Through Their Eyes

A look at things through the eyes of the animals

What follows is a series of stories which try to imagine how the animals feel when they are subjected to neglect or abuse.

Story 1: The dog that was dumped

I'm all excited! My humans are taking me in the noisy machine that runs really fast but has no legs, a car I think they call it…It's great fun sitting here watching everything go by really fast, I wonder where we're going today? To the water maybe for a splash around or maybe to the park to play football…I can't wait!
Wait a minute, we've never come this way before - we must be going somewhere really special! Oh, I think we're here, the car is slowing down. Hmm, I don't know where we are but it must be somewhere fun - I want to get out and play! Yes, stopped at last, and the car door opens and my humans push me out. Yipee, here we are, I'm going to race down this field and see if they can catch me! Wait a minute, why aren't they following me? I look back and see the humans drive off. Oh, they must be going to get a ball to play with! Oh look, there's a rabbit over there let's see if I can catch him, off I go!
It's getting dark now, and my humans haven't come back yet…maybe I should go and look for them? Here's a car coming now, maybe that's them…no. Maybe this one…no, that's not them either. They must be coming soon - it's time for my dinner! I know, I'll keep looking for cars; one of them is bound to be mine. No, not that one…no, not that one…
I'm really tired now. It's dark and I'm scared and I'm so cold. I don't know where I am. I just want my humans to come and bring me home. I miss them. Oh, here's another car, this has to be them! Oh no, that's not them either…Oh where are they? I'm going to lick them all over when they get here, to show them how much I missed them!! I just wish they'd hurry up...

Over the next few days this poor little dog might finally realise that his humans aren't coming back, but he probably won't. He's a trusting little fellow, and he can't imagine that his humans would just leave him there. But the sad reality is that many many people do dump their pets every single day. This poor dog will probably wander the roads for a few more days before some kindly person comes along and rescues him, if he doesn't get run-over first that is. If he's lucky, he'll be taken into one the rescue centres and seeing that he's a cute little thing, he'll probably find a new home within a couple of weeks. But he'll never get over his fear of getting into cars. Can you blame him?
But what about the not-so-lucky ones? Many will be run-over before they're rescued; others will end up in the pound and will probably be destroyed; some might end up the unfortunate victims of cruel youths looking for some laughs at the expense of a defenceless animal.

Story 2: The cat that was declawed

Coming soon

Story 3: The pup that was forgotton about

Coming soon

A quote to lift your spirits

Around me the abandoned and rejected dogs barked and ran around happily. I had often thought when I encountered cruelty and neglect that there was a whole army of people who did these unspeakeable things, a great unheeding horde who never spared a thought for the fellings of the helpless creatures who depend on them. It was frightening in a way, but thank heavens there was another army ranged on the other side, an army who fought for the animals with everything they had - with their energy, their time, their money.

"All Things Bright and Beautiful" by James Herriot



All stories © Alex Earnshaw, 2002

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