Declare Independence for dogs

[John Olexa]

On the Fourth of July, Americans from sea to shining sea will commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence more than 200 years ago. As we celebrate the colonists’ determination to be free from British rule by setting off fireworks and hosting backyard barbecues, how many of us will notice that some Americans remain in bondage—sometimes just a few feet from the grill?

From Chesapeake Bay retrievers to Boston terriers to Alaskan malamutes, millions of dogs live their entire lives—24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year—in chains. They get food when their owners remember to toss it out the back door. They get a drink whenever they manage to avoid tipping over their water bowls. The last time they got a walk, James Madison was in the White House. Entertainment options? Snapping at the flies circling their heads, gnawing on their chains, and watching their families flip burgers and twirl sparklers up on the deck. CLICK LINK BELOW

http://www.helpinganimals.com/feat/independence/?int=weekly_enews

[Jerica]

I don't know if you are against everyone who chains their dogs, but my dog has to be chained up. He is on a 15 ft chain and I check on him often to make sure he has water, he gets fed, and I do let him run around the back yard every night while I'm out there. He also gets walks when its not too hot out or raining. If he wasn't on his chain he would be able to escape the fence and risk getting hit by a car among many other things. I have tried to fix the fence and fill the holes but it doesn't work. As long as the dog is still well cared for their is nothing wrong with chaining him up. My dog has a great dog house, plenty of shade, water, food, love and attention even though he is chained up. I am against what some people do. If they do just chain the dog up and basically throw the food out and sometimes remember to give them water. If someone chains a dog up they also need to make sure to check on them because there is also a chance the dog will be tangled. My dog will howl to me if he gets tangled and plus I check on him during the day anyway. So I do hope that you aren't against every person who has to chain their dog up.

[John Olexa]

I understand in your case , but not all do like you do :( . It's the people like you decribed in your last paragraph, that I'm talking about.

Did you get a chance to see the link? it pretty much address what I just said, about not caring for there chained friends. it don't apply to the ones who care like you :)

Just asking; Do you bring your dog in at night? How about thunderstorms? I know my dog would die of a heart attack if left outside during a thunderstorm... of course Lizzy's an in the house dog anyway LOL

I can see time where you need to chain, sure!. but personally, I'm against chaining dogs (24/7)

[rileystar04]

Chaining dogs and locking them in pens. I don't mind it as long as the dog gets enough exercise, but this usually isn't the case. Usually the dog is a present and they find out it is too much work. :mad: There are many members of my extended family that have dogs like this... I called the SPCA about one of my cousins and their dog, but they didn't do anything.

Great link John.

[John Olexa]

Chaining dogs and locking them in pens. I don't mind it as long as the dog gets enough exercise, but this usually isn't the case. Usually the dog is a present and they find out it is too much work. :mad: There are many members of my extended family that have dogs like this... I called the SPCA about one of my cousins and their dog, but they didn't do anything.

Great link John.

Thanks, I have a great Christmas poem, something to this affect, I'll fine it and post it.... even though it's not Christmas :D

here it is:
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in there beds, with no thought of the dog filling their head. And mamma in her kerchif, and I in my cap. Knew he was cold, but didn't care about that. When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, figuring the dog was free of his chain and in the trash. The noon on the breast of the new fallen snow. Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but Santa Clause with eyes full of tears. He unchained the dog, once so lively and quick. Last year's Christmas present, now painfully thin and sick. More rapid than Eagles, he called the dog's name. And the dog ran to him despite all his pain. Now DASHER! now DANCER! now PRANCER! and VIXEN! OnCOMET! on CUPID! on DONNER! and BLITZEN! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! "Lets find this dog a home where he'll be loved by all". I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year. For Santa Clause had made one thing quite clear. The gift of a dog is not just for the season, We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons. In our haste to think of the kids, there was an important thing we missed. A dog should be family, and cared for the same. You don't give a gift, then put it on a chain. And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight, should have cared for your pet, and I know he was right.

Author Unknown

[JustJo]

Great thread John.

