My Pet Didn't Die Options

[walt]

My friend Page did, about two weeks ago.
I've known Page for years--he lived on the river with his four dogs.
When I'd visit him , the dogs were always happy to see me, and Page and I
would take them across the river for a run in the woods. It was always a joy to see them,
running, happy, free.

Page loved his dogs and cared for them faithfully, but I guess he didn't expect to die
so soon because he never made any provisions for the dogs.

I just learned that his son has taken the dogs to the pound where they'll eventually be
euthenized. I am heartsick. Those dogs are a living, breathing part of Page, and the thought
that they've been tossed away makes me sick. They're healthy, dogs! Just kill them?

I've been losing sleep over this trying to figure out what I can do to save them. I can't
take them. I don't have enough space and I have my own dog, but I feel like I'm their
only hope and I'm going to let them down.

I wish I knew someone with a farm or ranch where they could live out their lives in happiness,
but that's pretty unlikely, people have their own dogs and are usually not interested in taking on others.

I also look at the huge suffering that's going on in Haiti right now. My petty concerns are inconsequential
compared that.

But still, when I think of those dogs, there's a part of me that is still a kid that
cannot comprehend the injustice of it.

[walt]

I'm not feeling too optimistic about this.

Tomorrow, I'll leave about 7am to pick up a van to drive to Brooksville, about 90 miles.

At Animal Control in Brooksville, I'll adopt the dogs, and start back. Then...what? I don't know.
I've already decided that I don't have enough room at my place to keep Page's three males
and my dog apart, so bringing them there is out.

I'll probably drive to some big field between Brooksville and here, where they can get out, stretch
their legs and enjoy some open air and a little freedom again. I'll pet them and tell them what
great guys (and gal) I think they are, and that if it was up to me, they'd live out long lives as happy
and free as when they lived with Page.

I'll probably cry a lot, too.

I'll tell them I'm buying them a little more time, but, so far, things don't look promising. It seems like the
whole world is in the same situation I'm in.

I'll then drive them to ASPCA in Largo and check them in there.

Someone there told me that they'll be examined, and if healthy, will be put up for adoption. If not, they'll
be--"put to sleep" is the most comfortable way to say it. By turning the dogs in, I'm relinquishing ownership
to them and have no further say in what happens to them, except that I can adopt whichever ones are
adoptable--hopefully all of them.

It's a delaying tactic, but, hey, it's something.