It’s Only Fair

/ Ann Coleman

I’ve always known that life isn’t fair.  I could give hundreds of examples, but I’ll stick to the one that bothers me the most: the rules for using household furniture.  Just because I’m a dog, I’m not allowed to use any of it. I’m supposed to stay on the floor at all times, and if I want to take a nap, I have to choose between my dog bed and my dog crate.  Both are quite comfortable, but the point is that our house is loaded with comfortable furniture and I’m forbidden to use any of it.

Yet the human members of my family can use whatever they want.  Mom loves to read in her favorite chair, and she sleeps in a bed upstairs that has plenty of room for me to join her and Dad if they’d let me.  (Which they do not.)  Dad falls asleep on the family room couch all the time, especially when he’s watching TV at night.  And both of them sit down to eat at a table, yet I have to stand in the kitchen, eating out of my supper dish on the floor.  There’s nothing fair about this at all!

Luckily, I’m a smart dog, and I know I actually can get up on the furniture as long as I only do it when my parents aren’t home.  I also know I’ve got it pretty good, despite the disparity in household privileges.  I have a home, after all, with parents and extended family who love me, a house, a yard, steady meals and regular walks.  And what’s most unfair of all is that so many animals don’t have what I do.

But before I was adopted, I lived in two different animal shelters, and that wasn’t an easy time. It was better than being a stray or living with people who neglected or abused me, but it still wasn’t easy.  Dogs who live in shelters spend most of their time alone in a cage, with little human interaction.  It’s very stressful, because it’s noisy during the day (stressed dogs tend to bark a lot) and we can also sense the fear of the dogs who have just arrived and aren’t yet sure they’re in a safe place.  Often people walk by our cages without even looking at us, no matter how much we try to get their attention.  Or they look at us and then simply move on, which is sort of soul-crushing.

To make matters worse, all across the country, animal shelters are both full of animals and short on the staff and volunteers needed to take care of them.  And that’s really sad, because trust me, those are the people who make living at a shelter bearable.  The staff who feed us, clean our cages and give us medical care; the volunteers who give us attention and walks, and the people who donate toys for us to play with are so important to the well being of shelter animals.  Of course, the most important people are the ones who actually adopt us.

So I’m making a simple plea for help for all the animals still living in a shelter.  If everyone just did something, whether adopting a homeless animal, volunteering at a shelter, donating money, or simply dropping off their old linens and newspapers, it would make a HUGE difference!  Life may not be fair, but by working together, we can make it better….

Love, Finn

79 thoughts on “It’s Only Fair”

  1. wholesome message thanks Finn … sounds like you truly do live a life of sheer luxury!

    Here in Australia we have many ‘working’ dogs who are never allowed inside. They have their own kennels outside on the farms or stations – extremely large farms – where they are required to work very hard rounding up livestock, shifting them daily. But I hear they are content with that as they know they are being useful earning their keep.

    Then there are the ‘care’ dogs, those aiding the blind or other physical and mental challenges their humans have. These ones most certainly live inside but again they earn their keep watching out for their owners. Then there are the watch dogs patrolling businesses and wealthy houses. Dogs have many uses and jobs, visiting in nursing homes and hospices. So anyone who can help your mates should surely pull their digit out and step up quickly 🙂

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    • Thanks, Miss Kate! Some of the dogs at the shelter where I lived do go to training courses to be service dogs, and that’s a good thing because they are with their humans all the time. (Which we dogs love.) I think it would be okay to be a working dog too, if the dog is one of the breeds that love that. Personally, I think I was born to lie on the couch, chase squirrels and eat….. Love, Finn

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  2. Right you are Finn!

    I have a friend living in Turkey…she and her husband spend a good part of their pensions picking up dogs who have been dumped, having them treated by a sympathetic vet who gives friends’ rates and rehousing through the vet’s friends and customers…over one hundred dogs last year were dumped on an industrial estate near their house and all have been neutered, treated, jabbed and rehomed, or returned to the estate which has a backing of several hectares of rough ground where those who work on the estate keep an eye on them and feed them. A band of friends help out with the huge costs, but they are always struggling – but will never give up. If you know of anyone who could help them, contact me!

    More and more shelters are being set up here in Costa Rica, thank goodness, but there is always a shortage of volunteers for walking the dogs, and, most importantly, socialising them.

