Animal abandonment is one of the scourges of contemporary Spanish society. In fact, in 2016, 104,447 dogs were abandoned, according to the annual report prepared by the Affinity Foundation. A terrifying figure, as we never tire of repeating.
Although all dogs suffer equally when abandoned, there are some who, unfortunately, have less hope than others, as they have fewer chances of being adopted.
Among the dogs with fewer chances are black dogs. Due to superstition and because in the collective imagination, black dogs are more violent or aggressive than light-haired ones. This is what is known as "black dog syndrome", which we told you about recently, as well as a recent initiative to combat it, devised by a photographer.
But they are not the only ones. Senior dogs also have it very difficult, although adopting an elderly dog has more advantages than disadvantages. And if not... just ask actress Sara Rivero, who told us her love story with Peter, her rescued elderly dog. But sometimes, even when it comes to adoption, people focus more on the dog's exterior than its interior. And decisions are made that are not well thought out and rather selfish ("the younger the dog, the more years we will have together"). In a way, the reasoning is very similar to that applied in child adoptions: the younger the child, the more chances I have to help them start from scratch, to forget the bad things in their past... and the adaptation period will supposedly be easier. But it's not always true.
And finally, we cannot forget all those abandoned dogs that are unattractive. They have it very, very difficult. To the point that 3 out of 10 die in shelters, according to data collected by the Lliga Protectora d’Animals i Plantes de Barcelona.
And what is an unattractive dog? Logically, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. An unattractive dog is one that has had a bad time and has suffered mentally and physically. It is an imperfect dog. With flaws inherent to age or life. It is a dog with "some defect". Dogs that are not found in puppy stores. Dogs without pedigree or a defined breed. If these "unattractive" dogs (to human eyes) are combined with the age factor... we are facing an impossible mission. Probably their life will end in the shelter. With our indifference, we contribute to turning them into outcasts.
This happens, as we know, because in many cases dogs are objectified. And they become gifts. "How can you give an old, ugly, or sick dog to someone?!" someone might think. Their logic dictates that, just as they wouldn't give a damaged handbag as a gift, they cannot give a dog that isn't perfect, adorable, and worthy of an advertisement. But as we never tire of repeating, dogs are not things.
And we know this, as do all those ARISTOPARENTS and pet lovers. Those who love dogs know that a dog is not chosen; it chooses you. Just one look or expression is enough for the magic to happen. Those who truly love dogs do not necessarily think about breeds, nor do they divide pets into "those that are in good condition and those that are not." In the eyes of a true dog lover, all are equal and all deserve the same opportunities and the same responsible treatment.