In light of recent events, locally and the case after which this movement is named, I urge all interested to support it. IMO, the current deterrents are much too weak. Google Patrick’s Law. Do what you feel is appropriate. Thanks to all.
Man, that makes me sick to my stomach. I don’t understand how someone could do something like that.
I’d adopt another shelter dog, but my hands are full already.
Shelter dogs rule. Nice pic!
I’m the proud caretaker of 3 shelter pups (and 2 semi-rescued cats… cause who can really claim a cat? except one of them doesn’t seem to mind so much that I’m paying his asthma and kidney bills)
I have less than no use for anyone who abuses an animal. I don’t often feel that violence is necessary, but animals are a protected class . I seriously look at my goons and wonder how anyone could ever abuse them (it’s clear from their behavior that two of them were abused, one profoundly so)
Patrick’s former “caretaker” deserves, god, I don’t even know.
Next to getting married, it has been, without a doubt, the most rewarding experience of my life.
I don’t know how badly she was treated before, but she’s come a long way since we first adopted her. She was a very timid puppy.
We’ve got 2 shelter dogs (including one with severe mental issues) and just picked up 2 more shelter cats (for a total of 5) last week.
Good on you guys! My last two dogs have been high falootin’ bird dogs but when I was a kid we had a couple of rescues. I think they know the fate they were spared and are grateful for the second chance.
Denny; I wish you luck with the dog with the mental issues. It might come down to that dreaded tough decision but you have to do what’s best for your family, then your pet.
I know that we outnumber the bad eggs by many orders of magnitude, so we need to ensure that they are held accountable for their incomprehensible, always indefensible acts.
Oh, he’s here to stay. Our “family” consists of my wife, me, and the pets. The dog has severe fear issues. He’s scared to death of everyone except my wife and 3 other people (2 from the rescue he came from and his foster mom that we got him from). He’s a beautiful, sweet, loving dog to them. He won’t even be in the house with me if my wife isn’t here, and he’ll leave the room when I come in if she isn’t sitting next to him. He’s actually gotten better in the 2 1/2 years we’ve had him, but he still has so far to go that it’s sometimes hard to see the improvement. In a very small way, it’s similar to having an autistic child. Fortunately, the dog we adopted last July is a sweet, mellow dog who loves everybody. They’ve become huge buddies and she has been a good influence on him.
Out of curiosity Denny, what was the gender of the two people at the shelter he trusted? My dad had a rescue dog when I was a kid, she had clearly been abused. She had no problem with women or kids, but my dad was the only adult male she ever trusted.
Our pup is a rescue, but was never abused as far as I know. I think her former caretakers were just idiots.
Both male and female, Tom. We went down that route. I even went so far as to shave my beard (for the first time in 35 years!) to see if that would do it. Aside from making me even uglier than I already am, it had no effect.
But you look fine in your profile picture 
“Oh, he’s here to stay.” Cool. I guess I was thinking of aggression or destruction issues.
Our second adopted dog when I was a kid was very skittish around adult males and quick movements by anyone for a year or so. He overcame it and became a relaxed, awesome companion.
Incredible. Three cheers for Patrick, I wish him a smooth recovery.
I have two cats, both rescues.
The male we were supposed to “foster” until a home was found. He never left. We never really
named him, either. I told my wife we’d just call him “Gatito” until he was adopted. Gatito is
Spanish for kitten, he was 8 weeks old. He’s still Gatito and a very loving cat, a huge loving cat.
I’m talking “big-boned” not fat kind of huge…
My dad and I rescued a female lab years ago and when we first got Sierra she would let anyone but dad and I come near her. The two exceptions were my stepmom and my girlfriend and it was odd how she didn’t even need to be coaxed she just knew they were OK right off the bat. Sierra was incredibly intelligent, sweet and a fierce retriever absolutely lived to have anything thrown for her. She calmed over the years and was a great mentor for my knucklheaded but lovable black lab Cedar. Miss those two something fierce.
You and Drew should compare. He’s got a couple enormous cats, too.
It’s absolutely appalling to see the abuse of Patrick. Just plain SICK!
My wife and I have two rescue cats, a Chocolate Lab and a Yorkie Poo. We love our animals. They are near and dear to our hearts. To see and hear of this kind of abuse disgusts me. I wish I had the time to help because I would get involved.
Send your legislators an email expressing your disgust and urge them to enact tough laws. I have, doesn’t take but a few minutes while at the computer.
Report any questonable situations that you might see in your community. I do, WITHOUT FAIL(got animal control’s # on my phone). Minimal time investment also.
I guess its too soon to make an inappropriate joke, but I will say I read the first three words and double-taked!
Fixed! Although your way works for me too.
Let’s keep it clean, peeps. It’s an emotionally charged issue to be sure. I’d like discussion on this topic to remain open.