Animal Rescue: How I Got Thrown Out of a 7-11
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I want you to understand that I'm a sane, reasonable person. I'm not some blathering, hot-headed idiot. In fact, I could even be called polite. Patient, even. I taught high school seniors for years, and believe me, patience is defintely a requirement for the job! I tell you this so that you can at least partially understand my personal shock when I was ordered to leave a 7-11 recently.
A few weeks ago, my daughter, my two grandsons, and I made the drive to a neighboring city. She had to purchase her books for college, so we did a little shopping while we were in town. Of course, we also went out to eat - the best part of traveling out of town.
On the way home, we stopped at a 7-11 to get gas. I noticed a skinny dog hanging around the pumps, and animal lover that I am, I got out to pet it. A man pulled up in an old pickup, and I struck up a conversation with him. He was a regular at the store and informed me that the dog had been there for over a week.
She was pitiful. She went hopefully from car to car, looking for someone to help her. She was a medium-sized dog, with a short brown coat and big brown eyes. She was timid, and if I made any sudden movement, she cowered in fear. She had obviously been abused.
As Mel was going in to pay for the gas, I told her to buy the pooch a couple of hot dogs. Meanwhile, I gave it some water. Melissa came back with a big can of dog food. They didn't sell hot dogs. I opened the can and fed the pup, and it quickly devoured the meal. I couldn't just leave without doing something, so I went in to ask the staff to please call the humane shelter to pick the dog up.
I made my request to the young girl behind the counter. She said they had called the shelter three times the previous week, to no avail. Then she informed me that the store owner was going to kill the dog that night.
I was shocked! I asked where the owner was, and she gestured to a big, burley man at the end of the counter. Before I realized what I was doing, I lit into him with a stentorian verbal tirade. I don't even remember everything I said. I do remember, however, the other customers standing around agape. I also distinctly remember his ordering me to leave the store. I told him I would leave as soon as I finished telling him exactly what I thought of him.
I exited the store, lifted the hatch on the back of Mel's SUV, and put the dog in. She went home with us.
I will never understand humans' callous disregard for animals. How can you just abandon an animal? How hard would it have been for this dog's previous owner to have dropped her off at the animal shelter? Sure, she might have ended up being euthanized, but even that would have been a better fate than starving to death, or than getting hit by a car on a busy thoroughfare and suffering a painful, agonizing death.
My husband always tells me that I can't save the world. But I'm giving it my best shot!
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Good for you, honey! You are a treasure to that dog and the World. Thank you!
Thanks, pals!
I can't imagine how anyone could abandon their pet, and I've heard lots of stories on the subject. Good for you for expressing your kind heart.
What a great story, sad, but great. Are you sure we are not sisters from another mother? (Smile)! How is the dog doing now? Hey, I just wrote an impromptu story about Georgia, if you have anything to add let me know and I'll add it.
Thanks, FF. I'll go check it out!
Maybe we were sisters in a former life. LOL!
I hope you get kicked out of more 7-11's in the future for similar acts! You did a great thing... :) (sorry for the double post)
Not many would take the time to be so kind and down to earth in defending the lesser fortunate!
Thanks for sharing this pleasant experience,success to you and God bless!
Good for you! I plan on saving the world one abandoned pet at a time - It makes my heart happy to read stories like this!
Thanks for the warm comment!
Where is the dog? Hey I will come and get it. Why not, I once stole a dog out of a crack-heads yard. He lives with us still, 5 years later. You go girl, I am proud of you. Remind me to visit that 7-11!
The neighbors adopted it. The 7-11 is in Albany, GA. I think I'm banned from the store now! Thanks for your kind words!
Good for you! I am a dog lover as well and I would have done exactly as you did. My husband hates it when I come home from Walmart,because I am always coming home with a stray that someone just dumped off to fend for itself. He tells me the same thing, Katie you cannot save all of the dogs in the world. However,I can sure as rain try!
Exactly! I wish everyone was just like us!
Kudos!!!
Thanks, CM! I appreciate the support!
You are a one of a kind girl. Another good one. I have dogs there necessary on the land. Some time a dog just shows up and stays for a while. He gets fed with the others. Simple as that. Good story mate!
Good for you, Bear! Again, you're my kinda guy!
Good for you habee. We need more people like you in the world. I can't understand how anyone could abandon a pet like that. Or why no one who worked there could take it to the animal shelter.
I know, Daisy, it just boggles the mind, doesn't it?!
I am glad you gave that jerk a piece of your mind. My husband and I are guilty of bringing strays home...funny thing is they have turned out to be the best pets ever.
Hi, Lockerman! Good to see ya, pal!
You are a hero.
Awww...thanks, lilnohu. I'm just an animal lover!
Holle, I pick them up all the time, I can't help it, I just do it and try to nurse them back to health and find new homes for them on my dime. I do have a sympathetic vet who provides service at cost and a dog food company who provides out of date bags of food at no charge, it is the "Old Roy" distributor in Phoenix. I just go with my horse trailer and load out about 500 pounds at a time. 50
It took me a second or two to figure out exactly what kind of animal I was viewing in your picture. The sad part is that store owner did nothing, just watched day by day as that animal was wasting away. Did ya think about kickin' his butt?? LOL
Just one more thing for me to love about you, Dusty!
susie, I sooooo wanted to kick his butt!
the only disgusting animal in this story is the owner of this gas station. thank god for compassionate people.
