Chula...Product Of Throw-Away Society
Meet Chula…Means little or pretty little girl…she came onto our desert property two weeks ago. She was starved, delirious and close to death. Still a puppy, maybe eight or nine months old…she stumbled up to my husband, all fear burned away long ago by starvation and just laid down and began a long mournful cry.
Naturally he called me, I went out and it was so sad that I got tears in my eyes.
We live out in the desert and we see strays now and then or dogs that may live close by and are just on scent…but over the last several months we are starting to see our desert community become a dumping ground for animals (mostly dogs). As the belts tighten and people can’t afford to feed themselves let alone an animal, guess who loses?
Anyway, I fed her and she slept for five hours…woke up, eyes had cleared some, I fed her a bit more and she slept for three more hours. Finally woke up and that was two weeks ago.
I guess Chula is now part of our family, much to the distain of our three other SPOILED RESCUE DOGS…they seem to forget that they too were once in Chula’s place!
Well we have room and it is a “kill center” in the nearest town shelter…it they are not adopted out in 72 hours the shelter puts down the animals…I just could not do that to this dog…
So far I have lost two patio pillows, one tennis shoe and she insists on doing her business in my flower beds, but that is okay…I have taken responsibility for every animal that I found or found me…they have no choice.
Since she came to us I have counted seven more stray wandering dogs and a black cat lived in the garage for a few days and moved on…and now I hear rumors that people are turning out their horses in the area because they can’t feed them.
Please donate to a local shelter…go to the store and buy a big bag of dog food or cat food to help feed the overflowing numbers of abandonded animals…or find a little more space in your heart for an animal that has no choice.
Original digital photograph.
Taken with a Sony Full HD 1080 Cyber Shot camera.
Thank You for viewing my art.
My Fine Art and Photograph Studio is located in Mesquite, Nevada.
VIEW susan’sgallery
VIEW susan’szazzle
Chula...Product Of Throw-Away Society belongs to the following groups:
Mans Best Friend's (Dogs only), Our K9 Friend 1 image a day (Dogs only), Paws n Claws <3 per day><Domestic cats & dogs only> and Rescued Pets Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints

Jennifer Potter
Discouraging to think that people throw animals like this away as garbage. You are doing a wonderful thing Susan! I can really see the appreciation in her eyes. She’s beautiful. – Dawn
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks Dawn…Didn’t need another dog but couldn’t re-throw her away!
Evita
How lucky she was to have found you!!! she’s gorgeous!!! a lovely capture … :D
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks so much Evita…nice to hear from you again…
Nancy Stafford
Susan I love the photograph of this pup.. and the story that goes with it.
it is sad that these animals are abandon.. .. it like roxie my little girl she was abanded
to.. my nephew and his friends found her.. and her sister only five weeks old.
i put her sister into a foster care home and kept roxie… if i had more room i adopt another dog
that needs a good home..
Susan Bergstrom replied
We all would do more if we could…but it is just soooo sad because in a few weeks the little ones that are dumped will die of thirst…But I did what I could…Thanks Nancy!
Vanessa Anderberg
She is beautiful. You do the right thing. I wish more people would realise that they are not doing these animals Any favor abandoning them. It hurts to see it(as you know of Maxi’s story) But…she is yours now…Good for you, Susan:) She would die out there…and I know that many others probably will. This is the “throw away” society we live in, I am afraid.
Susan Bergstrom replied
Sad but true…we will be rewarded in Heaven my friend…until then, I have no answers. Just could not turn her over to a kill center…
Thanks Vanessa…I knew you would identify with this…
Rhenastarr
What a wonderful and sad story about the state of our times. However, I would find it very hard to abandon something that had a part of my heart, those people who abandon and animal to live or die can’ t have invested very much of their heart into the animal. Times are poor, I understand that, but try to find the dog a home or a shelter. I can’t wrap my head around just throwing them away. It is so wonderful that there are people like you who think with their hearts. Chula is a very lucky girl. Bless you and your husband. Lovely photo by the way.
