Why are so many abused dogs so forgiving?

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I was in my local shelter one day when a couple brought in two intact male bully-breed dogs. Both dogs were white, which made it easy to see how filthy they were – and to see their startling wounds. The larger, overweight dog had what may have started as a sunburn and developed into a dermatological condition. But the younger, smaller dog had truly ghastly wounds on his hind legs; it looked as if he had been tied up (or even hung) by ropes around his hind legs. Something had cut into his flesh all the way around each hind leg – but the wounds were not fresh. The wounds were partly scabbed, partly infected and raw, and the dog’s hair bore the traces of a purple over-the-counter “wound” spray. The legs were also swollen and the dog was limping on both legs.

I was discussing another matter with one of the shelter employees, and heard just bits of the conversation between the dogs’ owners and the counter staff. I heard the male owner say, “We were out of town for a day and he got caught in wire; he was caught when we got back.” My blood boiled; those wounds were neither fresh nor caused by a dog caught in wire.

Later, after the dogs were admitted to the shelter, I asked the front counter staff member about the dogs. She said that a county animal control officer received a tip about the dogs, investigated, and told the owners if they did not seek immediate veterinary attention, she was going to charge them with animal cruelty and neglect – or they could surrender the dogs. They said they couldn’t afford to treat the dogs, so they were surrendering them.

Abused Dogs

I borrowed a staffer’s camera so I could take pictures of the dogs. They kept trying to lick me through the cage bars, making it hard to get a good picture. With a kennel worker nearby to help me if need be, I entered the kennel – and both dogs gently bowled me over as they tried getting in my lap for petting and kisses. They were total sweethearts – which made me feel even worse for how poorly they had been treated.

Shelter workers see this again and again. Some of the sweetest, most patient, and overtly loving dogs come in with coats that are matted so severely, it’s as it they are wearing a suit of armor, or their skin full of birdshot pellets, or numerous broken bones.

Why is it that some of the nicest dogs are so badly treated by people? And how do they manage to stay friendly after such abuse and neglect?

34 COMMENTS

  1. I think it’s because 99.9% of dogs are sweethearts. So almost any dog that gets mistreated is a nice dog. As for how they remain so forgiving and loving of humans, I can’t figure that one out. One of the greatest mysteries of life.

    • They recovered in the shelter and were adopted out again together after some time.

      Yes, the case of these two dogs happened some years ago. Was reminded of this during a visit to the shelter this week and witnessing several other sweet dogs who have been taken from their owners in neglect/cruelty cases (or found abandoned and efforts are being made to find the owners). Their investigations are ongoing and I could not take photos. Currently in my local shelter are three: a puppy who was being dragged by a person with apparent mental health issues, taken from the person by law enforcement; a large, emaciated dog; and a small dog who was brought in as a stray who was matted so severely that he could barely eliminate. Cruelty to animals takes many forms and it’s a wonder that its victims still have anything to do with humans, much less seek affection and kindness from them. — NK