Why We Need to Talk About Things

He excitedly told me that him and his wife took the plunge and got a dog. When I asked him where they got the dog, he replied that they bought him from a pet store in Portland, because they saw him and just had to have him. I felt like someone had slapped me in the face. I wasn’t able to understand how someone could legitimately buy a dog from a pet store, and then live with themselves. As I pondered the fact for a couple of days, I realized that many people who support pet stores and other negative dog places might not necessarily understand the actual consequences of doing so. If you ask the average person about puppy mills, they might tell you that they know it’s bad. They might also tell you that they really don’t think it’s a problem in our area, or that since it really doesn’t affect them, they don’t know why they should care. The average person does not understand the very harsh consequences of supporting these businesses in their entirety, and that is why I think that those of us who do need to talk more. The people I am speaking of are friends of mine, and they should have known better than to buy a dog from a pet store, and I clearly didn’t convince them well enough. I have never been accused of not talking enough, but I think that in this case, I needed to talk more. People might get tired of all of the talking, but as long as people are still buying puppy mill dogs, I for one am going to keep on talking.
Picture this: you walk into a pet store and you see that same puppy in the window. Instead of being so cute and cuddly he is dirty and smells of urine and feces. He has mats in his fur, and something that looks like an eye infection. Not only is there a puppy in the window, but there are seven of them crammed into a little cage. They are all climbing all over each other, treading sludge. There is a sign on the cage that labels them all as AKC registered. Also listed on the sign is the AKC annual revenue, and you learn that 80% of their income is supplied by puppy mills, and that they do nothing to stop this because hey, it’s a nice paycheck. AKC registration guarantees nothing about the dog’s health or well being, but simply collects a registration fee for a title. Paints a different picture doesn’t it? That puppy in the window might not look like this picture, but 24 hours ago he was in this exact situation, and the rest of his family probably still is, and will remain that way until there is no longer a demand for these puppies.
So what is the alternative? Most people don’t know that an estimated 6-8 million cats and dogs enter shelters every year, with half of them being killed, simply because no one wants them. That is 11,0000 animals being killed PER DAY. That also means that the next time you take a stroll through a shelter, half of the animals you see are going to be killed. Maybe not those exact half, since shelters kill rates are all very different. Knowing those types of statistics, are you still willing to support puppy mass production? Most all dogs in pet stores come from puppy mills. By supporting pet stores who purchase their dogs from puppy mills, you are getting your cute puppy, but you are supporting a horrific life for the rest of the dogs on the production line left back at the mill.
I have actually heard people say that there are no good dogs at the shelter and they want a good dog. Once again, these people are completely misinformed and misguided. It is estimated that 25% of the dogs in shelters are purebred dogs. Regardless of the tireless convincing about the benefits of owning a “blend”, some people are just not satisfied unless they have a “purebred”. Well guess what? People with purebred dogs have the same problems as everyone else with allergies, misbehavior, and every other reason/excuse for relinquishing a dog, and guess where they end up? At the shelter. I have visited and volunteered at many different shelters, and have met hundreds of dogs who have come from shelters, and I don’t have to be the first person to tell you that they are amazing.
So is this what our society has come down to? Do people really believe that there are no good dogs in shelters? If so, WHY do they believe that, and what can we do to show them the truth? For some people, this might be common knowledge, but for the person who doesn’t know any better, it’s not their fault that they were never told these facts. I could place some fault on them for not doing their research, but no one is perfect.
There is also something that needs to be said about the selection of dogs in a shelter. I personally believe that you cannot dream up, or buy the perfect dog. While I feel it necessary to research the common traits and behaviors of certain breeds to match your family’s personal lifestyle, I also believe that you will connect with the dog that is right for you. Sometimes it might be a little easier to walk into a pet store and just pick your puppy out from a wall and take him home. When you walk into a shelter, the experience may be less than pleasant, and you might not find the dog you are looking for the first time around. So I am prompted to ask, if you are shopping for a car, do you just go to one dealership and say, “I want that one!” and drive home? No, you look around, compare options, go home and think about it, you go back and see if they might have a new selection. You have to understand that adopting from a shelter is not exactly like shopping from a store. It takes a little more work and extra effort than that, but it is work that is well worth it. There is also something very special about adopting a dog that is not a puppy anymore. Also, if you are really looking for a very specific dog, more than often the shelter will be willing to work with you to help you find this dog. They want to find good matches for all of their dogs, and will usually be very receptive if you just take the time to ask.
When a puppy comes from a puppy mill, they are likely to have health problems, due mostly to the conditions that they are born in, as well as the inbred tactics of the “breeders”. These dogs are also not fixed, and the puppy store generally does not encourage them to do so. When you adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue group, the fee is considerably lower than purchasing a dog. The dog is usually already fixed, which saves a lot of money, and also encourages spaying and neutering, which, if not done as early as possible can be put off until it is too late. These dogs also have had their first vet checkup, and generally come with a coupon for a free follow up visit. The dogs in pet stores usually come without having any previous medical attention, and absolutely no health guarantees. Many people make the misconception that AKC registration will protect them if their new prized possession turns out to be a “lemon”, but that is not true. In some states there are laws in place if this were to happen, but they generally don’t make for a happy outcome for the dog, which is supposed to be our main concern here.
If you are like me and already live by these standards, please talk about them. Please understand that not everyone is interested in this stuff, and doesn’t spend hours researching puppy mills. Their lives simply are not surrounded by this information, so who are we to blame them for not knowing. This is why we all need to talk more. If you know someone who is considering getting a dog, talk to them. You might be saying stuff they have already heard, but you might just convince them to adopt. You never know what you are going to get out of a conversation, and we have a lot to gain here. It may be unfathomable for us to understand, but some people truly believe that they are above shelter dogs, and if that statement does not give you the motivation to talk, then I don’t know what will.

