Most people can choose the type of life they will lead. Humans are free to live where they want and usually work where they want. Slavery is illegal and we have no one to control or authorize our every movement. Unfortunately, this doesn’t apply to pets who have an entirely different perspective of life.
Dogs are completely dependent upon humans for food, shelter, and medical care. Humans domesticated dogs; humans are responsible for them. There are thousands of pets who live wonderful, happy lives with families who love them. Other pets aren’t so lucky. Many dogs are kept on chains or in cages outside the home living as though they are in prison. One such dog escaped his confinement and the owners relinquished him to the Independence Animal Shelter.
This summer the Independence Animal Shelter had an emergency when an air conditioner broke down. ABF helped out by taking several of the shelter dogs into our rescue facility. This escapee was among the group of transferees. He was a brown and black Rottweiler mix named Duke. Duke was thin and his coat was dull. He had very few teeth, most which were broken off.
Duke was a big, sweet natured dog that accepted his situation with indifference. At first when the caregivers came in for the morning shift Duke would just lay listless on his bed. Duke soon realized that his caregivers, Gary and Carolyn, were genuinely concerned about his welfare. Duke received lots of love and attention and this changed his demeanor. Duke began to stand up and greet Gary and Carolyn in the morning with his tail wagging. Gary saw the tenderness in Duke’s eyes and felt that he was grateful to be at ABF. Carolyn would take Duke outside and spend time sitting with him so Duke would know that he was special. For the first time in his life Duke was sleeping on a real bed indoors in comfort and enjoying canned dog food.
Duke learned to enjoy walks as well. John always picked Duke during walk time and Duke enjoyed the fresh air and the casual walk through the neighborhood. John would even bring him some Buddig lunch meat for a treat now and then and Duke would stand at attention for it. Duke seemed like he was happy and appreciative to be in a place where he was loved and wanted.
Duke was taken to the vet for a routine examination. He had a severe case of heartworms. This wasn’t a big concern. ABF has rescued many animals that came to us with mange, heartworms, and respiratory infections which were readily treated. Unfortunately that wasn’t the only health problem that Duke had. Duke was diagnosed with an advanced case of masticatory muscle myositis which is a degenerative muscle disease that shuts down the dog’s ability to chew. This horrific news devastated ABF caregivers. The severe case of heartworms along with the myositis leads to a very poor prognosis. It was recommended by the vet that Duke be euthanized. Everyone at ABF was heartbroken over this news.
On Duke’s last day, Gary sat in his pen to say goodbye to him. Duke put his head in Gary’s lap and looked up at Gary. Duke seemed to reassure Gary that he had accepted his fate. Carolyn and Dianne took Duke to the vet to be humanely euthanized. As they sat in the waiting room Dianne wondered out loud what Duke would have looked like when he was a puppy. Carolyn began to think about that little red puppy and how he would be today if he had been properly cared for in a loving home.
Carolyn and Dianne stayed with Duke to the very end. Carolyn thought about that cute, red puppy with loads of potential as she watched Duke take his final breath.
ABF volunteers do not want to forget this sweet boy. We want others to know how emotionally difficult it is to come along and pick up the pieces of a neglected pet’s life after a former owner has done their bidding. I came into the rescue facility the evening that Duke was euthanized to find Dianne crying. All she had to do was mention Duke and I knew he was gone.
Any coward can abuse or neglect an animal. It takes a person with ethical and moral character to do the right thing for an animal. Keeping a dog in a cage or on a chain 24 hours a day, seven days a week is as morally wrong as locking your child in closet for several hours as punishment. Gandhi said “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” I think society as a whole has a long way to go toward progressing into the ethical and moral beings that we are supposed to be.
The following animals are available for adoption at the Independence Animal Shelter. Visit the shelter at 875 Vista Drive or call 816-325-7207 for more information. If you have an animal control problem, call 816-325-7205.
- 8912553 male dachshund, brown/black, 5 years.
- 8917486 female Chihuahua, brown/white, 9 years.
- 8861072 female spaniel/dachshund mix, 1 year.
- 8896716 female mastiff mix, cream/black, 2 months.
- 8335916 male boxer mix, tri-color, 8 months.
- 8921638 male Shih Tzu, cream, 1 year.
- 8897647 female retriever mix, black, 3 months.
- 8856775 male Jack Russell, white/black, 6 months.
- 8497172 male retriever, golden, 1 year.
- 8881096 male boxer mix, white/red, 3 months.
- 8908070 male mastiff, brindle, 4 months.
- 8868011 male husky, black/cream, 1 year.
- 8517260 male Siamese, cream/orange, 2 years.
- 8848707 female cat, calico, domestic medium hair, 1 year.
There are lots more dogs, puppies, cats and kittens available for adoption.
