A friend is very active in the rescue of Bichon Frises recently sent the following out in an email to my mother (a fellow rescue ninja). While I mostly wanted to pass it along for its dry wit and charm oh-so-fitting of this OC native, it is also a wonderful commentary on why we rescue.
my pups. left to right: logan, wiggles, annie, molly
Why I Hate Pet Stores
So, I was strolling the local trashy mall near my house on Friday, as my Australian visitors wanted to take home some bath products from Bed, Bath & Beyond. The mall near me is really tacky.No more name stores in the smaller shops, just a lot of junk stores and cheap clothing from China. But one store that has survived over all these years is the pet store. Sadly.
So we wander in and they have two of the most beautiful 3-month-old Bichon puppies in two separate glass boxes. Both from the same breeder and same litter from in “Hillbilly, Missouri - might as well be Arkansas.” (Except these dogs still had teeth.)
But do they have these little siblings together? Of course not! So I call the “I-can-barely-speak-English” clerk over, interrupting him from conducting important “business” with his gang members who had come in to visit him and say, “Why don’t you have those two bichons in a bigger crate so they can at least be together? Bichons are very social creatures and I’m sure these two would enjoy each other’s company while they live out their formative years in your glass cage.”
Go figure that he did not warm up to me quickly!
He explained that they do take similar breed dogs out and let them play together, to which I replied, “So what are they supposed to do the other 23 hours and 55 minutes of each day?” He informed me that they need the bigger boxes for the German shepherd puppies, because they are bigger. To which I replied, “Well of course we should give the luxury accommodations to the notorious Bichon killers!”
By then, people were starting to look at me, and I don’t think it’s because I was looking especially striking that day.
So I asked the young clerk how much they wanted for the Bichons and for a mere $1600, I could have taken both of them home!
Before I left, I told the two little pups that I likely would see them in the future, after they have been so emotionally stunted from their time in the box and their naïve owners who dump them at the shelter because they can’t figure out why the little guys can’t bond with them and why they don’t fit in their purses anymore!
And then I left before he called the police.
I hate pet stores. And I will be back to check on these lovely boys. I’d go every day just to make that little creep clerk have to take both dogs out to interact with me!
****
There are so many sweet animals in the world, many of whom live in love and comfort with owners who appreciate them. However, too many more are nothing besides fluffy toys exploited in the name of plump pocket books. While I am sure that most who purchase pet store pups are well intentioned, all too often that same little animal will find itself on the streets or in a shelter before its life is out.
The reasons for this tragedy vary from an unfortunate change in their owners' finances to a front door left open just a second too long. Perhaps most disheartening is when people purchase an innocent puppy, teach it to love them and feel safe with them, to bond with them, and then decide that the dog simply doesn't "fit" them any longer. In other words: we're bored with it. It grew up. It got older. It slowed down while our lives have not. It is not worth an adjustment.
Instead, I'll wrap it up by saying that for those in search of a best friend and companion, a creature who loves unconditionally, and is happiest when you are by their side, you don't need singles dances or speed dates, just a quick trip to your local shelter or rescue organization.
It's worked for me.
Four times.
(happy monday)