Snow Dogs

I woke up this morning to another snowy day in Maine. As I looked out my window and saw the large falling flakes, I began to prepare to write a piece about dog fighting and its effect on our society. After the recent and tragic loss of Fay, a previous fighter, I was feeling the need to write about why we, as Mainers should be very concerned about dog fighting and the very tragic effects it has on dogs and communities. But as I sat at my kitchen table, laptop in hand, my own two dogs had another idea. Sherwood & Ace are both lab/lab blend breed dogs, and they (obviously) require not only a lot of physical exercise, but also a lot of mental stimulation. I heard Ace crying like someone just stole his kibble and I went to find him standing at the top of the stairs with one of my socks hanging out of his mouth. This is Ace’s way of saying “Mom, I’m bored come pay attention to me”. I obtained the sock back and proceeded to the kitchen for a fix all. I found two of their food-brain games and filled them with kibble. “This ought to entertain them long enough that I can finish writing” I thought. They both played with their food toys and got all of the kibble out of them surprisingly fast (I think they are catching on to them). I began to write, and soon enough, they were both back at my feet, ready for their next challenge.
I decided that I wasn’t going to get much work done until I had satisfied my two dogs, so I bravely asked in that kind of tone that only a dog can get excited about “wanna go for a walk?” It was a brave decision considering the weather conditions, but I figured that it would be fun, and a good time for us to spend together. I bundled us all up, and we headed outside up the hill.
Knowing how large plow trucks are, and how little our roads are, I was very skeptical about walking very far on the main road, so I found a clearing up on the hill where we could stop and play. If you have never actually taken your dog outside to play in the snow, and I don’t mean let him out, I mean take him out, you are truly missing out on another amazing trait of the canine species. No matter what might have you down, I promise, if you take your dog out to play in the snow, I guarantee he will have you rolling in the snow with him laughing. Ace likes to scrunch down like a cat preparing to pounce, and then dart back and forth in the snow. They both also dig in the snow like it is a giant, tasty sandbox. The great thing about this sandbox, however, is that they don’t get in trouble for digging up the flowers when they play in it. I make a large snowball and ask Ace if he is ready, he sits back and stares at me, like I am the only Mom in the world, and waits for me to throw it. I throw it up in the air, and he jumps up to grab it. He grabs the snow in his teeth and it diminishes to flakes again, soaking his mouth with cold water. Sherwood rolls around in the snow until he is no longer very chocolate looking. I am thinking to myself, “I really hope the neighbors are watching, because this is hilarious!” Both of their eyes fill with that look that a dog gets when he is really really excited about something.
After a while of playing, I am starting to get cold, so we decide to walk (or prance) back the house and warm up with some hot cocoa for me, and treats for the boys. I have successfully found a fun activity that helps bond us all together, give the dogs some well needed exercise, and give me more laughs than I can possibly write down on paper, all in our backyard, and without spending any money. I encourage you to take your dogs out to play in the snow today; I promise you will not regret it, and he will surely love you for it!
Have fun!