Why Do Pets Have People?: Recent Episodes

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Many shelters have homeless dogs and cats that have been temporary residents for six months or longer. In a few cases, for over a year. Why do some animals take longer to find their forever homes than others? The obvious answer is that these animals compete with younger and more desirable breeds, but the number one reason is behavior.

I have seen many older mixed breed dogs get adopted daily because they are friendly to their potential adopter. Their breed or age means very little to the adoption outcome. A few weeks back, I decided to foster a dog to help free up a kennel for a new arrival. As I walked the kennels looking at each dog, I noticed many of the dogs reacted to my presence fearfully and jumped at their kennel door. Some were still displaying friendly behavior, while others were exhibiting whale eye and aggressive behavior. I made notes about the dogs I wanted to take out of their kennel to better know them. Always take a dog or cat out of their kennel/cage to see more of their real personality. Animals that spend much of their day in a small enclosure will be stressed and act unlike themselves. Most want to get out and are trying to get your attention; thus, their antics may be vamped up a bit.

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On January 28th, I had to help my 11-year-old Golden Lab rescue, Max, crossover the Rainbow Bridge. He was inflicted with degenerative myelopathy about 6-months ago. The disease finally got the best of him, and he could no longer use his hind legs or control his bodily functions. My wife and I stayed with Max as he left us, and of course, we wept and have been grieving ever since.

Our other dog, Bentley, a Golden Retriever that we rescued about 3-years ago, doesn’t understand what happened to Max. Animals have no concept of time or death. Unlike humans, animals have no idea that one day they will die. 

If Bentley could write a letter, here is what he might say-

“Daddy,

What happened to Max? He was just here, and now he is gone. Is he visiting another family? I have looked for Max everywhere. I even went into momma’s closet, which I had never been in before. Max wasn’t in there. I thought maybe he was hiding in the garage, but I didn’t see him out there either. 

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A few months ago, I had the opportunity to meet a dog named Jimmy. A small brown and white Chihuahua-Gargoyle mix with bulging eyes and a permanent snarl on his face. Jimmy was a very nasty little dog. He belonged to one of the residents in my neighborhood. Every time his owner walked Jimmy down the block, he would growl and jump at anyone walking, cycling, or driving by. I don’t know what he thought he was going to do to a full-size F-150 pick-up if he was to catch it, but nonetheless, he tried his darndest to grab onto a fender or tire as the massive truck sped by. 

One day, I was washing my car in my driveway, and from a distance, I could hear what sounded like a garbage disposal grinding glass, but alas, I looked over my shoulder and recognized it was Jimmy. His owner is a lovely woman and very friendly. She would yell above Jimmy’s growling, “Good morning! How are you?” As soon as I started to reply, Jimmy would go flipping crazy. He was trying to break free from the retractable leash so he could sink his teeth into my leg. At least that was what I believed he wanted to do based on his antics. His owner would talk to him in a very calm and soft voice, “Now Jimmy, hush up. This man means you no harm.” Jimmy stopped for about 3-seconds and looked at her, but then turned his attention back to my lower leg and snarled as loud as possible.

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