karmadogs.org Blog

I was watching the news tonight when they covered a new company that is renting dogs to people who are not ready to commit to full-on dog ownership. Supporters of this type of “time share” of dogs say it is a great way to get over the loss of a pet and spend some quality time with a furry friend. An associate of the ASPCA says that “they know how rental cars are treated. Why we would subject a dog to that?” In a society where no one can commit to anything – a marriage, a cell phone contract, a hair color or even plans with friends- it makes sense that this would be a popular idea. I am not a dog behaviorist, but can’t imagine it is good for a dog to bounce from home to home, all while living in what is essentially a kennel. Having worked for a dog rescue, I know it is hard for dogs to leave one foster home for another when a foster can not continue to care for a dog. I can’t imagine how hard it would be for a dog to go from home to home, owner to owner every day. How easy would it be to ignore a dog’s health problem if it was not yours? How would a dog learn how to socialize or behave if the rules change every day? They can’t.
This is one more example of people trying to figure out how to live in a world where they are too selfish to realize they can’t have everything they want. While dogs are not children and it is not wise to anthropomorphize them, people have to realize that living a nomadic lifestyle without the ability to understand why is cruel. Sure, the dogs live in a brightly colored “day care” center. They will have medical attention and will probably spend quality time with people who will treat them well, even it is more of a chattel-like relationship. It does make it a little more palatable that they are often taken from a shelter, but what about the art of making a commitment? What is wrong with getting to know a dog, remembering their likes and dislikes, their favorite toy and giving them a place to call their own? Isn’t there something to be said for committing to something and sticking with it? If now is not the right time to get a pet, hey, then just don’t get one. Research what kind of dog you would like to get when the time is right. If you need help with that, Karma Dogs has a questionnaire that can make the decision easier. We will even go to the pound with you to find the right dog. For free. If you really need to get your dog walking fix, go to your neighborhood pound and ask to become a volunteer. Their dogs always need attention and exercise. You might even feel better about yourself for doing something selfless. If you want to keep a dog for a short period of time, offer to foster a dog for a local rescue.
The bottom line is this: You get back what you put in to life. If everything is disposable and you treat it as such, then before you know it, you are too.

I used to joke often that the only solution for Ernie, my blind newfie-mix, to get him to stop chewing on all of my shoes, was to have him de-toothed. See, I love Ernie. He is cute and fluffy and cocks his head and smiles at you. He has no clue that my nightshirt or brand new shoes are not meant for him to chew on. I figured my shoes smelled like me and he wanted to, well, I guess chew on me. He has eaten so many pairs of shoes that my husband started buying identical shoes and saving the “leftover” on the off chance that Ernie would eat the opposite shoe and leave him with a working pair. And it even actually happened. He has easily destroyed more than 10 pairs of shoes and slippers. I have even discovered him eating my shoes, leisurely, one day when I arrived home from work. I was on the phone with a good friend, a friend who would not hurt a fly, when I started screaming horrible things about my dog. I am sure I threatened him with terrible punishments. My friend was most likely scared by my sudden change in personality, but knows me well enough to know I was not seriously considering selling Ernie for spare parts. However, I did tell people on several occasions that the only solution to make him stop chewing was to have him de-toothed. Never, ever, in my wildest dreams, did I ever suspect that PEOPLE ACTUALLY DO THIS TO PIT BULLS TO STOP THEM FROM TRYING TO BITE WHILE BEING FORCED TO BREED. One of the most horrifying parts of that thought is that no reputable dentist would do this. Thanks goes to my Father-In-Law who brought this article to my attention. Just when I think people have sunk as low as they can go, where dogs are concerned, I am proven wrong. But what can I, a nobody, do to help stop dog fighting? In Maryland, dog fighting is a felony, punishable by three years in jail. If you see anything suspect, call Animal Control or 311. Animal Control officers can not make arrests, so if you suspect a dog fight in progress, call 911. And don’t think it does not happen where you live. Last year, Animal Control broke up a dog fight in Severna Park. I have heard dogs fighting (years ago) in an apartment in White Marsh. It happens everywhere. And where dog fighting happens, other illegal activity is going on. If you see or hear anything suspect, call 311 or 911. Information leading to an arrest will get you a $4000 reward, which is double what the normal Crime Stoppers reward will get you. The dogs don’t deserve it and the people should be punished. What goes around comes around- make it happen a little faster if you can.

For more information on dog fighting in Baltimore and how to stop it, check out this article from Baltimore Dog magazine.

(photo courtesy of The NY Times)