Our pets are the source of so much joy and companionship that for many, life would be strangely lost without them.
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It is why the whole concept of pets-for-therapy has been such an outstanding success.
The introduction of a happy dog to the wards of a children’s hospital, or being made a mascot for a nursing home, is proven to give all a much-needed lift.
They simply work an incredible wonder to the lives of those who otherwise might feel things are getting a bit tough.
But then, it’s really no wonder. Pets can give such unconditional love, especially dogs (though cat-lovers would argue felines are just as proficient in the feel-good department) that it’s hard to imagine life without them.
Too often though, pets are cherished one day and abandoned the next.
It is something that organisations such as the RSPCA constantly have to remind the community about, as such neglect is not acceptable in any circumstance.
Occasionally though this neglect takes on such a scale that it becomes hard for anyone to believe such cruelty could be committed.
That was made clear in Albury Local Court on Thursday with the terribly sad case of Benji and Ruby.
It appears no doubt they were, for a short time at least, loved. As dogs do, they responded to love and care with unqualified loyalty.
And yet they didn’t get it for long. Benji died aged just two years and five months, his microchip revealed, while Ruby was estimated by a vet to be only about six months.
What was so tragic about the story of these two dogs was that not only that they died so young but that their master, Kimberly Thi-My Atwell, couldn’t be bothered feeding them and providing them with water.
It is a case that has shocked the RSPCA, its deputy chief inspector, Scott Meyers, urging anyone who suspects animal cruelty to contact its hotline on 1300 278 3589 “so that we can come out and rescue suffering animals before it is too late”.
Such neglect is horrific and unacceptable.