Looking into the eyes of “Dude” as he rested his head in my lap Friday night I wondered how a dog who’s experienced horrible abuse have the ability to gaze lovingly and calmly at a human. Although now healed his tattered ears and face and body scars have permanently branded him. How did he heal the invisible wounds in his mind and heart in order to trust again – not just people but the 2 other dogs at the house? I’m grasping for a profound answer to write but I’m lost. It’s a mystery to me. Do you have any answers?
“Man’s best friend” may fight to the death in dogfights, often with tens of thousands of dollars at stake. Dogs are encouraged to fight to the death, and the fight can go on for hours—until both dogs are exhausted and at least one is seriously injured or dead. Dogfighters sometimes kill the losing dogs, and even winning dogs may die from their wounds. Police often discover drugs, guns, and even murder in connection with dogfights. Many of the dogs who do not fight or who lose fights are used as “bait” animals. “Bait” animals are animals used to test a dog’s fighting instinct; they are often mauled or killed in the process. “Dude” was a bait animal.
Cara Zara 