My Dogs are Smarter (Or, about Dealing Dogs)

Earlier this evening I caught the premier airing of HBO's documentary Dealing Dogs:

Four years in the making, DEALING DOGS follows the undercover investigation of Martin Creek Kennel by the animal rights group Last Chance for Animals. A young man who goes by the name of "Pete" in the film wore a hidden camera while he worked a low- level job hosing kennels at the dog dealer. Over the course of six months, Pete secretly filmed activities at Martin Creek Kennel, including the beating and shooting of dogs, and recorded footage of animals that were left to languish in their kennels and suffered from malnourishment, life-threatening disease and injury, among other abuses. Dog corpses are shown piled up on the property and in trenches after being butchered for their organs.

I'm not an animal-rights activist. I think PETA is out of their ever-loving, collective mind.

Even in the face of something rotten like this, I pride myself in keeping perspective. Animals are not people; while it is difficult to imagine the effects of "medical research" on dogs and cats, the simple fact is that such is less grievous than seeing people die or suffer with conditions that can be helped through such work.

Having said that though, this film made me want to be sick. Seeing a wanton disregard for the animal's well-being, the abusive treatment of defenseless dogs made me angry. Very angry...

My dogs are smart; they are also very lucky. Tonight they'll get an extra treat and a few more minutes with dad. I think I need it even more than they do.