08/03/2025
We do our best not to judge. Our goal is always to make contact with the owner and offer education and support. But in many cases, reaching the front door is not possible—so we raise our voices, hoping someone inside will hear.
This particular dog was clearly in distress. Her jaw was opening and closing, she was drooling, and her paws kept slipping beneath her. She didn’t bark at us—just sat there, struggling. We could hear people inside, and we made the decision not to leave until someone acknowledged us.
We had hoped the owner would be open to a conversation, as most are. But this time was different. He was dismissive, annoyed by our presence, and seemingly unaware of the suffering just outside his door. When we expressed concern about the heat, he insisted the dog had water—pointing to a bowl in the middle of the yard. Then, in an attempt to prove his point, he brought over a sun-baked bowl containing an inch of hot water. “She has water,” he insisted.
Ordinarily, we offer resources—a pool or shade. But given this dog’s condition—thin, heat-stressed, and clearly neglected—we asked if he would consider surrendering her to us. With a smirk, he called the dog inside and asked us to leave. We’re not done yet. Stay tuned.
