Can you change the world with a valentine?
A gathering of children working for the Central Pennsylvania League of Humane Voters gave it a try Saturday, using construction paper, red doilies and glitter sticks to create valentines for the Tipton-based "Dogs Deserve Better" campaign.
At a home near Swarr Run in East Hempfield Township, they crafted dozens of cards bearing sentiments like "I love dogs" and "You're my pal."
The cards will be added to some 10,000 that the DDB hopes to mail to the addresses of dogs, nationwide, that have been identified as being chained outdoors 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"We want to call attention to House Bill 1065, the Dog Tethering Act, currently pending in Harrisburg," said Lori McGowan, an adjunct professor of biology at Harrisburg Area Community College. McGowan uses her three-acre East Hempfield property to foster rescued Saint Bernards. She also hosted Saturday's card-making festivities.
"It's a gradual thing, changing people's mindsets," McGowan said. "Especially in a farming community."
"I think there's a tradition in Lancaster County of thinking of animals as agricultural products," said Mary Margaret Kelly, a professor of psychology at Millersville University, and, like McGowan, a member of the League of Humane Voters.
"It's almost crop-like, the way some people think of dogs," she said. "Those who have companion dogs realize what warm, nurturing creatures they are. On the other end of the continuum are the people who find them to be an extraordinarily profitable business. Chaining dogs outside all the time requires the same attitude of insensitivity that results in puppy mills."
The Central Pennsylvania League of Humane Voters was formed in 2005, an offshoot of the decade-old National LHV. In an area that stretches from Lancaster to State College, the league has some 500 members who support legislative action against such things as dog fighting and pigeon shoots.
The regional group was formed in response to the proposed poisoning of crows at Park City Center in 2005, according to the group's director, Laurie Fuller of Lancaster. Fuller, a digital media specialist and city resident, is also on the executive board of the national LHV.
Fourteen states have proposed anti-tethering bills. Three — California, Texas and Maryland — have passed laws limiting the chaining of dogs.
"We don't want to alienate people, we want to help," said McGowan, looking at a fresh valentine sporting the words: "Good Dog, Happy Day."
"We want to connect people with resources. This is a friendly gesture, not hostile or accusatory. We're not trying to be judgmental. We're just saying dogs are social animals, and chaining makes them miserable and often aggressive.
"When I lived in Wisconsin," McGowan said, "I noticed a chained collie-mix that was always outdoors. I stopped and gave the dog food and water and made friends with the owner. Eventually, I found the dog a new home. I did the same for a cocker spaniel chained outside. Dogs aren't meant to live this way."
"We're making valentines for dogs whose owners don't treat them right," explained Kylie Blew, 8, of Landisville. "We're drawing pictures on the cards, so the dogs can see we care."
"You should think," added McGowan's daughter, Emily, 9. "If you were chained up, how would you feel?"
Visit the League of Humane Voters Web site at www.lohvpa.org and learn more about the valentine project at www.dogsdeservebetter.org.
Marty Crisp is staff writer for the Sunday News. Her e-mail address is mcrisp@lnpnews.com.