Susan Bergstrom replied
...and thanks for reading my message…it is so very sad out here in the desert…amimals don’t last too long if they don’t find refuge…
H M Bascom
Oh poor baby! She was so lucky to have found you – a human with a big heart. Thank you for saving her.
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks Helen…if I counted all of the animals I have rescued and seen live to old age, I would lose count…At my tops, on our ranch in Colorado I had seven dogs (all rescued)...6 barn cats (they find you) two horses that a guy could not care for any longer and assorted other livestock that found their way to our place!
Thanks for viewing and I always appreciate your comments…
Renate Dartois
Oh wow-what a gorgeous face it is hard to understand how someone can do that. I know a lot of people can hardly make ends meet these days but I would try to find a home anything but dumping this poor animal like that-just to cruel I am so glad she found your family….
Susan Bergstrom replied
It was a sad/happy day…sad in that she was in the shape she was and happy because you could tell by the look in her eyes that she knew her journey was over…so Chula is part of the pack now! Thanks for reading and your comment…
Shannon Donovan
Bless your ever-loving heart my friend! Your words resonate…your heart is immesurable my friend!!
Susan Bergstrom replied
Many thanks Shannon…if you look real close you can see me in her eye, taking her picture…I have become her mother…LOL
Lori Peters
It is so sad that there are still kill centers. We have rescued 3 cats and a dog. I am hopeless, I buy cheeseburgers for the foxes in our area because they look so emaciated by the mid-summer. You are very kind to help to these poor animals. She is a sweetheart and deserves a good home. Good for you!!!!!!
Susan Bergstrom replied
I would go out and buy 25 pounds of puppy food for the foxes on the edges of our ranch…dump the whole bag by the den…the mother always would set back up in the weeds and look at me and have a look of THANKS on her face! Thanks for viewing Lori…
WayoftheWarrior
A precious soul in there…and I so want to get my hands on whoever dumped her…I got a few friends who would make short work of them.
Susan Bergstrom replied
Wished you lived closer my valiant friend…Thanks for your passion…
Vicki Ferrari
So sad Susan, but I am so glad that Chula has found a good home! She looks lovely, how could anyone dump an animal? If they have no money, at least they could drop the animals at an animal shelter so there is a chance for them, even if they only have a limited time frame. It would be a more humane end than slowly starving to death, or worse. Imagine the thoughts that these animals have, wondering what happened to their loved ones? Or am I being too emotional?
You have captured her eyes here beautifully, they speak volumes. Do the authorities know that the animals are being ‘released’ in your area? Perhaps they might be able to catch the people doing this and make an example of them?
Thanks for your big heart in saving Chula!
Susan Bergstrom replied
It is a sad situation all the way around…the authorities are over 300 miles away and only come into this part of the state once a month…so no there is nothing that can be done to help these animals..we have put a low stock tank out so they at least have water wich will be the highest concern in another month or so…as the temps start rising in to the 110 degrees and as much as 120 in July…It is a one day at a time kind of situation sad to say…Thanks Vicki for your comment…
barnsis
Beautiful close up and such a great sad story. At least she has a good home now. When I was on my picture teak yesterday happened upon a beautiful German Sheppard laying down the hillside from the gravel road i was one. I stopped and tried to talk to it but it didn’t respond to me at all and when i started to get out of the jeep it started to move further down hill, which is very steep and drops right into the river. I got back in the jeep and sat a watched it for a while then finally left. The closest house is over a quarter mile away and is the only one within over a mile. I don’t know if the dog belonged to the house or not but have been worried ever since.
Susan Bergstrom replied
I just can’t stand this situation…it is soooo sad and it makes you hate people!!!! Well not everyone…but never mind man’s inhumanity to man…what about what man does to animals is shamful…Thanks Byron for your comment!
