PAW PRINTS ON MY HEART
By

A LETTER TO THE HUMAN RACE

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Don’t Breed or Buy While Homeless Animals Die

     For years hundreds of animal protection organizations and caring individuals all over the  world have tried to shed light on the tragedy of dog and cat overpopulation and the spay & neuter solution. Millions of companion animals, brought into the world by irresponsible owners, are condemned to death every year because the cute little kitten or the playful pup for one reason or another no longer pleases, is no longer convenient, has grown too big or is  too small – we have heard it all. The Lakeside Spay & Neuter Center. A.C. has seventy-four stories to tell. Seventy-four tails that wag and seventy-four hearts that hope. We cry for each one, and if you hear some of the stories you will cry too.

    There is Bobbie. When he was found almost a year ago, his body was swollen and had he been able to walk I’m sure he would have eluded his rescuers, for he had no trust in people. Bobbie had numerous scars on his body, some of them had healed, others were newly acquired. The gentlest of touch caused him to cry. He was dehydrated and hungry, but had trouble eating the offered food. No matter how much we coaxed him, he would not walk. When we finally got him to a veterinarian, we quickly understood his pain. His body was covered with serious bruising and the Veterinarian’s guess was that someone tried to stone him to death. A dog named Bullet also touches our heart, he was used for target practice and shot full of BBs. Then of course there is our “celebrity dog” Bridget.  This little white terrier is known to many for she had made her home under the overpass leading out of Chapala.  Several people voiced concern about her dangerous hiding place.   It took a while to earn her trust, but then one Sunday morning she came and let me touch her and now she dwells at the Ranch.  She has grown and it has turned out that she is an escape artist for she is able to break out of every kennel, although she never leaves.  She is happy at the Ranch, but deserves a home of her own. We want her to know that not every human heart is void of pity and compassion. She loves to be petted and her greatest delight is to sit in someone’s lap and be carried around like a baby.

  There are so many stories I could tell but there is not enough room or time or even enough tears to cry.

    The Lakeside Spay & Neuter Center, A.C. is a Non-Profit Organization. All our dogs are spayed or neutered and have updated shots.   We are not funded by any Foundation, receive no free Dog Food or any other help, except from caring individuals who feel like we do - that every life has merit and is worth living.  WE ARE A NO KILL SHELTER and it is due to our efforts that the streets are no longer overrun with stray dogs. In the 9 ½ years of our existence we have altered almost 10 000 dogs.  The ownership of a dog is not a factor. We help all dogs and this is possible because of the support of people like you. Please continue to help us so we can continue to help those who need help the most. 

   Sometimes our rescue efforts come too late, when this happens, in order to stop the suffering the gentle hand of our veterinarian will release the animal from the bondage of life. There is a place at the Ranch where there are a few memory stones, some wind chimes and sometimes on a windless day there is whiff of air which must be the breath of  St. Francis.