Dogs are not disposable-they are life long commitments

Opinion: May 11, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

I am a volunteer dog walker at the Mahoning county dog pound. I see first hand the lack of responsibility by some dog owners. There have been many dogs turned in by their owners over the years. They don’t really give any reason other than they just don’t want them anymore.

There was a man who turned in his two 6-year-old lab/Newfoundland mix dogs because he was going on vacation. There was the owner that turned in her 6-year-old lab mix because she had heart worm and she said she couldn’t afford to treat her. She also said she was going to get another dog. I hope someone tells her that if she doesn’t treat this dog, there is a chance that he/she will be heart worm positive down the road. There was a 13-year-old chihuahua with cataracts that was just turned in.

I want to ask these people what is wrong with them. Do they dump their kids or their elderly parents when they get tired of them? I am sure some will say it is the economy, but I don’t buy that for a minute. There is help out there if you are having a difficult time.

I would like to make a few suggestions for people that want a dog,

Don’t get a dog if:

You can’t keep up with the yearly exams for your dog.

You can’t afford to give your dog monthly heart worm medication and any other preventive medicine.

You are going to have your dog tied outside and never show them any attention.

You are going to take your dog to the pound when they are sick and/or old to have them euthanized.

You are not going to love your dog for his/her entire life.

I think everyone in this community that drops a dog off at the dog pound should take a tour of the facility first. I would hope this would change your mind and if it doesn’t, you should never own another dog.

Trish Collins, Poland