Disposable Dogs

 I've come to the conclusion that the janitorial field is probably the most thankless profession on this planet.  How many times have you been to a movie and left your candy wrappers and empty popcorn box strewn across the floor, only to convince yourself that it's someone Else's problem?  After all, you paid for your ticket and over priced snacks, so why should you clean up after yourself? Somebody actually gets paid to clean this mess up, right? So just let them deal with it and be on your merry way.

 According the the Humane Society, it's estimated that 3-4 million cats and dogs are euthanized every year. Ouch.  The sheer volume alone is staggering and quite frankly, enough to make any animal lover cringe.  Although Jindos account for a fairly small percentage of these deaths, their numbers are growing alongside with negligent breeding practices.  What point do we have to reach for society to wake up and realize that this massive animal problem is truthfully, a problem that is perpetuated by people?

We currently have a multitude of resources that provide affordable spay/neuter services as well as several adoption and rescue agencies;  So why are so many innocent animals being left to die at such an exponential rate?  The most obvious culprits are the irresponsible, backyard breeders and puppy mills, who are quick to make a buck at the expense of the treatment and welfare of their animals.  Dogs are a mere commodity, and in the same fashion as agriculture, they are grown and harvested until they can be sold at market price.  But ultimately, aren't they merely satisfying the demand of the public and exploiting a lucrative market?  The simple truth is that we've become a society that often acts on impulse and rarely deals with the consequences of our actions.  Our desire for the perfect, purebred companion is an integral part of what drives this industry of cruelty and waste, and much like the popcorn on the floor, we wash our hands, walk away and convince ourselves that it's someone Elses' problem. 

Enter the our handy "janitors" of the new millennium.  They are battling in the trenches daily, doing the dirty work of saving these disposable dogs and usually, they do it on their own dime. Thankless hours of visiting shelters, behavior assessments, photographing and posting listings in hopes of giving another living creature a chance at a better life.  They are dedicated and true, sending out a distress signal on the behalf of millions of animals that perish each year in our shelters.  I've recently caught wind of a "janitor" that works at a local,  pristine metro park with a dirty little secret.  It seems that people have chosen this family oriented park and recreation area to dispose of their unwanted dogs.  Imagine the excitement and enthusiasm of the dog who gets to join his family for a fun day at the park.  He'll joyfully walk along his favorite path by the lake in a carefree bliss, unaware that this will be the last time he'll ever see his beloved family again.  Soon he'll be tied to a tree or bush, eagerly awaiting the return of his master, but for some reason his master does not return.  By nightfall he's thirsty and tired.  Desperation and panic sets in, and as he hears the howls of the nearby coyotes closing in, he violently tries to free himself from his collar.  Exhausted and defeated, he is finally picked up by the janitor, making her rounds and bringing these disposable dogs to safety.  She's been rescuing local animals for years and although we haven't met, I'd somehow like to tell her one day how much I appreciate everything that she's done for us. I want to thank her for displaying a generosity and kindness that we all could learn from. Because after working her full time 40 hour week, she's out there moonlighting as a janitor, cleaning up our unwanted, forgotten mess.  She's moving under the radar, searching in the night for our disposable dogs.

It's a Jindo Thing

Toby "touch me not" is a Korean Jindo who hit the jackpot the day he was adopted into the loving home of Carrie Bruse. She had remarked that Toby was not the typical beloved family dog who endeared himself by making friends with everyone he encountered. He is a dog that is wary of strangers and probably has the reputation of being a bit aloof; But make no mistake: He would fight to the death to protect his beloved owner.


Jindos may not have the cuddle factor that many other breeds display but they are incredibly loyal to their family or "pack" and seem enamored with whomever they choose to be their master. Some Jindos are so dedicated that even when let loose at the local dog park they opt to stand quietly next to their owner instead of partaking in the typical canine festivities.  They seem to display a constant state of alertness, with ears erect and darting forward and nose in the air, processing a multitude of scents that can often lead them astray. Understanding the average Jindo prey drive and desire to expand territory is often expressed by a need to escape or wander. Considering these dogs were bred to hunt various game it's a challenge to imagine how all of these primitive behaviors can translate into a perfect house pet.  How can anyone expect to adopt such a wild dog into their peaceful home?


