Brutus Maximus, Eater of the Treats, King of all Romp: A Case for Shelters

Sir Brutus Maximus, Eater of the Treats, King of all Romp: A Case for Shelter Adoption
By Mike Jaynes
About five summers ago I was volunteering at a local chapter of the Humane Society of the United States. Being recently inspired to get active in the Animal Rights (AR) world, I had been at the pound about a month cleaning out cages, walking and bathing dogs, and working in education programs. One of the things we did was to take the HSUS’s van, load it up with various dogs, and take them to a local PetSmart store and try to adopt them on Saturdays. Being averse to the smelly, loud, and sometimes chaotic pens in the Humane Society, the hope was more people would realize these animals are beautiful and loving. Having them in a different environment did indeed help some people overcome their stereotype of “pound” dogs.
So there were several I would specifically work with week to week and one was a beagle hound mix named Brutus and his Little Beagle Friend, as I called him. Most likely, Brutus was abused at some time in his life because if he wasn’t in physical contact of his Little Beagle Friend, he would snarl, be skittish, and be very upset. Lorraine, the person in charge, let me know that the goal was to find someone who would adopt both of these pups since Brutus would not be a viable adoption candidate by himself due to his seemingly aggressive tendencies. I became increasingly desperate to find them a home. Some were interested in the Little Beagle Friend, but none seemed to want Brutus.
Alas, Brutus’ Little Beagle Friend was adopted and Brutus was left alone. He was snappy at everyone (except me) and his confusion and fear was escalating. I remember the last day I brought him back from PetSmart: I was told he would no longer be brought in hopes of adoption due to his “difficult personality.” I let him back into his double cage he had shared with his Little Beagle Friend. He sniffed his food bowl, looked around his former companion’s side of the room, and sat down with his back against the fence. He looked down at his paw, looked up at me, and raised his paw in hopes of having a shake. The thing was his paw was only lifted about half as high as he usually did and his tail was hidden underneath him, wagging no more. Already having five rescues at my small house and not knowing what to do, I asked Lorraine to keep me apprised of his “schedule.” The Humane Society recognizes the need for euthanasia as a last measure and is often required to utilize it…especially with animals that show aggressive tendencies, which Brutus was now doing on a daily basis. The animals all have numbers, and the numbers of dogs going to be euthanized are known by the insiders. I received a call from Lorraine and she told me Brutus was going to be put down this very day. I thought of him alone in his cell, his Little Beagle Friend slowly fading from his memory and his scent. I thought of halfheartedly raising his paw to me, and I felt I was his last chance. My world shattered and I broke down and sobbed uncontrollable. I could not fathom the slow slide of the cold needle into his warm and loving fur; I would not let this dog die alone on an unpainted porous concrete floor. I completely lost all rational decision making processes and told her to put a hold on him.
I picked him up that day and then I had six rescued animals. Several of them being males with aggressive tendencies (including one Coy Dog), it was a painful, stressful, and difficult time finding a balance between caring for so many companion animals who did not immediately get along, maintaining my career and attempting to deal with a failing marriage. However, I placed some of the animals in better situations, and the remaining ones formed a loose tolerance of each other. I found myself single with plenty of time to care for the animals in my life, and so far all is well.
So with much fanfare, you have now received the story of Sir Brutus Maximus, Eater of the Treats, King of all Romp. He is now quite fat and happy and is on his way to making his natural life expectancy. I urge everyone to please not patronize companion animal breeders and consider adopting from shelters. The Animal Rescue Site is a wonderful resource to help these often helpless creatures who are at our mercy. PetSmart was generous and kind to offer their floor space to various rescue groups to bring their animals and try to find them homes. All rescuers of companion animals have to early face a disturbing truth: you cannot save them all. Understanding the brutal truth of this statement all too well, it is my hope everyone reading this article will attempt to help the animals in your power to help. And as for Sir Brutus Maximus, Eater of the Treats, King of all Romp, I can say I understand I cannot save them all. But I did save him. He who was written off for dead is now alive. Alive and happy.