by Victoria Rose Perkins

Created on: June 23, 2009   Last Updated: June 24, 2009

Hopefully you will never be in this position. Yet, it is happening far too often, and It is the worse case scenario. Due to the economic downturn and/or an unexpected job loss, many are in the heartbreaking position of having to surrender their beloved pet when their home is foreclosed upon. For many pet owners, this would be the ultimate grief in pet loss.

A pet does not understand what is going on and looking into those trusting eyes is gut-wrenching for the owner. Sadly, a lot of hard working folks are in this situation. Reports indicate that pet shelters are nearly overflowing because of these reasons. A lot of apartments do not allow certain pets. What can you, or someone you know, do if faced with this nightmare.

1. Naturally, you will try to find an apartment that will let you keep your beloved pet. Check as many places as possible.

2. Start looking within your family circle to see if anyone can take in your pet, until you can be in a position to take him/her back. Offer to pay for their food and upkeep.

3. Ask all your friends if they are in a position to help out, to give a temporary home to your pet. If they are not able to, ask them to spread the word through all their family, friend and neighborhood circles.

4. It has been in the news that kind neighbors in the neighborhood have volunteered to house a pet. This is a true, blue neighbor, indeed! May they be blessed.

5. Pet shelters are the last resort. Not because they do not take good care of pets, its because they are being faced with overwhelming crowding. However, many shelters are now coming up with volunteer "foster homes" for those who are intending to take back their pet. These people love animals and take them right into their own families and care for them. They try to not get emotionally attached, so that the owner can easily reclaim the pet.

Perhaps it is not you who is in this heartbreaking situation. If you are the neighbor, family member or friend, could you open your home to help someone out?

There was an incident in the news recently, where a young man witnessed another man taking his dog out of his car and just leaving her beside the road. The young man stopped and observed the bewildered-looking dog and said to himself, "This dog looks like its been cared for. Doesn't appear to be underweight." He was puzzled by it, but took the dog home with him so it would not get hit by traffic.

As he felt along her backbone, he discovered she was very thin. Two days later she gave birth to 9 puppies. This story has a happy ending, however. This ingenius young man cared for the dog and her pups. He put up ads everywhere he could about the dog's plight and with help from family and friends spreading the news, he was able to find homes for all 9 puppies!

It would be a wonderful thing if all stories ended like this one. Please do your personal best to help someone out with their beloved pet, if you are in a position to do so. You will be doing a great service, helping the pet, the owner and yourself. Your kindness will never be forgotten, you can be sure of it.

If you are not able to help in providing a temporary home, please donate to your local shelter. Just a few cans of pet food will be greatly appreciated by the staff, volunteers and most of all those innocent animals who live there, through no fault of their own.

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