Hundreds Want Pup that Survived Being Put to Sleep
This sweet puppy survived two lethal injections! I was amazed when I read this story. I heard Mark Levin, the Conservative pundit, talk about it on my drive home from work. I have a lot of respect for his intelligence and “resume.” I listen to him in small, metered doses. He can get quite riled up and start yelling. That’s when I start turning the dial. He has a passion for dogs, so when he talked about Wall-e and shelters and rescue organizations, I tuned in. It’s an important issue that transcends politics.
I am using Wall-e’s story as a segue to share my own dog’s journey. On March 10, I will have had Dignidad (Diggy) 2 years now. He is this blog’s Sergeant-at-Arms.
I adopted him from Grateful Dogs Rescue in San Francisco. About 4 years after I had to put down my two dogs, DeeDee and Beano, I started perusing PetFinder. A 6-year-old Chihuahua mix, named Cagney by the rescue, caught my attention, and I adopted him. I re-named him Dignidad, the Spanish word for dignity.
Diggy was abused. Actually, tortured would probably be a more apt term. He has a scar on his muzzle from a cretin who decided to wrap a wire around it. If that wasn’t enough, he was also blinded in one eye. Despite this nearly unbelievable cruelty, he is the most loving, happy dog. Diggy is 12 lbs. of unconditional love.
I can’t imagine how a dog who suffered so much at the hands of “humans” would ever be able to trust them again. I sure as hell wouldn’t. But he does. He loves me and my family. He loved his foster mom. I’ll bet he even loved his torturers.
I want to show him the love he deserves. I want him to experience life as a dog who is cherished and part of the family. He sleeps in the master bedroom with us. His wicker and iron crate has a buckwheat hull pillow with a sheepskin remnant on top of it. A far cry from the cardboard box in that backyard in San Francisco from where he escaped. He has a nice collection of fashionable harnesses and a blingy collar. That’s mainly for me.
I am so lucky to have such a wonderful dog. Diggy has enriched my life and brought so much laughter and happiness to the house. I hope we have many, many years of fun together.
Spinny Liberal 
March 4th, 2011 at 3:50 AM
These animal cruelty stories just rip me a part. Surely their human owners must have some serious mental health issues that I fear often impact their treatment of spouses and children too.
March 4th, 2011 at 8:05 AM
Exactly! Life must be hell in a home like that.
March 4th, 2011 at 11:22 AM
I can’t imagine who would treat their animals like that. I’ve told you before how many animals I have, and I spend an absurd amount of money insuring they are properly taken care of.
March 4th, 2011 at 11:48 AM
I know! I don’t get it. Innocent animals. 😦
March 4th, 2011 at 4:26 PM
I couldn’t read the post, Spinny. I won’t even watch Animal Planet, even though my sister says, “Well, there’s always a happy ending!” It’s getting to that happy ending that I cannot endure. I cannot endure cruelty to animals. I’ve been a raging lunatic going after people who’ve left their dogs locked in their cars in warm weather. I have a vole invasion in my backyard and I’m trying to figure out how to politely convince them to go. Go, as in next door to my sister’s backyard.
Terrance, I never imagined you to have such a soft heart. I’d be more inclined to think that way if you substituted Reagan’s head for that of a Boston Terrier’s. I’ve got some photos I can send you.
March 4th, 2011 at 4:32 PM
I totally understand. Animal Cops is hard for me to watch, but I do anyway. Maybe I watch it looking for that happy ending or justice. There is usually one happy ending with shows like Animal Cops, but some aren’t happy. Good instincts on not watching.
March 4th, 2011 at 4:48 PM
I’ve always used a spade shovel; just wait for him to move….then jab down.
Works like a charm.
March 4th, 2011 at 9:54 PM
Ok, I admit it, I laughed out loud, Terrance! But I don’t think I could stand myself later on. I’d have nightmares. And bad karma.
March 5th, 2011 at 10:22 AM
Ahh, I’m not that mean. Actually, I refuse to go near them things when I see them tearing up the yard; I make my wife go deal with it, but she hasn’t figured out how to get rid of him either. They creep me out. Ever see their teeth? Not for me.
I’ve heard human hair gets rid of moles, but I don’t know how true that is. That might be just an old story; I dunno.
March 5th, 2011 at 11:55 AM
I don’t think you are that mean, Terrance. I don’t think I ever want to get close enough to see their teeth! Human hair? Really? I’m willing to try anything. I did just get back from buying the poison, though. After seeing another hole and a dirt mound in my backyard yesterday, my charity is waning fast.