I just read about a Taiwanese photographer who takes portraits of dogs.
In an effort to spread awareness about animal care and responsible dog ownership, Tou Chih-kang photographs dogs from the animal shelter moments before they are put to sleep.
Perhaps the saddest part is that these dogs are usually victims of neglect, most of them abandoned by owners when the novelty of owning a dog wears off. Without adoptive families, these dogs stand no chance.
I ache when I read stories like this, and seeing the photographs do not help, either.
My chihuahua Benzene, on days I feel he feels neglected, looks at me with his clear eyes as if asking me what wrong he had done to receive the torture of inattention. I melt. Same as when Misty, the cheeky chihuahua, wags her tail at me and finally comes to rest in my arms before she falls asleep, or when the labrador Fiona comes to greet me as I get home. I melt, every single time.
Misty the eager chihuahua |
When I was a little girl, I wanted a dog and my father would not let me have one. I wanted a dog so much, I started dragging a stuffed animal around on a string and fed him doggie biscuits from cut out calling cards. I wanted a dog so much I paraded this stuffed dog on a string in front of my father hoping to heaven that he reconsider his earlier decision of not letting me have one.
He finally gave in after years of begging and hundreds of cut out calling cards in the shape of Scooby Snacks.
A few years, countless chewed up rubber slippers, tons of lysol, and sacks and sacks of dog food later, the family owns 8 dogs: 5 chihuahuas, 2 beagles and a lab.
Happy beagles |
I now sit on my bed typing this while two chihuahuas nap away beside me. We live with 8 dogs, and I wish we could take in more. On days when this blog becomes too cold and impersonal to talk with, I spend time conversing with my dogs. They always listen, and all they want in exchange is a belly rub.
I loved your post :) If only we can take more than 3 dogs in our small apartment - I'll have many dogs too :)
ReplyDeleteA fellow dog lover! Thank you! We now have 9 dogs and they're all lovely. I think all dog lovers dream of taking in every dog they can care for. :)
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