Chris Meistre

It was reaffirmed again this week to me that some people shouldn’t even be allowed to look at dogs, let alone have them. It saddens me whenever I see animals being mistreated or neglected. They didn’t ask to come become part of your world, you decided that for them.

How often don’t I see or hear of someone that got a puppy, and after a few months they just lost interested in it because it became “too much work” or the puppy cuteness is now gone. Or they “just can’t handle it”.

Or people that just cannot keep the dogs in their yards, and inevitably the dog gets lost and needs to start fending for itself. And then you get the people that use dogs as punching bags, kicking and hitting them to get rid of their frustrations.

Now what brought this anger into my life again this week started with an email I received.  It had an attachment of one of the most beautiful English Bull Terrier puppies that I’ve ever seen.  The email made mention that he’s about 2 years old, very lovable and looking for a home.  Perhaps I misread the reason why, but he was going to be put down and I couldn’t understand why.  So after discussing it with Bernadette, we decided we have space, love and the patience to take care of another doggy.  When I contacted the lady that rescued him for being put down, she said someone else has already expressed interest, but we’re welcome to come around to also have a look.  So Wednesday evening we met up at their house.  The photo didn’t do Raggy (his name) justice.  He’s a lot bigger in person, and has the most lovable face.  The other people were there as well, and I was happy to see that he’ll go to a loving home.  I then asked about the reason for him almost being put down, and was shocked to hear the stupid reason.  The owners decided to move, and therefore the dog had to be put down.  Angry wasn’t the right word for what I felt.  I’m just glad there are people out there like this lady that still care about dogs.

The second incident happened while we spoke to someone who has recently adopted a dog because the previous owners abused it.  I’ve seen the dog once or twice, and she really is beautiful, it’s just a pity that she is so scared of males due to her abuse.  The dog has a skin condition that was carried over from her parents, and is not curable.  First thing that got me angry was the fact that the dog hasn’t be spayed yet, and they laugh as they tell of how another dog has gotten into their yard and tried to deck her.  When we ask why they don’t get her fixed, they respond by saying that they want to breed with her.  I couldn’t believe it.  Here was a dog with serious mental issues and health issues that can be carried over to her babies, but they want to put her through more trauma by trying to breed with her.  Forgetting for a moment about the fact that the world already has TOO MANY DOGS and that it will cost them money they might not have to make sure the puppies are looked after and get good homes, WHAT THE FUCK ARE THEY THINKING?

It’s pity there aren’t laws against this thing and it’s an even bigger pity that 85% of the world’s population feel like dogs are just things.  If I could wish for 1 thing, I would wish that every time before someone gets a puppy or a dog, they just ask themselves if they’ll still be so in love with it 6 months later, or if they do something that will affect it, really think about how it will affect the dog.

And to those people out there that really care for and look after their dogs or whatever other dogs they might find, may only good things come your way!

Dear Dogs and Cats,

The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by Bernie Ecclestone and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn’t help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king size bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort however. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years – canine/feline attendance is not required.

The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat’s butt. I cannot stress this enough.

Finally, in fairness dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:

TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:

(1) They live here. You don’t.
(2) If you don’t want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That’s why they call it ‘fur’-niture.
(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like a lot of people.
(4) To you, they are animals.. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don’t speak clearly.

Remember – dogs and cats are better than kids because they:

(1) eat less,
(2) don’t ask for money all the time,
(3) are easier to train,
(4) normally come when called,
(5) never ask to drive the car,
(6) don’t hang out with drug-using people;
(7) don’t smoke or drink,
(8) don’t want to wear your clothes,
(9) don’t have to buy the latest fashions,
(10) don’t need a gazillion dollars for college and
(11) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children