For many, having a pet to love is one of the criteria used in a house selection. We include memories and experiences of our loved dogs, cats and other pets in our experience we call "home".
In our family, we've always had a dog (often more than one). Our dogs have always been integral part of our family experience. In the last few years, our love for dogs have actually turned into our hobby (or passion), as we now exhibit purebred cairn terriers in conformation shows and performance events.
We work with many clients who cite a new dog as one of their goals. I always ask them what kind of dog they like. I love to hear the dreams.
Selecting a dog is always a very emotional experience. For all the dogs in the world there is little education on actually how to acquire one. In fact many people see a cute little ball of fur in a pet store and make an impulse decision to buy....never knowing or thinking about the consequences of that action.
In fact, buying pet store puppies propagates extreme cruelty to dogs. Those puppies come from from puppy mill breeders. The breeding stock live in horrendous conditions and the puppy mill owners consider them an agricultural crop.
Last Friday on the Oprah show, she exposed puppy mill practices and good ways to pick your next dog. I have to admit that much of this show sent me sideways. I shed more than a few tears, especially when they showed dogs being rescued from brutal conditions and being placed into loving homes with wonderful care.
I thought the show was well done. Oprah knew that dog lovers would have a real problem watching this segment. She implored anyone who loves dogs to do the hard thing and watch the show, for a better understanding of the shady side of the dog world, and what to do about it.
Oprah exposed the horror of the puppy mills in a way I've never seen. The puppy mills visited were run by the Amish. The Amish and other puppy mill breeders consider the dogs an agricultural crop, similar to an ear of corn. The dogs are raised and housed in brutal conditions. A mid sized dog may live in a 2x2 rabbit style hutch with a wire bottom for his/her entire life. These cages are stacked so feces and urine move through to the lower inhabitants. Most of the dogs had severe coat and skin problems in addition to being filthy. The brutality of their practices know few boundaries. Their product is sold through pet stores.
They spotlighted a cocker female, who at 7 years old, a Humane Society rep was able to rescue. He estimated that she could have whelped as many as 140 puppies in her productive breeding life there. The farmer couldn't believe that anyone would let that girl walk inside their house on a carpet. He laughed at the thought.
The piece also showed the public what it was like to euthanize up to 40 dogs a day because of the over population problem in a big city shelter.
Oprah featured her personal vet who made a plea for spay and neuter, and the benefits of a spayed or neutered dog. They actually filmed an neuter operation to attempt to show how simple the procedure is.
She also showed committed dog lovers who run "no kill" shelters who are responsible for placing thousands of animals into homes.
The adoption of an old, blind dog was also shown. This was a sweet moment.
The AKC (American Kennel Club) had a statement about using responsible breeders.
The show was summed up with education about how to acquire a dog. They emphasized several times DO NOT buy puppies from a pet store. The vast majority of dogs in shelters ARE purebred dogs, and a new owners are likely to get any breed at most any age they choose. They also highlighted purebred rescue groups and individual breed rescue groups who are committed to taking care of their individual breeds. Reputable breeders who are committed to the care of any dog they whelp -- for as long as it lives-- was also explained and endorsed as a good way to acquire a dog.
If your vision of home includes owning a dog, please do some research and.....buy responsibly.
Here is a link from the Oprah website on "What you need to know before getting a dog"
To see a complete review of the Oprah segment and Lisa Ling's startling expose of puppy mills, CLICK HERE
To see more on our cairn terriers, go to our cairn terrier website, Crofters Dream, Working Cairn Terriers
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