"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be measured by the way its animals are treated." Mahatma Ghandi
How do you think the U.S. measures up?
First, let me say, I love and am proud to be an American! I feel I need to say this because we've been existing in a climate where if you say anything less than favorable about the U.S., you are deemed a a traitor or downright un-American. However I feel the U.S. has a lot of ground to make up in its treatment of animals compared to European countries. Things are getting better, but truly we're not that much of a pet friendly nation. Let's start at the top with our government. Despite fostering a 30+ billion dollar industry, pets are still considered mere property in the eyes of the law in every state in this Union. That's right, our beloved companions are looked upon almost the same as the car sitting in our driveway. While there are humane and animal cruelty laws on the books, the fact is, an animal has to be treated very, very badly or killed in order for law enforcement to intervene. On the other hand, in many European countries dogs can accompany their people almost everywhere, including restaurants. In fact, when I was in Belgium and the Netherlands Amsterdam, I even saw dogs in the pubs! It was really awesome to see.
How do you think the U.S. measures up?
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Thursday, January 18, 2007
AKC Breed Registration Statistics
Something that has been on my mind lately are the AKC Breed Registration statistics just released a few days ago. In case you haven't seen it, take a look. AKC Breed Statistics. I don't know, but that list always bothers me. I'd love to look at it and think of all the happy, well-adjusted dogs of those "top 10" breeds that I've encountered, but unfortunately that doesn't happen. What does come to mind is all the behavioral issues I've encountered in dogs of those breeds, all the medical issues surrounding many of those breeds, all the rescues and re-homed dogs I've encountered in those breeds, and sadly, all the dogs of those breeds that, upon meeting, I know are on borrowed time and have not found a forever home.
Now sure, one could say of course you're going to see more problems in those breeds because, well, there are more of those breeds. Simple math. But even if I focus solely on percentages, it doesn't look any better. Let's take the venerable favorite, the Labrador Retriever. Now, don't get me wrong, I do know some really, really, really GREAT Labs. There are a few that stand out in my mind as not only being great Labs, but they are literally some of the best dogs I know out of all breeds. However, the reason these particular dogs do stand out so much is because they are rare. For every awesome Lab I know, I encounter three or four times as many that are "problem" or difficult dogs, dogs that are destined to a life "in the backyard" or will be jockeyed from home to home to home, shelter, to shelter to shelter. The sad thing is, most of them wouldn't be difficult in the right home, but that's the thing. When a breed's popularity goes up, so does the indiscriminate breeding, the doubling up on both genetic and behavioral problems, and the misconceptions and mismatches of dogs to homes. Remember, I know this first hand. I'm the one with the great Dalmatian.
So, along with those statistics I just wish the AKC (ha, ha, ha) or someone would also publish the corresponding shelter and rescue statistics of those popular breeds. Perhaps that would help some prospective owners dig a little deeper beyond the popularity of the breed when trying to find a dog that matches their lifestyle. But most importantly, maybe, just maybe that would make some of these breeders think twice before adding more to either side. Ya think?
Now sure, one could say of course you're going to see more problems in those breeds because, well, there are more of those breeds. Simple math. But even if I focus solely on percentages, it doesn't look any better. Let's take the venerable favorite, the Labrador Retriever. Now, don't get me wrong, I do know some really, really, really GREAT Labs. There are a few that stand out in my mind as not only being great Labs, but they are literally some of the best dogs I know out of all breeds. However, the reason these particular dogs do stand out so much is because they are rare. For every awesome Lab I know, I encounter three or four times as many that are "problem" or difficult dogs, dogs that are destined to a life "in the backyard" or will be jockeyed from home to home to home, shelter, to shelter to shelter. The sad thing is, most of them wouldn't be difficult in the right home, but that's the thing. When a breed's popularity goes up, so does the indiscriminate breeding, the doubling up on both genetic and behavioral problems, and the misconceptions and mismatches of dogs to homes. Remember, I know this first hand. I'm the one with the great Dalmatian.
So, along with those statistics I just wish the AKC (ha, ha, ha) or someone would also publish the corresponding shelter and rescue statistics of those popular breeds. Perhaps that would help some prospective owners dig a little deeper beyond the popularity of the breed when trying to find a dog that matches their lifestyle. But most importantly, maybe, just maybe that would make some of these breeders think twice before adding more to either side. Ya think?
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Introduce Yourselves!
