If you saw a SWEET dog who was very scared and sitting on a cold, wet, hard cement floor literally shivering from the cold, what would you do? What if he wagged his tail when he saw you, put his paws up to you and tried to lick you, maybe even let out a bark out of his pure joy in seeing YOU?

I saw this today. I saw it over and over. Kennel after kennel. I went to the pound.

Many of these dogs were people's pets who have gotten lost. It was obvious. A volunteer there selected a shivering small dog and put on the warm doggie shirt I brought in. The dog lifted his little legs, like he was used to wearing clothes. Another dog looked like a purebred yorkie, I'd say 4-5 pounds grown. Another was an adorable pug. Everyone seems to want the small dogs these days... there were MANY of them there just waiting for homes!!! There were friendly big dogs there too. In particular, I saw two beautiful rotties that would love to find a home together if at all possible and even a gorgeous weimaraner.

If you've never been there, the kennels are inside but with a doggie door to the outside of each one so there is a draft and the shelter does not feel heated. It's really cold for them this time of year. The dogs have nothing, no toys, no blankets, no home. Nothing but their giant hearts they are just waiting to give to you. The dogs that are up for adoption pass a temperment test under the stressful circumstance of being in that scary place. Basically, this means these are exceptionally wonderful dogs. I can't even begin to tell you how sweet they all were.

After ten minutes, I literally cried. I cried because I knew that most of these wonderful, loyal animals will be killed, not adopted because not enough people come in to adopt them all.

Reality Check: The County euthanizes 50-200 dogs DAILY. A dog gets 72 hours when he comes in on a hold to see if he is claimed. If he is put up for adoption, he can stay until he is either adopted or gets sick. Kennel cough is highly contagious and rampant. (it is not contagious to humans). Virtually 100% of the dogs will get it while there and they get it fast... usually within 1-2 days of being there. As soon as they get it, they are killed. Sadly, kennel cough is treatable for a low cost, but resources are limited. Did you know that they stack the euthanized dogs one on top of the other like fire wood in a freezer until they are cremated at a later time? This is the reality of the situation and, frankly, it is dire.

My point is this: please adopt from the animal shelter. Please take one of those dogs out of there and give him a forever home. Be his hero. And, please, microchip your pets. If he/she is lost and ends up there, do you want them to end up with this fate? A microchip will save his life by returning him home. Also, so important, please spay or neuter your cats and dogs. It is FREE for pits and pit mixes and very low cost for others. Check out the www.azhumane.org for low cost clinics.

If you have lost your dog, check the shelters every two days. Your dog could arrive at any time, even a week or a month after he was lost.
If you cannot adopt, please consider donating to the shelters. The shelters are in need of doggie beds, pillows, blankets, towels, dog food, etc. Simply bring your donation to the receiving area of the shelter at one of the addresses below. We found nice dog beds at CVS for $5.99 each and donated 10 of them. (Actually, my mother suprised me with them as an early Xmas gift for me to donate...what a meaningful & thoughtful gift idea for the animal lovers in your life!) You should have seen the dogs jump right into them. There weren't enough, though, and many dogs were left sitting on the wet cement floor. For the cost of a Starbucks coffee and the morning paper, you could warm up a shivering pup.
There are many ways to make a difference in this world. Be a hero and save a life.
Maricopa County Animal Care Center
602-506-PETS

West Valley
2323 South 35th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85009

East Valley
2630 West 8th Street
Mesa, AZ 85201

Cat Adoption Center
5231 North 35th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85017