National Dog Day was founded in 2004.

It aims to  raise awareness of, and support for, responsible dog ownership of all breeds. All dogs should be able to live a happy, safe and ”abuse-free life” in a good home.

Staffies

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home still sees more staffies come through its doors than any other breed, writes Charlotte Gunnell in the Metro Newspaper.  Why do Staffies have a hard time of it? She points out that many people mistakenly believe they are not suitable pets. This belief is being challenged by Battersea’s Staffies – They’re softer than you think campaign and Paul O’Grady’s  For The Love Of Dogs. The Kennel Club describes them as “Extremely reliable, highly intelligent and affectionate, especially with children.”

Time to give the breed a better press?

Hopefully so. Until then this sad poem (author – unknown) is a fate that awaits many of them.

Just a Staffy Cross

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/StaffBT.jpg

Today is just another day – to me they’re all the same…
I have the worst of genes you see, I bear the “Staffy” shame.

The shame is in our numbers, there’s thousands with no home.

Thousands just like me you’ll find, in kennels all alone.
My mum was “just a Staffy”, my father – well who knows?

Mum, too, became unwanted, as the last puppy goes.

And then begins the process, of money-making deals

A life of “moving on” unfolds, who cares how the Staffy feels?

If you have the cash to hand, the Staffy pup is yours

But that pup is getting bigger now, just look at those big paws.
You brought me for your image, thought I’d make you look more tough

But you’ll find my boisterous nature has already got too much.

If you had thought to train me, with kindness and with praise

You would have had a faithful friend to share your darkest days.

I would lay down my life for you, but you simply cannot see

You make sure you get your money back on what you paid for me.
And on it goes, until one day, I’m no longer worth a dime

The retail on an adult staff – not worth the waste of time.

So what happens to a Staffy now? Do you really want to know?

Do you care what will become of us, when we leave our final home?
Have you ever thought to wonder, “Where is that Staffy now?”

The “Staffy” has another name; he’s become a “stray” somehow.

Me, I was put into a car and driven far away

The door held open, I jumped out, I thought to run and play.

It was with joy and happy heart I turned to look for you

You drove away with all my trust and a piece of my heart too.
I wondered round for many days before I was brought here.

Now I wait with heavy heart, trepidation and with fear.

Seven days is all I have you see, seven days for you to claim

The little dog that you threw out, for which you have no shame.
This is my last goodbye now my seven days are up

If only more thought had gone into the future of that pup

As the needle empties to my veins I lay down with one last sigh

I’m sorry I was born a Staffy, because it means that I must die.

No more lonely cold nights or hearing that I’m bad

No more growling belly from the meals I never had

No more scorching sunshine with a water bowl thats dry

No more complaining neighbours about the noise when I cry

No more hearing ‘shut up’, ‘get down’ ‘get out of here’

No more feeling disliked only peace is in the air

Euthanasia is a blessing, though some still can’t see

Why I was ever born, if I weren’t meant to be

My last day of living was the best I ever had

Someone held me very close, I could see she was so sad

I kissed the lady’s face and she hugged me as she cried

I wagged my tail to thank her, then I closed my eyes and…..

died.