Okay, now that I've started inviting people to the blog, when you get here, please introduce yourselves! Undoubtedly most of you will know each other from classes, but who knows, we may get someone new from time to time.
Monday, January 1, 2007
Happy 2007!!
I've been wanting to create a blog on this site for quite some time. So, guess what one of my New Year's resolutions is? That's right, at long last, here it is.... my Dog Listeners blog. It's my hope that this blog can become interactive, with the Pup 'N Iron community adding comments, questions and their own insight as well. If you'd like to add comments to the blog, send me an email (onesmartpooch@aol.com) and you will be registered as a member of the blog. Remember, this blog is for sharing and listening.... to each other and to our dogs. Welcome!
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2007 isn't supposed to be the "Year of the Dog ", technically last year was, but I never let technicalities get in my way. In my life every year is the year of the dog, and has been for quite a long time. I've always described myself as the quintessential dog person. I am an animal lover in general, well, sort of. I think a better description would be an animal respecter. I respect all living things, well, sort of. I am known to kill plants, not intentionally, but I tend to forget they're there. As for rodents and insects - I can respect them as long as they remain in their own domain. Once they invade mine, it's on. But by and large, I have a great respect for animals, admire their beauty, and most of all, admire their pureness and simplicity.
But when it comes to companion animals, dog are it for me. Through the years I've had cats, birds, hamsters, and fish as pets, but that's just it - they were pets. I took care of their needs, fed them, gave them shelter, cleaned their litter boxes, cages, etc., but that was the extent of the relationship. The relationship I have with my dogs is much more than that. For one, they are an integral part of my life. Yes, I still clean up after them, feed them and give them shelter, but they have responsibilities in the relationship as well. They provide me and my family with reciprocated companionship and non-judgmental emotional support, but it goes even deeper. Through training, dog sports and therapy work, I've given my dogs additional duties, responsibilities and jobs. This has enhanced the relationship, promotes teamwork, and makes us more as partners rather than merely "caretaker and animal." After all, that is the historical basis of the human/canine connection. Whether we are to believe man brought dog into the relationship, and tamed him, or it was the dog's choice, the bottom line is the relationship was meant to be mutually beneficial. While we could trick outselves into believing that a dog wants to lie around on the floor or couch all day and night, deep down we know that isn't true. A dog is happiest when he is doing, and participating in the relationship, not just being a bystander. Watching a dog do what he was bred to do is one of the most exciting sights.
So, that's the goal. Creating mutually beneficial relationships with my dogs, and helping others to do so as well. This IS the Year of the Dog.
~Laurie
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2007 isn't supposed to be the "Year of the Dog ", technically last year was, but I never let technicalities get in my way. In my life every year is the year of the dog, and has been for quite a long time. I've always described myself as the quintessential dog person. I am an animal lover in general, well, sort of. I think a better description would be an animal respecter. I respect all living things, well, sort of. I am known to kill plants, not intentionally, but I tend to forget they're there. As for rodents and insects - I can respect them as long as they remain in their own domain. Once they invade mine, it's on. But by and large, I have a great respect for animals, admire their beauty, and most of all, admire their pureness and simplicity.
But when it comes to companion animals, dog are it for me. Through the years I've had cats, birds, hamsters, and fish as pets, but that's just it - they were pets. I took care of their needs, fed them, gave them shelter, cleaned their litter boxes, cages, etc., but that was the extent of the relationship. The relationship I have with my dogs is much more than that. For one, they are an integral part of my life. Yes, I still clean up after them, feed them and give them shelter, but they have responsibilities in the relationship as well. They provide me and my family with reciprocated companionship and non-judgmental emotional support, but it goes even deeper. Through training, dog sports and therapy work, I've given my dogs additional duties, responsibilities and jobs. This has enhanced the relationship, promotes teamwork, and makes us more as partners rather than merely "caretaker and animal." After all, that is the historical basis of the human/canine connection. Whether we are to believe man brought dog into the relationship, and tamed him, or it was the dog's choice, the bottom line is the relationship was meant to be mutually beneficial. While we could trick outselves into believing that a dog wants to lie around on the floor or couch all day and night, deep down we know that isn't true. A dog is happiest when he is doing, and participating in the relationship, not just being a bystander. Watching a dog do what he was bred to do is one of the most exciting sights.
So, that's the goal. Creating mutually beneficial relationships with my dogs, and helping others to do so as well. This IS the Year of the Dog.
~Laurie
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