Our planet has become over run with pets no one wants. We in our wisdom as a society decide the only way to handle it is to sweep the problem under the rug. I say this because instead of getting out there and strengthening animal welfare legislation, and then following through by enforcing animal welfare laws the government simply sanctions mass murder. If I had a nickel for every time I have heard someone say "it's just a dog it doesn't have feelings," I would be very rich and would have many more dogs. Why would I have many more dogs? Simply this, to save their lives.
Animals as pets have a purpose in life, they are there for companionship, some help us in the work we do. They comfort you when you are at your worst, and celebrate with you when times are good. They are loyal, and protective, two traits that require an emotional attachment. They are living breathing cognitive beings. We as humans act as if they as animals are not as intelligent or civilized as we are. Ask yourself this question however, "are we truly more intelligent than they, or do we simply not recognize their intelligence because we can not communicate with them?"
I share my life with multiple dogs as many of you are aware. I know my dogs quite well because I work with them on a daily basis. They think, they feel, and they have a society structure as we do. As a matter of fact the pack mentality is not that much different from our own idea of family. The old teach the young, the pack is run by a patriarchal alpha male, and each member has a social position. When you think of them in this manner it is very difficult to justify the mass euthanization of "unwanted" animals that is carried out in our so called "civilized" society.
Where are the efforts to stem the tide of abusively bred puppies flooding onto the market from the operation of puppy mills? Where are the serious efforts of authorities to close these operations? Why are more organizations not looking to shelters and rescue agencies for trainable service dogs? Why are there not more community organizations with programs that involve dogs? The therapeutic benefits of animals have been scientifically proven. Could we not introduce social programs that saw us training rescued animals to work with different special needs groups? I have a million questions, and a million answers, but I need help to make a difference. I have saved many on my own, but I won't be here forever. We need to educate the next generation on responsible pet ownership, and responsible breeding. We must toughen legislation, and mandate enforcement of said legislation. Once again I guess what I am saying is we must get involved. I ask you all to join me. I welcome discussion on how to begin to take the steps necessary to improve the future for animals everywhere.
Remember animals have a purpose they are living breathing, cognitive beings and should never be treated as a commodity. We wouldn't farm children for adoption, and we shouldn't farm puppies for sale.
I owe my life to a dog, I don't want recognition, I don't care who knows my name, I just want to save lives. After all, such a sacrifice should be paid forward. I wouldn't have it any other way.
March 12, 2010
March 8, 2010
If you want CHANGE get off your butt and GET INVOLVED!
I am a dog trainer, and I know that every time the country goes into a recession thousands of animals are strayed. This also means that thousands of dogs are left to breed at will. Breeding at will creates of course an over abundance of puppies. Our neighbors to the south in the U.S seem to think the answer to this overpopulation problem is to take these animals and place them in what are known on the rescue circuit as High-kill shelters. These are shelters which hold the animal for a short period of time and then euthanize it using the excuse that it was an unadoptable animal. Thousands of dogs meet their end each year in this manner. Some have not yet seen their second month of life! I have never met an unadoptable puppy, have you?
This is not however the subject of my rant, although I will file it away for later addressing. I write today to ask a question which has been annoying me now for quite some time, "Why does everyone seem to think that rescuing the lives of these animals isn't their problem?" Now let me qualify that question with a little background.
I of course am on the social media giant Facebook, I also belong to many animal rights and animal rescue organizations. As such I see an awful lot of postings about animals in high-kill shelters in the U.S states. Urgent cases that need attention now. I also see the replies to those postings, responses like "oh, the poor things! Well I hope someone takes them before it is too late!" and "I would help if I could but my dog doesn't like other dogs." or "if I didn't already have a cat..." You have one cat and don't have room for another? Baloney, I have five, and if need be there is always room for another. You hope someone takes them before it is too late? Why is that someone not YOU?
Everyone reads the same posts as I do, they comment about how sad they are they can not help but hope others will. This is what is wrong with the planet, all of us waiting for someone else to do the work, for someone else to solve the problem, no one willing to be the person who effects the change. So you already have one dog, is one more really going to make that much difference to you? If every household that already had one, took in a second cat or dog imagine how far that could go toward solving the problem?
Do not applaud or pat me on the back and say "great idea!" The concept is not mine, but comes from the brain of Viktor Larkhill of Let's Adopt! International. Viktor calls it +1. For more information on +1 and Let's Adopt! go to http://canada.myletsadopt.com/
My point even though we have arrived here by a meandering path, is simply this, are you going to be the one who sits on the sidelines and never gets into the game, yet blames everyone else for the score? Or, are you going to be the MVP get in there and make a difference?
Balls in your court now! So what's it gonna be? Talk about it here talk about it where ever you like, but talk about it, and get off your ass and make a difference!
This is not however the subject of my rant, although I will file it away for later addressing. I write today to ask a question which has been annoying me now for quite some time, "Why does everyone seem to think that rescuing the lives of these animals isn't their problem?" Now let me qualify that question with a little background.
I of course am on the social media giant Facebook, I also belong to many animal rights and animal rescue organizations. As such I see an awful lot of postings about animals in high-kill shelters in the U.S states. Urgent cases that need attention now. I also see the replies to those postings, responses like "oh, the poor things! Well I hope someone takes them before it is too late!" and "I would help if I could but my dog doesn't like other dogs." or "if I didn't already have a cat..." You have one cat and don't have room for another? Baloney, I have five, and if need be there is always room for another. You hope someone takes them before it is too late? Why is that someone not YOU?
Everyone reads the same posts as I do, they comment about how sad they are they can not help but hope others will. This is what is wrong with the planet, all of us waiting for someone else to do the work, for someone else to solve the problem, no one willing to be the person who effects the change. So you already have one dog, is one more really going to make that much difference to you? If every household that already had one, took in a second cat or dog imagine how far that could go toward solving the problem?
Do not applaud or pat me on the back and say "great idea!" The concept is not mine, but comes from the brain of Viktor Larkhill of Let's Adopt! International. Viktor calls it +1. For more information on +1 and Let's Adopt! go to http://canada.myletsadopt.com/
My point even though we have arrived here by a meandering path, is simply this, are you going to be the one who sits on the sidelines and never gets into the game, yet blames everyone else for the score? Or, are you going to be the MVP get in there and make a difference?
Balls in your court now! So what's it gonna be? Talk about it here talk about it where ever you like, but talk about it, and get off your ass and make a difference!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)