    We have ten dogs, most of them abandoned, but we have plenty of space on the finca for them to run and plenty of space indoors for them to snooze. After an abandoned mum ate the sofa to make a nest for her babies we gave up on the expensive stuff so they have their own beds, a couple have crates, and we have a variety of chairs they can use. We all rub along peacefully with that arrangement.

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    • Oh, wow, Ms. Helen, you sound like such a nice and caring person! Thank you for taking in those ten dogs, and please thank you friend in Turkey too for all her good work in caring for dogs that were dumped. (Such a horrible thing to do to a dog!!) The world needs more caring people like you, and believe me, dogs like me know it and appreciate it when we see it! Love, Finn

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  3. Hi Finn,
    It’s so true, all that you said and a great message. I was adopted by my new owners when I was really little. I’ve only got one eye and because I’m not “perfect” I nearly didn’t get a chance to live. But luckily I was rescued and now I have a nice family and a big backyard to run around in. I’m not allowed inside at all but that’s ok, cos I mainly just love to run and chase balls. But every now and then it would be cool to check out their furniture inside. You’ve got it pretty good I think. But I’ve got two great new minders at the moment who are living inside and they look after me well so I’m happy. Gotta be grateful for the little things.
    Love Captain the Kelpie from Australia 🐾

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    • I’m so glad that you found parents and that you were spared! (Really, what’s wrong with having one eye? I’ve known dogs with only three legs and dogs who couldn’t hear at all who got homes and managed beautifully!) And I think it’s okay not to be allowed inside as long as you have a comfortable place to stay outside, which it sounds as if you do. I admit, I prefer inside, but that’s just me. I know lots of dogs that prefer to be outside! Thanks for your comment, and I’m glad to have “met” you, Captain!!! Love, Finn

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    • No, I don’t allow that at all! Although I do allow their grandkids to climb in it once in a while, but that’s because they’re smart enough bring me lots of treats when they do…… Plus, I know that the little ones would have no problem sharing their beds with me. It’s Mom and Dad who selfishly keep their king-size bed to themselves!! I still love them, though. As they always say, no one is perfect! Love, Finn

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  5. Oh Finn, I know it’s hard to not be able to enjoy some of the soft spaces Mom & Dad use but it really does sound like life is pretty good, all and all. I so love the message here you have chosen to share. Both of my adult children opted to seek out their beloved family dogs through reputable rescue organizations. Although they came with a few challenges, they have never looked back and their fur babies give back tenfold in love. Thank you for reminding us how important it is to support our shelter and animal friends. ❤️

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    • Thanks, Ms. Lynn! Please tell your children thank you for getting their dogs from rescues! I don’t have anything against reputable breeders (although I hate puppy mills), but I still think it’s better to give a shelter or rescue dog a home whenever you can. They’re already here and they need a good home. Your children sound like my kind of people!! Love, Finn

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    • Thank you, Mr. Neil. My mom told me that sentence can apply to a lot of things, and not just shelter animals. But being a dog, I have to admit that helping shelter animals is a cause near and dear to my heart! Love, Finn

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    • I’ll tell you a little secret: The other night, when it was storming and I was really scared, Dad let me lay in bed next to him. Mom didn’t even know!!! (She was already asleep) Shhhh……. Love, Finn

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  9. Dear Finn: You have terrible parents. Come live with me. You can sleep with us on our bed and jump on our furniture! Love, crazy dog lovers who have never paid for a dog and who have donated hours and dollars to our local shelter

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  10. Ahhh Finn, that is a good plea. I was once a shelter dog and one day my hoomins came to see me. I used my best sad expression and it worked, they took me home. I have caused them a bit of commotion in my days, but they have lots of patience and still love me anyway. I chose right. Your friend Benji 🐾🐾P.S. About the furniture thing, I have a little trick I like to use. I wait until they are sitting down and then climb onto their laps and curl up all snug and warm. Technically, I am not on the furniture and who can be mad at these big brown eyes? BtWD 🐕

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  11. Dear Finn, thank you for such an articulate and well-reasoned argument for adopting shelter animals and supporting shelters financially. You’re absolutely right. I’m pretty sure the same lucid analytical skills will eventually persuade your stubborn parents to allow you to sit on certain furniture and maybe even cuddle with them at night. Humans have this saying that “if we give them an inch, they’ll take a mile.” It’s a silly notion, and it doesn’t apply to dogs, not ever. So work on getting a few inches, until you’re curled on the couch with your head in the lap of a favorite, contented human. I’m rooting for you! Happy new year.

