Over the weekend, Kathy and I attended an event called: Bow- Wows & Meows. Held at William S. Hart park in Santa Clarita, California, it was a conflux of entertainment for people and their beloved pets with the more urgent and serious matter of adopting shelter and rescue dogs also brought to the fore by the presence of dogs in cages awaiting an opportunity for a new life. Dogs that had been taught to “dance” with their human counterparts were given a large ring-like area to perform, and a contest was held to celebrate the dog with the longest tail, the smallest dog, and other categories that provided the onlookers some appreciative smiles. By day’s end, 165 animals were adopted, so for many reasons, not the least of which was an enjoyable day for families to share with their animals, and a wonderful opportunity for vendors like Much More Than Me to share our message and t-shirts, the day was certainly deemed a success.
As people walked the grounds of the park, stopping at vendor’s booths where they had the chance to buy pet-related products, receive free bandanas for their dog, get samples of the newest holistic dog food, or where they could snack on Kettle Korn, tacos, burgers and the like, I realized I had never seen so many dogs in strollers, “Snugglies” (the soft back- pack type device worn on the front of a person who wants to carry a small animal close to the chest,) or animals adorned in costumes or “clothes.” These were doted-on dogs to be sure, but I could just hear Cesar Milan saying: “dogs are not human beings,” reminding those of us who forget that sometimes that it’s okay to love our animals with full hearts, but not to forget or respect that they belong to another species first. Most of the animals who were receiving such pampered attention from their owners were certainly not complaining- in fact most looked content and accustomed to their way of life, but only yards away were hundreds of dogs left with so little; many that had ended up homeless because of a sorry choice a human being had made on their behalf. It was not unlike a microcosm of our society where some enjoy a wealth of comfort, even excess, juxtaposed to those who want for the simplest things.
Dedicated rescue organizations and shelters work tirelessly amidst emotionally draining circumstances to see that dogs and cats find homes where they are understood and embraced for who they are and not what someone forces them or expects them to be. They bring dogs to events and mobile adoptions with the renewed wish each time that it will be the day that Lauren, Jake, Bandit or some other pup will find a long-term home where they too are beloved and will be cared for all the days of their life. Compassion doesn’t have a short leash- we can still coddle our own pets with abandon while advocating for those so unfairly left with no voice. Some of the patrons who bought our t-shirts were eager to educate others about how dogs end up in rescues; they changed into their new shirts right after buying them.
So, even though it was a little uncomfortable at times to see dogs dressed up and fussed over standing just steps away from dogs that had been literally kicked to the curb, neglected, abused or who were casually left behind by their owners when life called in another direction, hope was alive and well. Many of those same dogs we saw wearing Halloween costumes at the festival, or those strolling along amidst blankets on that cold October day were once alone in a shelter waiting for their luck to turn. They are examples that out of disregard and unfairness may come devotion and rebirth.
