R.I.P. Oreo?

Oreo
The Dog Nobody Ever Even Met
??/??/?? - 11/13/09

So, tomorrow (11/13/11) marks the 2 year death of a dog named Oreo. She was killed for no reason by the ASPCA 11/13/09. And so of course, with all the news which had surrounded her from being thrown off a 6 story building to the ASPCA killing her despite a well-qualified shelter begging to take her in, it seems Oreo's become a Martyr for "No-Kill".

Around this time of the year, animal groups REALLY push her story to help spread the word about their cause. Oreo is used all over as an example of why we need No-Kill and shelter reform. Hell, I'm guilty of it.

One thing that bothers me about this though is, Oreo was just another dog. She had a life. She was incredibly abused in ways you would not believe. And soon after she was "rescued" the ASPCA decided to kill her themselves. Oreo didn't ASK to be a Martyr. Oreo wasn't out there on the front lines fighting for freedoms or anything. Oreo wasn't on a mission. (Of course, this is all just practical speculation. Maybe she was. I'm not a dog, and I never personally spoke with her about these matters.)

Point is, I feel like Oreo keeps getting FURTHER abused and exploited. It feels like animal groups and shelters and rescues and whatever...use her life and name to push their agenda (even if it may be for a good cause). We keep on using her year after year, not allowing this poor soul to rest. We keep resurrecting her time and time again, disturbing her death all in the name of a cause she likely never even knew existed.

What the ASPCA did was wrong and it should haunt the organization. This type of thing that happened to Oreo is more common than most would ever like to imagine. THOUSANDS of dogs each day share in Oreo's story. They come from severe abuse, are "rescued" and shortly after they just killed for no valid reason. But we keep on feeding off Oreo's death like some starving fat guy at a cheap all-you-can-eat buffet.

I understand the need to put a face on the abused. I understand we can't just ignore what happened and let organizations like the ASPCA constantly get away with murder. But, is it ok to continue to exploit Oreo year after year in the name of No-Kill and shelter reform? Is it ok to continually use this dog, whom just about nobody ever even met, for our own agenda and cause? Is this the Martyr we keep shouting out, even when so many others die each day without a voice to their name? Or is it disrespectful of the dead?

Piglet O'Brien

Piglet O'Brien - I DIDN'T GET ANY!!
??/??/?? - 01/04/11
Photo Taken: 01/02/11

Piglet was the best dog in the world. She put up with SO MUCH stuff like: Only getting ONE slice of pizza while we ate the rest, leaving her only the crusts of other slices. Having to sit patiently as cheese and crackers was fed to her - Stupid crackers taking up valuable cheese room! "THIS IS BULLSHIT!!" - And, oh my goodness! Having to deal with peanut butter toast five days a week!... Ok, she DID have to get in the back of the line for treats with FIVE cats (I'm sure most dogs would have had their pride hurt on that one!) "THIS IS BULLSHIT!!" ...After FINALLY getting a taste of something yummy, Piglet would COMPLETELY give a look of "I DIDN'T GET ANY!" ...Piglet's life was ROUGH! *Note: Of course, Piglet's ACTUAL staple diet consisted of Solid Gold dog food.*

Toni met Piglet about 10 years ago when a woman brought her into Toni's work and said that she had bumped into a guy at a diner, or something, who said "Hey, does anyone want this? Cuz I'm just gonna throw it out!" He was holding Piglet, about 3 months old at the time, in his hands. So the woman took Piglet, and dropped her off for "boarding" until she could figure out what she could do with her. I guess she's still trying to figure it out.

Of course Toni took Piglet in! She just couldn't resist that sweet face, those giant ears which stood straight up except for just the tips, that look of love in her eyes, not to mention the hearts which could actually be SEEN popping all about her head! Piglet was irresistible!

Piglet LOVED giving kisses. I know, "Yeah, yeah. Dogs do that." No. Not even Pit Bulls kiss like Piglet kissed. Piglet would lay there for HOURS kissing someone right on the mouth/nose, without letting them breathe, if they let her! If there's one thing Piglet was good at, it was giving kisses for extended periods of time!

Back to the subject of Food, because HEY, food is GREAT! With as much as Piglet LOVED getting treats and eating all sorts of food, Piglet wouldn't dream of taking anything without strict permission. This wasn't even from any sort of training whatsoever. This was just Piglet. She knew she'd get taste of what was to be had, and she was content to wait her turn. So many times we'd have something to eat and it was my CATS we had to keep an eye on, not Piglet! Leaving Piglet alone in a room with even her FAVORITE foods was NEVER a problem.

Such a trustworthy dog. Piglet played the Nanny role for MANY fur-babies which passed through her home. Spayed at about 6 months old and never having had any litters of her own, she's watched over everything from the smallest of kittens, birds and squirrels, to even possums and raccoons! Piglet was mother to them all. And you better believe she took this role VERY seriously! Piglet wanted to be sure you would be safe for the small ones before she'd stop giving you the Stink-Eye when approaching them. And even then, she'd let you know she was watching your every movement and you better be good to them - Otherwise, more Stink-Eye!

Toni's told me plenty of times, and I cannot for anything remember which it was right now, but, years ago, Toni took in a very small, little critter and Piglet was tending to it with her motherly duties and licking it...and licking it...and... OOP!... Yeah... Piglet licked the little critter right into her mouth! She didn't mean to do it, of course! Her eyes got SOOO BIG!! She didn't know what to do! Here she was, Piglet, just cleaning her new little baby - Either Buffy the squirrel or Meatball the cat. I can't recall which. - and OOP! licked the critter right up! After a split moment of shock and terror on her face, Piglet realized to open her mouth, and the critter plopped out! Piglet loved her babies.

No matter who it was, everyone Piglet met was "THE BEST PERSON IN THE WORLD!!!!" She loved meeting people, and people loved meeting her. Seriously, I know of someone who actually walks around with a picture of Piglet! She's not their dog! Piglet had a way about her.

Piglet was only about 10 years old. With her energy and love of life, we all really figured she'd be around for at least a few more years. But over these past few days her health fell very quickly, and dramatically, due to cancer. Piglet's quality of life rapidly declined and she was put to sleep today.

Piglet's actually helped more than one person with their, sometimes VERY serious, fear of dogs. Such a WONDERFUL dog, often within only MOMENTS of being around her, people couldn't help but to bond with her and pet her and fall in love with her. Piglet's love, kindness, and popping hearts around her head, touched the lives of so many, and really planted the seeds of healing for so many. Piglet knew nothing but love because of her incredible human, and that was all that she had to give to the world in return.

Piglet was a Pit Bull mix. We're sure there was some Labrador Retriever in her as well. The "Plain, Nondescript, Yellow Dog" as Toni would put it.

Don't bug your sister too much Pig!

We miss you.