THE VET THEN THE POUND

Yesterday Shadow needed to get his next rabies shot. Time had really flown by since my tiny little puppy had gotten his shots. Today he weighed in at 70 pounds and was the happiest dog at the vet. Dr. McCoy remembered my dog and his name. I was impressed. The business at the vet was handled pretty quickly and we got the desired rabies vaccination certificate in our paws and were off to the County Animal office. I paid the annual $30 fee and got his new tag. Shadow was the only dog in the lobby and he behaved. Two clerks looked at the dog, then at each other and said, "You are not here to give him up are you?" "NO", I said, "Why do you ask?"

Another "Blue" weimaraner had just been "dropped off" at the pound. The lady said she just couldn't take care of him any more. Well, Shadow and I just had to see this dog so we followed the Animal Control guy through a series of winding turns and a maze of corridors to the dog's cell. Now in my mind, when like breeds see each other they should show recognition and familiarity. Not so in the canine world. The jail cell held the mirror image of my dog. He was about the same size, the identical color of dark gray and had ghostly yellow eyes. These two could have been litter mates.

The differences broke my heart. Where my dog is a little thin because he gets to work out, this guy was down right skinny from not being fed. I put him on a leash and wanted to examine him more closely. The control guy was amazed while I went through a check list with this dog. I believe his name was Skye. In addition to being malnourished, he desperately needed a bath and some medical attention. He had a few lesions on his snout and a few sore spots on his body; he winced as I examined him. My heart went out to this beautiful dog.

I asked what the procedure was for adopting a dog in Hernando County. The guy said the fee would be $60 and I was thinking that maybe I could make a case for doggy rescue until I heard the next constraint: All adopted dogs in this county must be neutered. That wasn't acceptable to me. I MAY have to eventually have Shadow fixed, but we aren't at that decision point yet. I wouldn't want SKYE cut right off the bat. But then again, to see such a beautiful animal neglected was painful. It was so obvious what love, affection and proper care does for a pet. Shadow was healthy and brimming with vigor. Skye was dismal looking. Part of his dismay was being rejected by his former owner, maybe. I don't know how long the previous owner had kept Skye, but to send him to dog jail was sad.

I had a lot on my mind as I drove back home and I gave Shadow an extra squeeze though he didn't realize just how much more I loved him after seeing the effect of neglect and abandonment. I hope I can always take care of Shadow with love.