Not fair at all..and the plight of too many boys and girls. Lord knows I have many faults, and I'm in no position to judge anyone..but I get real angry when I see what some children have to endure; in some cases it strengthens them, but in too many instances, they end up with crushed spirits and the natural inclination to do the very thing they swore they wouldn't. Thank you for sharing this disturbing and well-written story. There is a happy ending for Toornie. Perhaps the boy has a dog at home he can love and be loved by; on the other hand, it would add to the unjustice inherent in the story if the man was was also an abuser of animals. Uncontrolled anger is an ugly and harmful emotion.

WOW. Powerful piece of writing, such a stark slice of life. I feel sorry for that kid. Children should not have to endure anything like that, especially in regard to the very parents who are supposed to be providing them with guidance! It's a painful thing to consider, especially from my point of view--my own family history isn't exactly a wonderful tale. Events like the one you described have never marked my life...but from things I have experienced, I find myself asking "do humans actually deserve the right to live?" Then I read pieces of writing like yours, or I meet people. And suddenly, something so simple as adopting a dog makes all the difference in the world. We can't fix the world...as a species, we don't have the will to do so...but individuals like you, individuals adopting dogs IS a step in the right direction. The world isn't fixed, but at least it's a better place for one dog. As for the child, we can only hope that there are others like you...who question, who wonder...and who ARE in a position to make things better. I like to hope that such improvements can occur in that child's life and your piece of writing at least calls attention to a situation that needs to be fixed.

Great portrayal of a sad scene. Have seen far too much of this in my life.. and yes, it does tend to ruin young lives.. often forever.

YOU MUST SEE MANY SAD THINGS AND AVENTS. SEEMS THAT THE COUNTRY HAS LOST IT'S HAERT. WERE HAS THE LOVE GONE?

Powerful stuff, and very well written. I can see the scene like I was sitting right there.

This is a powerful piece and so filled with emotion. Bravo!

A pity this boy will never have the kind of life Toornie will. I've lived the life that boy has. Not an easy life, but one survives it and sometimes becomes a better person for it. Let's hope this one does too. Splendid story and emotion. Bunny

Wonderful and touching story. I've seen people like this fellow. Life must not have been pleasant for him when he was a child. It is a pity his son will go through the same thing. I think it takes several generations for this type of behavior to change.

A snapshot in time. A mixture of feelings .. sad for a child, happy for a dog. If one looks at the longer view, backward and forward, one wonders how many generations this rage has been passed along? Will it continue with this young child as he grows older? Or will this be the one to break the chain and make a better life? Toornie's life has taken a turn for the better.

I feel so badly for this kid !

What a story and you told it so well, Dirk. Makes my heart aches for this little boy, I can only hope there is someone in his life to give him the love he so deserves. Beautifully written.

Fatnastic and creative integral realization my friend....!!!!

My goodness, what a story, Dirk! And what's so sad is that, all too soon, this young lad's innocence will be lost and he will tend to follow in his father's footsteps, because that's all he has ever known and that is the environment in which he is being raised. Makes you almost want to adopt the boy away from the angry and bitter father who thinks everything in life is someone else's fault. I think I would be remembering that little boy every time I looked into Toornie's eyes. God Bless you for your compassion and glad to see you are still working at the shelter.

...and your right. Thank you Dirk.. [=

Tragic. I wish that people had to qualify to obtain a child. Perhaps if they had to fill out forms and know that they would be checked on, pay a fee, etc. then it wouldn't be like it is. I could cry over the children. It is a sin that so many children live out this scenario daily. We have such a famiy at the end of our street. I have tried and tried to get the state involved, but to no avail. I have to just watch. At least you got the dog.

A sad and tear-jerking account of this awful incident at the dog shelter . The boy's father should be ashamed of himself for causing distress to both his son and the staff of the shelter . As onlookers there is not much we can do except hope that this little boy has a good and happy life ahead of him. Thanks for telling us about this , Dirk

A contrast study, these observations, Dirk. It's so hard not to follow the immediate heartfelt, gut-tendency into sadness over this kid's situation. But, I can't..a bit too close to home. So, instead of reflecting on generations before, and generations to come, the inherent blindness here, the potential for cyclic static.. I focus on faith in the endlessness of possibility, the sheer strength of individual will, and the clarity and ability to distance, that comes with growing up and older. Sometimes, just sometimes, it helps us get over the bliss inflicted in childhood (though I'd love nothing better than to think each child was cherished and recognized). Here, you rescue the muttlings, I'll rescue the kidlings. At least here, there were TWO lucky boys...you and your Toornie. I'm holding out hope for a third. Poignant, candid, clear-as-a-bell composition, my friend. :)

I hate violence like this when I see it. You made me flash back to an incident that I will never forget. It was winter, it was evening. I had just exited the apartment building I live it It was at the corner of a very busy intersection, so there was always a lot of traffic. Passing in from of me was a car with two people. The man was driving, and the woman was passenger. I assume that the women was this guy's wife. His fist was raised and he was screaming at her, the anger, no, the rage in his face was so obvious. It was a look that went beyond anger ... it may even have been hate. There was a look on her face which was a combination of fear and hopelessness. She was pressed up against the car door and window as if she was trying to shrink from away from him into nothing. What caught me unprepared was that I felt the violence, the anger, the rage, the fear. It was palpable, physical, and it literally pushed me backwards. And then it was gone. I watched the tail lights of the car disappear around the corner. And I stood there, in shock, disbelief, not pondering what I had seen (I saw enough with my ex-inlaws) but at the violence that I had just felt in the way that I had felt it. It is something I will never forget. I still hate violence when I see it. I had enough of it growing up.