Gage was more than a family pet. In their own words, Gage was like one of the kids to his owners, a brother to their children. He was described as part of "the foundation that the Burke family is built upon". Several testimonies attest to him having a sweet, even-tempered, benevolent nature. He was a poster child for dog lovers.
His life was taken by a neighbor who shot him through the neck for reasons that are never made entirely clear. Their website shows some extremely graphic photos of the wound. Not only had Gage not trespassed, he was on his own property. If that weren't enough he died slowly and in pain. Imagine the anguish his owner Shana felt as he died in her arms.
Local authorities decided to charge the neighbor with animal cruelty and was found guilty earlier this week. Shana says in a post on MySpace, "...they played the VIDEO that Ray Stanfill [the neighbor] brought of Gage barking at him...I listened for a moment to hear the growls that Mr. Stanfill said were on the tape. After a minute I didn’t hear growling; only the same smooth voice of my little boy. Then the memories of that same bark while Gage was chasing a squirrel up a tree, rushed thru my body, knowing that I will never hear my babies [sic] bark again. I broke down again. The DA told me the video that Stanfill brought to help his case only hurt him... The jury was out for about 1 ½ hr. Then we came back into the court room to hear the verdict, I wanted to threw up, pass out, ect.[sic]. When she read the verdict, and I heard her voice say GUILTY. I was overwhelmed with emotions, I was so relieved and happy, and tears flew out of my eyes. I ...fell into my husband’s chest and cried like I have never cried before. I think at that moment was the first time I got to put my boxing gloves down, and grieve for my little man, my angel, my best friend, my son."
If you haven't started crying yet, there's more. "P.S. After we left the court house we came home and sit at Gages gravesite and told him everthing that happened , told him how much we love him, and how many pittbulls have been saved in his name. And what we are planning for the future..."
The Burkes are raising money in Gage's memory to help fight animal cruelty. Some of the funds already raised will go to help save the pets of families affected by Hurricane Gustav.
read more | digg story
Showing posts with label animal rights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label animal rights. Show all posts
Monday, September 1, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Watsonville Rejects BSL
BSL is short for Breed Specific Legislation, the kind that make it result in laws making it illegal to own certain breeds of dogs. This almost always means...you guess it, Pit Bulls. The Watsonville City Council showed great wisdom in recognizing that no dog is inherently dangerous, that it is irresponsible, inadequate dog owners that make them that way. The story mentions that BAD RAP member Christine Allen was there to speak on behalf of the dogs. She tells her experience in the BAD RAP blog post below. Just follow the link.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
San Bruno Couple Told To Get Rid Of 12 Chihuahuas
I had feared that this couple were hoarders not unlike the cases seen on so many episodes of "Animal Cops". If you're able to see the video of the news report you'll see that this is clearly not the case. It appears that the house is clean. The representative from the Peninsula Humane Society didn't have a problem with them. If all the city needs is to have an inspector approve it then I hope he does so . Those Chihuahuas were very cute. One of them even looked like my Zoe! I totally sympathize with the couple saying they didn't want to part with even one of their dogs.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Experiencing the Strength of the Mighty Chihuahua
Owning Zoe and Charlie has been my first true experience being a dog owner. I've wanted a dog of my own since I was a little kid. I'd had these images of me throwing a tennis ball playing fetch, or hiking down a trail with a full backpack, hiking boots and a hiking stick with my dog at my side (never mind the fact that I've never gone hiking before), or on a road trip just the dog and me, like I was Han Solo and dog would be my Chewbacca. Of all the dogs I had dreamed would be my companion a Chihuahua was never one them.
I wanted a more macho kind of dog, one that was wolf-like in appearance, like a German Shepherd or an Alaskan Husky, one that would be a reflection of my masculinity. Funny, huh?
So instead of a big, rugged dog I ended up with two Chihuahuas that have a combined weight of no more than 13 pounds. And while neither one will ever fulfill my dreams of playing frisbee or will make me look like a tough guy walking down the street they have still fulfilled me in a way I hadn't expected.
