In the midst of the battle for dog owner and breeder rights, a disease has been emerging that is GUARANTEED to kill off dog owners (INCLUDING members of the 'show fancy') and breeders (INCLUDING 'show-only breeders') from all walks of life.This disease, at present, seems to be rearing it's ugly head primarily within the 'showing fancy', but remember that no one who owns, breeds, or loves animals is immune. Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
- Not being able to realize that ALL dog breeders (commercial, hobby, show, et al) are under attack by the Animal Rightists, such as PeTA and HSUS ("Well, I'm not one of those.....breeders", known as "Throw-The-Other-Breeders-Under-The-Bus syndrome)
- Mistakingly thinking their breeding program is above reproach and scrutiny from same Animal Rightists (the "I only breed for myself/once-every-few years..yadda, yadda, so I am OK", syndrome
- In-ability and down-right refusal, to recognize bad legislation when it is staring them in the face ("I don't mind paying an extortionate fee for a breeder's permit if it will help get rid of the bad/greedy{insert choice word du`jour} breeders"...known as "it's for the greater good" syndrome.
- Refusal to stand in unity with dog owners/breeders from other areas when BSL, Mandatory Spay/Neuter, breeder restriction type laws come up ("WHEW! I'm glad that law doesn't apply to my little safe bubble world",( known as "it's not my problem, and who am I to stick my nose in other state's/city's business..", syndrome)
It involves truth-seeking into the Animal Rights' agenda of no animal use. It means to stop using AR-speak (words like 'guardian', 'puppymill', etc). It means realizing that YOU (yes, 'you' reading this right now), are NOT superior or any better than the Mom-and-Pop breeders down the street, because EVERYONE who breeds dogs is worse than the scum-of-the-earth in the Animal Rightists' view.
The cure, most importantly, involves joining with pet owners of all types, whether they show or not...breeders...whether you agree with their practices or not...We are all in this fight together, but if any of us hope to survive to be able to continue to enjoy, breed and/or show our dogs, WE MUST get rid of this terrible disease...
Apathy.
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I believe there should be a distinction between breeders who breed responsibly to improve the breed and also treat their animals as if they were individually valued. Those who are in it for the money ONLY are those "who know the price of everything but the value of nothing." [Oscar Wilde] These are the people who would cage and breed without including the emotional NURTURING of the animals they have, nor would they investigate who is making the purchase. If a breeder feels that the pups they are selling should not be bred in the future, that breeder (contractually) should offer a reimbursement for neutering and/or include in the contract that if pup is not neutered at the appropriate time than the breeder has the right to request the return of the pup. The "good" breeders could put more blocks in place to help prevent the future breeding of their sold pups who could be used to start or perpetuate the "bad" breeders who get called puppy mills.
ReplyDeleteAnd, if H$U$ and the rest truly cared about the abused animals, they should spend money locating/stopping/prosecuting those who (i) breed/sell for fighting rings; (ii) whose animal environment is abuse in itself and (iii) those who use dogs for fights.
And, if you aren't sure what animal abuse is than I would use the quote of Lyndon B. Johnson, "I may not know much, but I know the difference between chicken sh-t and chicken salad.
Anonymous's comment is a good example of why we are so screwed. Does he or she even care?
ReplyDelete@ Tom:
ReplyDeleteSadly, Anonymous' sentiments are what's killing ALL of us.
The AR groups have played the game of divide and conquer well and the showing community has/is the hardest group of all to get thru to...(Just throw the other guy under the bus)
The bottom line is this: The ARs don't give a rat's patootie whether or not a breeder is "responsible"...they hate equally. All breeders are the scum of the earth in their twisted views and there is NO such thing as a 'responsible' breeder to them. They will not stop until we are legislated out existence, or breeding dogs becomes so expensive that only the very rich elite can afford to do it.
The days of wanting to sit atop a high horse are gone. Ditch the labels and join together to form a unified front.
And no one, at any time, is advocating people who ABUSE animals.
The HSUS has us "responsible" people on their radar now...a little federal law they are pushing called "PUPS"...
Nice post, you recommend that dog owners unite, which groups do you advocate ? I see so many and am willing to support such a group which one? Sportmens, dog owners association ?
ReplyDeleteI agree with these comments! The most dangerous of the show people are those who think that they are the guardians of their breed.
ReplyDeleteWe must all be alert and stand together. There are some really nasty people out there who will stop at nothing to have their own way.