Horrible Betrayal Of What You Owe A Pet
Headline from CBS Los Angeles:
2 Poodles Abandoned At LAX When Owner Says She Can't Afford To Ship Them Home
The story:
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) -- Two miniature black poodles were left at LAX after their owner told authorities she could not afford to ship the dogs back home.KCAL9′s Juan Fernandez reported from LAX Friday evening, where an effort was already underway to find both of the dogs new homes.
While abandoning dogs at the airport is relatively rare, officials told Fernandez it has happened before.
Airlines charge anywhere from $175 to $250 per animal to travel as cargo.
Fernandez said the poodles' owner was retiring overseas and found the cost to send the animals too steep. The crate she had them in to travel was not regulation size and she couldn't afford to send them as cargo.
Both dogs were taken to the West LA Animal Shelter (11361 West Pico Boulevard, 213-485-0494).
...Fernandez also spoke to a woman who just arrived at LAX after traveling more than 15 hours with her dog. She couldn't have imagined just leaving her little Maltese, Nona, at the airport in Barcelona.
"I would have had to give her to my mom, my sister, someone I trust," Geraldine Klein said. "I would never have abandoned her. No, I would have found a solution."
My little love last night before bed:
I just don't know how you take the responsibility for a dog's life, look into those eyes day after day, and then just hop on the last lifeboat and leave him or her behind. A person who can do that is a person I'm afraid to know or be around.
I don't understand why people like this (aka:despicable selfish low lifes) even have pets to begin with.
Jay at April 25, 2014 7:15 AM
How did she JUST find out the cost when she got to the airport? When I flew with my two cats, I researched every last detail for weeks ahead of time. I had to get health evaluations from a vet and arrange for the shipping well in advance.
(BTW: United is a terrible airline in most regards, but I was pleased with their pet-shipping.)
MonicaP at April 25, 2014 7:35 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2014/04/25/horrible_betray.html#comment-4537061">comment from MonicaPI am always terribly nervous about the details of bringing a dog on board, measuring the carrier, the dog, checking the airline requirements. It sounds like she tried to cheap out in some way and then was told she had to check them as cargo, which I would never do.
Amy Alkon at April 25, 2014 7:52 AM
The only thing I've heard abut pet travel that's worse than that was about a pug, a champion pug if the story I was told is true, that was left on the airport tarmac on swelteringly hot day. Pgs do not do well in heat and the dog died in his shipping crate. Makes me sad to even think of it.
BlogDog at April 25, 2014 8:04 AM
Agreed, Amy. Human beings can be horrible.
(And I, too, would never, ever transport a pet in the hold of a plane. It's incredibly cruel. Animals are scared out of their wits at that.)
Lisa Simeone at April 25, 2014 8:06 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2014/04/25/horrible_betray.html#comment-4537141">comment from Lisa SimeoneI never would, either, Lisa. It's cruel and animals die there from time to time.
When I got my dog (in New Jersey), I flew across the country on Gregg's frequent flyer miles to go pick her up. She went under the seat with me, and our amazing breeders spent the week before driving their kids to karate with her in a little case to get her accustomed to that. Now, she's used to it. I went to pick up a library book yesterday, walked with her to the library, and then put her in her little case so I could go in and check it out.
Amy Alkon at April 25, 2014 8:22 AM
She can afford to "retire overseas" but can't spring (at most) five hundred bucks to bring her dogs? Hey lady, how about we stick you on an ice floe in your declining years and see how YOU like it?
That story about the pug is so sad. Pugs need the heat from laps and soft beds, not the heat of the hot summer sun.
My sweet little old pug lady would never abandon me, and I'll never abandon her, either.
Pirate Jo at April 25, 2014 8:41 AM
I didn't have much of a choice since I was traveling with two animals and could take only one in the cabin with me. (For the sake of the other passengers, I put the cat with the tendency toward explosive diarrhea in cargo.)
Pet travel in cargo is safe (at least, as safe as anything is for any living creature) if you pay attention to what you're doing. Airlines transport pets all the time, and the vast majority get there fine. I got a cage much larger than required, and I tied water bottles to the inside of the carrier, and punched small holes in the bottom so there would always be a steady stream of water she could access if her primary water source somehow got emptied.
I also paid attention to the temperature. The airline wouldn't accept her if if was too hot outside, but I wouldn't have let her fly that way in extreme heat anyway. I arranged for a friend to care for her, just in case, until I got back in case I had to leave her behind.
United's receiving facility was great. My flight landed after they closed, and I was worried I'd have to leave her there overnight, but the guys there stayed half an hour late until I arrived.
