By Lori Jo Oswald,
www.alaskastop.org
Donovan was not a unique dog. He did not pull a child from in front of an
oncoming car. He did not bark during a house fire and save an entire family from
death. He did not win a ribbon in an American Kennel Club dogs show, or even in
a community fun match. Indeed, Donovan was considered quite an "ordinary" dog.
Donovan's owners could be considered quite "ordinary" too — a young family, two
children, several cats. Fourteen years ago they decided to get a dog. A dog
would be fun for the kids, Mr. and Mrs. felt. So one day, perhaps at a shopping
center giveaway, or maybe in the pet section of the local classified ads, they
found Donovan and brought him home.
At first the kids were excited. They played with the little beagle mix in the
backyard, throwing him sticks to chase and fighting over who got to feed him. As
the summer wore on, though, the children began to fight over who had to feed
Donovan.
Mr. built a small house for Donovan, staked it out back and attached his chain
to it. Mr. and Mrs. agreed that Donovan would do "just fine" outside, and they
wouldn't have to worry about dog hairs all over the house.
I never met Donovan. Though I'd once been to this house, I didn't know he
existed. Because he was out back. The kids, I was told, couldn't decide if the
last time they walked him was last year or the year before. Donovan lived on a
6-foot chain. He dug holes for entertainment. He dug and dug in his tiny yard. A
friend who saw him told me about the circular trench around Donovan’s dog house,
as far as he could reach on his short chain.
Oh, but he was "well cared for." Mrs. complained of the way some people treat
their dogs. She "can't understand" how some people could be so cruel. "We never
starved Donovan," she said proudly, and it's true that he wasn't entirely
neglected — he was well-fed. And it's also true that he was not completely
ignored — when he barked, someone always yelled.
For 14 years Donovan lived out back on his chain. He ate his fill every night,
but still he hungered — for attention and affection. One day he finally escaped
his little world of chain and holes and doghouse: the day he died.
Donovan, unfortunately, is not a fictional character. Neither are his owners.
They have been going to the local animal shelter lately and are talking about
getting another dog. "We sure miss Donovan," they lament.
Guard Dog, from Patrick
McDonnell's wonderful comic strip
Mutts.
