OT-CHAT: Building iris beds - post written in anger

Hello Folks,

Hit delete key now.  A rant follows.

Well, lots got accomplished today.  A rock that out-weighs me was removed
with a chain and the 4WD Ford PK.  Posts were set.  Everything was going
well.  I was concentrating on digging another hole for another post when
under the fence from out of the pasture I was suddenly swarmed by three
puppies.  Adorable puppies.  But the ecstatic joy they exhibited toward
finding me was definitely not returned.  I'd seen them before.  Friday
morning on the way to work I'd seen them where they had been dumped by the
person(s) who, in my opinion, should still be responsible for them.  By the
country cemetery down the road about 1/4 mile.  I hoped to forget them and
not see them again.  Friday afternoon they were on the bridge below my
house.  About half the distance closer.  I came home and ignored that they
were there.  For what?  Now they are here.  I'd hoped since there were only
three that someone had stopped and adopted the fourth.  The howling I soon
heard set me straight on that.  I already have two dogs courtesy of dumping.
I cannot and will not assume the responsibility for any more.  But the
howling made be feel bad, so I walked down to the bridge, tripping all the
way with puppies underfoot.  Nothing to be seen, but they got a brand new
layer of beggar's lice to bring home.  I sat on the bridge railing and
waited and hour and a half and watched only one vehicle pass.  Finally I
heard the lost thing toward the cemetery.  In the end he also found us, so
tonight there are six dogs on the premises.  Saturday night, tomorrow is
Sunday.

Nice puppies.  At least one parent is a Blue Heeler.  3 males, 1 female.
But I don't have many options and all are going to make me feel bad for a
while.  Most people would just get the shotgun or .22 rifle and take care of
the problem.  I've done that in the past and found I haven't the
constitution to do it.  Swore I would never do it again.  I can't leave them
at the pound.  They won't accept stray animals from me since I don't live in
town and therefore don't pay city water etc.  I could spend the dollars to
have them put down at the vet.  What?  $40-$50 per animal.  These make the
seventh dogs dumped in less than a year.  I could go broke paying that
considering the numbers that get thrown out.  The two I've kept are more
than I want, so keeping them is out.  That leaves dumping them somewhere
else.  Isn't that unbelievable?  But I found out it isn't against the law
here.  You can dump your animal anytime, anywhere, on anyone and it's okay
to do so.  That made me furious when I found out and I'm still not over it.
Once when a dog was dumped and I took it to the pound where they wouldn't
accept it, I drove straight to the Sheriff's Office where I advised them if
they would locate the previous owner, I would file charges.  Not a chance.
The previous had done nothing at all illegal.  I was advised I could dump
the dog in town and it was okay, but they'd prefer I do it near the pound.
There were probably a dozen of the Sheriff's employees standing at the
window when I ordered the poor dog out of the pickup and drove to work.  And
I felt and still fell badly about having done that.  Now I'm saddled with
four puppies.  They are surely in the chewing stage.  No telling what is
going to be damaged in the morning.  I simply am not going to keep them
weeks on end in the hopes I can find homes for them.  So tomorrow, I have to
come up with something.  As if I didn't have other things.

I'd have finished setting all the cut posts on the new series of raised
beds, but with all the adoration underfoot it was impossible to wield the
sharpshooter and nearly impossible to walk.  I wonder what damage will be
done overnight to the iris beds, the hoses and anything else they decide
will be fun to play with.  It's not their fault I know.  And no matter what,
I will have had my activities altered by spending time in a manner that is
sure to leave me feeling mean and ugly for a long time.  I know better.  The
real responsibility lies with the original owners.  But that won't help me
and they are safe.  I hope, probably unrealistically, they are feeling bad
now and wondering what has happened to the animals they abandoned.  I
wonder, too, if the idea was to feed the coyotes.  I can't comprehend why
it's done and left for others at all.

Sorry for the rant.  I'm sure to be behind when fall comes and I need the
beds finished.  I'll need the space for the too many I've ordered and for
the seedlings I'm growing.  An interference of this sort just does not sit
well with me.

Donald Eaves
donald@eastland.net
Texas Zone 7b, USA




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