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    • Thank you, Miss Donna! I have the same confidence. I think if I just try hard enough, and long enough, my parents will see reason and let me use whatever furniture I want. Sometimes we just have to give people the time to get used to new ideas, you know? Meanwhile, thanks for your compliments, and I do hope that more people will reach out to help shelter dogs…and even cats. Because we need them so! Love, Finn

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  12. Dear Finn,

    Our people really don’t get us. Every time we jump on the table, they shush us down. Whenever we try to have water fights at the bowl we get a talking to. And heaven forbid we borrow the socks that . . oh by the way are up for grabs and begging to be borrowed . . are fresh out of the dryer, we’re told to quit it. It seems that us cats and you dogs really are a lot more similar than humans give us credit for. Keep up the good fight.

    All the best,

    Jack and Wednesday

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    • Yes!!! Isn’t it odd how much our parents love us, and yet how little they truly understand us? Of course we’re going to jump on the furniture, chew their shoes, steal their socks, etc. That’s just what we do! I mean, we let our humans act like humans, right? So why can’t they let us animals act like animals without getting all outraged? And I agree that cats and dogs have much more in common than most people think. Thanks for your comment, Jack and Wednesday!! Love, Finn

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  13. Finn, you make a very good case for volunteering at an animal shelter. And I hear you about the unfair rules for only humans on the furniture. But I am also happy for you that you live with a very nice family that loves and cares for you.

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  14. Finn, you are such a kind dog to be worried about all your pals who don’t have homes yet. It makes me sad that so many don’t have their own special and forever people. I’m sure your parents have good reasons for their rules, although I can’t think of anything better than snuggling with an animal friend. Humans do change their minds sometimes so keep your paws crossed and maybe you’ll get really luck and be invited on the couch at least.

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    • Thank you, Miss Deb! It makes me sad too, which is why I wrote this post. I’m hoping it will motivate at least one person to help. And yeah, I’m just going to be patient with my parents. They had some odd ideas when I first moved in with them, but they’re coming around, slowly but surely. Sometimes we just have to give our loved ones a little time to see the light, right? Love, Finn

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    • Thanks for your kind words, Miss Cecilia! And my mom says of course you can share this post! (More importantly, I think it’s a great idea too, and I’m the one who wrote it, so you can definitely share it.) Thanks for helping spread the word! It is very much appreciated. Love, Finn.

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    • You sound like such a good parent, Mr. Michael!! I know my mom reads your blog, and she says you really “get” dogs. That’s enough for me to know you are a very, very good person! And no worries, your secret is safe with me. Plus, have you ever thought of an air mattress on the floor? Then perhaps you, Holly, Kloe and Koda could all sleep together!!! Love, Finn

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  18. Finn, you were so encouraging that I am going to be sure to go to a shelter the next time I visit my oldest son. He has been wanting a dog for a long time and you really pulled at my heartstrings. This is exactly what he has been wanting to do. Thank you again for the inspiration!

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  19. Just love that you are writing again Finn! Such an important issue that you addressed too. Don’t feel too bad about not being allowed on the furniture, I know of another dog in your neighborhood who is also never allowed on furniture.
    Best wishes for a new doggie year!

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  21. Thank you for sharing this message! Every little bit counts! Our Bella will be fifteen years old in March. She is a dog that we rescued from a very bad situation as a little puppy. Our oldest son brought her home. The puppies were living under a car in very cold weather. She has been the most wonderful addition to our family. You are a very lucky dog, Finn!

