This site is dedicated to my pet, Araya. He's a Pit Bull. There are quite a few references listed on this site regarding this breed, because I own one and I'm sick and tired........and scared of what is happening to this them. I'm afraid of losing my pet because of other people's stupidity. I'm sick of those who own this dog being neglectful and abusive and making it hard on those of us who are not doing any harm, are being a responsible pet owner and would be devistated if we were to lose our friend. I'm looking for a way for the public to become more educated when making their decision on this breed and voicing their opinion when it comes to lawful matters.

I've always loved animals and every pet I've ever owned "followed me home one day". However, I've been sheltered from what happens to them in the background. I wish I had thought to do something before now...at this time I don't have much means to do anything, but I would like to help by getting information out there on what is happening. The reason for this desire is due to something that happened a while ago that I just can't get out of my head.

I went to pick up a friend from work; he works on homes. While I waited in the car, I noticed a dog next door tied to his dog house. Looked innocent enough. A kid came out and started talking to me. He pointed out the dog himself and said that the owner hadn't been there in a couple days. I got out of the car and went over to the dog. Leary at first, I called to him. He wouldn't come out of the dog house until I showed him the handful of muchies I had grabbed before leaving the car. He ate that and then was very friendly. His dog dishes were dirty and filled with water because it had been raining. I fed him more and went to the door to knock. I wanted to make sure he was okay before I left. Nobody answered the side, so I went to the front door. Hanging on the front door was a notice that the electric would be turned off by a certain date, which had already passed. Pissed off, I wrote down the address so that when I called somebody to come and help I would be able to tell them where to go.

The dog ended up eating the whole bag of chex mix. I wanted to bring him home with me so bad, but I have a dog myself (a pit bull) and didn't want to hurt my pet with anything this pet may have disease wise and I didn't want my dog to hurt him. He was much smaller and skinnier then my dog. My dog has never hurt anything before but I know pit bulls have a certain temperment naturally and I don't test it by putting him in those instances. So, I ended up leaving without the dog.

First thing the next moring, I contacted animal friendly animal control. I basically got the "run around". The first shelter "had no room" and gave me another number who "had no room" and gave me another number who "had no room". The third place didn't have a number that I hadn't already tried. I asked what to do, pretty much crying from aggrivation and the sadness that someone would leave their pet tied up while they left for whatever reason. I was told that there was nothing that could be done but to call the Humane Society. This is not what I wanted to do....the dog was in pretty bad shape, and I was afraid of what would happen. That would have to be a last resort. The person at the third shelter also told me that this happens constantly, much more then they or anybody else could keep up with.

The thing that bothers me the most about the shelters I called, not one person tried to help. I had thought these places had people working in them who wanted to help any animal they could. No one even asked for the address so they could check out the situation and make their own decision on what should happen next.

So this dog, who had an owner they were waiting for on the end of a short leash, would never have any attention. This dog, who watched their owner get in their car and drive away probably after watching them move their crap out of their house, would sit in his house and wait for his moment of excitment; his people driving up the road. As far as I knew, or anybody I talked to knew, this wasn't going to happen.

I sent dog food with my friend the next day. He made sure there was food and water. He told me that, if no one showed up to that house, he was going to cut the dog loose so he would have a chance.

When he came home that night, he said that someone had driven up to that house while he was there. It was an old woman in an old car. She got there and didn't leave during the time he was working.

I'm still not sure if he just said this to make me feel better, or if the woman had come home. I do know that, if she didn't come home, he would have cut the pup loose and given him a chance. I do know that, like me, he has a soft heart when it comes to animals and not such a soft heart when it comes to humans. How can there be any wonder of why?