MonicaP at April 25, 2014 9:12 AM
I can't imagine how cruel people are to dogs in third world countries.
My dad went to Mexico to visit his retired sister and he took pictures of a skinny full of ticks tied to a short leash beautiful cocker spaniel.
My aunt was a big fan and always had multiple chocolate cocker spaniels and I grew up with them. They are dumb like pugs and used to run around tipping her vases.
I just wanted to cry when he told me how he took ticks off that poor dogs back and tried to feed him but the asshole owner got home and was nothing but defensive and aggressive.
Ppen at April 25, 2014 10:24 AM
To some people, dogs are members of their family. To some they're more like fashion accessories, tools or toys.
To some people, same with children.
Ken R at April 25, 2014 11:33 AM
I was upset about the cruelty and stupidity of this lady. Sometimes the unexpected happens and you just have to be prepared to do whatever it takes to make sure your pets are safe. Years ago, bringing 2 dogs back to the US, some stupid airline people at the gate demanded 8x the quoted price for transport. I paid and sued the airline when I got back (and won). But even if I had lost, no way was I just leaving the dogs in the airport. A friend of mine moving to Belieze re-arranged her entire schedule and sent her family ahead when the airline wouldn't let her dog on the flight (some miscommunication about the cage I believe).She straightened it out, covered the additional costs & she and the dog safely flew out a couple of days later.
sandy at April 25, 2014 11:37 AM
Agreed, Amy. Human beings can be horrible.
(And I, too, would never, ever transport a pet in the hold of a plane. It's incredibly cruel. Animals are scared out of their wits at that.)
Posted by: Lisa Simeone at April 25, 2014 8:06 AM
Sometimes you have no choice, Not all airlines will allow pets to ride in the cabin, and not all pets will fit comfortably under the seat.
I cant imagine how inconsiderate and rude it would be for me to try and transport a scared and yowling cat, under the seat on a ten hour international flight.
Perhaps you would prefer a euthanasia station at the airport?
I have a lot of compassion for animals, but sometimes a little trauma for animals and people, is the lesser evil.
Isab at April 25, 2014 2:16 PM
When we moved from Colorado to NY United has just merged with US Air. In the resulting internal confusion, we were hit with an additional, surprise $1050 upon arrival just to reclaim our two cats.
The airlines fuck up. In our case, my wife, a commanding professional and person in every respect, finally gave up and said "get in there and do that white male thing."
And that's the only thing that got our cats out of hock.
BTW the reason to 'retire overseas' is not because you're rich. It's because you can't afford to in the US.
Never good to abandon pets, even in a setting where you know they will in the end be cared for. But get some compassion for people, too.
Don at April 25, 2014 5:01 PM
I like dogs (and yours is absolutely adorable), but I'm a cat person.
And there's no way in hell I would abandon my girls short of an extinction level event.
Also said, I would, at least, make damn sure my travel plans were up to snuff before I even tried to bring them on such a trip.
there are some who call me 'Tim?' at April 25, 2014 5:13 PM
This kind of behavior disgusts me. I hope someone dumps her in a crappy old age home someday and leaves her to rot.
I have a dog and a cat. Both are rescues. If I had to fly with them and for some reason couldn't, that would be that. No way would I just dump them and walk away.
It says a lot about this person's lack of character that she could.
Daghain at April 25, 2014 5:46 PM
Does your puppy get patted down by the TSA goons, too?
Radwaste at April 25, 2014 5:46 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2014/04/25/horrible_betray.html#comment-4539302">comment from RadwasteThankfully, they didn't molest her but I was terrified that they would. Some TSA creep started prying after I got through the metal detector and I shut him down. Here are my first pix of her.
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2013/08/16/home_with_my_pu.html
Amy Alkon at April 25, 2014 6:56 PM
See, this is where a belief in hell is comforting. I fully believe there is a special place there for people who abandon animals in a manner such as this.
marion at April 25, 2014 9:16 PM
See, this is where a belief in hell is comforting. I fully believe there is a special place there for people who abandon animals in a manner such as this.
Posted by: marion at April 25, 2014 9:16 PM
I find abandoning pets in air conditioned airports, pretty small potatoes in the grand scheme of things that should send you to hell.
Knew too many Vietnam vets who had Vietnamese women begging them to take their children with the Americans on the last flights out of Saigon.
Even if they never saw them again, it was better than what they were facing if they stayed.
Yes, even people who see puppies as dinner, will die themselves for a chance to save their children.
Isab at April 26, 2014 12:58 AM
Nice to see so many people who appreciate animal life. It restores some of my faith in the human race. :)
I also have to partially agree with something Isab said. I would much rather see animals abandoned someplace safe like this, where they at least have a chance to find a new home, than abused, tortured and killed by scumbags like Michael Vick and his buddies.
