I'd like to get deadly serious for a moment. I've been following a case that involves a starved-to-near-death pit bull named Patrick. If you are on Facebook and an animal advocate, chances are you've seen and heard all about this particular case. If not, I'm going to try to sum up in as few paragraphs as possible the background notes for you.
In one corner, we have the Associated Humane Societies and Popcorn Park Zoo (hereafter known as AHS). In the other we have the Garden State Veterinary Specialists (GSVS). In the middle, we have Patrick, a dog that was neglected and eventually thrown in the garbage in a plastic bag by his owner.
I cannot post photos of Patrick in this blog because everyone involved seems to "own" them and there is all kinds of verbage about how they must not be posted anywhere. But you can see photos of him, if you have the stomach to view them, upon arriving at AHS by following this link. I'm going to warn you, the photos are GRAPHIC. I also want you to know that I have seen his updated photos and he looks nothing like this anymore. He is a viable, healthy little pup who seems well adjusted despite his nightmarish experience. Isn't that just like a dog?
The two groups have gone to court over custody of this little guy. While AHS first brought him in, they transferred him to GSVS for the intensive care he would require to be, essentially, brought back to life. This was not an easy process and has been ongoing over a number of months. GSVS actually has someone who can and would adopt him, someone who works there and has participated in his care. AHS says, no, this can't happen. They would like Patrick to be a part of their Zoo.
Let me repeat that, just in case you thought you weren't seeing this correctly. THEY WOULD LIKE PATRICK TO BE A PART OF THEIR ZOO!
Hmmmmm...let's see. Adoptive home on one side where this little man can stay the rest of his life living under relatively normal circumstances, or a Zoo.
I'm writing this blog to prove that some animal rescue people are certifiably nuts. I've met some first hand in my own rescue experiences, which is not limited to dog rescue, but also horse rescue. I think I've actually found more very nutty people on the horse rescue side, but this particular case may shift me into a different gear on that thought.
Who could POSSIBLY want this dog to not have a normal life with what has proven to be a very qualified home in terms of his adoption? Who? Why would AHS continue to spend so much money in the court system when it has animals in need and continues to fundraise for them? Helllllllooooooooooooo....is anyone in there?
I have, admittedly, not been a part of every nuance of this case. I don't know every tiny detail. But as a human being, aren't animal advocates supposed to look out for the welfare of the animals? Wouldn't part of that welfare mean that a dog who has been abused and offered a good home, be allowed to live out his life in that home? Am I missing something? I don't even have to know everything about this case to know that I would choose the home over the Zoo.
But then again, maybe it's not just about the dog, or his welfare. Maybe it's about something that is green with numbers on it. I just hope not. I hope not. I really hope not.
It's too bad humans have egos. We need to learn from our animals.
Aaaarrrrooooooo!
If you would like to follow The Patrick Miracle, please go to this link on Facebook. You will find updated photos and videos here.
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