I used to think that people that did things like taking their dogs with them everywhere they went, or had portraits taken with them, lavishing them with money and attention were absolutely nuts. What's wrong with these people? I understand you love your dog, but for Christ's sake they're DOGS, not people. You must have a mental condition. But now I think I understand.
I have learned so much from my dogs. Zoe and Charlie show me unconditional love. When I come home from work every day they are the ones that welcome me home, tails wagging, jumping up trying to lick my face. They live in the moment, not dwelling on past. They don't hold grudges. If they get mad, they don't stay mad. They forgive almost instantly. They give so much and ask for so little in return. Now I understand why people spoil their dogs. They're just trying to reciprocate.
I have also earned a greater appreciation of not just dogs, but of all animals. They have opened my eyes to rights of animals. I make sure that whenever I see a news item about animal abuse I make a point to put it on Digg and add a comment or two. I now have a greater sympathy for shelter animals and the situations that led them to being there. I have always felt that Pit Bulls have been victimized by ignorance and discrimination, but now the subject enrages me. Isn't that funny? Who would ever think that a Chihuahua could serve as a goodwill ambassador for a Pit Bull?
Without having Zoe and Charlie in my life I doubt I would have ever read Cesar Millan's "Be the Pack Leader". From that book I have learned how not only does the "pack leader" mindset help you with dogs, but how it can help you become a better human being. The calm assertiveness needed by an effective pack leader can also be applied in one's own person-to-person interactions as well. Learning to communicate calmly with your dog is great practice for communicating calmly with people. The principles and mental states are no different.
My dogs have had a powerful affect over me. They may look tiny, but they are strong in ways I never could have imagined.
By the way, you can see what I've "Digged" visiting http://digg.com/users/jonlow67
I wanted a more macho kind of dog, one that was wolf-like in appearance, like a German Shepherd or an Alaskan Husky, one that would be a reflection of my masculinity. Funny, huh?
So instead of a big, rugged dog I ended up with two Chihuahuas that have a combined weight of no more than 13 pounds. And while neither one will ever fulfill my dreams of playing frisbee or will make me look like a tough guy walking down the street they have still fulfilled me in a way I hadn't expected.
I used to think that people that did things like taking their dogs with them everywhere they went, or had portraits taken with them, lavishing them with money and attention were absolutely nuts. What's wrong with these people? I understand you love your dog, but for Christ's sake they're DOGS, not people. You must have a mental condition. But now I think I understand.
I have learned so much from my dogs. Zoe and Charlie show me unconditional love. When I come home from work every day they are the ones that welcome me home, tails wagging, jumping up trying to lick my face. They live in the moment, not dwelling on past. They don't hold grudges. If they get mad, they don't stay mad. They forgive almost instantly. They give so much and ask for so little in return. Now I understand why people spoil their dogs. They're just trying to reciprocate.
I have also earned a greater appreciation of not just dogs, but of all animals. They have opened my eyes to rights of animals. I make sure that whenever I see a news item about animal abuse I make a point to put it on Digg and add a comment or two. I now have a greater sympathy for shelter animals and the situations that led them to being there. I have always felt that Pit Bulls have been victimized by ignorance and discrimination, but now the subject enrages me. Isn't that funny? Who would ever think that a Chihuahua could serve as a goodwill ambassador for a Pit Bull?
Without having Zoe and Charlie in my life I doubt I would have ever read Cesar Millan's "Be the Pack Leader". From that book I have learned how not only does the "pack leader" mindset help you with dogs, but how it can help you become a better human being. The calm assertiveness needed by an effective pack leader can also be applied in one's own person-to-person interactions as well. Learning to communicate calmly with your dog is great practice for communicating calmly with people. The principles and mental states are no different.
My dogs have had a powerful affect over me. They may look tiny, but they are strong in ways I never could have imagined.
By the way, you can see what I've "Digged" visiting http://digg.com/users/jonlow67
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