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Columbia-Greene Humane Society
125 Humane-Society Road
Soft Paws By Aaron Clause For The Love of Animals Before I began putting the ink down for this column, I looked around my desk area for ideas. Then I started counting – 1,2,3…13. No, not pens, or sticky-notes, or coffee cups (a close second!). Thirteen animal pictures – dogs, cats, puppies, birds – all in one little 6’ by 3’ area of wall space. After I counted them, I realized that I looked at each picture each day for my morning smiles. I knew that I was an Animal Lover, a term not loosely thrown about our shelter. Many people call themselves Animal Lovers, and are mistaken; we see them firsthand coming into our shelter, dropping off their pets (some of 10+ years) and saying how badly they feel. Some say they are Animal Lovers and refuse to enter our adoption complex, not wanting to see longing eyes and face a reality of animals in need of love. Some say they are Animals Lovers and haven’t seen a veterinarian in years, or don’t pick up their lost dog because of an impoundment fee, or let the pets they “love” run in the road to be injured by traffic. We’ve had “Animal Lovers” that yell needlessly at their pets; that put thirty-pound chains on their dogs; that leave companion animals outside and companionless for countless hours each day. It hurts to think how society views Animal Loving. You may think it’s odd that the Humane Society scrutinizes an application on each animal we send home. Or that we counsel each and every person that schedules a surrender. Or that we think our animals not only deserve, but also will be placed in better-than-average homes. However, the very lives of these pets course through our veins day and night, at work and at home, and we can expect nothing less of a pet owner. Are you an Animal Lover? Show it. This week I’m not begging for a donation, or that you come down to adopt from us. Do it for your own pet or pets – look at them, touch them, pat them, give them a treat. Feel what it must mean to them to have a provider like you, and the trust and faith they have in you to keep them safe and healthy. Sit down with them and see how badly they need caring arms to guide them through each day with shelter, food, and water, and how they repay you with unending affection. If you have no pets, you don’t have to get one. You may have no need for a pet – in that case, don’t get one. We have many here that enjoy even the company of a fifteen or twenty minute visit from strangers; feel free to come down and see what Animal Loving is about. If you feel you’re ready to make a difference in any way, with your animals or ours, call us and we’ll help in any way we can. The number at the shelter is (518) 828-6044. Look forward to hearing from you! A final quote: “You have no right for the sake of pleasure to trench upon the life and happiness of your horse, your dog, your cat. You have no right to trench upon the happiness of the birds in the trees, or the wild beasts in the forests; and I think somewhat less of that man that I otherwise should, who is capable of enjoying what is at the expense of the life and pleasure of others, and with no higher object in it than simply his personal enjoyment.” - Anna Harris Smith
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