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    • Wow! You must be taking very good care of Bella for her to reach that age. And good for your son for bringing home a pup who truly needed rescuing. It’s so nice to hear stories like yours! Love, Finn

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  23. Thanks, Finn! You’re a good, good boy!
    My kitties have all been shelter kitties, and they make life so much sweeter!
    Just to add: wildlife sometimes get injured and need health care, so they can get well & go back home to the wild. Our local wildlife rehab center, while it doesn’t ned adoptions, sometimes needs foster parents for wild animals like baby foxes and hummingbirds(!), and can always use shoeboxes for transport back home, and old towels & blankets for bedding while they heal.
    Cuz all us animals have to stick together, right? 💖🐶😹🐒🐧

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    • That’s a good point, Miss Liz! Wildlife shelters also need our help to do their good work. Thanks for adding that to the conversation, because I agree that it really is important that all animals stick together! Love, Finn

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  24. Hi Finn, This is Ruby. I know what you mean about the rules. One that really confuses me is why I can’t eat my toys. They are mine after all. It’s not all that important though because I am very happy in my new home with mom and dad and my best friend Ranger. Thank you for telling people about how they can help other dogs like we were. It is so sad that there are so many others waiting to find loving families. I hope some people get the message and decide to help out.

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    • Thanks, Ruby! And I believe you can certainly eat your toys if you want to! They’re yours, after all. If your parents didn’t want to you to eat them, then they shouldn’t have gave them to you in the first place. And I’m also hoping that this post gets shelters some much-needed help. All I can do is try…. Love, Finn

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  25. Finn, I Monkey am just horrified at what you’ve written! Having been taken directly from my Sheltie mom to the home of my human mom, I’ve never known a time when I wasn’t cared for and protected. It makes me sad to think of dogs that aren’t as fortunate as I am!

    Now I know what Mom means when she loads up the car with stuff and says she’s making a run to donate to “the poor dogs.” She takes towels, food, treats, toys, and all sorts of stuff to them. She also donates money!

    As for the furniture, there’s very little that mom forbids. When The Kid is here, we hop on the sofa together, and mom regularly lets me sit in her lap at the dining table. Her bed, sadly, is another story — I’d LOVE getting up there, but it’s off-limits (and far too high for me to jump on!) Love, Monkey

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    • Monkey, please tell your mom THANK YOU for donating stuff to the local shelter! Most of the shelters don’t have enough money to buy all the “extras” that their animals need, so donations are very much appreciated. Living in a shelter is hard, but people like your mom make it easier, and that’s the truth. As for furniture, I’m working on my parents. I don’t know where they got this silly idea that dogs aren’t allowed on furniture, but trust me, I’m doing the best I can to get them to see the light! Love, Finn

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  26. What a great post, Finn. It’s so kind of you to think about all the shelter animals who really need a home with loving humans. My humans always brought home shelter dogs and cats, and we’re allowed to hog the sofa and the bed. Hehehe. You can come over and between the two of us, my humans will have to sit and sleep on the floor. 😀

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  27. Pingback: Thy Word, My Thoughts

  29. Dear Finn, thank you for making us all so aware of the poor doggies in animal shelters. Life must be tough for them. And it must be awful to feel so rejected. You know, there are cats like me who have to live in shelters or cats’ homes, too, sometimes. Do you remember when we had lockdown because of Covid? So many people went out to get dogs and cats as pets and for company. But then, just as these ‘lucky’ furry friends were getting settled, some were cast back out the streets or left alone and neglected because their owners didn’t want them anymore. People had other things to do when Covid wasn’t so bad. Some of these poor animals ended up back in shelters again. They were so confused. One minute, they had a home and were being made a fuss of, and the next, they were back on the streets or shut up all day. The people who work in the shelters are lovely, but there are so many of us they can’t spend the time we need them to spend with us.

    My mum rescued me from a cruel pet owner. My owner left me alone all day without food, went to work, and never paid me any attention. I had fleas, worms, and all sorts of dreadful things wrong with me. I was so exhausted all the time I could hardly even meow. I was only ten weeks old. When my mum adopted me, she said I was all skin and bone and riddled with fleas. I was terrified and felt very unwell. Mum took me to the vet. I wasn’t impressed as he stuck needles in me and took out some of my blood. Now, I’m three years old and as fit as a fiddle.

