Man's best friend

My first dog was a pit bull, I named her Britney. Fresh out of the 1990’s and into the 2000’s, I was still high on the Britney Spears fever. That dog also felt like she was Britney, as she swayed her hips every time we would go out on a walk. She would sing when she asked for food or for a couple of minutes of playtime. It was only with her that I understood why dogs are considered man's best friend. They are loyal, obedient, and would stick out with you no matter what.

The recent attacks on dogs in Cebu City is more than alarming. It is a pressing issue that our local government must address swiftly. The incident where five dogs were killed does not justify the end to whatever convenience the perpetrator wanted. They were companions of senior citizens, treated as family members. If there was anything to complain about them, you deal with the humans and not kill the animals in the most cruel way. The allegation was that rat poison was used which partly explained the bleeding and swollen mouths.

Another incident is the abandonment of more than 100 dogs at a shelter. Others already died because of extreme hunger and thirst to the point that they would already eat each other. Survival at its finest. These were dogs supposedly promised to be taken care of after they were rescued, now they are alone and trapped inside a facility with no basic needs.

It's best to understand that they are not just animals but a different being that fosters a relationship with humans. They do everything they can to the best of their abilities to protect their families. In rare cases, others even risk their lives to rescue those whom they identify as their loved ones.

To inflict harm upon them is not only punishable by law but also shows a reflection of that person's personality. They do not have compassion within them and have no heart at all. I wonder if the roles were reversed and they were given this maltreatment, what would they feel? I bet they would also scream in pain, cry in exhaustion, and give up on life.

The beautiful thing is that we can correct this. Our government leaders can strictly enforce laws that punish those that go against the animal welfare act and also implement the mandates on being responsible pet parents. On the other hand, we can still save those abandoned dogs by adopting them. I'm sure the city will appreciate individuals who will step up to take even just one of them. It will be a different story to tell, a love story different than the ones we see on television.

If you have enough space for your pets right now, give them a tight hug and assure them that they will be in good hands. We will continue to be vigilant for those who will harm them for they too have rights that we need to protect.