Remember the animals during winter

To the Editor:

Once again, my holidays have been ruined by neighbors who have dogs living outside.

I get so upset when I see dogs trying to keep from freezing, sometimes standings, because the ground is too cold to lie down on.

Some have no doghouse.

The lucky ones that do usually have no straw. It amazes me that people think that dogs don't get cold.

They get just as cold as we do. They can get frost-bitten and some die in extreme temperatures.

Imagine yourself outside right now with no heat at all and no blanket. Imaging yourself spending your entire life on a short chain or in a pen surrounded by feces. You can't generate any heat because you can't get any exercise. You get weak.

You are thirsty, but your water is frozen. Imagine dreaming that you are running, playing, living in the house with your family (and they love you).

Then you wake up to realize that it was just another dream. You're really outside for a miserable lonely life of solitary confinement getting no love or attention and your family doesn't care. You cry and they never notice. Your neighbors pity you and try not to look at you because it makes them too sad. But they don't know what to do about it.

Dogs are totally dependent on humans and they need our help. You will always regret it if you do nothing. You can help them by calling Animal Control or the Humane Society when you see a dog living in these or any other unacceptable conditions.

To all pastors, preachers, priests, etc., you as well as I and many others, know that dogs are a gift of unconditional love and companionship from God. To treat this gift with any disregard saddens Him. Perhaps a reminder from the pulpit around this time each year would enlighten many pet owners to the love and loyalty that is wasted out in the yard.

To all dog lovers, pray for resolve.

Patricia Clodi,

South Bend