His name was Smoke or A141875 in the Chicago Animal Care & Control facility.
His owner surrendered him on Christmas Day.
He had 6 days, 144 hours, 8640 minutes and 518400 seconds for a volunteer to meet him, get to know him (evaluate), contact the CACC approved homeward bound rescues. Then a rescue must find a foster home and put in the paperwork to pull him. Wait for it to be accepted and then save the dog.
He was surrendered with a female who recently had puppies. She was most likely surrendered because they didn’t need anymore litter’s from her and he probably never got sold during those 8 months.
Smoke didn’t make it. His 8 months of life is his entire history. He could have been someone’s everything, a best friend, a playmate, a family member.
Yes, life is not fair. You take what you’re dealt.
But you know what really tears at my heart. Smoke didn’t have a say in his life.
Imagine if we didn’t spend a small fortune of taxpayer money on facility costs and ridiculously high salaries for it’s staff in to bring dogs in the front door and sending them out the back door in garbage bags. The money that could be saved and focused elsewhere for those in need of services. Animal sanctuary’s could adopt out dogs, provide medical care and give senior dogs a place to quietly live out their lives. Why is it only private citizens create these sanctuaries and not our government?
Before anyone comments, “crazy rescue people care more about dogs/cats/companion animals more than people, untrue, they value ALL life”. Rescue volunteers are merely trying to end a bit of the evil and sadness that plagues our society.
I have friends who have told me they can’t look at my feed because of all the sad dogs I post. If they bothered to follow along in most cases the village of volunteers in Chicago/Chicagoland usually get the job done. When a person sees the post shared by a friend and steps up to save a life; that’s a win. Good networking will always trump comments praying for divine intervention. God can’t save the dog from the shelter, but he can give you the strength to do so.
Instead of turning away become part of the solution. Volunteer, Foster, Donate, Sponsor, Advocate, Educate, Network, Transport, all these components make up saving a dog’s life. If you can’t find it in yourself to assist in the fight, perhaps you could send a thank you to a rescue organization or volunteer telling them thanks. Compassion fatigue is real, support the rescuer as well as the rescue.
If I may also say, if you see a animal being abused physically, through starvation, being chained outside 24/7, make it your business, call the police, call animal control or reach out to a rescue in your area who will know exactly what to do to get the animal to safety.
That’s my two cents for what it’s worth. I feel better.
~Cynthia Lynn Chronicles~ 