It is hard for me to write about something that is controversial. My blog is about being positive, encouraging and inspiring others, as well as living a meaningful and joyful life. I always want this blog to be uplifting and a place people come to that makes them feel good. But I also want to be brave and share my thoughts on topics that not everyone may agree with me.
This feels scary to me. But I also want to share my thoughts with grace and integrity. So I take a deep breath, as I get ready to share something that has really been bothering me.
A few weeks ago I shared a photo and some information about a downed dachshund who needs a new home. She is currently with a family, but due to their circumstances the family struggles with finding a better home for their dog, then what they feel they can provide.
In emails with this family this is a gut wrenching and excruciating decision for them to make. From what I’ve been able to gather and understand, they are not taking this lightly. They also reached out to many dachshund rescues, but because their doxie is an IVDD case, many rescues are not equipped to care for them. They also are hard to place with families due to their special needs.
As many of you know, being a voice out in the world for dogs with IVDD, part of what I do is share via my Facebook page and/or my blog, disabled dachshunds who are in need of a home, no matter where they currently are, or the circumstances. I believe these little ones can live a quality life if given a chance. If I can help find them their right home, I’m so happy to do that.
Such was the case with this recent dachshund. So I posted her on my page as well as National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day page hoping someone could open their home to her and take her in.
After posting her photo and story, many people shared her on their pages also as a gesture of help. But there were a handful of people on both my pages that felt the need to say things that I felt quite nasty and offensive. The family also saw them and it caused them a great deal of pain.
Let me say that yes, I know there are many horrible and awful situations out there that dog’s sadly find themselves in. I wish there was no such thing as animal cruelty and the terrible acts that happen.
I also know many feel that when you bring a pet into your home it is a life long commitment. I like to think I will never have to worry about finding my dogs a home if I found myself in a situation I could not care for them. It would be this most heart breaking thing I’d ever have to do. I shudder at the mere thought of it.
There is also the not judging piece of it for me. When this family reached out to me, I felt it took courage for them to ask for help. To say they feel their dog deserves better. They feel they can’t give her all that she needs due to their circumstances as well as the extensive health issues their dog is dealing with. Sadly, this was met with some comments on my Facebook page after posting the photo and story. While I won’t share what the comments were, I did delete them. I don’t feel they are necessary.
Again, there are many awful situations out there and many animals who are just given up on. I understand this. But I also know caring for a special needs dachshund takes a different commitment. Not everyone can do it.
This family is still struggling with what to do. My heart goes out to them. I believe they are good people trying to do what is in the best interest of their dog. Many may not agree with their choice. But then I think about all the dogs who just get dumped along side of the road with no thought or care (or worse), I turn again to the courage it must take to do what this family feels is best for the life of their dog.
I’ll continue to share special needs dachshunds in need of new homes, no matter the circumstances. But I won’t allow comments that I feel serve no purpose. Negativity and cruelty just feeds more of the same. I’d rather be a beacon of light of hope for these little ones and help guide their way to a new home when need be.