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Rolo's message - just listen

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Contributed by: Monika Courtney on 1/7/2008

While many of us are pre-occupied with holidays, etc., a beloved and cherished family pet is wasting away at a local animal shelter, awaiting his fate which will be decided in the next few weeks. By now I hope the sad case of the German Shepherd Rolo is well known in this community. After it has been aired on the Peter Boyles Radio Show, local TV, newspapers and Internet, it has been amazing how many people have come to understand that this magnificent dog is being slandered and a victim of greed and twisted facts.

Rolo's story is not only heartbreaking because he has been confined for more than four months, but because the grief and stress that have been caused to his owner, Laura Hagan, for reasons that are trumped up way over the top of what anyone would consider reasonable in his right mind. Rolo is not an attacker dog. His reaction was triggered by a woman, whose claims are driven by other motives than reality or truth. Highly accredited dog and K-9 trainers who understand this breed and give it the respect and the potential it deserves have explained that no one can stand next to a big breed with protective instincts, scream and act out, and not expect the dog to react.

What has been a reaction based on protective instinct, especially toward a child, is being slandered into an incident of such corrupt proportions, it is a shame. Rolo is being turned into a Godzilla, while he was doing what he does best: giving unconditional love and protection. He did not know this screaming woman was the mom, he thought she might have tried to hurt the child. Once again, an innocent being is suffering, while someone out there stakes a claim, no matter what the cost. Rolo is the victim here, the very victim of greed. Had he wanted to do any serious harm, as is claimed in this outrageous case, he would have done so. He chose not to. He was warning and protecting.

It is my hope and many others, that this dog will be able to return home where he belongs. He is not guilty and does not deserve to be put to death. His fate will be in the hands of people who I hope will honor the truth, honor the real story, honor Rolo and not be deceived and misled by a person whose intentions are to cash in on an innocent dog's actions - while being ignorant to any common sense, respect and mostly: understanding dogs. It is Rolo who needs our protection. Rolo's courage and love has touched many lives in such positive ways, he tried to communicate and we need to come to greater understanding and stop this trauma - we have a capacity in our hearts for caring and nurturing, honoring Rolo for what he really is:a beloved family member who did no harm. His character is being slandered and it is up to us to speak up and protect this poor dog from the ghosts that are after him for reasons beyond common sense.

Animals such as Rolo cannot only make our lives better, they can make better people of us, if we let them. We cannot allow Rolo to suffer any longer - he needs to go home, where he belongs.

Monika Courtney

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Submitted By: Li-Anne Ayers

posted on 1/7/2008 @ 6:44:35 PM

Rated Story

I agree completely. This is ridiculous, the paramedics and animal control officer on the scene both said the victim's injuries were minor and the skin was not broken. Even the police K-9 officers who visited Rolo said he is a normal dog and not dangerous and should not be put down. What this dog and his poor owner are going through is way extreme and out of line. I can only hope that justice will prevail.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFO

Monika Courtney

Evergreen , CO

Monika Courtney has posted 2 stories and 1 comment since joining on 1/7/2008. Monika Courtney 's average story rating is 5.

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