Dogs spend their life in prison

by Chris Smith

Silverton Colorado - line

   Most dogs spend their life in prison.

   A kind of prison where every action is controlled, whether at the end of a rope or confined to a house.

   Sure, there are lots of such dogs who are also loved, allowed to run free sometimes, and sleep inside when they want. But an awful lot of dogs lead an existence that to me is worse than living in prison.

   They spend all day and night, in all kinds of weather, at the end of a rope. Some just sleep in dirt, having burrowed a hole to provide some comfort. Or must stay on the hard concrete of the driveway, staring at the green lawn. Their water freezes, they bowls are turned over and left empty. They have little contact, human or animal. At the end of a rope nice dogs turn into barkers, which make people shun them every more. Few people realize a barking dog is a lonely animal trying to communicate the one way it has left.

   How do people justify being responsible for dogs like this? Watch-dogs? Usually the barking becomes ignored, so what good is it as a watch-dog?

   Would it not be better to have the animal put to sleep? More than anything dogs like to shit away from where they eat, sleep and hang out. The dogs who live life on the end of a rope often have to stand in their own urine and shit, like a medieval prison.

   Sure, I know there are laws about dogs running loose, and I realize that not all dogs will stay around a yard. If a dog is tied up outside for reasonable intervals, it can be enjoyable. At least they can watch the action to pass the time. How many know of a dog tied that is in an area where it can smell and hear people and other dogs, but can't see them. Now that is very frustrating, worse than prison. If they must be tied, make it as enjoyable as possible.

   A dog at the end of a rope or confined to a house should be taken on walks and allowed to run free sometimes. One of the main benefits to having a dog is that it forces you to get out on walks, get exercise. Dogs are so thankful to get out. They are enthusiastic and happy. It can help make your day.
   Above everything else, dogs are interested in other dogs. Second, other animals, third food, and so on. While living in Phoenix, I had a choice to walk my dog in a desert preserve, or on an empty lot where other dogs had defecated and people had thrown trash. Of course my dog always preferred walking on empty lot.

   Lots of people work all day and have to leave their dogs. That's a hard situation, but if your dog gets some attention before and after work, it makes their life more bearable.

   What about this idea:, people could leave their dogs in big fenced areas where the animals could run and play with other dogs, similar to daycare. Dogs who don't get along with others could be fenced off from the rest, but still could be nearby.

   Or, have you considered taking your dog to work? At least you could see it at break, lunch time, etc. Perhaps not possible for office workers, but dogs could be an asset to other kinds of businesses. Dogs, especially cute, well-mannered ones, can attract customers to stores, service stations, anywhere!

Wherever your dog ends up, Just keep it out of prison.
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