Russette [A Repost]

I am writing this post with a broken heart, with anger, and with frustration.

I just heard the latest news from the Mandaluyong Animal Shelter (MAS). One of our most promising adoptable dogs, Russette, is dead. Russette is a small gray dog with a wonderful temperament, a very patient and gentle canine. She’s one of the longest staying dogs in MAS, so many of the MAS volunteers are working really hard to give her more exposure so she can get adopted and experience the love of a family before her time runs out. Whenever there are events outside–dog shows, dog competitions–she would always be one of the dogs chosen to join… Not just because she needs exposure, but also because she is one of the dogs who behave really well in a crowd, with other dogs and strangers. She was well loved.

One of the biggest turning points in Russette’s life was when she and another MAS dog, Nhira, qualified as a Dr. Dog–a position that gave them a chance to visit hospitals to become therapy dogs for children. That was also the time when the possibility of adoption became available for both of these old girls–two interested applicants inquired about adopting them. We were all very excited about this, especially because it is seldom for simultaneous adoptions to happen (we’re lucky to have one dog adopted every few months).

Nhira soon went to her new family, and Russette was lined up for adoption the week after Nhira got adopted. This was just very recently. However, the adoption did not happen because the prospective adopter fell in love with another MAS dog during the visit and opted to adopt that dog instead.

Russette had to go back to the cage that she shared with two other dogs. No problem–we were still hopeful about her since she had always been resilient and had no problem getting along with other dogs…

Until today, we got the news. Russette is dead. She was found skin and bones in her cage, lifeless.

We don’t know what happened. Nobody could give us any explanation. It was just like that–last week she was still doing well, healthy, wagging her tail, being her usual friendly self. Today she’s gone.

The last time I saw her was last Sunday afternoon. She was in her cage. We fed them, although we were unable to walk any of the dogs because of the rainy weather. When we left on Sunday evening, most of us knew that many of the dogs that we saw there that day would not be there anymore this weekend (it’s common in MAS, and probably in all pounds–death is quick). But, I’m almost sure none of us ever thought that Russette would be one of those dogs that would be gone. And now that we got this news, heartbroken is not enough to describe what we feel.

Pound and shelter volunteers–we are used to this (or most of us are). We are used to seeing dogs suffer in cramped cages. We are used to the feeling of frustration and helplessness every time we see new dogs dumped in the shelter for the most shallow reasons (ex. owners who would dump their dog in the pound because they’re moving to the province and could not take the dog with them.) We are used to seeing dogs fight over food, with some of them sometimes ending up bloody and limping. We are used to this grave reality in shelters and in our society. And because we deal with this on a regular basis, some might think we’d soon be numb to all of these things (and sometimes we think that, too). But not really.

Russette… Russette is different. We are all rooting for her. She’s our almost success story. In a shelter like MAS, where death is a daily occurrence and suffering is part of the natural order of things, we live for small moments of success. Stories like hers, though they are few and they happen far in between, they show us that there is still hope for our abandoned dogs.

I have not personally bonded with Russette, and I already feel as rotten and pissed as I do right now–I can’t imagine how my co-volunteers, those who personally handled Russette in all the events she joined, those who gave her baths, those who walked her… I can’t imagine the pain that they are feeling right now… To have lost one that’s almost there, almost in the finish line of success…

I think the hardest part is not knowing what happened. Why? How come? We would always be wondering how she was during her last moments. Did she suffer long? Was it a quick and merciful death, or was it a long and painful one? We would always be tormented by the thought that, despite all the love we showered her, she died alone without ever experiencing the love of a real family. We would always be wondering whether, in her dog heart, during her last moments, she was aware that there are people who truly care for her. I hope she knew that.

Russette’s story is just one story; there are so many others. In fact, there are dogs in MAS who die without anyone of us knowing anything about that dog–that’s life in a shelter. We have long accepted that we can only do so much. We cannot save every stray and abandoned dog out there. But we try to save those that we can. And I would like to appeal to everyone to please, PLEASE, if you cannot do anything to help, please do not add to the problem.

To breeders: Please, just stop. Animals are not commodities.

To pet owners: Please spay or neuter your pets to prevent unwanted puppies, kittens, etc. There is a serious overpopulation of cats and dogs right now. Wherever you go, you will see stray dogs and cats. If you cannot pay for neutering, there are free services available. I can personally help and direct you to the right people.

To people looking to get a pet: Please ask yourself first if you are really ready for a pet. There will be expenses involved. Even if you tell me that you only plan to feed your pet leftover food so you won’t need to buy dog food or cat food, remember that pets may also get sick. They will need vet services. Are you ready to spend the money you are saving for a new gadget on vet fees instead? If you’re not, then don’t get a pet. And please, if you decide you are capable of supporting a pet, please adopt instead of buying a pet from a breeder. There are so many shelter animals who need a home.

To people who want to get involved: Volunteer. Shelters are often short of staff. Donate if you can. Or at least, spread the word. Help us reach people who can possibly give home to our stray animals.

We will probably encounter cases like Russette’s in the future, and these will always, always break our heart. But we won’t give up–we’ll continue trying to find a home for our MAS dogs, one dog at a time.

NOTE: I am no longer a MAS volunteer, but my advocacy for animal welfare remains. My next few posts will be about volunteerism and things we can do in our own little way to create positive impact in advancing the rights and promoting the welfare of stray animals.