Just try...

Dear son,

This morning there was a dog barking awfully in the apartment across the hall. I think the guy who lives there got himself a new pet. I don't how long he's had it, or if it's even his. I never heard it before today. Maybe he usually plays the radio to keep it company while he's away, or it really is new, I don't know. My point is that it was barking and whining terribly. It sounded like the poor dog was not in pain, but lonely and scared. It wasn't the noise that bothered me, it was the fact that the dog was in such emotional distress, or at least that's what it sounded like to me. So I called the management office and told them. I think they called the dog's owner or somebody from maintenance to come check it on it. Somebody must've come because it was quiet thereafter. Certain animals, especially companion animals like dogs and cats, are totally dependent on people to stay alive. I'm not on any sort of crusade, but if I see or hear an animal in trouble, I try to help it at least a little, if I can.

Love,
Dad