My name is Buffett. I was an abandoned dog that was left to die at an animal shelter and I have a commentary that I would like to share with you.

Millions and millions of innocent dogs, just like me, die needlessly at animal shelters and city pounds every year. To help humans comprehend these horrific statistics perhaps you need to hear an abandoned dog's point of view.

I was dumped at an animal shelter because my previous family could not be bothered to even offer me the barest of necessities. I spent over a month at the shelter in which time every human that came by to perhaps take one of us home passed me over because I was so matted, dirty and emaciated and had been misrepresented by my former humans as being aggressive with other dogs and able to jump a six foot fence. (Did anyone ever wonder what I was trying to get away from?) Even though I would lick people's hands through the cage and smile my friendliest smile (yes, dogs do smile!) in an effort to show people my true personality, no one listened! I was soon deemed unadoptable and scheduled for death to make room for others.

Unfortunately, many humans have a disposable attitude when it comes to companion animals. We can be loved one day and dumped off at the local shelter the next with lame excuses like "We're moving" (Couldn't you find a home suitable for all of us?), "It's gotten too big for us to handle" (All I needed was for you to understand me and my needs. All I ever wanted was to please you!), "We can't housetrain it!" (Maybe you didn't pay attention to me when I asked you to let me out and perhaps rubbing my nose in it was cruel thing to do, after all, you would never have done that to your children.), or even worse, the fabrication or exaggeration of behavioral problems to help justify the fact that we are being abandoned, which unfortunately for us only hinders our chances of being adopted into a loving home.

Some animal shelters and pounds try very hard to help us unwanted and abandoned dogs find new and loving homes. We appreciate the dedication of these wonderful humans who face the overwhelming task of trying to look after all of the millions who are in need. Sadly, so many of these workers become desensitized to our plight because of the horrific numbers of dogs who are killed every day due to lack of homes. (Do not be shocked at the word Killed because after all that's what it is.)

Of course, if more people were responsible for their canine companions the jobs at shelters and pounds would be much less difficult, or even completely unnecessary. The saddest reality is that most humans who are surrendering their dogs to a shelter, regardless of their reason, try to remain blissfully ignorant about the bleak future they have now committed their dog to. They feel that "Their dog" will most certainly find a home therefore they are absolved of all guilt. Too bad not enough people ever bothered to follow up to see if their dog found a home. The sad reality is that most of us don't!

City pounds also have a major contribution to the staggering death rate of companion canines. On average, most pounds may only keep lost or stray dogs for seventy-two hours and then if our families do not bother to come to claim us we are destroyed, a few may be placed in shelters, or cruelly, some city pounds will actually sell us to laboratories to be used in animal experimentation.

I was one of the few very lucky dogs! I am a very good and happy dog as my new family can attest to. I love people and other dogs and have no reason to "jump the fence". I try to be the best dog that I can be because I'm so grateful for my new life. I think that most humans who have adopted an abandoned dog will agree with me that "2nd hand dogs" try very hard to please and make wonderful family members.

If you have thought long and hard about getting a dog and are willing to make a lifelong commitment then please think about adopting a dog from an animal shelter. A lifetime commitment from every human would make canine companions' trips to shelters a thing of the past.

We are 100% dependant on humans. Our very existence is because of you, and you have the ultimate responsibility to care well for us. All that we expect in return for our unconditional love and companionship is that you take this responsibility very seriously.

This commentary is dedicated to all the forgotten dogs who silently paid the ultimate price for humanities' failures.

Buffett

Buffett is a C.E.O. (Canine Executive Officer) of Licks and Wags Dog Bakery™. He, along with Harris, Zoee, Marley and Dylan, were all deemed unadoptable and were scheduled to die at an animal shelter. All we can say is that we are so thankful that we met them in time to save their lives and have the honor to share our lives with such beautiful, gentle dogs!

David & Jennifer.