Terri Chandler
What a precious face and I’m so glad that you opened your heart and home to this precious little thing. I would have felt and done the same thing Susan. Times are so hard for everyone right now, and most of all these precious furs who can’t understand why one minute they are loved and fed, and alone and hungry the next. Keep up the good work. xo
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks…three more cruzed by this morning…it is heart breaking…
Lynda Robinson
This is an unbelievably sad tale Susan! Thank god Chula found you! XO
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks Lynda…she is a funny little dog now that she has recovered…loves to carry around my patio pillows….!!! LOL
BarbaraManis
Oh Susan. Your story brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful thing you did to give her a home. My dogs are rescue dogs also, and I always donate to a shelter in my area. I think I will give a double donation now just because you Chula have touched my heart. Thank you, my friend for being you, and caring about Chula and other animals that have been “tossed out.” By the way, she seems to have a very sweet personality and you’ve captured her so well!
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks so much Barbara…she is a happy girl these days and is full of puppy mischief but I can’t get too mad at her…but she is learning the word NO!!!! LOL and thanks for donating to your local shelter…it may not save them but at least they won’t go hungry in the time they have left…
Marjorie Wallace
How much I appreciate your story Susan and I also have tears in my eyes for what some people will do. I cannot say that we have a throw away society. In fact, you know what??? I refuse to even get to know those people. They are irresponsible scumbags and I hope what they have done will come back to haunt them. The people that I choose to know would rather rescue and probably have brought home pets when they already have enough. There will always be room for one more pet in my home and I can see that you are the same way. Your Chula is beautiful and I know that she has a good home with you. Thank you for drawing attention to this growing problem and I hope it will encourage more people to reach out and make a home for one more animal. You are an Angel!!! Blessings to you. You are the living proof that a “throw away society” is not acceptable!!
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks so much Marjorie…I have rescued animals all my life and I have never seen it this bad…I am so totally outraged and so full of grief for the ones that are left to die a horrible death out here in this unforgiving desert.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read my message and your heart felt comment…I so totally appreciate it!
whitehawk60
A rea good photo of the dog
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks I appreciate it!
Cheryl Lunde
This is the sweetest photo of a rescue dog I have ever seen. Instant fave and how lucky for him that you are such a loving person!
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks Cheryl…as I asked in my article…just go and buy any kind of dog or cat food and just take it to your local shelter…you will not believe how grateful they will be…and remember Chula when you do…Thanks so much for reading and your comment!
CapturedByKylie
This is a gorgeous photo and the story is very touching.
All my dogs have been from the pound- why buy a “pet shop” animal when there are so many at shelters full of love and hoping to be given a second chance at life?
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks and you are sooo right about that!
Arla M. Ruggles
She is beautiful – wonderful eyes!
I don’t think I have ever had any pet that was not a rescue. They do find their intended, somehow.
Clear sailing for her now!
Susan Bergstrom replied
Especially if she stops hiding my patio pillows… LOL…so I just gave her one and it all stopped! What a girl! Thanks Arla!!!
dawndavies
this poor wee thing was sent to you, how sad a world we now have, she will learn where to do her business with love and care from you, you have a big big heart susan, proud to know you,dawnx
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks Dawn…she is setteling into a secure life here and is prettier everyday!
Appel
What a sad story, but thanks to you and your husband it has a happy ending. I can’t imagine the callousness it takes to just abandon an animal out there – thank-you for being there and accepting these animals into your home. It’s a lovely shot and a wonderful story.
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks Ann…it is truly heartbreaking but you do what you can…I didn’t need another mouth to feed but how could you not?
Jan Landers
susan, my friend….you have a big heart….chula is so blessed and she will love you so much in return….your story made me cry thinking of all those beautiful animals out there wandering in hunger and alone…..thank you for taking this one in and making her a part of your family….i have had two rescue dogs in my life and several cats, and they are wonderful companions and lift the spirit…..you are a beautiful soul….thank you for sharing chula….and hug her for me, will ya?
Susan Bergstrom replied
Consider her huged from Estes…she is improving everyday and into all kinds of puppy mischief, but it’s okay…if she haden’t made it to our place, she would never have experienced Puppy Mischief…Thanks for your comment Jan….
JenLand
You are such a wonderful human being Susan! Chula is so lucky, as it seems so many others have been to find you. Brings tears. Bless you for your big heart!! And what an adorable capture of this little girl. :o) Hugs from Jackson as well, for you both!!
