[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: in response to "my new years rant"....
- From: "Kathy Partch" <jokaysedona@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 06:25:18 -0700
I totally understand all of your concerns with this issue. And it's a big
one to always monitor. When a dog or puppy leaves to their new home it's a
huge decision in making sure they go to the right person/s. We can only do
our best in that transition. I was a small breeder in my day. But my puppies
were more important to me than anything I could think of. And when someone
didn't follow through with what we had agreed on I became devastated. I lost
sleepless nights over the worry for that particular puppy that went to the
wrong home. To fight the fight is sometimes grueling. Some people will
promise you the world with that puppy and that signature sometimes doesn't
mean a darn thing once the puppy is gone. We only try our best to make sure
all things go they way they should.
I've found working with some of those new puppy people which is extremely
interesting or devastating. Some people that I wasn't quite sure about
turned out to be the most fantastic ones. I can remember to this day one man
that came to my house with his promise on a pet puppy. When he left I told
my husband, "I just have this feeling I shouldn't have let that puppy go
with him." I had the man come back a number of times so I could get to know
him better. The gentlemen didn't live far from me so I could keep taps on
everything. I was SO wrong about that person. He did everything correctly
with his new companion. He loved that puppy/dog more than anything in his
life & carried for that dog like a piece of gold. He took him every place
with him. He brought the dog back for visits so I could see how he grew and
what he had taught him. It warmed my heart greatly. He told me he loved that
dog more than anything he had ever had in his life. Why couldn't I read this
person well enough in the beginning? I was totally wrong in my feelings
about him. And he proved me wrong.
Then I sold a show potential to a well-to-do man who had a cattle ranch. He
insisted on this particular puppy I had. He wanted to teach the dog herding
and so much more. The man seemed to be the most perfect person ever for one
of my GSD puppies. I was excited for this home. He and his wife turned out
to be a nightmare of numerous issues I could never communicate with. I was
SO incorrect about that couple it made me sad and forever cautious the next
time. So there are many stories out there in who gets our precious
dogs/puppies and sometimes the disappointments that come with them. Kathy
Partch
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dawn Restuccia" <windwych@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "gsd" <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2012 5:40 AM
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] in response to "my new years rant"....
Thanks to all for understanding my little melt down.
Someone on the other list asked if we could somehow get the puppy away from
the people. The problem is the mentality behind the action. We, as
RESPONSIBLE owners, have the obligation to educate people regarding the care
and welfare of these precious souls at every opportunity. For each person
that we enlighten, we can effectively change the life of a dog forever. It
needs to begin in kindergarten. If you are involved in your local club,
consider offering to conduct a seminar on animal care at your local
elementary school or even at the local feed and grain store. Show people how
to read a nutrition lable on the dog food they are purchasing.
The old saying "garbage in, garbage out" holds true for our companion
animals too. Many behavioral issues can be addressed by a simple change in
diet, thereby stopping a frustrated owner from dumping their little charge
at the "shelter".
Don't be afraid to approach someone at the feed store who may be confused
with regard to food choices. Engage them in conversation about their
dog...no matter WHAT breed...compliment them on their animal while maybe
eliciting information on the living situation for that dog. Be WILLING to
contact your local animal control officer (and FOLLOW IT UP) when you see a
dog who is left on a chain, or in a kennel without proper food, shelter or
area for exercise. Some states have anti tethering laws (In CT you cannot
leave an animal outdoors 24/7) which deserve our support as a dog enthusiast
community. NO DOG DESERVES TO LIVE ON A CHAIN. It is a sentence that, were
it imposed on a human, would be LOUDLY decried by the ACLU. It is NO life
for that dog. The incidence of dog bites rises exponentially when a dog is
chained. And who pays the price for this atrocity? The dog, of course.
Usually with his life.
Dogs Deserve Better is an organization that strives to get dogs off chains,
and out of filthy pens by educating the owners, offering to build an
enclosure for the dog at the organizations expense or offering to find an
alternative home for the dog. I will never forget one of the videos I saw on
their site of a coated GSD with dysplaysia living in a pen where she could
not even escape her own feces. They have helped MANY GSDs (yes, including
Doogie who Tamira faced a jail sentence to rescue)and hundreds of dogs are
now living better lives because of their commitment. Their yearly "Chain
Off" event raises awareness and money nationally. A bit extreme? Well,
maybe...but all you need to watch is their video "I Am Unseen" to realize
that NOTHING is too extreme when it comes to saving these hapless creatures.
While you may not agree with all of their edicts, it is folly to "throw the
baby out with the bath water". PETA/HSUS they are decidedly not.
In a world where people seem to have lost their ability to have compassion
for one another, wouldn't it be wonderful if the love of a dog could change
it? What better dog than a German Shepherd?
Thanks again for listening!
Dawn Restuccia, Pres.
Last Hope, Safe Haven Inc.
Lasthopesafehaven.com
501c3 non profit charity
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