A headline in the newspaper really surprised me recently - Murder probe... over dog found dumped in its owners' pool. Really? Murder inquiry over a dog? I was utterly taken aback. I am delighted that the police are finally realising how valued and loved our dogs are, and somewhat surprised too. Normally when a dog is stolen, the police are reluctant to even issue a crime number. I know one person who was bluntly informed that in connection with a crime, a dog is just a piece of evidence. A comparison was made with a spanner. Lovely!
We dog owners know that a dog cannot be replaced. Sure you can (eventually) get another dog, but it won't be the same dog. It may fill a similar role in your life, but it will never have the same place in your heart, those of course it will have its own one. There is no other relationship in our life that outsiders assume we can duplicate so readily and easily as that with a beloved pet.
But back to the police. There was a very understanding quote from a police officer - "Dogs are a member of the family, not just a pet. The impact is the same on the family as if it had been a person." The dog died in horrible circumstances, and it must have been incredibly traumatic for the family to discover her in the manner they did. I hope the family find comfort in the remaining dog they still have, and I hope that the culprit is discovered and punished.
And I also hope that the police have begun to take dog related crime seriously.
Take care,
Julie x