Today while I was out jogging I came across a German Shepherd sleeping on the sidewalk a few blocks from my garage (did I mention that I live in a garage?). My first instinct was to pick up Fitz-G to protect her. Since her encounter with the pit bull a few weeks ago that cost me 120 dollars in vet bills (she had a puncture wound on her shoulder, but otherwise was unharmed), I have been super careful with stray dogs. I immediately felt guilty for being so prudent when the sweet sleepy animal looked up at me with a look of complete trust; I could tell instantly that he was so hungry that he was harmless. His bony spine stuck out like a fish skeleton. And, as I spoke gently to him as we walked past, even Fitz-G looked at him with pity. The poor thing. Abandoned, hungry, alone, and now feared as well.
I've got to get my "Cheap Shit" charity off the ground ASAP so I can start making a difference for abandoned city animals. I'm going to look for investors this weekend. The idea is a second hand store that finds all its inventory on the side of the road (or through donations). Since animals are often abandoned, the animals will be part of the store, and customers will be encouraged to donate money to their care or adopt them while purchasing clothes and furniture. I got the idea from my job; each day we empty the "trash" (read: the furniture and clothes that people leave behind) out of foreclosed homes, and I'm never sure where it goes.
VA
what an excellent idea! I myself am a dog that lives on the side of the road: specifically, the intersection of Washington and Sherbourne in Los Angeles. Come see me! I am the schnauzer with the adorable eyebrows and funny smell.
ReplyDeleteI have only spot-ty (tee-hee) access to the internet, so it's really wonderful to see that someone is out there advocating for canines in my situation. Keep up the good work!