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As soon as we entered the Grinding Demon (otherwise known as the Bangor Mall) we could feel under our feet the sad sucking of life chalking our frail lungs from the byproducts of humanity’s downfall. We don’t even bother to look around; there is nothing to see but death, innocence and ignorance writhing around in its own image-based decay. In fact, the only thing keeping my writing companion and I alive is the few beers in our guts and the faint pumping of nicotine from our last cigarette. We have come here for a reason-to report on one of the most disgusting, degrading and immoral displays of life that has ever crossed our visual path: “aw, look at the puppy, he looks so cute!” A defeated and helpless silence is the only response that comes from the little dog, probably bought at value from a Missourian puppy mill, that lives most of its life behind a glass wall in a small cage. Maybe if it’s lucky it will get the golden opportunity of chewing on a plastic bubble gummed flavored bone or, even better, to feel the soft gentle touch of the person responsible for its pre-sold condition.
When commercialism is overtaking America, it is hoped that dogs and other innocent animals would be still be treated with the hand of compassion and not the eye of the dollar. Small pets go to loving caring people everyday, but unfortunately they are also cared for only as products like televisions, clothes or furniture. “Critters” in the Bangor Mall leaves their puppies in small cages behind glass walls. The owner claimed the animals had “adequate space,” which is possible if the animals had the regular exercise the store claimed. However, only one puppy, who was possibly the product of the week, had freedom from the cages for the two days we observed. If the owner is so unwilling to tell the truth, what are his true feelings towards these animals. The pet store in the Airport Mall, “Crystal Clear Family Pet Center,” has just started carrying puppies, but they express a lot more love and concern for their animals. This care was also evident upon observation. Unfortunately, the owner of “Critters” is a business man with an eye for location. The Bangor Mall has always kept a pet store business open in the mall itself. The place must be a good location to sell pets. Perhaps, as consumers, we should be supporting the Bangor Humane Society, where they view animals as animals and not dollars. The homelessness of dogs and cats also shows poor decisions by owners not to spade or neuter their pets. The Bangor Humane Society makes sure all its animal are fixed before going to a home, which is an attempt to control the excessive homelessness of pets. Buying such expensive animals at a mall pet store encourages people to breed them to help the animals pay for themselves, which is only adding to the problem. Please think carefully before purchasing your next animal or breeding any of your pets. The power of change lies in the money of the consumer.
Josh Harriman and Aaron Peet only visit the Bangor Mall in extreme situations.
