Petside Items: Dog Day Afternoons

The US mortgage crisis reaps yet another pet-related, foreclosure tragedy. This one is really sad, as I have visited this seaside town of Barnegat...it's an old-school charmer with ordinary people, living near a major city and watching gentrification take over the beachfront properties. On top of that, according to reports, the last known residence of this house was a police dispatcher...serving his community, as with a reputaion as being an animal lover. Perhaps there are more circumstances to be revealed, but on face value, foreclosure took a very, very hard hit on this family and their pets. There are more stories of strays and the controversies of people and how to manage stays...in all the news at the moment. Personally, I'm getting an entirely different view of dog and cat ownership as I am visiting a region in a warm climate where pets are not entertained indoors. Those I have seen appear to be content enough -- I'll strike that up to ignorance is bliss and to each their own. I was concerned about a darling terrier puppy, walking the sides of a very busy road. I tried not to impose a tourist's instinct...stop the car, jump out, and let's rescue this pup...but while he didn't look wanting for food, the dangers of the roadway at his small size...not good. I'm confident laws of nature will prevail. Write in about strays in YOUR neighborhood at stories@petside.com