All You Need Is Love
I met a great couple this summer. They shared many likes with my husband and me. They shared a love of place, a love of good food, a good belly laugh – and – a love of dogs.
We connected about our dogs. They were head-over-heels enthusiastic about golden retrievers. I tried to woo them to gasp in awe of the overwhelming cuteness of Sea (pictured here) but they were underwhelmed to say the least. Their hearts were pulled to goldens.
I asked for them to share some pictures of their dog. Their faces fell. They told me that they recently had to euthanize Kayla, as she was riddled with cancer at the age of 14. And then they pulled out their phones and shared some pictures with me.
These next photos are from Kayla’s party – they had invited some of Kayla’s favorite people to celebrate Kayla’s life with her – and to say goodbye. Kayla is pictured here with one of her favorite people. I am so touched by this picture, as it shows not only a lovely old dog, but a little girl so in love with this canine – someone who may grow to be an advocate for dogs. Over twenty people came to say goodbye to Kayla at her party.
These photos were taken shortly before Kayla was euthanized by a veterinarian at her home. Her body was riddled with an aggressive cancer and the ultrasound confirmed it had entered her liver. She was a lucky dog who obviously touched a lot of people – and helped to make them more humane…
These folks obviously loved their dog and have become real dog advocates because of their great experience with Kayla. Kayla touched lots of people – and each one of those folks will likely have more empathy toward all dogs. Kayla did not come from a shelter – she came from a responsible breeder that the couple knew and visited before acquiring her.
Some of you may be upset that Kayla’s parents did not adopt. (That is probably an understatement.) Sure – I would love it if more folks chose to adopt – but to me, most important is that they had a dog in their lives whom they loved and treated humanely. I suspect Kayla has saved a lot of shelter lives – just by motivating those around her to love dogs.
Related links:
“There Simply May Not Be A Home For This Animal…”
“I Was Them”
Tags: Euthanasia, Saving Lives
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Juliet Blake, RVT Says:
Once again, Dr. Emily hit the nail on the head! While us shelter folks almost always suggest a rescue dog, the fact of the matter is that we must support the human-animal bond, regardless of the origin of the pet. And, there are plenty of responsible breeders in the world that are providing families with loving companions, just as a shelter does. What matters is that animals lovers help educate and advocate for our four-legged friends whether we have a show dog, a rescue dog, or something in between.
Victoria Brooks Says:
My first dog came from a breeder. I fell deeply in love with her and began volunteering in rescue. I can say at least two dogs were saved by her love, which were both rescued and adopted by me. I have fostered several others and marketed countless others. I don’t regret having her in my life, although I do regret that she came from a breeder. She was very inbred and has had medical problems her entire life until she died suddenly at 6 years old by food particles entering her lungs while she was eating. That’s what the vet thought anyway when they were trying to save her.