Puppy Dog Tales - July 2015

This month, Daisy Mae (our columnist and registered seizure-alert dog) takes a look at one reason she narrowly escaped euthanasia herself:  the color of her fur. 
- by Daisy Mae Delray

Big Black Dog Syndrome

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Daisy Mae - Cleaver columnist and seizure-alert dog

The Animal Shelter in Hancock County is having a special the first week in July. From the 6th of July through the 10th you can adopt a dog for $20 or a cat for $10. What a great deal!

If you are looking for a dog or a cat please do not overlook the big black ones, the seniors or pets with special needs. Did you know there is something called the Big Black Dog Syndrome? This applies to cats as well as dogs, so I am going to call it the black animal syndrome.

Statistics from Pet Finder.com shows that it takes four times as long to get a black animal adopted.

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Their statistics also show that it takes longer for adult cats and pit-bull type dogs to be adopted. All dogs and cats need homes and the initially overlooked ones are often the best pets. They seem to appreciate the rescue a little more.

I am a mostly black dog who was almost euthanized, so hearing about this got my attention. Big black dogs are consistently the hardest dogs to place – even if they are friendly and healthy and well-trained.

There are a number of reasons for this sad statistic, including the fact there are lots of black dogs, there are so many to choose from, they don’t photograph as well, and they look “ordinary” - whatever that means.  To make it worse, a bad depression is often referred to as a visit from the "black dog."  Finally, black dogs are often portrayed as the “bad guys” in the movies.

In January 2014, NBC did a piece on black dogs.  It appears that big black dogs are starting to get some attention, but there are still too many of them overlooked.

Singer, songwriter Emmy Lou Harris wrote a song for the movie, Cats and Dogs. Ms. Harris rescued a black dog that was the impetus for her animal rescue in Tennessee, Bonaparte’s Retreat, which led to her hit song for the film. She calls the song Big Black Dog.

Daisy Mae's top ten reasons to adopt a black dog or a black cat:

Reason number ten: We don’t clash with your furniture or clothing

Reason number nine: We don’t clash with any collar you might choose either

Reason number eight: Ease of vacuuming! You can quickly spot the areas of most need

Reason number seven: We hide the dirt well

Reason number six: We make an excellent “backdrop” for a second lighter colored dog

Reason number five: Availability! We are available at every shelter and rescue place

Reason number four: No annoying questions about breed. People are content with “BBD

Reason number three: Excellent for night walks. The “bad guys” are afraid of us

Reason number two: Status symbol potential –we are black pearls

Reason number one: WE NEED YOU

Daisy Mae's good pal, Dakota, a black standard poodle

who could resist this sweet one?

Keep your tail high and your feet dry.

Love,
Daisy Mae