It actually froze last night and is probably about 19 degrees right now (3:30 AM). I didn't even go to the pond yesterday which is out of the ordinary. I usually walk around it at least once a day. I'll spend some time there when I get off of work this morning.
A young male border collie has been at the back door all night. When I first noticed him in the camera I went outside, really to chase him off, but ended up bringing him inside and giving him my dinner (and whatever other food I could find). He stayed inside for a couple of hours but wouldn't stay still. He wanted to play and wandered through the offices emptying the trash cans so I put him back outside. Still, he got to warm up, had a good meal, and I took his collar off because it was too tight. I just checked and he has left the parking lot so maybe he has a home to go to. I was going to call animal control as soon as they got to work but maybe this will work out. I'll feel badly for the next few weeks because I'm not taking him home with me, but won't subject Kilo to the stress of another dog in her house. She already has issues with Buddy. I absolutely hate people who don't take care of their animals. This poor dog is smart, friendly and wants company, but for some reason is wandering around in the cold, starving. Kilo has never spent the night outside, or even on the floor. She has always had a bed of her own for when she wants to be alone, and can sleep in any of the other beds when she doesn't. She has also never had to be cold, or alone, or been hungry. Then why do I feel like a mean person right now? Because I am resigned to the fact that some living things don't have very good lives and I am not going to attempt to save them. I could since I have the room, and especially since I am gainfully employed again, but I'm rejecting the behavior of the people who should be taking care of the dog. Live up to your obligations you jerk - whoever you are. Also I'm rejecting the theft of my private time. I don't need another chore. One of my best friends lives in a household that is littered with animals, none of which he brought in, but all of which he ultimately has to take care of. His life isn't much more awful than it would be without the animals, but there is something very depressing about a situation like that. My friend is kind to the animals and makes their lives as comfortable as he can, and he can't really be counted as a victim since he can say "no", but the animals themselves are victims of irresponsible people who try to fill the empty spaces in their lives with creatures that they really have no interest in, and start ignoring a few minutes after they drag them home.
Just glanced at the camera and the dog is at the back door again. I am suddenly more angry than I was when I started writing this. Either love something for as long as it lives and needs you, or leave it alone.