How many times have we heard this saying over the years from some dog owners in Ireland, and I am still sick of listening to it today.
We as a nation should be ashamed of ourselves when it comes to dog ownership, as there is only a small percentage of us out there that are true responsible dog owners and lovers.
In my opinion the majority of Irish people need to be educated more in relation to responsible dog ownership and the importance of selecting the breed that is right for them and their family. All to many people rush into getting a dog with little or no thought put into this “enormous committment”. As the saying goes “A dog is for life”, but that does not seem to be the case in Ireland otherwise why are our pounds full to capacity with so many un-wanted dogs, and numerous classfields filled with dog ads with the same famililar wording “we didnt realise he would get so big” “un-wanted gift” , “we just don’t have the time for him”, “For sale through no fault of his own”, “Dog for Sale as going on holidays and nobody to mind him”. Did they not factor in this when they acquired him or her at first, have they never heard of boarding kennels !. Of course it is not the dogs fault, the fault lies with the irresponsible owners that acquired him in the first place. But who suffers in the long run due to some peoples inadequacies, our beloved four legged friends do !! I can hear them say it “Ah sure its only a dog “.
A prime example of irresponsible dog ownership, I witnessed in the small estate where we live. Neighbours a few blocks from us recently acquired a collie cross dog (let’s call him Lucky as he deserves a name). Lucky spends his day stuck out in a small back garden and he constantly barks day and night much to the annoyance of his adjoining neighbours, I am sure. We recently saw Lucky running around the estate off lead with the small children of the family while they were out cycling on their little bikes. This is obviously “Lucky’s ” daily exercise routine. Lucky is left free to defacate on the pavement to his hearts content, with no sign of a poop a scoop or doggy bag in sight ! I feel like a fortune teller looking into her crystal ball, as I can clearly see the future that lies ahead for Lucky and it’s not a nice one. The neighbours will complain in time due to the excessive barking and dog fouling around the estate that they and their children are constantly steeping on. The owners will then advertise him on a classfield site until they find a new owner if he is lucky, or he if he is un-lucky he will dropped off at the local pound along with many other poor un-wanted dogs. I do pray and hope that this will not be Lucky’s fate, I really do.
The owners may ponder briefly on what an un-rulely dog Lucky was and what went wrong, as he was such a cute puppy when they got him, is what they will say, but he got so big and hyper. It does not take a genius to work out what went wrong for Lucky does it ! Any responsible educated dog owner knows what went wrong, no research or thought was put into acquiring Lucky. Lucky barks all day and is hyper due to the lack of exercicse.. Knowledgeable dog owners know that no matter how small our four legged pooches are they all need exercise, and Collies in particular need a lot of exercise to keep them sane.
As a responsible dog owner and dog lover I know that Lucky is not just a dog, he is a loveable animal that deserves to be fed, watered, and cared for properly and most of all LOVED ! Our dogs love us un-conditionally, but can we say the same in return. I am proud to say I can, I am dotty about my four Dachshunds, Doris, Donna, Daisy and Danno, I talk to them, cuddle them, give them belly rubs and attend to all their health needs. They are after all “More than just a dog” to me and my husband.
To every one who says “Ah sure it’s just a dog”, I have just this to say to you “Ah sure your just a human” !
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