General Chat

Yes, it is indeed very sad that such cruel and heartless people exist - glad you posted your poem on here and hope you put it on other sites too - anything to prick peoples' consciences!!! It is disgraceful how some people treat their dogs: they don't seem to realise how very sensitive and spiritual an animal they are. I know mine understands everyword I say !!!! I get particularly incensed at Christmas when people buy dogs and puppies and then proceed to neglect them when the novelty has worn off: even worse are those people who moan about a dog's behaviour, when they haven't bothered training it!!!!!! If only people would have more respect for animals per se, but particularly our four legged friends - if only they realised the lloyalty and love dogs give out for the whole of their lives: I've had three boys all my life, and they have totally enriched it..... Anyway, thanks for caring enough to post your poem on here, Suz from Oz. Take care x

Barbara in Worcestershire, Your poem is so sad, but in some cases true, and there are some very cruel people about, I wonder why? We adopted a retired greyhound from the RSPCA some five years ago and she gave love back one-hundredfold. She was so skinny you could see through her legs, but with regular meals and building up she became a wonderful faithful friend. Unfortunately at New Year she was diagnosed with Leukemia/lymphoma and we had to make the awful decision to have her put to sleep. It broke our hearts, to be put in that position, but we could not let her suffer. The void she left has now been filled by another wonderful greyhound.

Hear, hear Elaine. I totally agree. Although I only have two rabbits, my brother has, 5 cats, 1 golden retriever, 2 rabbits, 4 chickens and an aviary full of smaller birds built in the garden. A little boy who lives down the road keeps asking if he can go to the zoo!

What sad stories they all are, when our children were small we wouldn't even let them have a goldfish unless they were going to look after it properly. We belong to a society that rehomes German Shepherds and we have recently taken in our 3rd pet.Sadly over the years the other two had to go to rest with cancer and hip dysplasia respectively.This beautiful lass was abandonded in a garden and as the dog homes were full would have been put to sleep had our society not stepped in.There is nothing wrong with our lass at all except that she is a very big girl and is longhaired,well whats wrong with using the hoover more often I say.We couldn't ask for a more loving and gentle companion. What I would do to bad owners is unprintable!!!!!. Regards, Elaine

My Belgium Sheperd Wallace had a bad start to his life chained up in a scrap yard with another dog they bought him as a gaurd dog he never knew what it was to be loved and cared for as a puppy we took him on at 9 months old he was going to be shot as he didnt do his job. Now five years later you would not think he had a bad start to his life but i often wonder what goes on in his mind about his puppy days

Hi all Thanks for reading this thread and telling about your pets. I have a dog that was given to me after she was abused by her owner. Her father was a dingo and she is the most beautiful dog in the world to me. She was kicked,hit with sticks and had beer bottles thrown at her. She was so scared when I got her,and wouldn't eat,crawled along the ground,and terrified of loud noises and shouting. She still gets frightened of loud noises and hides. I take her for walks and talk to her all the time,she can't play with a ball (have tried)but she doesnt understand what play is. I have had her now for three years and she is so loving and gentle and follows me around everywhere. Her name is Sandy and she will never be hurt again. Thanks Sue

the 2 british bulldogs that we have got were actually given to us by my mums friend. they belonged to her son whose marriage had broken down. as he was in the army he couldnt keep them and was going to have them destroyed!! me being me i couldnt let that happen so hubby and myself said we would take them.we offered to pay for them but he wouldnt take any money from us. when we picked the dogs up he gave us all the paperwork and some photo's.i was so shocked at wat i saw i wept. the pictures showed us that my beloved dogs were kept for 18mths in CAGES!!!! im so glad that i rescued them,wat a life they must have had. they were so nervous when we took them home and annie was very poorly. without our love and affection she wouldnt be here today. we have had them for 1year ,they are now nearly 3years old susie

My current menagerie started with a pedigree cat, Finn, a Silver & White Maine Coon, that I ordered from the Breeder. As soon as I ordered him, I was told that I was terrible and should have got a kitten or cat that was desperate for a home from a rescue centre/group. So I actually ended up with my Sophie, a little black moggy from a cat rescue group before I got Finn from the Breeder. Now I have Sascha, an ex-racing blue & white greyhound, who was looking for a home after she had an racing injury & therefor, would not make any money for the owner. She is catsafe (not, contrary to popular belief, totally unusual for an ex-racer - ask your local greyhound rescue group) doesn't need a lot of exercise (in fact she is very lazy - they are sprinters not marathon runners), only sheds abt once a year & don't seem to get very dirty when out & abt & is definitely not vicious (another popular misconception). Totally different to my Black & White Lurcher, Alfie, who was at the cat & dog home and my heart ruled my head as I didn't really want another long haired pet but he is lovely. He is lively as we think he is only abt 18 months old, long-haired, sheds hair, gets absolutely filthy in the garden, and loves to run wild on the cycle track that is near us, but is also catsafe like Sascha (after learning with a water spray if he went near them). We love them all dearly.

