Letters to the Editor: On Annie the Dog

Coldhearted behavior

I was heartbroken reading about Chuck Hoage, who finally found his lost dog, Annie, only to lose her again because of a glitch at animal services and the refusal of the people who adopted her to give her back to him (“Sad story of two families and one dog,” Aug. 8).

Perhaps these people have never had a dog before and don’t understand that it isn’t a matter of ownership, but of family and love. Annie has been Hoage’s family for seven years. He has fed, groomed, trained, played with and loved her for all that time.

The adopters have had her for a month, reaping the advantage of a well-behaved and happy dog because of Hoage’s care for her. There is no excuse for such coldhearted behavior.

If they have children who have grown fond of Annie, then it should be gently explained to them that Annie was lost by her “dad” who loves her and wants her back.

Let them be present when Hoage and Annie are reunited, so that they appreciate the good and generous act that returning her would be. As a single woman whose dogs are the family I come home to and love, I implore Annie’s adopters to please give her back to her rightful family.

Janice Peters

Morro Bay

A lesson learned?

Regarding Bob Cuddy’s column on Aug. 8, “Sad story of two families and one dog”: I can understand the anguish caused to both Chuck Hoage and Annie’s adoptive family. A better process must be in place to ensure this does not happen.

However, one glaring point was missed in this article. It states that Annie was in the back of Hoage’s truck and was startled by a noise and ran off. Too often, dogs in backs of trucks, untethered, are subject to being thrown out of the truck or, like Annie, simply jump out with potentially tragic results.

As Annie is Hoage’s “life,” I hope that a strong lesson has been learned. Would you have your child in your car without seat belts or proper safety restraints? I think not. Why then would you put an animal in this predicament?

While the animal shelter played a role in this situation, apparently so too did Hoage by not properly restraining Annie.

I do hope he gets Annie back and my heartfelt feelings go out to the good family that adopted Annie. May they find another dog that will fill their hearts with the same love as has Annie.

Michael Kincade

San Luis Obispo

Microchip and secure

As a dog owner, I would like to make some suggestions to Chuck Hoage (“Sad story of two families and one dog,” Aug. 8): Microchip your pets, license them and secure them in the back of your truck, even if the truck is not moving. Check back with Animal Services every day if they stray.

To the folks at Animal Services: Bad things have happened to animals in your care in the past, and it appears that your procedures concerning lost animals need improvement.

Finally, to the folks who have Annie now, your selfishness in not returning Annie to her owner of seven years is appalling.

Julie Towery

San Luis Obispo

Give back the dog

We recently read the column by Bob Cuddy that related the story of two families and one dog named Annie (Aug. 8).

After reading the unbelievable story, we were shocked and appalled by the insensitivity of the family currently possessing Annie.

Chuck Hoage, the original owner of Annie, must be devastated. Apparently, the county animal shelter failed to do their due diligence and allowed Annie to be adopted. The new family has grown close to Annie and refuses to give her up to her rightful owner.

We agree with Cuddy that the dog should be given back to Hoage. This is not a case of “finders keepers, losers weepers.”

In one month, the new family has grown close to Annie. If they are indeed true dog lovers, they should visualize the distress Hoage is feeling after losing the companionship of Annie. The new family should adjust their moral compass and do the right thing.

Also, the animal shelter should be stepping over themselves to assist Hoage in the recovery of Annie.

Let Annie choose. We are sure if she saw Hoage, who has owned her for seven years, she would run with her tail wagging, and they could ride off into the sunset as happy campers.

Rich and Lindi Clark

Arroyo Grande