There is power in love! Angie Karen asserts, “Love conquers all…life without love is nothing.” This is true in the animal world, as well as the human arena. Sadly, for one excuse or another, there are thousands of dogs that experience little love.

Puppy mills house thousands of dogs where they are held captive in appalling conditions, and love is seldom shown. The worst part of this is that puppy mills are legal; this needs to change, and that means that laws must change, but getting a law changed isn’t easy, especially one that provides better protection for companion animals. The agribusiness lobby is afraid that any animal welfare laws will trickle down and cause problems for the livestock industry. Iowa has tried repeatedly, and failed. Other Midwestern states face the same opposition, but the public outcry is getting louder, and hopefully legislators will eventually listen!

Puppy mills aren’t the only places where there is little love shown to companion animals. Often a puppy is an impulse purchase and when the newness wears off, the result is neglect. There are neglected dogs everywhere. Look around and you will find them in your own neighborhood…once loved, then almost forgotten.

“I wish someone would tell me what it is I have done wrong, and why I must be chained outside and left alone for so long. They seemed so glad to have me when I came here as a pup. There were so many things we’d do while I was growing up. My humans said they’d train me as a companion and a friend, and that I would never be alone again. The children said they’d feed me, and brush me every day; they’d play with me and walk me if I would only stay. But now, no one has time. They complain I shed and am not even allowed inside the house to be fed. The children never walk me; they always say, “Not now.” I do wish I could please them – can someone tell me how? All I had, you see, was love. I wish someone would explain just whey they said they wanted mine and then left me on a chain.”

Many dogs must necessarily be left alone during the work day, and when the humans return home, it is easy to overlook the dog’s needs. So little time, so many things to do, but a dog is a social creature, and just a human’s presence in the home is not the same as actively engaging in interaction with your dog. Perplexed caregivers often don’t understand why their dogs could be bored when they are with them several hours every day. Just being there is not the same as “being there” for them, and doesn’t mean they are getting the necessary mental and physical stimulation they need. The more time you spend “being there FOR THEM”, the more you will appreciate and love them. Enjoy their unconditional love:

When a dog offers you his heart, accept it with a smile

For his love will last a lifetime, which is such a little while.

When a dog offers you her heart, take it gladly and with pride

For she will be a faithful friend, ever by your side.

When you’re sad, he’ll comfort you and kiss away each tear;

He may even wake you in the morning with a cold nose in your ear.

No matter what you ever do, he will always love you.

When a dog offers you her heart, accept it with a smile

For her love will last a lifetime which is such a little while. 

“Love changes everything; how you live and how you die.

Love can make the summer fly, or a night seem like a lifetime….

Love will turn your world around, and that world will last forever.

Nothing in the world will ever be the same”

(From Aspects of Love: Andrew Lloyd Weber)