Man, I am blushing!

Have you ever worked or been in a place where people aren't sypathetic to animals?  These people think I am nuts because there are so many stories daily of dogs that are spoted wandering, or a cat that has been hit by a car, or just yesterday an old black lab that was convulsing on the street and nobody does ANYTHING.

I can't listen to stories like the lab yesterday without getting in my car and going to find him.  My fellow workers call me "the animal hugger" because I will spend my lunch time hunting down these animals.  Sometimes my dispatcher will call animal control.  There is usually a two or 3 day wait period before anything is done unless it is a vicious animal call.

I went up into the hills yesterday after this dog, he fell down into a gulley.  I saw him, he was an old, white faced black lab, who was called in having a seizure on the side of the road.  I had kids on board so I couldn't do anything then, but as soon as I could I went back and saw him fall into a gulley.  I searched and searched for him, until I had to go back to work.  I called animal control, never got a call back.  I went again today, there were no signs posted for missing dogs, he wasn't there.

I had a hard time sleeping last night, thinking about this dog.  It was snowing at my house, and so cold this morning.  I tried to talk about it at work today, no volunteers to come help me look.  They think I am nuts about animals, way too sensitive.  So, I try not to push my views on anyone, I just try and point out to the kid who is starving her turtle because her dad won't let her get a puppy until her turtle dies, that it isn't "just a turtle", it has a life, and feels pain, and suffers just like any being that has life.  I try and point out to my co-workers, that Sammy may be "just a dog" to them, but he doesn't live with them, he lives with me, and I love him, so that is all that should matter.   I love him, my feelings are valid. 

Their kid doesn't live with me, but he lives with them, and they love him.  I should respect that. 

I get nothing!  It is a child, not a dog… okay, fine.  I give up.  So, that is what I face when dealing with issues like this, even from my boss.   Someone else said something similar their boss said.  My boss told me he calls his dog dumb, and other names, because dogs don't understand anything anyway, they are just dumb animals. 

Don't you wish companies would advertise if they have  a majority of dog lovers or animal lovers at work?  It would make it so much easier in the interview process

I wish I could help others see dogs the way I do, but it hurts this way too.  That is the downside.  I don't try like I do because I want to feel like a super star.  I keep getting in my car to go look because to me those dogs and cats are going to suffer if someone doesn't help.  I have to be able to sleep at night.  I wish sometimes that I could de-sensitize a little. 

Ok, enough of the rambling! 

Here is to today, love you furry faced kids tonight they are so very lucky indeed to have you.

Elizabeth and the super Sammy

cometdog said:

 I wish sometimes that I could de-sensitize a little.

 

Me too.  I used to be insane about it. I'm better since I have come to realize that I"m not the only one that cares.  I have picked up so many dogs and taken them to shelter, I've lost track.  But if you are surrounded by people who don't seem to care, then you do tend to feel like you are the only one that cares and it's a race against time to help.

Oh my gosh, you get it!  You get it…  I love this place!!!  Thanks Cometdog, that is so cool.  I feel like you reached inside and shown a light on a part of me that I knew but couldn't verbalize.  That is exactly right. 

Other advice will be taken.  Thanks for the reply. 

Elizabeth