Published in The News Eagle (Wayne/Pike Counties, PA)
Chained Dog’s Plea
I wish someone would tell me
what it is that I’ve done wrong.
Why do I have to stay chained up
and left alone so long?. . .
The children never walk me.
They always say, "Not now."
I wish that I could please them.
Won’t someone tell me how?
— Edith Lassen Johnson
The temperature is below zero, wind-chill 30 to 45 below. I step outside and hear the sound of a barking dog and know what it means — the dog has been left outside and more than likely is on a chain! As the local humane societies repeatedly warn: if it’s too cold outside for you, it’s too cold for your dog.
While the law requires access to "proper" shelter at all times for outdoor dogs, what some people may deem proper isn’t fit for a dog. Dogs are flesh and blood. Their fur, much like your winter coat, provides some protection, but most dogs are still unable to handle the cold well. Perhaps the cruelest thing anyone can do to a dog is to force it to live alone on a chain. In addition to the fact that dogs are instinctively pack animals who thrive on the company of other dogs, or their human family, those tied on a chain are doomed to a life of boredom. Most people who chain their dogs are simply unaware of this.
If it’s necessary to leave your dog outdoors, at least try to improve its life. Make sure your dog’s shelter is raised off the ground, protected from the rain and wind, and that there are no leaks. Use straw or hardwood shavings for bedding and be sure replace it often. Don’t use rugs or mats as they absorb water. Put your dog’s water in a spill-free container and check for freezing several times a day. If you are able to, invest in a bowl with a "pail de-icer"--dehydration is a risk for outdoor animals in cold weather. Any shelter should be large enough for the dog to turn around in but snug enough to provide warmth. And during the warm-weather months be sure your dog always has access to shelter from the sun’s heat.
All dogs, and especially larger ones, need lots of exercise. If a securely fenced yard is out of the question or doesn’t keep your dog from roaming, then put your dog on a swivel hooked to a running line positioned to enable the dog to run about without getting tangled. Take your dog for a long walk every day to provide both exercise and your companionship. It’s good exercise for you, too.
How would you like to be stuck outside, by yourself, with nothing to do? Make sure your dog has a variety of toys. If you can’t afford to buy ready-made ones, you can make your own. A towel with a knot tied in it or cheap tennis balls can provide a dog with hours of entertainment. And don’t forget that dogs love to chew, so be sure they have a safe chewable toy, such as a Nylabone.
If your dog is being left outside because of training problems, do yourself and your dog a favor: Enroll in an obedience class so you can bring your dog indoors. Most importantly, young puppies and elderly dogs should not be left outside for more than a few minutes during any type of severe weather. Within two minutes of being outside in sub-zero weather, my fourteen-year-old dog’s feet became numb and old cuts on his toes began to bleed. Needless to say he was back inside cozily curled up on the sofa before you could say lucky dog.
Return to Vegetarian: For Your Health, for the
Animals, for the Planet
by Teresa D'Amico