In December 2004, your newspaper published my letter about the plight of those dogs in Freeborn County that are kept continually tethered outdoors.

As a youngster, Christine spent much time with the chubby, happy, wiggly puppy her father gave her. But as Pepper grew into a big dog and Christine became a teenager preoccupied with other activities, Pepper was relegated to a lonely, life outdoors, continually chained to a doghouse.

On the few occasions Christine visited the doghouse, Pepper would “go crazy with excitement and would still obey the commands I’d taught him years before.”

One day when Christine came home form college, Pepper was gone. Her father explained since nobody wanted to care for Pepper, Christine’s brother shot him.

Today, an adult Christine is racked with guilt. She has cried many times for Pepper and his sad life. She urges people to let their dogs live indoors as members of our families. We should always exercise, love and protect “man’s best friend.”

After reading Christine’s story in the Summer 2009 issue of “PETA’s Animal Times,” I hugged Lexi, my hound dog, and I thanked God for the opportunity to share my home with Lexi and my two adopted hamsters.

Christine has conveyed important messages. And when we treat animals with kindness, we enrich our own lives as well as their lives.

Joel Freedman, Canandaigua, N.Y