As economy continues to falter, pets hard hit too

by Rebecca Day, TUSR contributor

As the economy continues to falter, journalists, economists and others continue to document how hard times are. However, a problem often overlooked during these tough times is the issue of misplaced or stray animals. [Continues below photo.]

We found this cat hiding in shrubbery in our back yard in Northeast Florida. She was starving. The cat is very tame, so she isn't feral. Do you know someone who lost this cat? Email the editor if you do..
Pets are wandering the streets in search of food and shelter more and more due to various irresponsible actions by their previous owners. Just in the past month, our family has personally crossed paths with two mistreated animals, one of which we could keep, the other of which we sadly can’t. Though our farm of misplaced and neglected animals began with the odd addition of our chicken, Ms. Chickie a few years ago, in the past month, our pet population has grown with the introduction of Rusty, our mini-schnauzer. And a few weeks after he made himself comfortable, we found a very domesticated stray cat hiding in the shrubbery in our backyard.

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Reality Puppy: Rescued dog finds road paved with perks

Background on rescued pup Tiny-Rusty

My cell phone rang and I heard four words that stop a parent’s heart. “Mom, don’t get upset.”

I was 3 states away, traveling with my husband to check on our parents. My mom and his dad were admitted to emergency rooms within an hour’s time in two different cities in South Carolina. Why do children always say ‘don’t get upset’ when they know what they say is guaranteed to upset you?

I asked what was wrong. Becky began to tell me about a dog owned by one of my daughter Jen’s clients who suddenly had to move and found it necessary to leave the pup behind. Big sister knew exactly what to do when faced with a rescue-wannabe. She called her little sister to go get the dog.

“Jen says he’ll be really easy to adopt out. So it’s just for a couple days,” Becky said.

Later, Jen told me, “He’s pitiful.” She said a former co-worker wants the pup. I had the impression the dog might have psychological scars after parting with his family, even at 20 weeks. “Left behind,” Jen said. “So sad.” Or something like that.

We were not looking for a dog. We have a perfectly good, hound who works hard at being lazy.

But what could I do? I told Becky to take care of the dog, get it to the vet for a go-over and we’d talk once the crisis in Carolina was under control. I waited 24 hours before telling my husband.

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