Casualties of Love and Loss

There are some stories that are more sad than others when you spend enough time in an animal shelter. Some are horrific stories of abuse, some just heartbreaking stories of abandon, and others frustratingly sad stories of irresponsibility.

Whether people had good intentions or not, any animal being surrendered to a shelter is always a sad story.

Take for example, Smokey (pictured here), who is a prime subject of irresponsible pet owners with a sad story that keeps going on and on. He started out his life in the shelter since he was surrendered along with his siblings as a kitten. Then adopted out to a family, then brought back to the shelter over a year later for casual reasons that the family no longer had time to care for him. Then he got adopted out again and lived the free life in a home for quite awhile, then was surrendered to the shelter again, this time due to reasons that the couple was getting a divorce.

I guess somehow that's a justifiable excuse in their minds to split up assets, and the assets that no one wants, just leave at the curb. In this case, Smokey was a casualty of their irresponsibility and now suddenly unwanted and unloved after years of being an adored pet.

I suppose it's hard for animals to understand when love doesn't last, since animals love unconditionally and forever. Unfortunately, in Smokey's case, when his owners' love ended for each other, then so did their love for him for some unexplainable reason.

Smokey hasn't taken his multiple surrenders and broken heart well in his cage. Some cats deal with cage life better than others. They resign themselves and just accept it. But Smokey doesn't handle being caged up well, he wants to be free, and shows his frustration, similar to a small child would having a tantrum when they have to leave the playground. When I take him out to play he never wants to be put back in his cage and will hide, show a bit of a fiesty attitude or not budge, as I try to lead him back in. He stares deeply into my eyes when he is forced to go back in and cries as if to say, why do I have to be in here? Unfortunately I don't have a good explanation to offer him.

It's sad because he knows freedom, and knows what he's missing, and he refuses to resign himself to his situation and accept cage life. It breaks my heart when I watch him so unhappy in his cage, because I know since he's an adult cat, his odds of being adopted with younger kittens and cats around is slim. But what a waste that he was returned and is repeatedly overlooked by adopters. They don't realize how great of a cat Smokey is, how entertaining, funny and fiesty his personality is. He's a character, a lounger, a toy afficionado, and a great cat that was unfortunately dealt a repeated hand of bad cards.

I admit, I always hope a bit more for him than most cats at the shelter, that someone will adopt him because he's batting zero so far with many strike outs and could use a good break. Unfortunately he's been waiting so long at the shelter, one of the longest residents actually. And for a cat that doesn't like being in a cage, that's sad. I imagine it must feel like being in jail for no good reason.

So, after reading his story, and as you look into Smokey's eyes, I hope people think twice before they get a pet, and realize the committment. Animals aren't an item you buy at a store and decide you want to return. Animals don't stop loving you just because you decide they don't fit in your life anymore. Animals are forever, and so is their love. When you abandon them, they still love and wait and wonder.

I ask you to share this page anyway you can, email, Facebook, Twitter, however you wish. Just to share Smokey's story in the hopes that he will finally find someone to love him unconditionally, and also to share the story of so many other animals that suddenly got "returned" from the life and love they once knew and are waiting on the "shelf" for someone to see their potential and realize that they have unconditional love to offer that doesn't have a price tag or expiration date.

WAYNE TOWNSHIP ANIMAL SHELTER

201 Pompton Plains Crossroads

Wayne, NJ 07470

(Located off Route 23 North; take the Jackson Avenue exit)

Website: www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ516.html

Phone: 973-694-0767

Fax: 973-616-1270

Email: animalshelter@waynetownship.com

ONE OF MANY: STOP BY TO MEET YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND TODAY!

Smokey is only one of the many loveable furry friends awaiting adoption at the Wayne Township Animal Shelter! Many of these animals have very sad stories of abandonment but have now been given a second chance at our shelter. If you’re searching for a best friend who will provide unconditional love and affection, we’ve got plenty of furry faces just waiting to meet you! At the Wayne Township Animal Shelter we are committed to finding our dogs and cats loving forever homes which means matching them with the right owner.

BE A HERO AND ADOPT!

CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR ADOPTABLE ANIMALS HERE: www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ516.html