Kennedy Gordon

I took the kids to the local humane society today, because they like visiting the animals, and the animals like being visited. We can’t have a dog or cat because of my raging allergies, which cuts my animal-loving little girl to the quick on a regular basis. So we stop by the humane society, cuddle kittens, walk dogs and try to spread a little love to some animals needing it.

• A note: I love animals. I love dogs. I would love to have one. But I can’t, because my sneezes break windows.
  

Today we saw a building filled with cats and a sign saying there are too many, and the unwanted cat population in our city is at crisis levels. We saw a tiny puppy so terrified after being abused that she shook when I entered the room. And we saw a cool hound dog named Fontaine who looked me in the eye and said “Mister, I would be a pretty amazing dog for you.” He was the only one not barking like a maniac, and the only one who didn’t quake at the sight of me, and I wanted to just take him out of his cage and let him run.

I have this weird ninja superpower that means babies love me, but dogs get upset in my presence. I have never understood it. My neighbour has two boxers, and they go nuts if I even walk past a window while they’re in the yard. Yet strange random babies will crawl into my arms.

This dog was the rare combination of both those things, and came pretty close to coming home with us. But I knew that in the end, because of my allergies, he wouldn’t be able to stay. Or maybe he would, and I would have to sleep in the shed … he was a pretty awesome dog. It was difficult to walk away.

Spay and neuter your animals, people. Take care of them. Love them. And if you aren’t sure you want a dog or cat, don’t adopt one casually, thinking you’ll just get rid of it later if it doesn’t work out. I saw too many of those today.

Despite the good intentions and selfless mission of shelters and their workers, no animal should have to shiver with fear in a cage. When that happens, it’s a person’s fault. Don’t be that person.