Yesterday Danielle, Jen, Nick and myself soaked up and took full advantage of the Sunday sunshine. We loaded Nick’s truck with 18 bales of straw, 15 bags of dog food and one dog house and hit the streets of Joliet’s East side and The Hill. We didn’t have any specific addresses so we drove up and down the neighborhood streets, stopping when we spotted dog houses or kennels in the yards. At the first house we stopped at we meet a tiny 8 week old gray boy named Ox and a black 6 month beauty named Baby. Both kept inside during the bitter cold temperatures. The owner, Calvin, walked with us down his street while we delivered straw and food, acting as our welcome committee on that block. We also met Boss and Bishop, who lived across the street from each other. Both tethered in their backyards. At Boss’ house, there were 9 pups just 4 days old in the basement with their mother. Across at Bishop’s, there was female in heat kept in the basement. Also on that block was a white female kenneled deep in her yard, sleeping in a collapsed wooden dog house. We offered straw and went back late that afternoon to deliver a plastic dog house filled with straw. On that block, I asked if the dogs were friendly and if we could pet them. It was suggested that we do not approach them. We whispered sweet nothings to those tethered and hit another block. On another block we met Blanca and her brother, his name escapes me as the moment. They had just been brought back outside. Their owners also had kept them in the basement during the winter cold. They were appreciative of our straw and donated dog food. Again at this house, we were told they are protective and we should not approach them. We continued to round the blocks meeting grateful recipients of our items. However, no one took us up on our offer to do the work for them. They thanked us for providing needed items for their dogs and continued on with their Sunday business. If I counted correctly, we were able to provide straw and food for 20 dogs yesterday. If I continue this journey, I MUST find a balance between helping and educating and enabling. I didn’t ask because I am already certain of their fate but the 9 newly born pups will soon be living the exact life of their mother and father. I am confident in knowing that you can educate regarding proper nutrition, warmth, vaccinations and the general care of a dog however I am less confident in the ability to be able to educate regarding breeding. For most, breeding is their income. I do not lack this knowledge, currently I lack the ability to share this knowledge in a non-judgmental, I hate you way. In neighborhoods such as this, word of good people travels quickly and word of people they don’t want on their streets travels even quicker. Building relationships with these dog owners is very important. I want to continue to be welcomed and be able to establish a dog lover relationship with them. This essentially is the only way I can get close enough to help, however, I am there to advocate and protect our dogs. So I MUST and there MUST be a happy medium. With trial and error, I believe it can be successful. Thank you for the continuous support! Only 3 days left to purchase your One Love One Loso shirts/hoodies! teespring/one-love-one-loso
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 23:54:52 +0000
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