Broken Attachments: The Pain of Shelter Dogs

When Ruby was left at a shelter in Indiana, her entire human family was there--the mother, father, and teenage son and daughter. They wept as they said their last goodbyes to the sweet little German Shepherd who now faced an uncertain future at a shelter with a high kill rate. The father had been deployed to Iraq, and they decided it would be too difficult to keep a dog. As difficult as it was for them to part with a dog they obviously cared for, they probably had no idea the separation would be even more painful for the innocent, confused dog they left behind that day.

People don't understand the depth of canine attachment any more than canines understand people's lack of it. You see, there is a major difference between canine social lives and human social lives. In human families, our children grow up and eventually move out on their own. But for pack-oriented canines, it's natural to spend a lifetime with their families--the apron strings are never cut. Because of this, separation and abandonment are difficult for canines to accept, understand, or adapt to.

I've seen the effect of abandonment on dogs. They may seem sweet and friendly on the outside, but they do not easily redirect their innermost devotion. That part of their hearts was already claimed by the people who abandoned them. Sometimes they run off in search of their old homes. Sometimes they gaze wistfully out the window, as if remembering. Sometimes they become overwhelmed with glee when they see a little girl, because she reminds them of someone they can never stop loving.

For dogs like German Shepherds, which are bred to be exceptionally loyal, abandonment can be especially traumatic. Ruby made this abundantly clear. The first week after I brought her home, she barely ate. She howled pitifully if I left her sight, even if I just went into another room. She carried on relentlessly whenever I left the house. My family's attempts to console her were futile. She could only be described as a total basket case.

It didn't surprise me. The poor pup, not quite a year old, had languished in shelters for almost 3 months. Like a child lost in a foster care system, she had been shuttled between a shelter, a foster home and a veterinary clinic. Car rides made her so nervous she got carsick within a mile. She never knew where the next car ride would leave her. Every new change stripped her of trust and security. She was no longer a family dog, and she no longer had the sense of belonging that is so necessary for canine mental health. Instead, her life had become filled with fear, uncertainty and frustration.

Ruby attached herself to me instantly with the clinging grip of someone desperately trying to hold onto a canyon wall. She was one slip away from falling into an abyss of serious behavior issues. Thank goodness dogs can adapt, and they do. But it can be a painful process for some of them. Adopting a dog isn't just about giving a homeless dog a home; it's also about healing a dog's broken heart.

Is Animal CSI Coming to Television?

December 11th marked a milestone in the fight against animal cruelty with the deployment of the first ever Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation Unit by the ASPCA. The 26-foot customized van is staffed by forensic veterinarian Dr. Melinda Merck, who provided expert testimony in the recent illegal dog fighting case against NFL quarterback Michael Vick. The purpose of the unit is to assist national and local law enforcement agencies in obtaining evidence that can help prosecute animal cruelty offenders.

The field of Animal CSI is a sign of the times. The growth of criminal forensics and the field of CSI has made it easier to prove the guilt or innocence of rapists, burglars and other criminals. Hopefully, Animal CSI will have the same impact on animal cruelty cases.

Now every little piece of evidence can be considered, including hairs, fibers and fluids found on an abused animal. And the integrity of evidence can be preserved by conducting investigations on site, rather than transporting the evidence to the ASPCA. Most important for the animals, the van is equipped to deliver immediate emergency medical care, which can add the flavor of drama to the unit’s operation.

So we have to wonder if the CBS episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation that aired on December 13th was a coincidence. This episode, entitled “Lying Down with Dogs,” delved into the brutal world of dog fighting and did indeed use the expert advice of ASPCA experts, including Dr. Merck, to get things right. Was this a test to evaluate viewer interest? Can we look forward to the debut of a new television program based on Animal CSI, perhaps in conjunction with Animal Cops on Animal Planet? Raise your hand if you enjoy watching animal abusers get what they got comin’.

What Your Pet Really Thinks About Santa Hats

The holidays are over, and thankfully so for Fluffy and Rover. No more ill-fitting Halloween costumes pinching Rover in the crotch or mussing up Fluffy’s meticulously groomed hair. No more felt reindeer antlers squeezing Rover at the temples or Santa hats devouring Fluffy’s dainty head. No more bells on collars to annoy the auditory senses, or ridiculous bow ties and glitter dresses for holiday parties.

If you are one of those people who think it’s perfectly fine to dress your pet for the holidays, trust me, your pet doesn’t think it’s such a great idea. Just go to one of the many Halloween costume contests for pets and you’ll see what I mean. You’ll see dogs pawing at the unnatural contraptions on their heads, scratching at the confining material around their bodies, and generally looking miserable and pathetic. Cats tend to get even more distressed. (Unhappy cats can actually explode!)

I know it’s hard to resist all the cute little pet holiday costumes, outfits and accessories that multiply with the same frenzy as gift cards before Christmas, but think twice before you decide to torture your pet by wrapping him up for the next holiday season. In case your pet’s mournful eyes, frantic pawing and deep depression escape your attention, here’s a newsflash for you: Your pet hates wearing obnoxious clothes and holiday doo-dads!

I grieve for all the pets that have become unwilling participants in their owners’ silly desire to turn them into holiday decorations. Then again, I see so much tolerance in the “spaceman” dog at Halloween. He’s willing to do anything his owner wants, just to spend those precious minutes with someone he loves more than anything else in the whole world. In that sense, I guess I’d rather see dogs dressed up as aliens and candy canes if it means they’ll get more time and attention from their owners.

As for myself, I’d rather do something with my dog that he enjoys, too, like going for a nice walk. So I really have no excuse for my despicable behavior. I put my own dogs in front of the Christmas tree with Santa hats perched precariously atop their heads in an effort to get a “cute” Christmas photo. I cannot be held responsible for this behavior. I had been swept away by the lunacy of the season, brainwashed by the bombardment of yuletide commercials, and blinded by the tacky patterns of wrapping paper.

My two capitulating canines posed in dutiful formation before the sparkling tree, with soulful, fearful, torturous expressions upon their faces—poster pups for abolishing the use of canines as holiday props. If I put the words “Save Us” at the bottom of the photo, I think people would actually send me money to prevent this from happening to other innocent animals. (By the way, I have a paypal account. All donations are tax deductible.) Better yet, just spare your own pet such agony. Believe it or not, pets have pride, too. And you won’t end up with a photo that has much potential as a cheerful Christmas card, anyway!