One more note:

Powerlounger, I do understand your frustration of seeing so many needy animals, and so many people that refuse to adopt them. There are indeed some people that are snobs and dislike rescued animals because they feel these animals are dirty, sick, have "muddled" bloodlines, and are untrainable. I do believe that most people that have purebreeds have them because they either fell in love with a particular dog (like I did with Jake) or they have a love for the breed (like I do with Goldens).

Everyday, I am haunted by the many helpless, hopeful, thrown out dogs that I have come across. Tears came to my eyes, just the other day for two dogs that I didn't adopt, when I was looking for Addie. My thoughts are also filled with two other dogs, I played with at a shelter a few weeks ago. The hope in their eyes when I took the time to love them, was agony. I could not take them home, but they refused to believe this. In my heart, I feel those dogs were/will be put to sleep. I wish that I could help them all, but I can't. I want so so badly to go out and bring home the sweet pups I see at shelter's. However, my life and my dogs lives would suffer if I did so. I do not have the property or the resources to take on any more animals right now.

Powerlounger, I know that your words are based on love for animals and frustration with their seemingly helpless situation. I'm sure you have looked into the eyes of a death row animal, and your heart has broken. I have, too.

I think we will get much further in life if we look towards what we can do to help, not to what others are doing that we don't like. I think everyone here at pettalk is all for helping homeless animals. I'm sorry your entry to this group seems to have been a negative one. The people here are all really wonderful, we just get a bit nippy, when we feel we are being attacked.