Shelter dogs deserve a second chance

Many people assume that if they adopt a dog from a shelter, there must be something wrong with it. This is not true at all. Many of the dogs that end up in shelters are there simply because their human owners have been ignorant, cruel, lazy, irresponsible, and neglectful. These owners regard their dogs as chattel rather than as sentient, loyal, and loving friends and family members. Neglectful or abusive owners do not provide their dogs with attention, interaction, socialization, or obedience training, and have not treated their pets with the respect, appreciation, and love they deserve. In many cases, the dogs surrendered to shelters have been the loving and loyal members of a family and now find themselves not only in an unfamiliar environment but also restrained in a "cell" or kennel with many other frightened, barking, growling, anxious, yipping, and howling dogs. Imagine the stress and terror they must feel!