Monday, January 26, 2009

Tuesday's Doggone Tribute

I am not really a 'dog person'. In fact, pets, in general, tend to annoy me. But my girl, Pepper, is a love. She is gentle and funny, sweet and sensitive. She is, by far, my favorite pet here at the zoo (and yes, I can have a favorite since animals can't read). She has an almost magical effect on those that encounter her. My boys have even suggested she could end wars with her cuteness, and I have to wonder if they might be right. How could anyone resist her brown eyes? How could anyone think about death, destruction and hate in her presence? She makes our lives happier around here and I am so glad we adopted her. Which reminds me... 

I overheard a shocking conversation just today. It seems that with the economy in the tank, people are making cuts in their lives, and first on the chopping block are pets! People, in record numbers, are deciding it is no longer financially feasible to care for their animals and taking them to shelters. This is heartbreaking to me. I'm not going to judge anyone that makes this decision, but I can get the word out that there are animals that need a home... lots of them!

Let's not forget about those that can't help themselves in these bleak economic times. 

Tuesday's Tribute
Yet Another Jay and Deb Production.


33 comments:

Kim said...

Cool, I was online right when you posted! Yipppeeee!

I am not much of a pet person. I like them but am just not up to taking care of another being.

Sera said...

I'm not much of a dog person, myself. Had a few not-so-fun experiences with dogs growing up, and unfortunately that's tainted my love toward them. Mostly, I find them annoying, but occasionally I'll be around a dog that I just want to cuddle up to. Your dog sounds like a good dog, and a deserving favorite. And she's pretty darn cute, too.

jill jill bo bill said...

okay you take Andy and that will leave me open to take an SPCA canine. I am nice like that.

Bramblemoon Farm said...

Awwwww...that is a neat tribute. what a cutie your dog is. I hadn't read that about people giving up pets. That's sad.

Sigh. I'm having bloggers block for my T.T. Yikes!

Young Momma said...

I'm all for the cuteness of dogs!!!! Except for mine... who keeps making a mess of my floors. Yours is super cute though!!!!

I had heard about the dogs and other pets being c xbv (seriously, swear to my pup, that lil bit of jibberish was my dog walking over my lap top. since i WAS laying on the floor and typing) ANYWAY I did hear about pets being surrendered because of low funds. :( So sad. The humane society where I live was asking for food donations so that they can give free food to those who can't afford their pets food - and so they would have extra food to feed all the animals being brought in because of their owners not being able to afford them!!! So sad!

Halftime Lessons said...

Awww...look at that cute lil fart.

I'm ready to beat the shit outta mine, personally. AND I have to take her out in the freezing cold in a few minutes.

You think that she knows that her unearthly demise could be right when she squats?

Ash said...

Between Pepper and Nikki's Crumpet, I feel my will to not give my boys a dog any time soon slipping.

Grrrr.

Straight to Your Hart said...

What a darling addition to your family!!!

I heard that too and it broke my heart. Not enough room even for the shelters to handle the overload.

I just want to "huggle" (snuggle/hug, what me and my girls do) that cutie!!

Kristina P. said...

I am a major dog person.

We have a stray cat outside our building, that is probably hurt, and while I don't hate cats, I don't really love them, so it doesn't tug at my heartstrings. If it were a dog, I would probably take it to a shelter.

Unknown said...

She does look and sound like a sweetie! I want a dog sometime soon but we are not ready yet. What a sweet tribute!

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

This is very true. We foster & volunteer for rescue groups and the number of animals we took in soared last year. So sad. Thanks for posting this!

t said...

please find a way to keep your pets, people. SO sad to know they may end up in shelters, or worse :(

Tiffany said...

Gee thanks for bringing me down Debbie Downer. How freaking cool that your name really is Debbie? AWESOME!

Anyway I wish I could take in all the dogs that need homes. I feel so bad and wish I could.

Jaime said...

She does look like a sweetheart!!:)

Cajoh said...

We got our dog from the Animal Cruelty Society.

Sorry no tribute today… way too busy at work to write up a good one.

Debbie said...

I have heard that about pets too and it is so heartbreaking.

The Frugal Angel-Guided Psychic said...

I love your post! We don't have a pet but I've been on Petfinder each day for months looking for the right dog for us! I've seen in the last 2-3 weeks that many, many breeders are bringing their "pets" into the shelters. 5-10 dogs of the same breed of dog is a sure tell "tail" sign! Thanks for getting the word out!

Give your pup an extra treat today :)

Rachel said...

awww. what a cute pup. surely she deserves a tribute!

Unknown said...

Love the play on words Deb with doggone. Love it.

Anyway - I love dogs. Or at least I used to. Now my two lovable creatures are just two hairy beasts that leave balls of fur all over our hardwood floors. I am taking a break from sweeping as I write this.

Really though - I'm a sucker for doggies - especially ones that need homes. And no wonder people are cutting back on pets - vets are such a RIP OFF!!!

Evolving Mommy Catherine said...

Honestly, I'm not really a pet person. But I do feel a strong urge to love on your sweet dog.

I guess people are having to make tough decisions right now with layoffs and the stock market in the toilet. It's sad that helpless animals are feeling the tough times too.

Annie said...

Long live Pepper!

We have Sasha who is a sweet, but average dog. She isn't too bright!

Jen said...

yup I agree, she is really, really cute.

Sheri and George said...

Count me in.I want a dog so bad but Hubbs says NO! We aren't home enough. Told him to let me quit work then I'd be home enough. That shut him up. No response to that one.

Courtnie said...

We had actually thought about buying a dog but didn't want to end up taking it to a shelter so we just didn't do it. Maybe people should start counting the cost before buying an animal. Poor little things. I love animals and hate that families are abandoning them.

BTW- thanks for the comment on my blog :) Those are the only 'normal' jeans that I can still wear. Even then, I have to unbutton them when I am sitting down for a long time ;)

Candice said...

Such a cute doggie. We adopted our mutt from the SPCA and he's the best dog I've ever had. Of course, he thinks he's a cat so he's pretty low maintenance. ;)

Anonymous said...

Oh darn. Jill interviewed me and asked what I'd do if money was no object and I stupidly said I would gamble. What I HONESTLY would do is start the biggest no-kill refuge known to man and take in ALL the animals that are never loved enough. *sigh*

Denise @ Sunflowers, Chocolate and Little Boys said...

Your puppy is so cute...your so lucky. We are thinking of getting a dog in a year or two. I hope he or she is as sweet as your little one.

Jenni said...

Excellent tribute! Cute doggie!

tiarastantrums said...

Okay first off I have a question - this tribute - each week is different - do you pick a theme - or just whoever/whatever you want??

secondly - that is a cute pup - but I still dont' like dogs in my house!

Claremont First Ward said...

I cannot believe this......well. I can. But still. How about cutting out that take out pizza first?

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog, I appreciate it.

I LOVE your tribute. I am a dog person and I think it is so sad how many people are getting rid of their dogs. My MIL wanted us to get rid of our dog(rottie) when we had Emma. To her he is just a dog, but he is part of the family. He LOVES Emma and is so protective, people are always worried about him hurting her. I am just worried about him hurting people who try messing with her!! :) Love your tribute!!

Jessica

Young Momma said...

Okay! I'm late, but I did it!!! I kinda cheated, but it's done! lol!

Lindsay said...

I'm not in that situation, so I might not be able to sympathize, but being a huge lover of my two puppies I can't imagine giving them up to the pound, no matter how dire the financial circumstances. I hope I never am put in that position.