I know I will catch hell for this so I want to say UP FRONT this is just my opinion. Personally, I would never have a dog that was not a housedog. I would never have my dog outside chained or in a pen with a dog house. I have never had a dog house in my life...MY house is the dog house. I just couldn't do it. I am not criticizing responsible people that do...all I am saying is that I want my dogs with me...on the couch, on the bed, in the kitchen (and yes...even in the bathroom although that is not my idea), out on the deck or in the backyard, in my car, wherever I am. They are a very integral part of myself and my life and to lose any precious time with them because they are outside while I am inside is too much time for me to spare. As it is I have lost too much time with them due to my traveling for work (and Mom's situation). When I have to leave I have a petsitter come live here with them so they never have to be kenneled or leave home without me. I do have a very large fenced in yard and they can come and go as they please but Bullwinkle and Rockie (and every dog I have ever had) are housedogs.

I know that this is not possible for some people but I am just against chaining dogs period. If they do have to stay outside for whatever reason I believe a large shaded pen or run with shelter is much better than a chain.

Once again...this is just the way I feel about it.

[Jerica]

Yes I did look at the link. Shiloh doesn't mind thunderstorms, he just goes into his house and sleeps, but during hail or tornado warnings he of course comes in. I wish I could have him live in the house, but I am 17 (almost 18) still living at home so my mom won't allow him in the house. I will have him in my house when I move out though. I will have to figure out a way to either have a dog door or keep him in a kennel in my room at night because he is now 11 years old and its not very likely I could house train him now. He sleep for a lot of the day, but like I said I go out and play with him (if he will play) and I let him run around the backyard while I'm out there.

For a little while during the winter Shiloh got to stay in the house during the night because I begged to my mom that it was just too cold for him. He had to sleep in a kennel in my room, but he hated it although liked it more than sleeping outside I'm sure. I would have an outside kennel for him, but there is no way because he would still dig out, his beagle nose leads him. It's not that he gets bored and digs out its just he likes to sniff everything out because even after walks when he is tired, 10 minutes later he would get out anyway. A kennel just wouldn't work even if I had the money to get one. He has plenty of exercise since his chaing is 15 ft long and he gets to run around the backyard plus walks in good weather. He doesn't need a whole lot of exercise though being an old boy he tires easily.

I wish I could be totally against chains, but I can't, sometimes a person can not help but chain a dog up. It is wrong though when someone has a heavy chain, a short chain, no shade, water, or food for the dog and no exercise. I don't know how someone could do that to a dog. Shiloh has only been on a chain for the last year or so. Before he stayed in the fence or at least didn't escape much. I used to live in a small town where at our old house he had a huge fenced yard to run around, but he still dug out. Luckily in that town it was pretty unlikely that a dog would get hit by a car although one dog we had did. So just so no one thinks Shiloh has been on a chain all his life, he hasn't. I'm not sure how his first two years of life were in his first home, but in his second home I don't think they gave him much exercise. When I went to get him since they were giving him away, he was tied to a dog house on a 3 ft rope and was hugely fat. I don't know how long he was tied up though. He was 4 years old when I got him and I do know that the 7 years he's been with me he has only been on a chain for about a year and hasn't been on it continuosly.

Shiloh is such a sweet boy, I could never just leave him out there with no attention, exercise, etc. That's why I'm going to pay to board him near the college I'm going to this fall. He will be right near my college and I can see him every day, they really know how to care for animals, mostly dogs and horses. Anyway, I am completely against chaining unless there is no other way to keep the dog. Of course a person who chains their dog has to make sure to give it even more attention and not forget that it doesn't have much to do. Also people need to be careful about the size of chain a dog has, Shiloh's is very light weight especially being a beagle he doesn't need a heavy weight one, he can't break it. If a person thinks they need a heavy chain for a strong dog, they need to find some other way of keeping it. I know some dogs are strong enough to break some of the heaviest chains, but it shouldn't be chained by those. I understand people being completely against chaining and if I had another option I wouldn't have ever chained Shiloh, he's not just my best friend, but really a family member to me, the problem comes when my family doesn't love him like I do. I would love to always have Shiloh in the house, he's such a cuddler sometimes :). Of course Kit is the lucky one being a chihuahua, she of course can't live outside. She doesn't like Shiloh, but if he had lived in the house from the time we got him she'd be used to him by now. Shiloh will most definatly be living in my house when I get my own place after college, just wish it could be sooner. He'll be 13 by the time I finish college. I'm pretty sure that the place I'm boarding him near my college has indoor/outdoor kennels, so he gets to live inside for the two years I'll be at college. Sorry this is so long.