The
Chain with the Forgotten Ball
By Audrey Brothers
So
the saying goes...man's best friend. Just take a look around and
think again. Maybe they are supposed to be, but many of them sure
aren't treated that way. That's obvious in various situations. If
you haven't guessed already, I'm talking about dogs—both sexes,
all breeds and all sizes—even though I'm somewhat afraid of
the "big ones".
It's
a cruel world for everyone, but it's been a grueling world for many
dogs for a long, long time. And, it's time for the neglect and punishment
to stop not only right here and now, but especially with the winter
season rapidly approaching.
I
like dogs better than people. Anyone who knows my character can
verify that fact.
Apparently,
I am not alone in my time-consuming and frustrating quest for the
fair treatment of dogs. My friend and former Cambria Heights high
school classmate (Class of '82), Tammy Sneath Grimes—a
mother of two children as well—has founded a home-based, non-profit
rescue and fostering program entitled "Dogs Deserve Better"
(DDB), which focuses on the degrading issue of dogs being chained
outside 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for 12 months out of the
year—for many years—despite various adverse weather conditions
and sometimes without regularly-provided portions of food and water.
Being
a crusader herself, she chose to devote time to this issue because
there are other animal rights groups that have been formed, such
as, Aid for Animals Laws for Paws, who absolutely agree that
chaining dogs out for life shouldn't be the norm. Local humane societies
overwhelmingly agree, as well. However, as Sneath Grimes pointed
out, it is—for these organizations—just one issue of many
to contend with. They are so focused on the other immediate dog
issues, such as saving dogs that are abused, finding homes for abandoned
dogs, providing medical care for those in need, that the "dogs-living-chained-outside
issue" is often left unattended to due to a lack of time and
funding.
"These
issues run really deep, and chaining dogs is only one symptom of
a huge societal problem. But I think unless someone, some organization
focuses on this, it will continue to fall to the back burner and
dogs will continue to live chained outside for a lifetime, 10-20
years living as prisoners who've committed no crimes, because the
groups who focus on the whole problem don't have time to really
address this part of it. It's not considered abuse by law, and it
needs to be. It's neglect, pure and simple. So while the other organizations
are focusing on the immediate saving of lives, I want to bring this
issue to the public's awareness time and again until people sit
up and take notice," said Grimes.
She
would like to monitor and assist pet owners who chain their dogs
outside. "Educate, educate, educate," she stated.
For
Tammy, the main focus is to remain on rescuing the forgotten dogs—those
who appear to have a home, and food, and do not seem to be in the
immediate face of danger. "Death of the soul is still death
to me. They (chained dogs) deserve much more than that. They deserve
love, decent treatment, decent living arrangements and respect,"
she stated.
I
know all too well. I gave a mangy, matted but potentially beautiful
broken-chained, medium-sized "escapee" dog half of my
lunch about 2 weeks ago on a cold and wet, rainy day in Susquehanna
Township. I tried to get "it" to follow me home to no
avail. After 6 phone calls, four of them being long distance, to
various local, county and state agencies, I gave up. It was pointless
because all that I was getting was the "runaround" from
everyone that I spoke with—which is more than these chained
dogs are getting.
Shortly
thereafter, I was informed about Tammy's crusade.
Some
may call me crazy or say I don't have a life, but I have thought
about that poor dog everyday since—wondering if it's dead or
alive. I also wonder whether it would be better off being dead—
sometimes that seems like the more logical question/solution. It
was too frightened and neglected to even approach me—apparently
afraid that, after finally "escaping", it would ultimately
be "chained" again if caught. No one would ever let their
lost child out starving in the rain.
People
who would like to learn more about this issue, contribute or become
a volunteer can log onto Sneath Grimes' website, which is www.dogsdeservebetter.com.
Her goal is to make this a nationwide program, and she has already
had input and responses from people as far away as New Jersey,
North Carolina, and California.
"It (the support) has just been huge," she stated in a
telephone interview.
She
has already rescued two formerly chained dogs—Chance and
Worthless (her inspiration dog for DDB), who is now rightfully
and simply named "Bo". That former name says a volume
about some dog owners and their value of and dedication to their
"best friend". Chance, a neutered German shepherd mix
who, quite frankly deserves a chance, is presently in foster care
and available for adoption. Please contact Sneath Grimes for additional
information.
If
you're a "chainer", as we refer to you, please read the
following.
"GREETINGS
WITH LOVE...FROM A LONELY DOG"
I
wish someone would tell me what it is that I've done wrong.
Why do I have to stay chained up and be left alone so long?
They seemed so glad to have me when I came here as a pup.
There were so many things we'd do while I was growing up.
The
Master said he'd train me as a companion and a friend.
The Mistress said she'd never fear to be left alone again.
The children said they'd feed me and brush me every day.
They'd play with me and walk me if I would only stay.
But
the Master "hasn't time", the Mistress says I shed.
She doesn't want me in the house—not even to be fed.
The children never walk me. They always say, "Not now".
I wish that I could please them. Won't someone tell me how?
All
I had, you see, was love.
I wish they would explain to me—
why they said they wanted mine,
and then left it on a chain?
written
by Edith Lassen Johnson
Please
bring your dogs inside, feed them, give them water, and love them.
And, please don't say, "Oh, it's just a dog".
—Audrey
Brothers
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