Dear Editor,

Once upon a time in Guyana people intermingled with animals mostly domestic dogs and cats that became part of the family. In those days they were called pets and each had a name relevant to gender.

These pets were well groomed and cared for by owners who took pride in their adopted companions.

What a terrible contrast today? Dogs are regularly discarded by owners for various reasons, taken and dumped miles away so that their true to life friend should never return to unfaithful masters.

A dog will eternally be faithful until death separates him and master.

These faithful servants called animals are banished and left just about everywhere only to be scorned and subjected to cruelty. Society looks down on innocent stray animals as an epidemic that is contagious and use objects to hurt them.

When you see dogs and other innocent animals roaming the streets daily and nightly evidently with no direction in life but lost, abandoned or neglected, just remember that their lives are insecure and survival is an instinct with both humanity and animals. And please do not discriminate against animals who were not blessed like us to speak and have that inborn vocal ability to defend and protect oneself.

It is essential for people to make alternative living arrangements for their pets in times of sickness or foreseeable passing.

Yours faithfully

Zenobia Williams