Dogs offer immediate gratification.

Say your slow pitch softball team gets pummeled 25-12. Or your recreation basketball team loses by seven and you clanked eight of 10 shots from beyond the arc, and made a putrid two of seven free throws.
Or your wife beats you by five strokes on the golf course or your son schools you in ping pong.
Guess who your best buddy is?
Yep, the mutt whose tail wags vigorously whenever you walk in the door no matter how lousy your day has been.
Your dog would wash your face with his tongue at least five times a day if you would allow it. He’d peel grapes for you if only he had opposable thumbs. He’d trot up to the corner store to buy the newspaper and cigarettes and bring back the change if only he had pockets.
He’d wave palm fronds to keep you cool if you lived in the tropics. He’d huddle up next to you in the Arctic to keep you warm.
Dogs are like that, aren’t they?
Here is what humans are like, at least the scummiest among us.
Sandra Boulton, the public relations director for the Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter, passed along a disturbing press release. Here are excerpts from it:
`On Monday evening, August 26<sup>th</sup> at approximately 9:50 p.m., the Dearborn Heights Police Department received a tip from an anonymous passerby. The caller informed police that a dog was tied to a rock that had been thrown into the Rouge River in Dearborn Heights, near the intersection of Warren Road and Outer Drive. Officers responding to the call recovered the dog from the muddy bank of the river. 
`The dog was muddy, but otherwise appeared to be in good condition, so he was brought to the Dearborn Animal Shelter for safekeeping. After several days in the care of the Shelter, the dog, now named River, is doing well. He seems friendly with staffers so far and has a healthy appetite. 
`“Elaine Greene, Executive Director, Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter, commented “Animal cruelty of any kind is deplorable, but this situation seemed vicious in its intent.  The dog, a handsome Labrador/retriever/hound mix appears to be very friendly and we are disturbed that anyone would do such a thing to him.” River will soon be ready for a new home and available for adoption from the Shelter. 
`In an effort to assist Dearborn Heights Police in the case, the Dearborn Animal Shelter is posting a $1000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the individual(s) responsible for this act of animal cruelty.  Call the Dearborn Heights Police at this tip line with any leads 313.277.7408.’ 
I can’t imagine such a thing. What kind of sick individual would do that to a dog or any other animal?
Dogs ask for nothing but your love, some Alpo, a bowl of water, and an occasional walk around the neighborhood. You are the focus of their lives, no matter what kind of person you are. They don’t care if you are a saint or sinner; live in a mansion or a cardboard box; eat filets or Hamburger Helper; or are a pastor or an ex-con.
They don’t care if you are on the PGA Tour or just came home from the miniature golf course; if you are an NBA player or a rec league scrub with a bum knee and bursitis. They don’t care if you drive a Cadillac or a 20-year-old pickup truck.
They just care about you. All they ask is that care is volleyed back their way once in a while. A pat on the head and a biscuit go a long, long way.
I guess the incident in Dearborn Heights just goes to show you that the real animals in this world sometimes have just two legs. They sometimes take a dog to the river with a rock tied to its leg.

Learn more about adoption, events, volunteering or donating online. The Dearborn Animal Shelter is located at 2661 Greenfield Road, Dearborn, and is operated by the Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter. For more information, call 313.943.2697 and visit www.DearbornAnimals.org