A few days ago, I heard an awful story on the radio. In Philadelphia, a pit bull was found hanging from a fence, with her pup discovered wandering the streets. The police are asking for information that might lead to the arrest of the depraved and sick people who did this ungodly act. It cannot come too soon for me.
I have a difficult time understanding how anyone can do such a thing. The torture and then murder of a dog that simply wants to be fed, exercised and loved, who is completely powerless against such cruelty, are unfathomable to me. Whether this act was done in retaliation or committed because the pit bull might have been aggressive, there is no excuse. When and if a dog exhibits challenging behavior, it is not the dog’s doing. It usually is due to PEOPLE who have treated the dog with contempt, intolerance and impatience. Those people and the environment in which the dogs live have formed that dog’s personality and shaped his future. It is all on us.
I have seen the power of loving dogs at Nellie’s Schoolhouse. The openness, patience, lack of judgment, joy and love that my golden retriever and our volunteer’s dogs exhibit each time a child with autism, depression and anxiety interacts with them are simply stated, awesome. They give so much to us, and they deserve our respect and gratitude. Nellie’s Schoolhouse thinks all dogs are to be treated with kindness and care.
I do not wish the same for the people who did this horrible act. May they be caught and punished.
