EDITOR – This serves to pay tribute to a largely anonymous group of people, each one of whom I consider to be my true heroes.
They come from all walks of life, a real variety of young, old, male and female but they all have one thing in common – they all have a very deep, affectionate, empathetic feeling for animals in cages or any other restriction of movement, and most of all, they know they can play their small part in bringing periodic happiness to some of these animals, namely the adoption dogs at Toti SPCA.
The several volunteer dog walkers who just pitch up, time and again, on a particular day, dedicate much of their free time to a very worthy cause. They don’t ask for anything in return, and their greatest reward and joy is in seeing the dogs in question finally get adopted. In many instances, a dog’s true nature cannot manifest when it is enclosed, so these people are also able to get to know more of the dog’s true character when they are out in the bush or with other dogs and people on the routine walks.
All these dogs, without exception, are extremely well looked after in terms of spotless kennels, dry clean blankets and dog baskets daily, adequate quality and quantity of food, constant fresh water, dog dips and baths as required, medication and visits to the vet when necessary, and as much human petting and attention as the busy SPCA staff’s time permits.
However, the fact is that any form of enclosure or captivity is both unpleasant and unnatural to all sentient beings.
These heroes of mine have, without any persuasion or coercion, decided to do something to bring sessions of pure joy and happiness to these dogs.
Their altruistic approach to making a point of getting down there, getting their hands and clothes dirty, and their willingness to exert the necessary physical effort, makes the world of difference to the adoption dogs.
I also take this opportunity to the parents who make an effort to get their children involved in this activity. This aspect of the child’s upbringing will reap perennial rewards, both for these children and for many pets and animals in the future.
I know of several people who have been doing this for several years, and I would like them, as well as the relative newcomers, to know there are others who have the greatest respect and appreciation for what they do.
JOHN MARITZ
