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Because I can
Because the morning afforded it, I spent a little extra time in bed this morning snuggling with Ike and Maude, two of my rescued dogs.
They aren’t anything special. They were born in the woods to a dog who had been dumped on the side of the road. They will likely live their whole lives and pass meaning very little to anyone… except me.
But with thoughts of Brindi in my head, our morning snuggle took on a new perspective.
What if someone took them away from me? What if I was not even allowed to visit them?
I recall Francesca’s words from her blog where she describes some of the images she keeps in her head of her beloved Brindi:
“Random images. The look of joy – Lebensfreude – on a turned-up snoot, big brown eyes rolling up at [me], exquisite pleasure voiced in low grunts in being readied to go outside for any reason at all, but especially, for a nice long walk in the tall grasses. Even better, a towel rub-down after she comes back from a walk soaking wet, which is about 30-40% of the time. I stretch the ends of the towel and rub it perpendicular to her back, from neck to tail. Efficient method. Also makes one happy just to see how happy it makes her. Going to the car, trotting expectantly, looking back for instructions every other step. Sitting upright there. Or, moving through the yard with me, never more than one inch from my left leg, anticipating the route, hoping for the words ‘cross the street.’ Her visible bodily struggle to maintain self-control against sheer glee. Watching her wriggle on her back as soon as we hit the lushest, deep green grasses on the slope, sometimes managing a bit of a slide, always getting really into it, legs in the air, body winding back and forth like a snake. This dog knows how to enjoy a real life and make every simple joy and basic need fulfillment a truly great experience. Ears prick straight up at a sound, a word from me. Snuggle at a moment’s notice.” [August 2008]
What would I do if this was taken away from me? Would I put my life on hold to save the life of my closest companion? Invest all my savings to take a stand against a bad by-law?
But it’s “just a dog.” Just a dog?
“Well, all I can say in response is, ‘It is death, you know. Senseless, needless killing that we are talking about.’ Just because she’s a dog does not make it okay for a city to kill her, when a fence and training will take care of the problem. It is not okay to kill. Brindi is a dog… I love her. She hears, smells, and loves me better than any human I know. She is irreplaceable. I will not simply go to the SPCA and ‘get another one,’ as one of the other dog owners suggested.
“It is simply wrong to kill this dog. I cannot let something this wrong happen to an animal in my care. And I have to ask: with all the gifts I have been given and the support coming from out there, if I can’t save a dog, what good am I?
“If we cannot honor these helpless creatures who love, give, and forgive us without a thought for themselves, what good are we?” [September 2008]
I took the extra time to snuggle with my dogs this morning BECAUSE I CAN. I took the time to snuggle precisely because Francesca CANNOT. She has shown me what I take for granted.
Give your pet something extra today. And realize… it should not be wrong to stand up for what is right.
Please call and/or email the contacts below. Do it often and do it regularly. Ask them to correct this iniquity and return Brindi to her owner, Francesca Rogier.
Mayor – Pete Kelly
kellyp@halifax.ca, mayorhrm@gmail.com
Phone: 902-490-4010
Head of Legal – Mary Ellen Donovan
donovad@halifax.ca
Phone: 902-490-4232
Chief Administrative Officer – Dan English
englisd@halifax.ca
Superintendent – Bill Moore
mooreb@halifax.ca
11 Comments to “Because I can”
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Tweets that mention Because I can « Let's Adopt! Canada -- Topsy.com says:
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Being Stray. Being Stray said: Saving Brindi: Because I can ~~ http://bit.ly/btjPI9 [...]
Denise N. says:
Great article thank you!
jen says:
I am emailing all authorities, every week!
Holly says:
Many thanks for your ongoing support. It is appreciated.
Teresa says:
Awe look at Brindi, she's beautiful. She looks so happy. This breaks my heart that Francesca and Brindi are not able to hug and enjoy being together as this video shows so much love & joy between them. I give my Eve an extra hug, and say a prayer for Francesca and Brindi to be reunited once again.
I am so mad that the HRM and NS SPCA have put Francesca and Brindi through such pain, for what? Because Francesca would not just let the HRM and AC kill her dog? This has gone beyond crazy, I only see one side breaking the law and it's not Francesca or Brindi. They continue to hold Brindi illegally, their 3 months were up a long time ago. My prayers go out to you Francesca and Brindi.
Carole Clifford says:
What is the problem with that damn mayor.??? How many e-mails does he need before he gets his head out of his ass……what are they doing now?????
Holly says:
I think the city of Halifax is trying to find a way out of their mess. I think they want to present Francesca as “unfit” or “irresponsible” so they can ask that she be re-homed to someone else. A totally ridiculous idea as the violations she has been found guilty of have NOT resulted in the re-homing of other dogs in the city.
When you look at the whole picture, this action HAS to be the result of standing up for her rights and her dog, Brindi… and by extension, ALL dogs in the Halifax area.
I think the city is now trying to cover their asses for all the time and money they have wasted on such a minor violation. This should have been negotiated in January 2009!
More on the horrible saga of Brindi! « Laggylife's Blog says:
[...] Check out this post at The Lets Adopt site. [...]
Karen says:
I email all the time to the mayor, head of animal control and city council and will keep doing it until Brindi is back home where she belongs with Francesca
Holly says:
Many thanks for your continued support.
Nina says:
My heart just goes out to you. I cant imagine the pain you are going through not having your baby. Hang in there love Brindi knows, you are both waiting for that day when you are together and thats what keeps you going. Have you seen Brindi?