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"Shadow's
In the Moonlight"
by
N. Ray Maxie |
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Living
in a city with strictly enforced animal control laws is really hard
on some of our "best friends", our pets. Now please don't get me wrong,
I strongly support a good and enforceable animal control ordinance.
Our dog law does need to be vigorously enforced upon some of the most
unruly, vicious and dangerous dogs that often roam our streets. Sometimes
they are habitual strays or maybe an animal the owner just doesn't
care for, doesn't want or can't control. Some dog breeds like the
pit bulldogs or bull terriers are simply hard for even strong adults
to control and they can be killers.
It's just that my heart bleeds for all our friendly, loveable, fuzzy
little canines that have to be contained in a small area or kept on
a leash. These most often are adorable family pets for small children
to love and bond with. Breeds like, for example, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas,
Poodles, Pekinese, Shelties and maybe Beagles, Dachshunds or Collies,
to name a few. There are probable many others that don't immediately
come to mind.
My point here is, it is not normal and is very un-natural for an animal
to be contained in a small area and not allowed to roam free, coming
and going as it pleases. Freedom was given to animals by nature from
the beginning of time. But today we've become totally consumed with
our modern lifestyles of rush, rush, work, work, family and play.
In the interest of public safety and convenience, officials have had
to take control where others become negligent or fail to exert proper
control. Dangerous animals have to be caged and those that have become
a nuisance, removed from society.
Several
years ago, I constructed for our family pet, a dog pen about twelve
feet square. That gives him room to romp and play when he has to be
closely confined, generally at night. Later, I strung a long one/quarter
inch steel cable for about 150 to 200 feet between two trees. The
cable is about ten feet above the ground with a pulley and dog chain
attached to it. Our pet can run up and down the full length of the
cable at will. His days are spent with a great amount of freedom attached
to that long run of cable. We are blessed to have the space in the
city to do that. Additionally, we will frequently take him out in
the evening with a leash for a long walk on the street.
"Shadow" is his name; jumping and playing is his game, forever asking
someone to play ball with him. He is a Pomeranian / Sheltie cross
breed and a wonderful little pet he is. He is very playful and a super
fun little dog. When we first got him, I would never have imagined
he would become so much fun. Now sadly, just recently the vet says
"poor little Shadow" has heartworms. We are vigorously treating his
condition and hopefully recovery will be successful and complete.
He was eight weeks of age when my grandson Zachary, then age four
and I picked "Shadow" up at the breeder's place. Zachary immediately
named his little doggie "Shadow". The name comes from the wise old
Golden Retriever in the video "Homeward Bound - The incredible Journey",
by Walt Disney pictures, which Zachary had enjoyed watching time and
time again. So "Shadow" became the name of choice and a good one.
Many months later on a beautiful moonlight night about bedtime my
wife and I, with Zachary were looking out the dinning room window
toward the dog pen. The pen is way out past the driveway, but we could
clearly see the doggie moving around in the bright moonlight. Zachary
said, "Look, Shadow's in the moonlight!"
Isn't that a popular song by singer Anne Murray? |
©
N. Ray Maxie
piddlinacres@consolidated.net
"Ramblin' Ray"
January 1, 2006
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Homeward Bound - The incredible Journey |
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