When I was very young I had an extreme phobia of dogs. My parents had both grown up with dogs and their corgi Marcus had died just 18 months before I was born. However when I was 5 I came home from school to find a terrified cocker spaniel hiding behind the TV and and when eating only eating outside and grabbing a tiny bit of food and running away. He had been mistreated and kept with many other dogs and had to grab what tiny scrap of food he could. I soon came to realise he was more terrified of me that I was of him. His name was Prince and he was the Prince of dogs. When I look back at old photo's nearly every picture is of all of the family in the park with Prince or us all laying on the sofa smothered by a dog that loved us so much. Unfortunately Prince died then we had Tony the corgi and then Sam another cocker spaniel. Unfortunately Sam suffered from epilepsy and had to be put down at the age of 5. I would dearly love to have another dog now but unfortunately my husband and I both work full time and I feel it would be unfair. We do however have 2 bunnies who have just celebrated their 2nd birthday, and have had a 12 foot by 7 foot permanent run built so they can play all day. And now I am off to clean their litter tray and hutch and feed them! Love to all the animals and friends. Naomi

I can't remember a time when I have been without a dog.There has always been one in the family.My beautiful Standard Schnauzer is a constant companion.I think he chose me rather than the other way around,he wouldn't allow us to look at the other puppies.He's seven years old now. Sitting at my feet as usual right now.Susie we were interviewed by the breeder too.

Terri: I've emailed you. :~)

breaks my heart to read this thread i had to return my dog through my husbands ill health. not a minute goes by i hate myself and yes i lay awake at night sobbing that he feels i let him down.

We've known a few people who've taken in mistreated animals and they turn out to be the most loving, caring animals once they arrived in homes where people love them. It's almost like they want to give back the love they are now receiving.

Hi Sue, We have living with us now, and spoiled rotten, a little black cat who was tossed out of a car and left in the bushes to fend for herself among the coyotes and raccoons that also lived there. She was also pregnant and it was about 2 months before we saw her again, and invited her to live with us. She is the most lovable and loving little cat you could want. We also have big black Pan ( short for Panther), who was so lonely and bored shut in an apartment all day, while his owners worked and played from dawn till bedtime, that he yowled constantly and annoyed the neighbours. He is the original curious cat, very loving and bright, and just loves the great outdoors. In the past my son brought home a dog that was tied up and beaten all the time. Said he was a stray, but the real story came out later!! That dog lived to be 17, and he was a real friend! We've had other animals arrive in a similar way. How anyone can ill treat or neglect an animal is beyond me. Love them, pet them, feed them and you have a friend for life, who'll love you unconditionally, and give you back a hundred- fold the pleasure you give them! Thanks for that passage Sue. Pity the non-dog lovers won't get to read it, and wouldn't understand what we all feel about animals anyway. Di.xx

hi sue what a sad poem!!! there are so many cruel people a bout that it makes me so cross!!! i have got 3 dogs ,2 british bulldogs and 1 american bulldog. i get so angry when people shout at mine for barking. i used to breed shar-pei and we used to vet the potential buyers thoroughly before we sold them.they were all vaccinated,wormed and had their dew claws removed before sale. i cannot understand why people have animals if they are not prepared to look after them. as i was reading your message i had tears in my eyes.it really bought a lump to my throat thankyou for sharing it with me. susie

tHIS ONE IS FOR DOG LOVERS I wish someone would tell me, what it is that i've done wrong, why I have to stay chained up, and left alone so long. They seemed so glad to have me, when I came as a pup, there were so many things we'd do, while I was growing up. They couldn't wait to train me, as a companion and a friend, they told me they would never fear, being left alone again. The children said they'd feed me, said they'd brush me every day, they'd play with me and walk me, if only I could stay. But now the family hasn't time they often say I 'shed' they won't allow me in the house not even to be fed the children never walk me, they say "not now" I wish that I could please them, won't someone tell me how? All I have is love you see I wish they would explain, why they said they wanted me, then left me on a chain!!!!!!!!!!