Us Animal Advocates often stay so angry over the abuse, neglect & mistreatment in the world, we often forget to stop and thank those around us who help the animals, and do good things! Last fall, the Commissioners of Randolph County passed a Tethering Ordinance, so people can no longer tie/chain their dogs. The education phase is ending soon, and the Enforcement Phase will begin. As you might imagine, those who chain their dogs are starting to come out of the woodwork and raise their voices, in defense of chaining their dogs. There will initially be a huge backlash of angry citizens, angry that they can no longer chain their dogs. I need you all to do me a favor, (pretty please?) and write to the Randolph County Commissioners. Give them a pat on the back, and tell them what a good job they have done for the Animals, and give them your support! They will surely need it during what will surely be a difficult time ahead. The objections will eventually die down & fade away, and people will become accustomed to the new rules, just as they learned how not to smoke in restaurants, or on airplanes. Maybe we need to stop and take a moment once in awhile to thank those who are making changes, and "doing the right thing." Let's not forget to thank the ones who get out in the trenches and do the really hard work of checking on the animals, sometimes in dangerous neighborhoods! Write a thank-you to: Randolph County Animal Control RCASPets@gmail.com 1370 County Land Rd, Randleman, NC 27317 Phone: (336) 683-8235 Their job is neverending, thankless, and gruesome! They supported this tethering ordinance, and deserve a pat on the back as well! For those who are so vocal about chaining their dogs: If they didn't know deep in their hearts it was bad & wrong, they wouldn't be so quick and loud to defend it. Initially, the shelter numbers may rise due to those who surrender. However, the shelters have already been constantly supplied with those who carry litter after litter of puppies to the shelter, from having a female dog on a chain with no protection. The dog "Honda," that I wrote about, was one of those dogs. The owners carried 3 of her litters to the shelter. She was chained. Finally a Volunteer paid to have her spayed. If people have a baby, they have to figure out how to care for the baby. Animals are no different. One should not be able to have a pet at zero expense. Most of us Animal Advocates will testify, that we spend thousands and thousands on our pets. If we had that money back again, we would surely be rich. But the love we receive is greater than money or possessions. My boyfriend took his cat to the vet last week. It was a $500 vet bill. This was unexpected. If someone can't buy a nice fence to keep their pet contained and comfortable for most of it's life, do they have money for those unexpected vet bills, shots, spay/neuter, and other expenses? Probably not. A fence is a small thing compared to what some things cost that an animal needs. Very small! I am totally against tossing a dog in small pen. I started a fence building group, “Flying Hound Fences.” Our Application is under review, but once we begin, it is my mission to build larged fenced in areas for dogs to be happy. For the two evils, chained or penned: Both are surely horrible. However, with a pen, at least a predator can't get to the dog, and the dog can move on it's own free will. Maybe not much in a small space, but a chain prohibits the dog from total freedom of movement. Plus chains become embedded and are painful, whereas a pen is just there. I hope people will just bring their dogs inside, as mine are. My dogs have never spent a night outside. I have never figured out why people want a dog if they don't want to let the dog live in the house. If the dog is wild, tears up stuff, urinates....all those are behaviors that can be corrected. And I care more about my pets than my stuff anyway. Please write to the Randolph County Commissioners. I would never want them to reverse the decision they have made, due to the angry haters. Let's THANK THEM, and give them our love, respect & admiration. They surely deserve it! BESIDES! IT'S NATIONAL DOG DAY!!! Thank you all! Much love & doggy kisses! XOXO Donna Hughes