DogDiary4u

This Valentine’s Day, handmade cards from local children will be delivered to some area homes — and addressed to the dog.

Of course, since dogs can’t read, they likely will not appreciate the handwritten messages on the cards. But hopefully the owners will be moved by the words and accompanying pamphlet, say SPCA officials.

This week, more than 400 second-graders from Henry County and Martinsville in Verginia are visiting the SPCA of Martinsville-Henry County to learn about keeping animals safe and healthy, said Leslie Hervey, executive director of the SPCA.

They also are learning that some dogs in the area suffer from being left on a chain all day.

“The kids absolutely get it. They know the dogs deserve better,” said SPCA Marketing Director Chase Inman.

Many people may not realize how lonely their pets will become, Hervey added.

So the students are making Valentine’s cards that will be mailed to many of the addresses where dogs are chained, along with a brochure on the harmful effects of the practice, until the end of February.

Throughout the month, Inman said anyone who knows of a dog who is always outside on a chain or rope can contact the SPCA with the address by calling 638-7297 or e-mailing office@spcamhc.org.

Before making the cards Wednesday, Hervey told the children why dogs need attention from their owners. She told the students that dogs are pack animals, meant to be around other dogs or animals. Dogs who do not interact with people or other animals become lonely and sometimes aggressive after long periods.

“We’re going to make Valentines for all the chained and lonely dogs outside,” she said.

Savanna Meadows worked on her Valentine card beside her classmates Leslie Salinas and Michael Breedlove. All three are second-graders at Campbell Court Elementary School who visited the SPCA on Wednesday.

“People shouldn’t be bad to dogs and cats,” said Savanna.

“It’s called cruelty,” added Michael.

All three students said they felt sad when they saw dogs chained up all day. Leslie wrote a message to a chained dog on her card that read “I love you so much.”

Other students’ Valentine’s cards had messages such as “I am sorry that you are on a chain,” “one day you will be free” and “please bring your dog inside.”

Inman said that while the chained dog Valentines are a new idea this year, a similar visit by second-graders occurred last year.

In that program, students learned about caring for pets and how the SPCA uses donations for supplies. Hervey said she and other SPCA employees wanted to have a similar visit by students this year, involving both county and city students.

Hervey said second-graders from both the city and county were invited to participate this year. In addition to learning about the harmful effects of keeping a dog constantly chained, students learned ways to be good pet owners.

Students learned that pets should always have some form of identification such as a license or a microchip inserted by a veterinarian so the animal can be returned home if it is lost. Students also learned to approach strange dogs cautiously and slowly, among other things.