Many thanks, Lula!
Your good karma just multiplied when you helped that poor dog. I too hope to save all the animals. i told my husband that if he ever gets a call to bail me out of jail it's because I saw someone abusing an animal. Short story of my own: I was leaving work in the Fed. Govt. office and as I was in my convertible in line to get out of the parking lot, I heard a dog yelp. I looked to the right which was another parking lot and I saw someone raise and swiftly lower a large stick/cane. I heard the dog yelp again. Soooo, I put my car in Park, told the people behind me to go around, stomped over to where I saw the stick being raised and there was this GORGEOUS shephard and a very tall man. I lit into him with both barrels and asked him why he was beating his dog. As soon as he started speaking I realized he was 'borderline' mentality. He sait he hits the dog because he won't listen to him when he tells him to sit etc. I then CALMLY explained to him that if he shows love and patience the dog will obey him without being beaten. I showed him what i meant by talking softly and calmly to the dog (his name was 'Sam') and asked him to sit as I was petting him and he SAT to the astonishment of the owner. Sam just couldn't stop licking my hand as if to say 'thank you, thank you, thank you'. The next day as some of my coworkers were leaving the bldg., they came running back saying 'Guess who's waiting for you out front?" I asked them to hang around for a few minutes just in case. Sure enough, there was the man and Sam, Sam was sitting and the man had no stick or cane. I said Hi to him and to Sam and asked him how it was going. He was so proud to show me that he didn't have the stick/cane and actually told me "Gee, that worked with just talking to Sam." I told him I was very proud of him and that he and Sam will have a very good life from now on. Sam just couldn't get that big grin off his face and again licked my hands with such eagerness I wished I had a treat for him. I didn't see him or Sam after that but I hope all went well.
See, one person CAN make a difference!
Bless you, Fran! What you did was awesome for both dog and owner. Keep up the great work!
Way to go. The world needs more people willing to stand up and speak for animals.
Thanks, and I agree - we need more animal rescues!
The store owner sounds pretty heartless, but I wonder if maybe he couldn't take the dog home for some reason and also felt that the animal would just suffer more if she went to a shelter and knowing the poor animal would die, he made up his mind to do the deed that had to be done.
I assume from your reaction that was not the case - and it is wonderful you took her home.
I had my first rat euthanized, but later I put two and two together and realized the idiot vet had probably run electrical current through her which is how some Chinchilla fur breeders kill their animals. My next rat also developed a tumor and I used a BB gun instead - I couldn't stand the thought of her suffering. Not fun, but it was instant and I was much happier knowing I had done the best possible thing.
If I had had the money and a place for dogs to run, I would have rescued a few dogs in my lifetime, but as an apartment dweller, I can't have dogs. This is one more reason I am saving up for a piece of land to live on, dogs are so worth it.
I feel so sorry for thatdog in that picture!! I think they should be 1 or 2 more rescue centers. But I think they should do that in 2013. The owners seem heart less and crul! If you want a pet get one don't Just leave them keep them as a pet! They will feel so sad! I will keep looking at this website.
I feel so sorry for that dog in the picture,his owners didn't want him then!!! I also agree with habee!!!I think there should be at least a nother 2or3 rescue centers!!!I think they should do that in the middle of 2013. The owners that just leave there animals stranded,should think again.They should of sent the animal to the rescue center.Just think about the poor dog, starving,lonelyand might not be able to walk.Also feel sad!I will keep looking on there website!!!
I feel so sorry for that poor dog! If i Was alowed to take the dog home I would!!!
Think of how that poor dog felt with his skinney body.he must be starving ifi he is that skinny!!! If you have a dog and you don't want it please please don't just leave it starving take it to a rescue center!!!Make sure you keep trck of this website!!!!
OMG!!!!!!!!! I feel so sorry for that poor little dog! If I saw that man or lady that had that dog I would kill HIM!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel so sorry for that dog it should be sorry for your self some people don't care how menny doges need a knice home there are lots in the uk so there needs to be more rescue centure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yo yo its me.Anyway about the dog, if the rescue center didn't find that dog I bet he will be dieing.And I'm sure.If I was alowed a dog I wouldent get it for the sak, I would take care of it and make sure he or she is happy and healthy every day!! Wouldn't you?
I can imagen how that poor dog feelt when it owner left him! If I was allowed that dog I would make sure that he is nice and healthy. If you don't want a pet keep it don't just leave it by the road you should keep it so it is a real pet.
Tank you for telling me about this web site. Poor dog!
That's all right. I feel SO sorry for that poor dog too! See you soon.
habee, I just love your passionate humane soul. It is an honor to know you here on HubPages. You should get a medal.
HubHugs~
K9
Jerilee Wei Level 3 Commenter 2 years ago
Good for you, saving the world is just one shot at a time, too many pets being abandoned these days.