Musings - Dogs or Cats? The Ideal Setting. . . . .

Years ago, when I lived in the South of France, I adopted a dog. Everyone had a dog, and dogs rode buses, they waited patiently outside groceries or slept in boutiques. We later moved in with my parents in the States. Someone was always home to help with doggie walks and outings.

In the last 15 years, the kids have grown up and moved away from home. I now have two cats. When I am away, a good friend visits once a day to socialize with them and let them on the screened porch.

Currently, I am fostering a rescue dog. But I’m finding numerous challenges that I didn’t remember from earlier years with kids and pets. Not problems with the dog or compatibility of pets but the lack of personnel or places to take the dog! Dogs require attention—they need to be let out several times a day. Plus, there are few cafes that accept pets on the outside terrace.

If you can't live in France, the ideal solution seems to be to live in dog-friendly neighborhoods. Pet people know one another from walks or play in the dog parks. Usually, someone is available to keep your dog or step in several times a day to help out.

Take me home! Oh please, oh please!

We could be such best friends. Really!

These pets had a home and for some reason, they were turned in to the shelter. In the month of May 2013, the Brevard County animal shelters received more than 1,000 cats and dogs.

Many small dogs are adopted quickly. Most breeds are taken to a rescue organization, which fosters them until they are adopted. Some dogs like this mixed breed (pit bull) have been here for 30 days. . . . .

In 11 other rooms, there are cages of cats and kittens. Some have names like Jess or Patches. Others are active silver and gold tabbies, calico. . . .

Summer heat and humidity are extreme in Florida. Fans hum noisily. Volunteers and staff clean kennels and a couple hundred litter boxes as well as wash bowls and pet laundry. A few dogs bark. Most watch the halls. Some have curled up on their beds. If there are enough volunteers, the dogs will get outside on a leash for about 15 minutes a day. Many cats share a cage and hope someone will visit and play with them. The happiest moment for everyone is an adoption.

At the adoption day event on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013, a pit bull named Pork Chop greeted visitors. A Belgian Shepherd, Fergie, waited for pats.

A man brought his shelter pup, adopted months earlier ,to pick out a companion pet. A Chihuahua living in a foster home found a new “forever” home.
Although the pets seem socialized and radiate smiles, they become stressed with each day confined in the shelter. Stress leads to lower immunity. Staff try to place the animals in different venues (pet supermarkets, vet offices or the humane society).

Local residents can help by adopting, volunteering or donating.

If you can’t adopt, maybe you can volunteer (you make your own schedule). You can foster a cat or dog, even short term. For example, cats with kittens may need a quiet room for six to eight weeks until the babies can be adopted. Some pets need to be isolated and given medication for an infection (e.g., an upper respiratory condition, ringworm).

Still not sure about a pet? The animal shelters have a program called Pajama Pups, where partners can take home a pup for the night--“A couch is always better than a kennel,” according to the brochure. How true! That way, people and pets become acquainted.

So you can take a dog home. . . .if only for a night! If you decide on a cat or kitten, best to take two so they keep each other company. Pets need forever homes, and people benefit greatly from interactions with pets.

Good times with pets can be shared on the bench on Riverside Drive, near the Indian River Lagoon. Check out your local shelter today to find your forever pet.