Pet care/information

As many grumpy-faced kids return to school and tired-faced parents return to work (all clutching the remnants of their Easter chocolate haul), The Lost Dogs' Home has a reason to feel pretty darned pleased today.

Debate about the best approach to take towards managing Pit Bull Terriers in our society is once more making news headlines; prompted by the tragic circumstances in which four year old girl Ayen Chol was killed by a Pit Bull at her home in St Albans last week.

As friends, family and well-wishers prepare to farewell Ayen Chol at her funeral today, it is important to give the long-standing issue of dangerous dogs in our communities, the full attention and respect this issue deserves.

In an ideal world, all cats and dogs would have safe and comfortable homes to spend the rest of their years – they would be fed, groomed, played with, exercised and cuddled every day. They would never know a day of hunger, fear, loneliness or hurt. They would have a family.

To staff at The Lost Dogs’ Home, there is nothing better in the world than speaking to a pet owner who clearly adores their pet. With so many disregarded, displaced and dumped animals coming into our care every day, the sight of a beaming new owner and their happy four-legged-friend is simply a joy to behold. Knowing that these animals – most of whom staff have come to care for deeply – are going to a good home, makes everything we do seem worth it.

Some dogs that arrive at The Lost Dogs’ Home need a little help and encouragement before they are able to be rehomed. It may be correcting bad behaviours or coaxing a poorly-treated animal out of its shell or socialising dogs with other canines. In the case of Buddy, a 19-month-old Siberian Husky, it was about making him comfortable with new people and situations, as he appeared to be bewildered and overwhelmed by everything from the moment he came to the Home.