Doctor Dave Loc: Madisonville, Tx.

Beautiful!

Richard Rowland

This seems appropriate on this Mother's Day, for all mothers of all things are similar. We've attended the Congress several times, held in Columbus Ohio, it's billed as the largest American Quarter Horse Show in the country. There are vendors there featuring everything that an equestrian might have a need for.

One can also find numerous folks there selling puppies, most of the different breeds being sold consist of the herding type. Border collies, Catahoula, if that's the correct word and a few other breeds. The puppies and their mother in cages designed for easy viewing.

I don't suppose most would have noticed or given it a thought. However, I noticed and felt a sadness for the mother, for when a prospective buyer would stop by or be holding one of the puppies, she was on high alert, never taking her eyes off her puppy, if it was being held.

Dogs aren't dumb. Most had probably been through the process, before, of having their babies taken away. If mother dogs could pray, all were praying their babies wouldn't be taken. I'm not guiltless. I separated a mare and her foal years ago, I recall how that mother carried on. Thinking of it now...

Ricktloml

While I agree it is sad, it is rarely possible to keep all the puppies, kittens, ect. from a litter, it's why spaying and neutering is so important. And occasionally I actually get a breed of dog I want, not just the ones that are dumped are my doorstep. Although I try to rescue from a shelter whenever possible. God told us to be good stewards. That means care and compassion