I waited for you

Pictures on http://ihasahotdog.com/ are usually hilarious, combining random pictures of (generally) cute dogs with captions (or capshunz in lolcats - or in this case, lolDOGS speak). That's to be expected, it's a spinoff of the incredibly successful, and hysterically funny, lolcats site http://icanhascheezburger.com/.

But today a photo on the site was more poignant than playful - a dog sitting patiently in the middle of the road in a downpour, with the caption: "I waited for you".

It immediately made me think of all the pets that are abandoned when families move - either because they are forced to leave their homes or simply because they no longer want the responsibility of a caring for an animal.

A recent Humane Society press release noted "Some individuals who have faced foreclosure or a sudden move abandon pets in the home they are leaving. Too often, animals are found on the brink of starvation or have already died."

We would like to join with the HSUS to remind people never to abandon an animal. Abandoning an animal is not only an inhumane act, but also an illegal one. If you are unable to keep a pet and can't find a loving home for them, take them to a local shelter or animal control agency.

Pets are not disposable - they are animals who are dependent on our humanity and compassion for their very survival; and who honor us with unconditional love and loyalty - and who will wait for us when we leave them.