Animals speak with pure affection. It's important to me to get something going in NY so we can get to be a no-kill city, and give the animals homes and more attention and love.
Bernadette PetersRead
Every day, the humane societies execute thousands of dogs who tried all their lives to do their very best by their owners. These dogs are killed not because they are bad but because they are inconvenient. So as we need God more than he needs us, dogs need us more than we need them, and they know it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the tragic fate of many dogs who are euthanized not due to their behavior, but rather because they are seen as inconvenient.
Elizabeth Marshall Thomas highlights the deep bond between dogs and humans, illustrating the stark reality that many dogs are put down despite their loyalty and efforts to please their owners. This serves as a poignant reminder of the responsibility humans have towards their pets, and how often these innocent creatures suffer due to human decisions. The comparison of need between God and humanity, and between dogs and humans, underscores the one-sided nature of many relationships where the more vulnerable party is often the one that suffers.
Themes
DogsHumane SocietiesEuthanasiaLoyaltyResponsibility
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about pet adoption, this quote can highlight the importance of rescuing animals in need.
Similar quotes
Players, Sir! I look on them as no better than creatures set upon tables and joint stools to make faces and produce laughter, like dancing dogs.
Samuel JohnsonRead
. . . owning a dog always ended with this sadness because dogs just don't live as long as people do.
John GroganRead
One of the most important roles of our journalists is to be watchdogs.
Dan RatherRead
Dogs have boundless enthusiasm but no sense of shame. I should have a dog as a life coach.
MobyRead
A lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me.
Barack ObamaRead