Adaptation is probably the most practical trait that may be the deciding factor in the future of this curious breed.  Although Jindos need plentiful exercise and crave interaction, you don't need several acres or a rural property to house a Jindo. These dogs are highly adaptable and can be perfectly content nestled in their fleece lined dog bed next to your futon. Daily walks and play sessions are a crucial part of keeping your dog happy, so why not check out your local Metro Parks?  A Jindo is the perfect fitness buddy that will never call to cancel or lag behind on that last lap around the block;  Sure he may not be that dedicated Lab that brings you the paper every morning, but I guarantee he'll greet you with equal excitement and plentiful kisses every time you walk through the door.  Adopting a Jindo can be a wonderful experience and you'd be surprised how much you'll learn about yourself when bonding with this rare breed from Korea.  Take advantage of the useful resources around you and talk to other owners if you have questions about the breed. After all, people who actually own these dogs can offer a great deal of insight and will be glad to share their love of Jindos with you. Then when your Jindo greets you with excessive kisses and wolf-like howls you won't panic because you'll know it's a Jindo thing!

Adopting an Older Dog

What could possibly be more adorable than a puppy? With soft, velveteen ears and those innocent, limpid pools staring back at you---honestly, how could you resist? Puppies appeal to our playful and even protective side as they stumble about the world in a state of sheer amazement, eagerly attacking each new experience with great curiosity. Additional appeal lies in their diminutive size, as all things miniature have become the latest fad. We're a culture of convenience and while we want our snacks super sized we'd rather have pooches that fit in our purses. So where does that leave the older dog? You know, the one that's quite capable of humoring you with "sit, stay, and roll over." He's the one holding his bladder to the point of implosion as he frantically awaits your return from that last minute, Friday night Happy Hour you decided to attend.


Older dogs make great pets and although they may lack that adorable, puppy appeal, they hold many redeeming qualities worth your consideration.

Potty Trained: Stepping in wet, stinky pee puddles or watching your
perfectly polished hardwood floor get a new type of "finish" can
have you pulling out your hair in frustration. Older dogs
have been there and done that at someone else's expense.

Obedience: Older dogs are usually quite versed in basic commands.
Most of the hard work has already been done but don't believe
the hype; You can definitely teach your old dog many new tricks.

Size Matters: What you see is what you get when adopting an older pooch. But with a pound puppy, breed status and origin can be a bit
nebulous, so why not go with a full-grown Fido? By the time a dog reaches 3 years of age, you have a good idea of his height and weight.

Manners: While it's true many older dogs may have a little baggage, most of them have passed a basic behavioral assessment by either the shelter staff or rescue agency. How nice it will be to bring home a pooch who has already finished teething and doesn't keep you up all night whimpering into the wee hours.

Many of us have a hard time managing our busy schedules but still like the idea of having a canine companion to keep us company and help us stay active. While puppies may rule in the warm fuzzy department, an older dog can still be that loyal friend that fetches your slippers instead of tearing them to shreds. So the next time you consider getting a puppy to brighten your day, don't forget about the many fine, older dogs available for adoption or rescue;  You may find you have discovered a friend for life.

Take a Chance on a Jindo

Inspiration: Where does it come from? Maybe we've experienced a heartfelt act of kindness, or viewed an inspiring piece of art that elevated our hearts and minds. A powerful song or thoughtful commentary can energize us to push through the frustrations of the day, or even those dreaded last steps on the treadmill. Regardless of it's origin, inspiration can help the human spirit overcome the greatest of obstacles. When I think about Gabbey, my adopted Korean Jindo, I see an indomitable spirit that despite the odds, continues to display the innate will to overcome all of the abuse and neglect that has plagued him in the past.

Gabbey was a basket case as a puppy and had already been rejected by two homes who couldn't handle his primitive antics. With his distrustful nature and insecure personality (which would later turn into fear aggression) the odds of him getting adopted into a loving home were slim to none. I already had my hands full with an extremely dominant Akita mix living in a 1 bedroom apartment. But there was something about Gabbey and his desperate situation that I couldn't ignore. As he hovered in the corner cowering in fear, I couldn't come to terms with the fact that something so innocent and new to this world had already been so damaged and misunderstood. Infancy and youth is the most vulnerable state for all living creatures and it was unbearable to see something so young already extremely terrified of this world.

I'm torn because when I adopted Gabbey, I really didn't have the heavily touted "experience" that I currently endorse for prospective Jindo owners, yet somehow Gabbey's spirit and drive to succeed inspired me to never give up, no matter how much he challenged me. He would constantly test my patience and push me to the limits of my sanity, but I refused to give up on him. Now as he snuggles next to me and stretches out into his peaceful bliss, we both can breathe a sigh of relief and reflect on the great places this friendship has taken us. Here lies my little Jindo warrior, hunter, joker and fool but no longer the basket case of his youth. After leaving his trauma behind, he can finally accept love and whole heartedly give it in return; He's a poster boy for why we all deserve a second chance in this sometimes unforgiving world.

For more on Gabbey please visit: http://www.jindotales.com