By Darcy Keehn & Colleen Akkerman

In article #3 of our series “Visions of Freedom through a Dog’s Eyes!”, the four of us discuss a very important animal freedom…that being freedom from discomfort…ie: providing appropriate environment, including shelter and a comfortable resting place.

Providing our dogs with suitable shelter and freedom from exposure to the elements is one important aspect of this freedom. Just like us humans, dogs are sensitive to the elements and need to be protected. Heat can kill dogs quickly in a parked car on a warm day, even faster on a hot day. Heat can also harm our dogs in a closed tent or camper…even while out on a boat if no shade is provided.

As pet owners it is our responsibility to ensure that our pets are comfortable in the living conditions we have brought them into. What dog doesn’t enjoy the luxury of burrowing under a clean warm blanket on a soft cushy dog bed??? Nap time!!!

Some dogs do need coats or sweaters to stay warm, especially in their advanced years. A senior dog can really strut it’s stuff wearing a groovy sweater. Coats are really appreciated by smaller breeds on a bitter cold winter’s day. 

Let’s not forget our dog’s paws. They may need protection in subzero temperatures. Booties can protect from frostbite, salt or ice melt. On the other hand, blacktop and beach sand on a sunny day can burn their paws.

“Cleanliness is next to Godliness”…and that includes your dog’s bedding, clothes, harnesses, and collars. Most of these items, along with dog bed covers, can go right into the washing machine with perfume free laundry detergent. Happiness is clean bedding and sweaters fresh from the dryer!

Their special area requires cleaning solutions that are free from carcinogens, allergens, and strong perfumes that assault their sense of smell. It’s a big deal for a dog to smell. Just take your dog for a walk and notice how many times they stop to sniff things…that’s part of the joy of going for a walk.

It’s sad to hear stories about dogs who never had freedom from discomfort. A story recently appeared in the news, where a dog breeder in Jefferson County, WI was charged in court for having

too many dogs confined in her basement in wire cages, as well as for ventilation issues resulting from this confinement.

More than twenty cocker spaniels were stuffed into cages with wire floors, each cage holding up to 4 to 6 dogs. The ammonia levels were very high, and definitely not safe for the humans, nor the animals living there. This was in the basement…where the dogs didn’t see the light of day, and had all kinds of health issues, with minimal human interaction.

Due to this discovery, dog advocates question if Wisconsin needs more safeguards to stop situations like this from happening. Right now Wisconsin DATCP (Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection) is in charge of licensing breeders and inspecting properties. What they can not do is remove animals, even ones in unsafe environments. That law needs to change…and change is on the horizon. It’s up to us!!!

Once the law is changed, the DATCP will have the authority to remove animals from facilities that don’t or won’t protect them.

This news story really upset Rio and Liberty, who watched it on TV with Darcy.

Liberty: Is this real? Can someone be that clueless to not notice that their dogs are suffering?

Rio: Some people haven’t learned that we dogs have rights, we have feelings, and we deserve protection from conditions that cause suffering.

Liberty: My heart goes out to all dogs who have never know comfort and love.

Rio: Spoken from the heart…I can feel it! You really are wise for your tender age.

Liberty: I’m so glad to know that there are a lot of people who use their common sense, and respect and care for their animals.

Rio: I think the Aquarian dogs will thrive in this new era.

                 Liberty      

Rio

Colleen and Darcy were talking about how Indigenous people recognize the interconnectedness of all life…they respect the relationships between animals, people, and Mother Earth. Respect for all life, caring for, and living in harmony with one another is fundamental to the well-being of all living things and the earth we share.

Thinking in terms of all life being One, we would naturally move towards treating other beings the way we would want to be treated and taken care of. The Aquarian Age is bringing this awareness forward in a dynamic way.

As always, Woof, Woof and Bye Bye!!!