No one would have ever thought that the year 2008 would end up like it did.  Ups and downs, twists and turns.  One minute we're all riding high, the next we're not.   With the economic downturn hitting at the massive rate that it has over the last few months, according to some reports, when people have taken a hit, so have their pets.  

I was in Chicago back in March of this year and I was horrified by story after story on the local news about people who had to flee their homes because of foreclosure many times left their family pets behind.  A number of the shelters at that time were over run with pets waiting to be adopted.   Now as we move closer to the end of the year, it seems that more and more people are having to decide between basic necessities and caring for their pets.  Shelters are taking in many more pets than they can handle.  Some organizations have been innovative in coming up with ways to provide temporary shelter for pets of families who are having financial difficulties. 

I am an admitted dog lover.  Always have been, so instead of relishing in the sadness of the times and people having to give up their pets, I want to talk for a minute about the positive things I have seen lately related to owning pets.   The Associated Press Petside.com  recently conducted a poll where those surveyed stated that they knew what their animals' woofs and meows meant.   One woman even said that she related to her cats so well that she could just point to them to make them do what she wanted them to do. 

I can relate.  Alex, the Scottie that I lost this past year, would tell me exactly when he wanted to go out in his semi-growl talking that he did.  He was so smart.  I would ask him if he wanted to go bye, bye and he would rush to the door.  I could say to him get a specific toy, call it by name, and he would.  You may think sure, but honestly he could.  I didn't like Alex to beg while I ate, so I would snap my finger at him and say go sit and he would until dinner was over.  I also believe he could relate to emotions, he knew sadness, anger, laughing and illness.  My friends often told me that Alex minded better than their children.   Pretty amazing when you stop to think about it.  The bond I had with Alex was like no other.  I am now trying to form a closer bond with Abby, a rescue Scottie.  It is going to take a little more time working with her, but I do hope eventually she will become closer to me.  I have always been a believer that (pets) dogs especially understood a lot more than we would give them credit for.  Take for example the case of the shoplifting dog.  If you happened to catch the news on Christmas Day, CNN ran a news story about a dog who shoplifted a bone from a grocery store in Salt Lake City.  According to the manager of the store, the dog chose the exact aisle with the pet food on it and chose a raw hide bone that was at eye level, then ran out of the store.   I believe the shoplifting dog knew exactly what he wanted and got it, for he too knew the economy is in a downturn.  To me this story is another example of the psychological bond between man and dog (pets).   Clearly, in this case, the dog out smarted the store manager. 

If there is one other note of interest I want to mention,  if you are faced with making a decision between providing basic necessities for you and your family and your pet(s).  Before you give up a part of the family, check to see if there is a pet food bank in your area that will provide food for you and your pet.  USA Today recently ran a story about new pet food banks being established across the U.S. to help pet owners in need.  Some shelters according to the story, have been practicing this concept for years.

There truly is a special bond between pets and their owners.  I know this for a fact.

Pet Food Bank information:  Click Here. 

USA Today Story