging tail it hits closer to home. I can't help but sob with her as I think about the probably hundred other dogs in that shelter she didn't see that don't stand a chance. WHY IS EVERYONE ELSE OKAY WITH THIS?

Why is it acceptable for people to look the other way and pretend it's not happening? Why doesn't anyone else break into sobs during this super bowl commercial watching "Rusty" and "Mr. Sprinkles" come home. It's a Toyota for goodness sake.

But the biggest question on my heart tonight is WHY GOD DID YOU MAKE ME CARE SO MUCH?? I am literally on my knees sobbing, asking WHY??!! And what do You want me to do? PLEASE GOD, stop the tears and show me what it is I am supposed to be doing. I am on my knees, begging for Your guidance, Your plan and Your help. You've made your point, I'm horrified. Help me fix it.