Cruelty to Animals

If you read even a few of my posts you will know that I love my animals. My children will tell you that I treat the dogs better than I treated them. This is not true....but close.

I recently rented a site to a newly married young couple. He is a pipeline worker and I think she stays home. Home is a nice 5th wheel. They took the last available site and it isn't roomy in this area of my park. The park was built in the 60's and back then the size and variety of RV's cannot begin to compare to those of today. All the sites we have added have been spaced with just that in mind. When living in such close quarters it is necessary to impose rules that will guarantee the well being and comfort of the majority.

This being my campground, I have always tried to be fair. I have come to realize that I can't be flexible in my regime. This is not a democracy.....it is my way or the highway, literally. I compiled a nice letter outlining my requests and expectations. This has been replaced with a list of rules to abide by.....or the laws of the land, if you will.

The new couple have a young dog. He looks to be the offspring of a large breed. I can't tell you what kind of dog he is, but I can tell you that his living conditions are deplorable. We live in the county and there is no animal control out here. If there were I would have called and had the animal removed. He has mange and fleas. Despite the rule that requires you to keep your dog inside unless in your presence this poor animal has been living in a cardboard box outside their door. He howls and cries pitifully and every time we go to confront the owners...no-one is home. I stepped in the dog's leavings on my first visit and I was not happy. I told the young woman then that I would not allow the mess and that her dog was unattended. The neighbors have been feeding and watering the dog and I have been fielding complaints.

I sent my husband down twice today in response to complaints. She was not there. Husband is working tonight and I had enough, so I locked up and went down again. The poor dog had tangled his chain around the neighbors electrical cord and unplugged them. The dog has something wrong with one eye as he stands wagging his tail at my arrival. Probably begging me to remove him from that damned chain and find him a good home.

I left on a mission to hunt down the owner if it meant knocking on the door of every rig in the park. I located her at her brother-in-law's and told her that she would need to either take care of the dog or leave. She stood staring blankly at me. I wanted to ask her if she was dim. I told her that her dog had caused the people on her right to lose power. She was quick to tell me that she had not chained the dog to the picnic table, but to the tongue of their rig where he couldn't "reach nobody's stuff". I point out to her that the dog is supposed to be in her presence.."but, I'm not there" is her answer to that one. Really? "Look, sweetie, what you are subjecting that animal to is cruel, he doesn't even have any water. If I could have him picked up, I would. Either resolve this problem or I will be forced to evict you."

I left after my little speech. She did not go give the dog water or put him in the RV and tomorrow I will follow through and tell them they will have to leave. This was her third warning. You would have thought she would have immediately taken care of it. She apparently thinks I will continue to warn her and I am sure she will be shocked when I kick them out.

While I was busy venting here, my dog Oscar was barking at me. He was quite persistent and got louder every time I shushed him. The louder he got the more annoyed I got....until I heard the familiar sound of him rolling his EMPTY water dish on the floor! I guess he put me in my place!


He seems pretty content now. Look at that handsome face. He is such a good boy........when he is sleeping.