Letters: Family dog goes to a new home

Re “A heartbreaking’rescue,’” Column, March 4

I am familiar with Karma Rescue from volunteer work. The organization does good work and puts a lot of time and energy into rescue and even rehabilitation.

The situation involving Raffiki and the family of the grief-stricken 4-year-old who lost the dog has nothing to do with elitism. A secure yard is generally a must, as is spaying or neutering.

Before condemning Karma for rescuing the dog and placing her with another family, we should ask how Raffiki got out of the yard in the first place, why she wasn’t fixed and why she wasn’t microchipped. All these are concerns for any animal friend (I do not use the word “owner”).

Acquiring an animal is not like buying a pair of shoes. It comes with responsibilities, which in the case of Raffiki were ignored. We should remember that dogs are living creatures with needs that must be met.

Pauli Peter

Los Angeles

I was 5 years old when my family’s spaniel Rex I died. I was so devastated that my mother gave me a full bottle of soda to drink all on my own, a big treat. She sent me to swing on the front garden gate, one of my favorite things to do. I still sobbed uncontrollably.

Later during my life at home, there came a Rex II, a Rex III and Sandy the cat. It was always Dad who had to take the pets to the vet. In retrospect, I’m sure he had hidden his own tears.

I make no apology for being a huge animal softie. The memory above is 67 years old, and the day Rex I died is visually and emotionally as clear at the moment I type this letter.

The grown-ups who adopted Raffiki need not burden the 4-year-old boy with such a sad experience. They could easily do the right thing and personally deliver Raffiki back to the boy with a new tag — and in the process, make him feel really good.

Patricia Mace

Los Angeles

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