Marilyn Stewart

Alpha Canine Sanctuary

At 7 a.m. yesterday morning, she was sitting in the middle of the road. She was looking around,

anxious by now, trying to see the owner who had just dumped her. Like most abandoned dogs,

she was too upset to let strangers approach. But she wouldn’t leave the area either. This beautiful,

trusting dog expected her owner to return any minute. She waited there through the day and

through the night.

At 7 a.m. this morning, she was lying dead in the same spot. The driver who could not avoid

hitting her will be haunted by the painful memory for the rest of his life.

Many other dogs have been abandoned here. It’s at the edge of town and the heartless,

cowardly owners think no one will see them. Too often, I have called the County Animal

Control Department to request they pick up a dead dog from this same place. Other times,

the officers are able to round up the dog in time. In that case, the dog will probably die

at the overcrowded shelter. Either way, everyone loses.

The owners are the biggest losers, however. They drive away, glad to be rid of the

responsibility of caring for the loving, trusting family member they have just thrown

away. Too bad they are not smart enough to realize they have thrown away a piece

of their soul at the same time.