Animal Writings

I may be too late for this, but I wanted you all to know about a wonderful program from Dogs Deserve Better (DDB) that may bring some love into the lives of chained dogs. Have A Heart for Chained Dogs Week sends Valentine's Day cards to chained dogs. Many of the cards are made by children, and they include a brochure and doggie treat.

Among other things, DDB wants addresses of dogs who are confined to a chain or pen, so they can receive their special gift, and so their families (or prospective families) may be moved to bring their dog inside, where they can be part of the household. Note that you remain anonymous when you do this. In fact, no names have to be mentioned; the card can be addressed to "Caretaker."

According to one email I received,


Here is a wrap-up of last year's event.

Dogs are highly social creatures. To be a dog and spend day after day on the end of a tether—alone—is to live a sorrowful and joyless life. It is not an exaggeration to say that chaining your dog for prolonged periods is a slow form of emotional torture. Furthermore, chained dogs cannot escape from danger, including mean humans; in many cases, the psychological damage from the fear and immobility may be greater than the physical harm. Chained dogs are also a risk to people, including children. Read more about this and other reasons why you shouldn't chain your dogs in The Facts About Chaining or Tethering Dogs, from the Humane Society of the United States.

Here's something more uplifting: Dogs who were rescued from life on a chain; stories in which human kindness and respect overcame human heartlessness and callousness. Let's create more of these success stories! If you can't participate directly in Have A Heart for Chained Dogs Week, you can still make a donation or buy merchandise from the Dogs Deserve Better store. Do you know a chained dog whom you want to help? Here's how.

Let's turn heartbreak into heartwarming successes!

Labels: chained dogs, dogs, Dogs Deserve Better, valentine, Valentine's Day