HARTWELL, GA. — Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland recently described five large dogs that he and his deputies found dead 12 days ago behind a home in the Reed Creek community. The dogs still had collars around their necks, and the collars were attached to heavy chains that were secured so the animals could not free themselves.

“There was an awful stench behind the house. There was still some flesh on the skeleton of the first dog. The chain and collar were still attached to the skeleton. It was one of those heavy chains they use on logging trucks. They put dogs on these chains so that it makes their neck muscles stronger, dragging the chain around, you know. The dog was full of maggots. Probably had died four or five days before we got there. There was a patch of woods. We went in there. Found another dog. Nothing but skin and bones. Dried out. You could pick it up, all in one piece. Next dog was the same way. Next one we found dead was lying half in and half out of a water barrel. The fifth dog was sort of mummified. Just kind of light and rigid.”

The man responsible for the deaths of these animals has been charged with nine felony counts of cruelty to animals.

I wonder about people who do such things to animals. What makes them tick? I don’t know, but I know that after I had my conversation with Sheriff Cleveland, I drove to Anderson where I met a dog named Gracie.

Gracie, you might recall, was pictured on the cover of this newspaper four months ago. For approximately two years, she’d been living her life on a chain that was tied to a tree. She had a plastic doghouse, but she remained outside, confined by the length of the chain, no matter what kind of weather. When she was rescued, she was skin and bones. Her ears were bloodied from biting flies, and she had heartworms.

Now she is living with a couple in Anderson, Emma and Keith Compton. Her ears are healed. Her gold coat is thick and glowing. Her eyes are bright and happy. Her weight is up. Her muscles are strong and supple.

Every day, Ms. Compton takes Gracie for a walk in the neighborhood. Gracie strains at the leash, especially when she sees other people.

“I think she is just so excited, because she has a new lease on life,” Ms. Compton said. “She thinks it is her job to lead me to other people. She just loves people.”

I wonder about animals that still love people after what has been done to them. What makes them forgive? I don’t know, but I know that after my visit with Gracie, I felt sure she, with her wagging tail, had far more humanity than people who leave their creatures to suffer.

Talk about animals.

Salley M. McInerney can be reached by e-mailing salley@hartcom.net.