Discussions

In the Ebrandon classifieds, since October 5, 2010, there have been 218 puppies and 26 adult dogs posted. Updates show that approximately 28 have been "sold".  
 
On the Funds for Furry Friends website, there are 21 puppies and 36 adult dogs.  
 
On the Brandon Humane Society website, there are 3 puppies and 8 adult dogs.  
 
That leaves a total of 286 dogs and puppies needing a home. (That's only with EBrandon, FFF and Brandon Humane Society.)  
 
Then there are 5 people advertising that they are looking to breed or stud their dog. There is a breeder nearby who has puppies of a variety of breeds for sale.  
 
I realize that dog lovers love puppies. There are also entrepeneurs trying to make money. Yes, it your legal right to have your dog bred or used as a stud.  
 
There was a time when I dreamed of owning a purebred to love and breed, always being surrounded by puppies. Then I opened my mind and my eyes. I have volunteered to foster for shelters. I realize how many loving dogs are being abandoned, and are waiting for someone to love them again. It's a revolving door, with no end in sight. There are hundreds of puppies, purebred or not, being born everyday. While hundreds are homeless. Its just not right.  
 
Imagine a stray. Lost, scared and hungry on the streets, searching for their owner or any human contact.  
 
Then they're rescued and placed in a shelter. Locked in a kennel, fortunate to be warm, fed, and receiving the occasional love and attention of kind shelter staff and volunteers.  
 
The first few days they cry and wimper to go out to the washroom, but eventually can't control urinating and defecating in their kennel. They curl up and worry that they've been bad.  
 
They wait for their owners, dream of them, and their love. They get excited everytime they hear someone approach. Every day, losing hope.  
 
How long it take to lose all hope, and become depressed? They were loyal and gave their unconditional love. What did they do wrong? Is there anything more sad than an innocent heart being broken?  
 
If you truly love animals, you would take time to contemplate. Spend a few weeks volunteering at a shelter. Foster to get your puppy fix. Then, if you are still determined to breed and bring more dogs into this world, you have at least done your due diligence. Nobody can stop you.  
 
For everyone else, if you have room in your heart and your home, consider adopting or fostering a loving and deserving dog from a shelter. A precious gift is waiting for you.