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks so much Jen…I am so happy this has touched so many people…there is much suffering in the world but I feel it is our moral obligation to help the animals that have no choice…thanks again…
Alexanderargyll
well done ......................I too have a rescue dog….......................couldnt see them suffer or put to sleep…...............Keeloh is now 16/17 months old…...........
Alexander
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks so much for commenting…and bless you too for rescuing a life!
Tracy Faught
So sad..I have a lump in my throat! my cat’s are both saved cats…and my next dog will be a shelter dog for sure!
Chula is beautiful, her eyes say so much in this shot, they go straight to my heart! :]
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks Tracy,,,it mans so much to me that so many people have responded tro this sad and troubling aspect of our society…yes there are millions of people who are suffering, but animals depend on us and then there is the element that just dumps them ridding themselves of the responsibiity…thanks again!
Steve Hunter
Lucky Chula.
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks Steve! I appreciate your comment…
whalegeek
Bless you. Wish I could take more of these animals in. Our recently adopted shelter dog was in bad straits when we first brought him home but he has recovered to become the veritable center of my husband’s and my universe. Chula is a poster dog for all those that suffer through no fault of their own. Keep spreading the word. So many people we know buy expensive designer dogs that often are problem animals. They often express surprise that our dog is a shelter adoptee. There are millions of wonderful dogs and cats awaiting good homes in shelters worldwide, full of affection and devotion at so little a price. Thank you for posting Chula’s photo and story.
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks so much for responding…I am soooo pleased that this has touched so many people…there are no easy answers, the worlld is flooded with unwanted animals and yes hundreds of them are being killed as I write this…but to just dump them is a huge growing problem…we just have to try and do whatever we can… even if it is as small as buying that bag of dog food or cat food that may keep the kill centers wait one more day and that special person will walk in and see the pet of a life time…
maxy
YOu are sooo wonderful for saving this beautiful dog! Her eyes are so beautiful it breaks my heart that someone could abandon them. Spectacular work!
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks Maxy…it has been a long journey for this pup to find us way out here in the desert and survive…but she did and now just loves my old tennis shoes!!! LOL Thanks for the comment!
Dawnsky2
wow,, she luckly to find you,,what a lovely and sad story too,,great shot :)
Susan Bergstrom replied
Many thanks …I am so happy it has effected so many…awareness helps this ever growing problem…
sneha
awwwwwwwwwwwww…. how can people throw such a cutie pie!?
sometimes we human are too harsh.
awsome pic!
Susan Bergstrom replied
Irrisponsible is more the word for people who just dump animals out in the desert…Thanks for viewing and your comment!
Scott d'Almeida
wow i do liked perfect capture ;
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks Scott…I appreciate it!
Steve Hunter
We had an abandoned dog when I was growing up. He had been abused and was scared to death. He came home on my 13th birthday and he ended up being the best dog you could ever want. He hid under our house for 2 weeks before he got the courage to come out and see us. Our other dog would go under the house and lay with him to keep him company. Once he came into the house, that was it, he was part of the family. These dogs seem to know when they are being treated well and show extra love for it.
Susan Bergstrom replied
So true Steve…none of the strays ever come close to the house much less approach my husband and Chula just laid down at his feet..it was most heart breaking….and over the years on our ranch and even today all of our animals have been rescued or walked onto the property and claimed us! Your right, she seemed to know after she recovered a bit that this was now her home and aside from normal puppy mischief, she is already respectful and has developed manners so quickly as if she does not want to be thought of as a bad dog! It really is amazing how she just dovetailed into our lives…thanks for your story…
david campbell
so beautiful fantastic shot
Susan Bergstrom replied
Many thanks David!
Martina Fagan
lovely capture!
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks so much! I appreciate it and so does Chula!
navybrat
poor baby!!! my heart goes out to you dear!!
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks! She has settled in quite nicely and is real partial to my shoes…I always find them in her bed!!!
