Dogs Really Are Man's Best Friend

 I love dogs.  I love all dogs.  I even love dogs who bark and snarl at me.  I have been bitten by stray dogs and I even love them.  Call me crazy, but I think dogs are God's gift to mankind.  

I have always had a dog, sometimes without any parental permission.  When my mother told me I could not have a dog, I found a puppy and built her a home in a vacant lot and went there everyday before and after school to feed and play with her.  I had her for almost a year before my parents found out and called animal control to come get her.  She was such a dear and I was mad for months and months.  She was well cared for and well fed, so I did not see the reason for them to pick her up.  Of course, I was about 8 at the time.

Anyway, I love dogs.  I also love cats, birds, lizards, insects, mice, rats, hedgehogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, llamas, burros, horses, etc.  I think you get the drift.  I love animals, period.  I think animals are way nicer than most humans I have been exposed to in my life.  With an animal, what you see is what you get.  They do not play games about who they are.

So, how does all this relate to the title of this blog?  I'll tell you.  I have been thinking quite a bit today about all the dogs in the Ukraine and Turkey that are at risk of either starving or being killed.  I feel very sad by that thought.  I do understand that people will put people first in emergency situations, but I don't necessarily agree with that idea.  I think all life is important and has value. 

On that note, let's talk about dogs that have been abused, mistreated, or worse and how they were still able to be loving and friendly with humans; even to the point of rescuing those humans. If you search Google, you will find numerous articles and stories about such dogs that proved themselves to be heroes.  Here are a few such articles: 

• https://www.rd.com/list/shelter-dogs-who-saved-lives/
• https://www.newsweek.com/21-times-dogs-saved-owners-lives-proving-mans-best-friend-1570567
• https://iheartdogs.com/12-incredible-stories-about-dogs-saving-humans-lives/
• https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/02/28/dog-saves-baby-fire-detroit/11364181002/?utm_source=usatoday-EveryonesTalking&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=baseline&utm_term=hero&utm_content=USAT-8872UT-E-Everyones-Talking

Dogs have always been of service to humans.  

They were first tamed and socialized to help shepherds protect and herd their flocks.  They spent centuries doing this and helping the families they lived with.  In today's world, dogs fulfill a myriad of protective uses.

Dogs are trained for search and rescue--

There are dogs trained especially to find various things such as bodies, blood, wounded people, drugs, bombs, chemicals and more.  These dogs routinely risk their lives to perform dangerous jobs with only a pat on the head for a good outcome.

Dogs are trained to assist people--

There are dogs that routinely work with disabled and chronically ill people to help them maintain independence and keep them safe.  These dogs provide daily living help as well as mental health benefits.  There are so many people that could not be maintained at home if not for these wonderful dogs.

Dogs are used for social support and mental health care--

There are dogs who have been trained to be support dogs. Who monitor their person for signs of distress and have been trained on ways to help.  There are dogs who smell signs of oncoming seizures and alert their person to lie down and remain safe.  There are dogs who identify health concerns by smell and alert their person to seek medical assistance.

So, now I hope you can see why I love dogs.  They truly are God's gift to mankind.

Dogs for Veterans with PTSD--still a work in progress

Back in 2011, I posted on my Facebook page, Pets are a Blessing, about a law that was before Congress to have the VA acknowledge and initiate pets for veterans returning from the war in Iraq.  It has long been known that pets (especially dogs) are extremely sensitive to the needs of people suffering from post traumatic stress.  There is quite a bit of science behind this fact.  However, ten years later, the VA is just now moving on this law, called the PAWS Act; but they are planning to pilot this act and gather data on its efficacy over five years!  

The pilot program will be offered at the following five VA medical centers:

• Anchorage, Alaska.

• Asheville, N.C.

• Palo Alto, Calif.

• San Antonio, Texas.
• West Palm Beach, Fla.

Now I know that our government moves at a snail's pace, but really 10 years to just get it passed and another 5 years to pilot a program that so many veterans need right now?  I don't understand this.

If this makes you as mad as it makes me, let your congressman know how you feel about this.  With so many dogs wasting away in shelters, pounds, and rescues, this could be a godsend for them as well as the veterans who get them.

Here are two articles about this you might want to check out:

VA shares implementation plan and locations of PAWS Act pilot program

Kaya, a furry ambassador for veterans and service dogs, has died