We went to the city today. I'd spent four hours searching the internet and making additions to our page and I needed a break. The stories of abuse were getting to be too much for me. It seems like there is no end to the abuse and cruelty that animals have to endure. But even when I'm away from my computer, I can't get away from this urgent feeling I have inside of me, telling me I'm not doing enough to help animals.
I asked Rod to take me to a pet store that just opened up a few months ago. One thing I have to do here, is say that this pet store does have a good side. They have cats and dogs from the local
shelter in their store for people to adopt. I think this is a wonderful idea and it is a start. But I also know of another large pet store chain in our area that DOES NOT sell animals. They have signs in the store explaining that they feel there are already too many animals ending up in shelters. Therefore they will not be competition for the shelters. This I think is the best attitude for a pet store to have.
Let's get back to our trip to the pet store. Walking around, the whole scenario amazes me. Animals in little rooms. Actually, they're too small to be called a room. Parents and children are watching them, running their fingers up and down the glass, 
attracting the puppy or kitty's attention. They're all talking about how cute they are and how they would love to have one, and then they walk away, or else they fill out a credit application to purchase one. I'm sorry but this just blows my mind. If you have to borrow money to buy a pet, there is something seriously wrong. Maybe you should take a trip to the shelter to get a pet. Save a life and make sure you have enough money to take your new addition to the vet to be spayed or neutered. Pick up a newspaper and search for an animal that may end up in a shelter if nobody calls and takes it home. Back to walking away. This is where I have a hard time. These poor animals didn't ask to be born. They didn't ask to be put on display as a 30 second source
of entertainment. They have feelings. I know they do. My dog won't let me out of her sight when I start loading the camper for a trip. She doesn't want to be left behind and she's making sure I don't forget she's there. Don't try to tell me she doesn't have feelings. It's hard to forget when she's running into the back of my legs every five seconds. :) These animals want love. They want a home. A home larger than a two foot by three foot space with a litter box using up most of it.
We leave the pet store and head for our local S.P.C.A. By this point Rod is starting to get a little nervous. He knows me too well. He's starting to think that we'll have another new pet by the time we leave for home. Anyway, the S.P.C.A. You walk in the room where the cats are. Some just look at you and go back to sleep. You know. They give you the look-"how dare you wake me". Others are immedietly wide awake, standing at the bars, meowing and trying to touch you with their paws, begging you for love. 
In one cage, there is an adult cat, and in the cage next to her is a kitten that looks just like her. Look a little closer. There is a hole in the divider between the two cages. They are mother and daughter. There I am, standing in this room of cats and kittens, wishing I could take them all home. I'm kneeling down, playing with one, holding back the tears and telling her that I'm so sorry I can't take her home, but I can sit there and scratch her ear for a while. All this time, you can hear the dogs barking in the next room and you know someone is in there looking at them and they are also asking for love. Finally unable to stand it any longer I walk out to the car, Rod following behind trying to find the right words to make me feel better and think everything is going to be okay. It's not okay.
Next stop Wal-Mart. Rod is in the sports section, I'm in the pet section picking out toys and canned pet food. Through the checkout we go and back to the S.P.C.A. Maybe I can't take them all home, but at least I can help out a little. The lady at the counter recognizes me right away. After all I've only been gone for a half an hour. She thanks me for the donation and I can't help but think to myself, "I wish I could do more". I pick up a pamphlet with a "Wish List" of things they need and go back to Rod waiting in the car.
Please spay and neuter your pets. Cats and Dogs in little cages has to stop.
