How much is that doggie in the window?

"Good St. Francis, you loved all of God's creatures.
To you they were your brothers and sisters.
Help us to follow your example
of treating every living thing with kindness.
St. Francis, Patron Saint of animals, watch over my pet
and keep my companion safe and healthy.
Amen."
-A prayer for the intercession of St. Francis for protection of our pets


My daughter Lillian celebrated her 10th birthday on February 18th. To celebrate the occasion, we asked that donations be made to the local chapter of the Humane Society. The generosity of her friends and family was nothing short of fantastic, as we received many items that will benefit the animals such as food, paper towels, wipes, treats, and monetary donations. To all who donated for our Lily, a huge thank you!


On Saturday, we drove to the Harrisburg Area Humane Society to drop off the donations. The people at the front desk were very appreciative of Lily's donation and brought out one of their "front desk" dogs to greet her, a playful bull terrier mix named Holiday. When Holiday was picked up by the Humane Society, one of her ears was mutilated by her owners, whom I believe were training her to be a fighting dog. However, thanks to the work of the Humane Society, Holiday seems to be happy and healthy and we hope she finds a good home. We know she will make a family very happy.

We also went back to see what dogs were at the shelter and available for adoption, just out of sheer curiosity. We were amazed how many of them seemed to be pit bulls or pit bull mixes. I wonder how many of them were rescued from people who were running dog fighting rackets. People think the pit bull is a dangerous killer breed, but nothing could be further from the truth. The problem is not with the dog, but the people who handle them. If you train an animal to attack and maim, that is exactly how they are going to behave. Pits are actually just as friendly, playful, and sociable as any other breed. They are not dangerous, and they are not killers.


Then, our hearts we stolen and broken...


In one of the kennels was a grey and white pit bull/pit bull mix named Mikey. He was sitting still, wearing a flannel shawl or sweater, looking at us through the kennel door with such sadness and longing, almost if he was saying "Take me home, be my furever family". He was also shivering. My goodness, did he just come into the shelter and was he mistreated? He was not available for adoption yet, as he was still being monitored for his health and behavior. The sign said to check back in two weeks time to see if he was ready to be adopted.


I turned to hug Andrea with sadness in my eyes. Lily started crying. Andrea was also overcome. Our hearts were taken by that lonely looking dog, who seemed to be speaking to us with just his eyes. We did not want to walk away from him. We wanted to pet him, to hold him, to say "we're going to take you home with us".


Alas, due to his status, the expense of adoption, and the fact that a standard dachshund mix named Annie at home would be super jealous, we had to walk out of there, but we all kept turning back to look at Mikey and the thought of his situation and his name has not left our minds even a couple days later. I don't think it ever will.


We all pray he will get a good home. Hell, I want to go back to the Humane Society and look in on him, make sure he's OK. Maybe if we keep talking about him enough, Annie will end up with a playmate! My mom lives in a home with 5 dogs, why can't we handle 2? That is foolhardy talk, though. We can't adopt Mikey. Reality dictates that will be impossible.

It is not fair. It is not right. How can people who want to treat dogs like wild beasts and have them duke it out like gladiators at the Coliseum in front of Julius Caesar get to have so many dogs that they don't give a rats ass about, but us people who love animals have to pay exorbitant fees just to have the privilege to adopt a dog who just wants a loving home more than anything?


Science says that dogs do not feel emotions. That is complete and utter bullshit. I can tell how Annie nuzzles into my wife's arms at bedtime, and how she snuggles up to me when I am laying on the couch that Annie feels emotions. This pup has feelings. Looking into the eyes of Mikey, I could see the sadness, I could feel the loneliness. Those eyes and that shivering were saying "help me, help me. Give me a home. Be my family." I so want us to take him home and make him a part of our family...it is literally crushing my heart that we can't. I know it is tugging at the heart of Andrea and Lily too.


So many dogs and cats are neglected, mistreated, and abandoned. Local agencies like the Harrisburg Humane Society and HOKAFI (aka the Helen O. Krause Animal Shelter) are doing all they can to help animals in need. They are fighting a tough battle against neglect and cruelty. I ask you please to donate your time, your talent, and your treasure to help dogs like Mikey and other animals that are in need. St. Francis of Assisi teaches us to love all God's creatures, great and small, so let us follow his example. Here are some websites for you to contact to find out how you can help if you live in the Harrisburg area:


Harrisburg Humane Society: http://www.humanesocietyhbg.org


Helen O Krause: http://www.helenkrause.org


Also, for the love of God, please do not buy a dog or a cat from a pet store or a puppy mill/kitten mill. Many dogs and cats are waiting in shelters for you to give them a home. They need you, and believe me, they will love you forever for giving them a place in your home and your heart. ADOPT.


Oh yeah...and don't forget the words of Bob Barker: Help control the pet population, have your pet spayed or neutered.

I so wish we could give Mikey a home, but we are unable (but who am I kidding, I still want him!). But maybe you can. Save him. Give him a world of hugs, piles of Milk Bones, and a warm place to rest his head.