Family dog credited with keeping child lost in the woods alive overnight
When a small child, clad in only a shirt and diapers, wandered off into some nearby woods at his South Carolina home Friday night, one of the family dogs followed him. The overnight temperatures dipped into the 40s, but it is believed that the dog snuggled close to keep the boy warm.
A massive search took place, according a story posted on TheState.com. The following day, the boy and his guardian canine were found safe but cold.
It is troubling to read that authorities found the living conditions in the home as “deplorable.” And it is troubling that the couple was not keeping a better watch over a 22-month-old. But at least the dog – described as “a mixed Labrador retriever” in The State article – was there to watch over the child.
From an AOL News piece – “” “I believe that dog being with him is what kept him alive,” Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews told AOL News in a telephone interview today. “”
So I want to hear again from some people that they will only purchase purebred dogs? Do they still think mutts are somehow not as great as purebreds or are somehow not adoptable? Can we put that misinformation to bed now?
Dogs are individuals with self-awareness and state of consciousness. Because we know this to be true, we know that we can no longer make these broad statements to the effect that this breed of dog or cat is “better” than that breed of dog or cat. One is no better or worse than the other and the purebreds are no better or worse than the mixed-breed mutts I love so much.
The problem lies in the health concerns for dogs and cats bred by substandard breeders. And behavior problems can develop (but not always) in dogs separated from their moms and siblings too early. Too many of these dogs die an early death - from cancer or other diseases bred into them or in shelters, with too few homes available to them.
There are really no bad dogs – just bad breeders and bad people who mistreat animals.
But back to the story at hand, of the guardian dog watching over a small lost child. This dog offers another bit of evidence as to the intelligence and self-awareness in animals. When will our society as a whole and our elected officials across the map catch up to the science and to the facts?
When will we offer the greater protection from harm these beings deserve?
i love dogs …..