Recently we were priviledged to be given a small Yorkshire Terrier who is about 5 years old. We already have young Jack Russell Terrier (JRT) and we had been on the fence about getting a second dog. However when this little fellow came into our lives we were delighted, and was our JRT.

Being responsible pet owners, we called our vet to make an appointment to get this new addition to our family checked out. We talked with our friends who were the intermediary family of this little dog, to get what information they might have about his shots, etc. There were no records found so we proceeded to get him everything that he needed. He was however, neutered already. Fortunately the blood tests showed that he was negative for heart worms and intestinal worms, but that is where the good new stopped. The dog’s gums were in very bad condition and led to him losing all but one of his remaining teeth; he had already lost 28 of his 42 teeth. When the vet began to clean his teeth she said they crumbled and fell out with pus oozing from the openings in his gums. Obviously, this condition has been going on for a long time with this dog. Also, when we first met him, his nails were very long and curled back into the pads of his little feet making it difficult for him to walk. All these conditions have since been taken care of but now he has no teeth and has had to relearn how to eat. As I understand it, the former owner(s) also have 3 or possibly 4 other dogs which leads me to quesiton if the other dogs are also being neglected to the point of cruelty and abuse.

Check the St Mary’s County Animal Regulations under the Cruelty section for yourself. If an owner neglects to see that an animal is given necessary care, that is considered abuse. In my opinion, what this little dog has gone through was unnecessary and was indeed abuse. Nails untrimmed for months or possibly years and his teeth and gums in the condtion they were, very definitley abuse with a capital “A”. I ask that every reader who has any animal, see that it is given proper care. And if you are witness to the lack of care by someone for his/her animals, to see that care is given to the animal(s). There are sources in our community. Call and ask a local vet. In my opinion, if this little dog had not come to us when he did, I am not sure how much longer he would have survived; he may not have seen 2010. It does make me quite angry to see any animal mistreated and uncared for. It is just not necessary. If someone cannot afford to get the proper care for their animal, then maybe they should rethink having an animal. Put yourself in that animals place; how would you feel being neglected and denied proper medical care. Having to suffer and not being able to ask for what is needed to ease your suffering. OK, I have said my piece and gotten that off my chest!

To TBN: I am so glad that you have the dog/cat/animal adoption feature! Good for you!