Rebecca Bryson
AWwwwwwwww and with such a sweet face too…looks like she is saying pet me, love me, play with me, I’m bored, damnit put that camera down and throw the ball will ya! LOL HOLY cow turning out their horses too?? geezo man! Well if you stumble upon a few of those I know of a few peeps that would save them..geesh..people really need to think about what they are doing!
Susan Bergstrom replied
It is entirely too sad what is happening out here…but maybe this one will have a some sort of a life…Thanks!
luanda
How lucky she was to have found you!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!! You have made HER and yourself happy! So MARVELLOUS of you!
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks for viewing and for your comment…I appreciate it!
Bellavista2
What a beautiful story, she is so lucky that she had found you, she must of known she had come to safety. It breaks my heart to hear about cruelty to animals, it is not warranted and it any animal does not deserve it. I agree please purchase your pet from an Animal Society and donate if you can food, my pet is a an Animal Shelter dog. Keep up the awesome Susan!:-}xoxoxox
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks…I wish with all my heart that this was not happening…two more cruzed through today and they are soooo skinny and wornout…in a few weeks they won’t make it if they don’t find a home…too sad…
cdudak
Susan, you are one awesome person. I am wo happy you and Chula have meet each other. It makes me angry, when people do things like this to an animal. She is a beauty, your photo of her is great. I also have two adopted dogs from a rescue shelter. They were both older, Julie was 4 years old and Harley was 6 years. But my sister and I both wanted dogs that we could really make a difference in their lives.
May God bless you for kindness to these animals…..Kay
Susan Bergstrom replied
Many thanks Kay for reading my story and thanks for rescuing the animals you have…it is just waaaay too sad what is going on out here, and I don’t see it getting any better. You just have to tqke care of the ones you can….Thanks again!
DottieDees
IT was meant to be….Chula came there for a reason…she is a fighter…and you are wonderful…my heart breaks as all the other people have stated….it really is a sad state of affairs when they can just abandon something that only knows love and trust….Thank you so much for what you have done…you will be blessed!! and so is CHULA!!
Susan Bergstrom replied
Many thanks Dottie…I truly believe everything/everyone comes into your life for a reason…but it is still happening… can’t feed all of them…!!!
DottieDees
Forgot to say how beautiful she is!!
Susan Bergstrom replied
LOL…Thanks she is a pretty little girl!
mlynnd
Thank you, thank you, thank you Susan for taking Chula in. There are far to many animals that are in great need. Both of the dogs that my sister and I have are adopted from a shelter. Our other two dogs before these two where also adopted. All of the others we had where given to us, by people who did not want them. Far too many unwanted animals. I have such a deep love of animals, that I can not understand someone treating them so badly. I love them all, all the way to the very core of my being, and I thank God for it! .... Lynn
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks for your comment Lynn…it is heartbreaking but at least we saved her to this point…all of our animals over the years have been adopted and always will be…It is so sad what is happening out here…I could open an animal shelter in a heart beat…two more cruzed by yesterday…Thanks again for caring…
Cheri Perry
Hello Chula…You are beautiful! I am so glad you have an awesome home now. It is so sad how some people can treat animals. I don’t know how they sleep at night. But then we have awesome people like you that do all you can to help. We need more like you Susan! Big Hugz!!!

What a great capture. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Susan Bergstrom replied
Hey thanks! Just found out about this group…Cool!...and Chula is doing awesome…she can now enjoy being a puppy and humans that will help her be a great dog!!!
Little Rascals...
What a great capture. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Susan Bergstrom replied
Thanks! always glad to see pet and animal groups open up!!!
Rachel Counts
Your story brought tears to my eyes. I am also a dog owner – of Hank, a Beagle/Boston Terrier mix. I adopted him from a rescue center in Cleveland, OH – he is such a great little guy – always by my side. He will be a year old in August. Anyways, you have a great photograph of your dog. Immediate favorite.
Lucindawind
very very sad .. I volunteer at a shelter and see so many .. poor baby sweet shot of this baby . .so glad you rescued her .. I have 3 rescue cats