It happened again.
One dog story led to another and I’ve found myself in a dark hole of worry/sadness this morning about things I can’t control. I’ll snap out of it after a good walk with Harlow, I’m lucky my sad moods don’t stay around long. I know what triggers them and I know how to get out of them. But every once in awhile I allow myself to sit in them for a bit (like right now.)
Today’s abuse story that got me hit closer to home than expected.
I saw a few articles this morning about the brutal killing in North Carolina of a pit bull named Huey (one report said he was a therapy dog.) *about to share what happened, skip over to the next paragraph if you need* He was tied to a tree, shot five times, and it was recorded. For starters I obviously don’t understand abuse, it seems so simple to me- you just don’t do it. But then to record it? Why are we seeing so much of this shit these days? It’s so disgusting to me I can’t wrap my head around it.
I assumed the couple was on meth. I just don’t understand how anyone in their right mind would think, “hey lets shoot our dog and make sure to record it all so we can have it as a keepsake forever.” Laughing and giggling can be heard throughout.
(I read that anyway, I would never ever watch such a thing.)
I stayed away from the article and gathered everything you read above from the headline and from the few comments I saw. Unfortunately my mind was feeling extra grim today, so after a few hours of dwelling on this and feeling sick, I clicked on it to know more.
And that’s when I realized I knew one of the people responsible for this heinous crime. He’s a guy from my small town in Nebraska. He’s the younger brother of a girl I went to high school with. I played at their house several times growing up. I had sleepovers with her.
I know this guy. Or I knew him when he was a kid.
When I put the pieces together it got even harder for me to comprehend. Why would he do this? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
When it comes to animal abusers I get quite vindictive. I want the kind of justice that never seems to happen. A person who treats a helpless animal like this is a monster and should get a taste of their own medicine.
And so I started to write a really nasty Facebook status. And yes, I know that’s just as ridiculous as it sounds. But, I was angry and wanted to feel better by yelling into social. I AM SO MAD AND WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW!!! But then I imagined his sister reading it, or his parents, and how chances are they’re already feeling bad about this and what good would my negativity bring them?
Nothing. I’d just be adding to the hate cycle.
So after I talked myself down from being an angry troll on Facebook, I remembered there’s only one thing that brings me resolve when I’m feeling like this, and that’s donating to a shelter in the name of the specific animal who’s been hurt by senseless humans. Today that happens to be the shelter in Norfolk, Nebraska found here.
If you see abuse or neglect happening, please do something. It’s as simple as googling “reporting animal neglect (then fill in your city, state)” and you’ll find the info you need. I do it all the time. You can ask to remain anonymous. But if you’re too scared to turn in a neighbor or family member, email me. Give me the info and I will turn them in. My email is [email protected].
Now I’m going to take Harlow on an extra long walk and try my hardest to focus on the light rather than the darkness.
Ugh, this is so heartbreaking. Every time I look at Nelson I think to myself "how could anyone ever hurt such a sweet face?!" I just hold out hope that there is far more good in the world than we see on TV and social media. You're a shining example 🙂 Give Harlow some extra love from all of his fans!
I can't even bring myself to watch animal cruelty videos. Reading about it is as far as I'd go to stay aware. I don't understand how humans can be so twist – not only to our own kind (like wars wtf) but to animals that are so helpless against us. This is why I've switched to a mostly plant-blased diet.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
This is actually the first time I'm hearing about this & it makes me sick. I could study all the psych in the world & I still wouldn't be able to wrap my head around how someone can hurt another human or an animal. It makes no sense. Giving my pup extra kisses today, give harlow one from me!
I actually had to scroll past the details. I can't handle it. What these abusers need is a room like this to get out their frustrations. Or mental illness. http://www.messynessychic.com/2017/04/25/moscows-rage-rooms-by-the-hour/
It makes me sad and furious too. I can't believe you know the guy. That definitely sucks, for your perception of him and his what his family must be going through right now. Ugh.
I honestly cannot understand how anyone could justify let alone find joy in harming animals. I feel your rage and think it is very gracious that you are channeling said rage into a way to help animals.
Ugh, I almost couldnt read this. Time to go kiss the pup
I'm 100% right there with you, and I love your suggestion of making a donation in that poor animal's name. I'll be doing this today. I wanted to thank you for sharing. I have one suggestion: would you consider adding a warning that something you're writing might be triggering for those of us that feel the same way you do about animal abuse? Maybe this is dumb, but I wasn't expecting to read the short description of what happened and it has me openly crying in public right now.
absolutely! just did. thanks for the suggestion!
I see we are no longer laughing and smiling in our mug shot pictures, are we now? What a complete piece of S*&# those two are.
There's so much terrible shit on video right now – I have so much horrible horrible animal abuse videos that I randomly scrolled past on a well-meaning "animal petition" group of horrible shit that I will NEVER be able to unsee. It's made me stay up for hours and cry while eric tries to console me. It's that bad. I really hate this world sometimes. Thank you for trying to make it better.
Sick fucks. 🙁
This makes me so incredibly sick. All animal abuse is the absolute worst, but as a Pit Bull lover, I have never, ever understood how people can abuse these absolutely wonderful dogs! It just breaks my heart and I want to rescue them all! How crazy that you knew the guy. I always say, you just never truly know what someone will do. How sad. 🙁
I read this story and it sickened me. Apparently she's recorded saying "you were a good dog, Huey". Then why? WHY?!?!?! The only thing that gave me a little, ever so slight, bit of peace was that the dog didn't suffer long. Doesn't make it any better, really, but I'd rather it be like that than the long and drawn out. Ugh, I hate animal abuse.
I work in animal rescue, and the bad certainly outweighs the good these days, but what we do is IMPORTANT. I have too many friends (ex-friends, whatever..) that are wimps and don't want to hear about what I do (or have seen). They want to keep their heads in the sand and live in their own little perfect, fairytale worlds. I don't have time for that; I'm busy saving lives. I had one idiot actually tell me once, "You can't save 'em all!". I save as many as I can, and have saved plenty that never would have had a chance without me.
You seriously rock. Volunteering in animal rescue is the best thing I ever chose to do. Have there been nights full of tears and heartache? You betcha. Do you see some really dark shit firsthand? Of course. Is it worth saving all these precious lives? You bet your ass. And F the idiot that says you can't save them all? You know what? You've saved more lives than he ever will.
Thank you, Christine 🙂 You totally get it!! Animal rescue is the only job/mission/way of life that is so painful, and at the same time, so rewarding.
I don't understand how people can be cruel to animals
And now I'm crying. I get in those spirals too and just have to hug my dog and do the best I can in my own city. Heart. Wrenching.
The way some people treat other living things is absolutely disgusting to me. My mom has a yorkie that she found on the side of a country road with a broken leg. After weeks of trying unsuccessfully to reunite him with a family, she figured out that he was dumped from a nearby puppy mill and left for dead. He is of course her baby now. When I hear about stories of animal abuse or neglect, I am filled with disgust. What is wrong with some people?!
We just decided the other day that in lieu of 'party favors' at our wedding, we are going to donate money to our local humane society. Our pups won't be with us on the big day but that way we can give them a little shout out and help the local rescues.
Thanks for doing what you do for the ones who can't help themselves.
I had to skim even your summary of it. I live in NC and would love to hunt down the disgusting POS who did this. You're a better person than me for deleting your Facebook vent, because I wouldn't have been so kind as to do so!
I too have found that donating helps me feel less sad. I sometimes like to donate to gofundme's for dogs with sad stories (I've donated to ones you've shared in the past!) and last week I donated supplies to a local pit bull rescue.
If only we could save them all… <3