Possible puppy love

*Update on my “possible puppy love”...

I have been visiting the local Rehovot tzar ba’alei chayim(animal shelter) and shelters in other cities. I have an abundance of choice of dogs. It’s actually rather sad. People abandon their pets or leave Israel and drop them off into the laps of these organizations and volunteers or simply don’t spay or neuter and wind up with unwanted pups.

So much for man’s best friend. How about reciprocity?

And while lately I have been rather consumed with thinking about “So much for Israel’s greatest ally”, as the United States and West sell out Israel and create a looming Israel and Iran showdown I still visited Atarot on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Not simple to get to so I found someone to drive me. I also visited a shelter in Be’ersheva and one in Tel Aviv.

I assure you: I am really just still in the “possible” stage. It was also a good trip, a good distraction, and a good excuse to see friends, drink some good beer, and, of course, talk about Iran.

Go figure.

But, of course, one friend I hadn’t seen in far too long(if we go a few months without connecting there is imbalance in the world!) told me about a neighbor with a puppy in the city where she and her boyfriend live.

The puppy isn’t well cared for and she tried to explain to the family how to provide better care. She volunteered when younger working with animals locally and the renowned Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind. This is on my list of places to visit. Soon.

The neighbors weren’t receptive and dismissed her. I guess I won’t be visiting them soon(?).

The poor pup is tied up outside in the heat and the owners either leave, go out, go to work, and leave her yelping, whimpering, and barking for either attention or cooler space. The owners simply don’t care. On several occasions my friend--peering through their fence--can’t even see water available.

She then asked if they want the puppy as she would have just taken it and put word on social media the dog was available for adoption.

They rebuffed her.

She asked again the next week as the puppy cries and whines and moans and at all hours.

She offered money.

They rebuffed her. Again.

She then asked again --because my friend cannot sleep with an obviously distressed puppy being left outside all day and night. The neighbors got a bit angry saying she’s an  ‘American-know-it-all’ and a chutzpanit. (She is self-admittedly both. And remains undeterred.)

My friend speaks fluent English as her parents are American-Israeli and she spent several high school years in the US. She responded in a thick, seasoned Israeli/Yemeni accent(she told me) that she knows more about caring for dogs than they do about children and that they are abusing the animal. She proceeded to offer to tie her neighbors in her yard for just one day without water or food and when they cry she will ignore them.

How’s THAT for chutzpanit?

She told them she has been patient but if they won’t take care of the puppy or give her up then she’s calling the appropriate animal care authorities.

If they get a visit and things aren’t to standard they can get fined. She made that clear.

Israel clearly needs much greater awareness and sensitivity of personal pet and animal care in the home. Additionally, awareness of protected wildlife preserves and the Israel National Trail, where the natural habit is often abused resulting in danger to wild and endangered animals.

But then my friend had an idea.

She had me in mind.

“If I can get them to give up this pup, why don’t you take her?”

I said: “Anything is possible.” (Maybe I will be visiting the neighbors soon after all?)

I left it vague and open and she is diligently working on forcing the issue.

And while I have yet to meet her in person, here is a photo my friend took: