"Status Update
By Save Buck & Bill from being killed
Due to the untimely filing by attorney Thomas Ostrander, of the petition to the second district court of appeals, Manatee County is upholding it's decision to murder Buck and Bill.
They are siting that because it wasn't filed on time, thus not abiding by the law, this is a good reason to kill the dogs.
Anyone in the area, please go to the shelter as Karen need all the support she can get."
They are siting that because it wasn't filed on time, thus not abiding by the law, this is a good reason to kill the dogs.
Anyone in the area, please go to the shelter as Karen need all the support she can get."
http://www.examiner.com/article/buck-and-bill-two-dogs-sentenced-to-die-manatee-county
For an entire year I have followed this case. The owner's entire last year has been spent driving 200 miles each way as often as possible to visit her pups in jail. She is limited to 1/2 hour visits. Karen's last memories of her dogs will be like the above pictures, living in a cramped cold dirty concrete prison.
You see, I own Aussies. I own Aussies just like her. They are my heart children. I don't know that I would be able to pick myself up off the floor if this happened to me.
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| Kona and Torvald |
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| Professor Jones, Indiana! |
I think Bill and Buck may die today. And I can't get there. I wish I could. I've tried to help, sent money and prayers. I never pray. I don't believe God works that way. But in this one case I broke my usual mode of operation and asked the universe for help. I really did. I have poured a huge amount of positive energy into this, someone else's struggle against injustice and inequality. I've sent her my lunch money over and over to help in some small way defray the attorneys' fees. And all for naught? Really?
I am just heart broken for Karen. She could be me. I could be her. If they are to die, I fear I can't help her anymore. She's going into territory I've only had nightmares about. It is hard enough to lose your companion to age, disease, accident. But to lose your buddies through human incompetence? Through unequal application of poorly written standards and laws?
The death warrants are typed up and signed for yesterday (3/26) but they had hand written over them today's date. Today they die, "before 11:59 pm." She will be allowed "no more than 1/2 hour" with them before they are euthanized. She is not allowed to take any photographs or make any recordings, or even conference call with any of her friends and supports as this goes down.
I know they are "just dogs" and really nothing but property in the eyes of the law. They have no more value than a flat screen tv. A friend's dad just died tonight. And another friend has had both parents in the hospital doing poorly. When I weigh these things in my mind I understand that the unjust death of a pair of dogs does not hold the same weight as these human examples.
And yet I know that to have a dog (or cat), to be privileged to experience their love, is so special and has such a high emotional value, that really only having and loving a child compares. Human lives are so long and our companion animals so short. Baring an accident, my son and I will enjoy another 1/2 century (!) with each other. My dogs will be gone in a decade or less. It is this fleeting joy that raises the emotional stakes of risking love. You know they will be gone so soon.
To love is to lose, this is what I've learned.
The death warrants are typed up and signed for yesterday (3/26) but they had hand written over them today's date. Today they die, "before 11:59 pm." She will be allowed "no more than 1/2 hour" with them before they are euthanized. She is not allowed to take any photographs or make any recordings, or even conference call with any of her friends and supports as this goes down.
I know they are "just dogs" and really nothing but property in the eyes of the law. They have no more value than a flat screen tv. A friend's dad just died tonight. And another friend has had both parents in the hospital doing poorly. When I weigh these things in my mind I understand that the unjust death of a pair of dogs does not hold the same weight as these human examples.
And yet I know that to have a dog (or cat), to be privileged to experience their love, is so special and has such a high emotional value, that really only having and loving a child compares. Human lives are so long and our companion animals so short. Baring an accident, my son and I will enjoy another 1/2 century (!) with each other. My dogs will be gone in a decade or less. It is this fleeting joy that raises the emotional stakes of risking love. You know they will be gone so soon.
To love is to lose, this is what I've learned.
Shame on Manatee County, Florida. Shame on the officials and county employees who have lied, and told wild tales that have no factual basis. The death of these dogs suits their own private agendas. They just want to make sure their own incompetence is not revealed, and the potential profit achieved. After all, now these dead dogs can be labelled "vicious and euthanized." Maybe the suing family will choke on their profit.
Shame on you, Manatee County. Shame on you. Oh, and by the way, my husband and I won't be moving to your lovely state after all. Too backwards. Not that you care, not that your state cares one wit about anything but money. You've really out done yourselves. Good job, guys.
Shame on you, Manatee County. Shame on you. Oh, and by the way, my husband and I won't be moving to your lovely state after all. Too backwards. Not that you care, not that your state cares one wit about anything but money. You've really out done yourselves. Good job, guys.
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