I think that special place in Hell that was mentioned - is reserved for THOSE people.
Tim at April 26, 2014 2:44 AM
Btw, thanks to a long time reader of Amy's (the person who originally told me about Amy) and a lady who I am fortunate enough to call my friend, I adopted a Schnauzer from our local shelter this week. She had a rough start to life but she's already adjusting to her new home and she has a bright future ahead. She's brought a fresh spark of energy to my life and I consider it an honor to have her. My friend V is to thank for bringing us together.
Thank you V. :)
Tim at April 26, 2014 3:15 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2014/04/25/horrible_betray.html#comment-4541420">comment from IsabKnew too many Vietnam vets who had Vietnamese women begging them to take their children with the Americans on the last flights out of Saigon. Even if they never saw them again, it was better than what they were facing if they stayed.
These women were heroic, not abusive.
And yes, it is better to leave a dog in an airport than do what Michael Vick did, but what a silly comparison.
Dogs get attached to their owners. It's an awful thing to have a creature depend on you and then just dump it.
Amy Alkon at April 26, 2014 5:50 AM
I've probably mentioned my new pooch before. Little Miss Lady. We got her back in August from a rescue up in Madision, WI. Beautiful wee Papillon. She goes to work with me every day, our office de facto therapy dog. My dementia patients love her....heck, the staff at my facilities love her too. Everyone gets a dose of cuddle with her.
Last week there was "some guy" in our office, and we were called in for a mandatory meeting with him. It was getting warm out, so I brought Lady from my car into the meeting with me. My boss' eyes were rolling in her head. Come to find out, "some guy" was her boss' boss. And here I sit with my dog in my lap for two hours. At the end of the meeting he approached me and asked me about her, I explained how she came to us (surrendered when her previous owner went into hospice) and how she goes with me to see my hospice patients. His eyes welled up and I lost her for about a half an hour while he got a dose of Ladydog cuddle time in his business suit. He would have taken her back to Toledo on his flight if I'd let him.
Juliana at April 26, 2014 1:09 PM
"These women were heroic, not abusive."
Not heroic. They just had the proper values, and their prioirties straight. And for the most part, they were powerless to save their children.
However, this was not my point.
Taking a dog or cat to the vet induces the same level of trauma as deserting them in the airport.
You can tell yourself that it is different because it is in their best interests for their health, but to them it is exactly the same.
They dont know the difference.
How you treat animals revels your character, but abandoning pets in a controlled environment, where they will be taken care of, is less than nothing in the grand scheme of behavior we should be concerned about,
I often wonder how many of the Iraqi nationals who worked for my husband in Baghdad are still alive, or were they slaughtered in the chaos than ensued when we pulled out, as our allies in South Vietnam were?
Isab at April 26, 2014 2:21 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2014/04/25/horrible_betray.html#comment-4543840">comment from IsabYou take a dog or cat to the vet because it is in their best interest, not because it's easier for you. It is a terrible thing, I'm sure, for a loving parent to part with a child, but it is, yes, heroic to do so when they will have a much better life and maybe even only live because of it.
Those people abandoned their dogs at the airport because they happened to be there. Let's not assume anything otherwise. Furthermore, it has to be traumatic for dogs to be ripped away from their owner.
The fact that there are horrible things that happen to people doesn't mean we shouldn't think about things like this.
Amy Alkon at April 26, 2014 4:24 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2014/04/25/horrible_betray.html#comment-4543848">comment from JulianaLove that story, Juliana.
Amy Alkon at April 26, 2014 4:25 PM
"And yes, it is better to leave a dog in an airport than do what Michael Vick did, but what a silly comparison."
-------
Amy, I was just trying to say that Isab had a point. I did not mean to actually draw a serious comparison between the two. I was just trying to say that regardless of how cold this act was - it could have been a lot worse - and we should be thankful the dogs can have a second chance, hopefully with somebody who ranks them higher on their list of priorities.
But I'm silly so don't listen to me.
Tim at April 26, 2014 5:36 PM
A couple photos of my new housemate. Approx 11 months old according to the shelter/adoption-center.
http://tinypic.com/m/i5y789/4
http://tinypic.com/m/i5y792/4
She looks rough because most of her fur is gone. When they found her, she was covered with so many thorny and prickly plants and weeds, it was impossible to remove them without causing her a lot more pain. They were embedded in her fur, so they had to shave most of it.
But she's healthy and happy. The fur will grow back.
Tim at April 26, 2014 6:33 PM
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