Valentine Cards for Lonely Dogs
Volunteers Provide Love, Treats, and Hope to Unfortunate Pets
Tammy Grimes of Dogs Deserve Better, came up with a brilliant idea for St. Valentine’s Day! It’s called Have a Heart for Chained Dogs.
The project raises awareness of the plight of dogs who live alone for years tied at the end of a chain or in a tiny pen. Often enduring all kinds of extreme weather and sporadic food and water, these social pack animals have little interaction with humans or any other living thing. They spend day after empty day of their entire life frustrated and deprived of the basic needs of love and companionship.
Offering Hope to Lonely Dogs
The Pennsylvania based organization sends valentines with coupons for dog treats and food to as many of these dogs as possible. Included for the owners is a brochure explaining why the practice of tethering a dog for life is a form of abuse. The materials also encourage people to take their dogs into the home and family or to find better homes for them.
In 2005, Tammy Grimes and other compassionate volunteers sent valentines and love to 3061 of these dogs in all but five states, surpassing their goal by 61. This year their goal is 10,000.
A Great Volunteer Project
Have a Heart for Chained Dogs accepts homemade valentines, coupons for dog treats, anonymously provided addresses of chained dogs, and sponsorships from volunteers all across the United States. This is an ideal project for children’s groups. Simple art from the hand of a child can carry a profound message while children gain self esteem when using their creativity to help animals.
But is the project making a difference? Success stories include those of people giving up their dog to rescue because of the valentines they received. Even many hostile responses say they found the dog a new home.
Ms. Grimes says, ““Of course, we get angry calls from people who are mired in habit or tradition and don’t see anything wrong with chaining a dog for 10 or 15 years. However, on the flip side, we always learn of situations where the recipients of our Valentines finally think about the suffering they are causing and either bring the dog inside or find the dog a better home.”
Anti-Tethering Legislation
In recent years, many cities and states, including Texas in 2007, have passed legislation limiting the amount of time a dog may stay outside on a chain. Currently, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and South Carolina are considering legislation for tethered dogs. However, these laws may be difficult to enforce and must rely on watchful citizens.
Perhaps Tammy Grimes’ project will have an even greater effect since Have a Heart for Chained Dogs is a message of love from the heart, to the heart on Valentine’s Day.
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Valentine Heart
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