It has been a while since I have gotten up on my "Doghouse" so to speak. The "oldies" know there are times when I use my blog to vent, rant, and rave. Today is one of those days. As many of you know,…

It has been a while since I have gotten up on my "Doghouse" so to speak. The "oldies" know there are times when I use my blog to vent, rant, and rave. Today is one of those days. As many of you know, I work at a shelter. Many difficulties go along with it. Lately something has really been bugging the heck out of me. Recently we have had quite a few very young dogs come in, that are socially, mentally abused. Yes, they had the very barest of basic needs met, so "I" must be doing everything right. Well, just food and water does not cut it. How about taking some time to socialize and train Fifi or Fido. I am sure they were just so cute when you saw them as babies. Guess what? They grow-up! Moreover, just like a child they need love, attention, guidance, and to be trained or taught a few basic skills. What really set me off is a little guy we have named "Reggie". When he came to us he had been crated so many hrs a day he didn't even know that he could come out of his crate, actually scared to death to. Did not have a clue what was expected of him or how to even behave out in the "world". And what was heartbreaking didn't even know how to respond to a humans loving touch. I can now say after more then a month, he has come a long way, he now will come popping out of his crate. He is living in a home environment, and for the sake of housebreaking and his security blanket, so to speak he is crated at night. In the beginning, it could take up to 15 min. to coax him out. He now also loves to sit in your lap and be held. In the beginning, if you touched him he would freeze and become very stiff. He has come such a long, long way, but still has a long way to go. However, the point is, it has taken a lot of time, patience, love, fingering crossing, and prayers to get him to this point. All because he was dealt a lousy beginning. Since being with us he has proven it was not his fault. Just a little time in the beginning would have saved him a whole lot of grief. And we all know what would have happened if we didn't take him from Animal Control. I consider taking a pet into my home as big as the commitment I made when I had children. You need to be just as responsible. Here is a picture of the little bugger. He is really has come a long way.