31-01-15

 

Life companion or temporary gift?

‘’I said we would go and see, nothing else’’, my dad promised on going to see 3 yorkshire terrier puppies for sale. Ofcourse my sister and I were excited, even my mom was and nobody was mentioning the fact that we already had a beloved pet, an Australian Shepherd named Shanna. Mom sneakily got together  £300 and giggling, my sister and I snuck it in a purse on our way out. We were all filled with adreniline as we got in the car and even dad was curious, or else he would not have searched ‘yorkies for sale’ on the Internet. So we took our Aussie Shanna in the back of the car too and drove off. ‘’Do not get excited we are only going to have a look’’ Dad said for what felt like the hundredth time. When we got there my stomach twisted with anticipation at the 3 knocks on the door.

A friendly man welcomed us and explained the situation, then he asked ‘’I have two left, male and female, which one do you want to see?’’ I was about to speak but closed my mouth when Dad interrupted saying ‘’Female’’. We looked at mom and mom looked back at us, offering no explanation to Dad’s unexpected behaviour. 2 seconds later the man came out with the smallest, cutest, most adorable puppy I had ever seen. She was tiny, black with tan markings and she had the cutest teddy bear face. All together she looked so vulnerable and helpless. He gave her to me, I took her in my arms or hands should I say like a mother would her child, but the moment was interrupted when an awful smell made its way to my nose and the man took her back, wiping her.

Discusting I know, and it seemed to highlight that somehow we should not have her. Nonetheless after affirming that we did want her mom produced the Money. I dont know if it was in the moment because it was definetely not a thought-through decision, but we walked out of there with Layla in our hands. Ofcourse Shanna the Australian Shepherd looked at her as if she was some alien species and ofcourse we didn’t know the first thing about yorkies but she fit right in. We do regret not researching more about getting a new puppy, as it would ensure that the decision we made was right, even though I felt all along in  my heart, it was.

We have all moved on from the festive season, and of course some may have started 2015 with new members in the family, like that irrisistably cute puppy you got for christmas. However some decide to cast that pup away after the novelty wears off. Sure, it’s adorable but is that pee in your carpet? Not so adorable now right? The thing is, people do little research into breeds and therefore don’t understand let alone commit to the responsabilities of lifetime ownership of a dog or puppy. The reasons for these animals to be abandonded months after are usually because they grow bigger in size and weight, so they become more expensive to look after, demanding more of their owners. It is estimated that around 110,000 dogs are abandoned each year in the UK, with 21 dogs being put down every day by local authorities. Many charities in the UK such as Blue cross, Dog’s trust or RSPCA find themselves dealing with the annual influx of pets uncared for.

Fortunately there are plenty of shelters in London such as leading animal welfare Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in south London. In December 2014 the shelter welcomed 49 unwanted animals. Figures were released to reveal the cost of caring for Britain’s lost and abandoned pets, the animal rescue  charity faced a bill of £36,000 daily to care for them. I have to say this strips the UK of the title of an animal-loving nation does it not? Claire Horton, Chief Executive of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home said, “Nearly 10,000 animals every year would face an uncertain future were it not for Battersea. It’s 150 years since we were founded and the sheer number of dogs and cats still desperately needing our help on a daily basis is astonishing. Sadly these figures tell us that far too many people continue to avoid their responsibilities as pet owners, leading to thousands of lost, unwanted and abandoned animals seeking a second chance through Battersea.”

 

So why do we leave these helpless creatures on the street or drop them off at the nearest shelter? Many of us can’t even take care of ourselves let alone an animal. That is why it is so important to carefully decide before getting a pet out of nowhere. Do your research and think about whether or not you’ll be able to afford the dog, spend the necessary amount of time with it, and meet their mental and physical needs before agreeing to get one. Make sure everyone in the household is willing to do the same if not there is absolutely no point in buying it or adopting it in the first place. Dogs are cute and are often purchased or adopted on impulse without much thought going into what is involved as far as training and care is concerned. Those who get dogs without realizing what they are committing to are the first to abandon them.

 

Mina Lozano Buenrostro

Gumley House Convent School