    But about you and your sad situation with the furniture and not being allowed on it. When your mom and dad sleep at night, could you sneak up onto the sofa or armchair? Surely they wouldn’t see you then. They’d never know, would they? Just make sure you’re up and about when they come down in the morning, so they don’t suspect anything. My mum wouldn’t let me sleep on her bed, but I started sneaking in at night and jumping up on the bottom of her bed. She’s only got short legs, so she didn’t feel a thing. I always make sure I’m on the floor when she wakes up, so she’s none the wiser! Anyway, take care of yourself, Finn. Let me know how you get on. Love Peanut. Meow. 🐾😸 X

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    • Being a dog, I naturally see the dogs’ point of view the best. So I’m really glad that you wrote about how cats also need loving homes! Actually, I’ve heard it’s even harder on cats to live in shelters than it is dogs! And I’m so glad your mom rescued you from your first owner…why would anyone have a cat or kitten and not take care of it? I really believe you would have died if you hadn’t been saved. by sharing your story with the rest of us on this blog, you remind everyone just how important it is to save an animal in distress! Thanks for that… As for the furniture, yeah, when my parents aren’t looking, I hop right on up. I live for the day when I can do that in front of them! Love, Finn

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  30. Finn, you’re right. And some of the volunteer positions should at least offer workers (and med personnel!) a decent stipend — that would ease the burden of finding enough volunteers and thus ease your confreres’ sufferings and early deaths.. but paid for by whom is the question. I’d be happy to have our city’s shelter stipends account tacked on to my taxes (rather than onto adoption fees) – perhaps most of us wouldn’t mind at all. I’m still thinking, but you’re right, it’s only fair to DO something about it. Most of us love animals!

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    • Mom says most of the volunteers at the shelter where she goes are happy to work without pay, but that it would really help to keep the staff if they could be paid a bit more! So I like your idea of maybe having some tax dollars going to shelters so they could have more people to take care of the animals. As a dog, I don’t pay taxes, but if I did, I wouldn’t mind a small increase to help the homeless!! The more people who help, the better off the animals will be. And really, isn’t that true of most things? Thanks fo much for your thoughtful comment. love, Finn

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    • Thank you so much! Mom says I do have a good attitude, so it helps to hear you saying that too. If we all remembered to help those who have less, this world really would be a better place. Love, Finn

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  37. Hi Finn,
    We’re two rescued cats and yet another testimony of human compassion and love. In our case, we were rescued from the huge public drains outside a hair salon in the city which we fell into when our mums left us for a while. Our mums never came by again but thank God for the hair stylists; they called animal rescue services when they heard us cry and squatted by those drains in the heat until we were safe. From that point onwards, it was vet visits, tons of love, lots of good food (we’re now 4 times our original size) and toys to play with. We have our own comfy couch (try and see if you can make a case for it) and the entire floor. It’s odd to spend most of your day in a salon but we’re like mascots for the business and y’know what? Business has been thriving since we took up residence. Just our way of giving back. All the customers love us. All maybe except this one real weird lady. She clearly enjoys watching us and even sneaks taking photos of us when she thinks we’re napping but make a move on the floor and she’d wing across the salon in the salon chair, for goodness sake. Nutcase alright but we don’t let on, of course.
    So, it’s a good life because people chose to care. Let’s pray and hope our stories become the stories of many other🐱 and 🐶. Love to you, Finn.

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    • Thanks so much for sharing your story! It’s good to know there are kind people willing to rescue kittens like that, and even more, to give them a home afterwards. It sounds to me as if you are good ambassadors for the hair salon, helping spread the word about how good it is to help animals in need! (Even that weird lady clearly likes you, maybe she’s allergic to cat fur?). I’m so glad your story turned into a happy one! Love, Finn

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    • Yes, Mr. Dave, I actually am!! Those cats could really use your attention! I know it’s hard to find the time, and sometimes it’s depressing to volunteer at a shelter, but if you had any idea how much it helps you’d know that it’s worth all the effort!!! Thanks for doing that. Love, Finn

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  40. Since 1998 we have adopted unwanted dogs, all but one from rescues. We adopt sr. dogs. We’ve had 11 so far. We now have three, 14,13 and 9 years old. While we know that our time with them will be limited we just want them to get the love and care that they need at these older ages. They give back so much more than we give to them. We also give monthly donations to the shelter where we have gotten our last five dogs. The volunteers are wonderful. A few of our dogs have been frightened but we were able to take away some of their fears just by loving and caring for them. So many don’t get the change to live our their full lives….so sad. diane Thanks for your work.

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    • Thank you so much for taking in the dogs that so desperately needed a home! Senior dogs can be especially hard to adopt out, so that is especially appreciated. We once adopted a dog that was 11 years old and we only had him for two years, but we sure enjoyed those two years and it was good to know that he lived out his final years in a real home. People like you make all the difference, trust me!! Thanks again…..

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