No, the topic is not about ‘stray dogs’ that roam our cities and rural roadways. Rather, it is about the actual reprehensible exercise of straying dogs (cats) that were once an integral part of one’s household.
These dogs and cats were at one time cuddly puppies and cavorting kittens. You saw these young animals playing with their mother and with each other. (The father had long since abandoned the mother as soon as the mating act was completed; sounds familiar?)
They were so cute you wanted to take the entire litter home. You told yourself that they would be an asset to your household; that the children would have hours of fun with these new playmates. At that time, one doesn’t think of food bills and veterinary costs and the construction of kennels, etc.
Without too much pondering, one takes home the young animals. And just as you had imagined, they play with the children, there is great enthusiasm all around, and there is love and laughter in the air. Then a strange thing happens. The young, effervescent animals begin to grow. They begin to lose their soft, downy, baby fur, and therefore become less cuddly.
As they grew older, they wanted to play less. During the mating season, the male dogs would roam and come back emaciated and sometimes with gaping wounds or at least badly bruised. The females might have become pregnant and deposited a litter on your doorstep a couple of months later.
These scenarios are common, and suddenly one looks at the pet with unaccommodating eyes. Every bark, every small misdemeanour is enlarged to become a source of severe irritation.
The result is either a request to the veterinarian to have the pet put down (euthanized), or the animal is drowned or strayed. I suppose that since one’s conscience is pricked by the concept of euthanasia, one chooses the option of straying, which is easier on the psyche.
Well, I am going to disappoint you. Straying the dog (cat) is the worst thing you can do. Can you remember how appalled we were as children at the Hansel and Gretel story?
What sort of care-givers were those that would want to lose their children in the forest? We read and were read the story in great abhorrence. It is similarly just as abominable to stray pets.
Can you imagine the panic in the animal that suddenly cannot find its home and its accustomed environment, where the people he loves so unselfishly and loyally live, and whom he will never again see.
The cold and rainy nights have to be countered. The sticks and stones and other forms of torment from untrained and uncaring children have to be faced. The ruthless and reckless motorists add to the terror of the abandoned pet, many of which are frozen by the bright lights and are crushed or severely mutilated by the wheels of the metal behemoth. Then there is the savagery unleashed by other animals protecting their territory.
All of this is being endured within a context of starvation (unavailability of food). In order not to succumb to starvation, the strayed animal scavenges. In so doing he is beaten, burnt and maimed. The female dog is set upon by gangs of marauding males themselves strays and is forced to produce litter after litter after litter.
How, in the name of God, can the straying of an animal be allowed in civilized society?
How can anyone call himself or herself civilized, when they are prepared to unleash such enduring pain and suffering on one of God’s creatures who inhabit this planet with us.
We have arrogated unto ourselves the title of custodian of our environment, how can we then execute such a dastardly act against our wards and fellow travellers on this spaceship Earth?
How can we reconcile such barbarity with any sense of sophistication and decency?
How do we hope to meet the Maker of all creatures great and small, other than in shame?
No, dear readers, “No” and a thousand times, “No”! ‘Straying’ your pet is not an option. One possible solution is the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA). The Animal Clinic and Shelter will take the unwanted animals into its care and try to find foster homes, where kind-hearted people will care for the abandoned pet. As a very final resort and with heavy heart, euthanasia might be performed.
The best thing, of course, is that you keep the pet you brought home. You treat it with tender loving care. I can guarantee that all love will be requited. Make the pet truly a part of your family reward in heaven.
Please implement disease preventative measures (vaccinations, routine dewormings, monthly anti-heartworm medication, etc) and adopt-a-pet from the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter at Robb Street and Orange Walk, if you have the wherewithal to care well for the animals. Do not stray your unwanted pets, take them to the GSPCA’s Clinic and Shelter instead. If you do not wish your pet to have puppies or kittens, you may exploit the GSPCA’s free spay and neutering programme. If you see anyone being cruel to an animal, or if you need any technical information, please get in touch with the Clinic and Shelter by calling 226-4237.