From a Stray's Point of View

I am not sure what would have happened to me if I hadn’t found mom. While the tough brindle in me thinks that I would have survived for a long time, the other side of me acknowledges that I was tired a lot and didn’t feel good. Mom doesn’t know what happened to me before I found her; I am not sure if I will ever tell her—but she guesses that some people were very nice to me while others were cruel.

Where I am from, it is common to see dogs (and some cats) wandering around and looking for some food or something to do. I don’t know what happened to my littermates, but the chances are great that they did not survive. Seven dogs and cats are born every day for each person born in this country, and 4/5 of those end up as strays or in shelters according to the Humane Society of the United States. It is estimated that there are between six and eight million homeless animals entering shelters in the United States every year. Half get adopted while the other half are euthanized.

Spaying and neutering a dog or cat is not cruel or inhumane; rather, it is responsible ownership. A dog or cat can find its way out of the house or yard only go come home pregnant or have fathered a litter. People tend to adopt or buy puppies and kittens more than an adult dog or cat. But even these young animals can find their way into an animal shelter. Having your dog or cat neutered or spayed means that you aren’t contributing to the burden of unwanted pets. Neutered animals will be less likely to feel the urge to roam and mark its territory, reducing the risks of fights, injury, property destruction, and accidents.

Having been a stray, I know what it is like to be unwanted. Mom took me to the local humane society when I got neutered. Mom said that I was under scholarship and that they did neutered me for free because I was a stray. Even if I hadn’t been under scholarship, I would have told her that she should neuter me. I was really tired after the surgery, but mom took really good care of me. I had to wear a cone so I could let the wound heal. There was a change in me, I felt. I was much calmer, and still a happy puppy that loves to play. I was much more easygoing than I had been before. I am glad that I won’t be making any unwanted brindles. Unless people spay and neuter their animals, most of the dogs and cats born won’t live happily ever after like me.

My Being Found Story

It was a hot day in the Arizona desert. I was wandering around all by myself. I had not found another pack to join, although I had seen many potential packs that I considered. As I was walking about, I saw humans. There was a large group of them. So I approached them. They ignored me. Except for one. I saw her and she saw me. I walked over to her.

I was so hot and was panting and panting. But she saw me and petted me. Then all of a sudden she was gone. I didn’t know where she went. It felt like forever, but then she came back. She had water with her and gave me all of it. My brindle tail was wagging. She left again. I didn’t know where she was going. I was so confused. She came back with more water. I knew even before she gave me water that I liked her. But the water sure did seal the deal for me.

I let her pick me up. Having her carry me around was a nice break from walking all day. I gave her lots of kisses. I didn’t mind that she kept looking at my ears, teeth, and every place on me. Another human said something to her but I don’t know what they said. She kept carrying me and petting me and I kept on kissing her. I didn’t want her to go.

She carried me inside a nice cool place, and then carried me back outside. And left me there. I did not like this at all. I whined and whined. I left that place and went back to waited for the nice girl where we had first met. I waited there for a really long time. Then a boy came and picked me up. I didn’t know what was happening. I remember this boy was with her and he was nice. The boy carried me inside and I saw her. I wagged my tail so fast. He gave me to her. She carried me around with her some more.

Then she took me to this thing that moved. She calls it the “car,” but I didn’t know that at the time. I curled up into a small little brindle ball on her lap and fell asleep. She talked to me the whole time. She promised me that she would take care of me and love me.

She carried me inside another place and I was happy there. She got me food and I ate and ate. I don’t know when the last time I ate was before that. I was so tired and I didn’t feel good. I slept and slept. It was nice to be inside, and it gave my paws a nice rest. But then she cleaned me. She put soap and water all over me. She cleaned my ears too. That part was nice because there was uncomfortable stuff in my ears.
I went to the vet and got some shots that I didn’t like it too much. But there were treats!

I was so happy because after weeks of wandering around, I finally found my mom.

This is my first picture. Taken a few days after I was found.