Somebody Has To Do Something

By Gay Dunlap

Jerry Garcia’s famous quote comes to mind at times like these… “Somebody has to do something, and it’s just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us.” To paraphrase, “Somebody has to do something and it better be us!” There’s another quote that works well under the current circumstances as well, and I mean those circumstances dancing around the fact that animal rights’ groups are continuing to breathe down our necks. Attributed to the Eighteenth Century statesman, Edmund Burke, it goes something like this, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Many of us, unfortunately, seem willing to let the days go by either with our heads buried in the sand or sitting on our hands, assuming that the picture HSUS presents to the public regarding purebred dogs will just go away. Or, if that doesn’t happen, that others will step up to the plate and take care of the problem for us. Not meaning to be judgmental here since I tend to be as guilty as the next with my time at a premium, coupled with the fact that I, like so many, have lost a bit of my creative spark over the years and often do not take the time necessary to think “outside the box”.

Thankfully, however, there are those who can and do. For example, Cathy De La Garza, active member of the Galveston Kennel Club, AKC delegate and judge, recognizes the outstanding opportunity for educating the public that presents itself at most of our events. Right in front of our noses is an opening for sending spectators home with a clear idea about who we are, what we do, the importance of AKC and why purebred dogs are valued. How many show-giving clubs are taking advantage of this opportunity? Cathy came up with some innovative ideas for boosting spectator numbers, a sensible prerequisite for reaching and subsequently pounding home our message to large numbers of John Q. One suggestion was that shows in large metropolitan areas look into the possibility of utilizing the amber alert signs. These are quite affordable and can flash an event both before and while it is in progress. As Cathy points out, the public has been conditioned to pay attention to these flashing lights, making them a very effective advertising tool, and cheaper than billboards. Speaking of billboards, some California dog fanciers thought outside the box with Kathy Grayson and Marion Bradshaw’s creation called Bucks for Billboards. Obviously not so costly on the west coast, the group was guaranteed billboards at $60.00 each and, with simple almost child-like money making schemes like bake sales and raffles, they raised enough money to put up 250 billboards! NAIA, the National Animal Interest Alliance, whose mission it is to promote the welfare of animals and to both strengthen the human-animal bond and protect the rights of responsible animal owners, spearheaded by Patti Strand, has taken the Bucks for Billboards project under their umbrella and is seeking donations for not only this but for the funding of other projects that allow us to educate the public about AR extremism and to explain the difference between animal rights and animal welfare, basically, the difference between them and us.

Show-giving clubs across the country appear to both support and, if nothing more, at least pay lip service to educating the public about purebred dogs, responsible dog ownership and animal welfare. Many, however, may not be conscious of the fact that our dog shows, especially those that attract a large gate, provide golden opportunities to not only educate the public and explain our raison d’être and the many ways AKC serves the canine world but to also point out the faulty logic of the various animal rights groups and exactly how their agenda will affect not just us as purebred dog fanciers but every citizen of this country as well.

The first weekend of the year always takes me to Palm Springs and this year was no exception. But there was something new afoot. It all began as Kathy Grosso, the KC of Palm Springs’ able show chairman, was watching the Rose Parade a year prior and noted the vast numbers of animals taking part in the parade. How would this parade be different, she wondered, if the AR folks had their way? So she set out to compile a list starting with no animals in the Rose Parade and adding every activity, every service and, in short, every aspect of our lives that would be dramatically altered if HSUS/PETA’s agenda became a fait accompli. This list was then developed into a flyer emblazoned with the heading, “THINK YOU’RE IN THE KNOW??…THINK AGAIN!” The end result, thanks to Kathy’s flyer and, once again, to Marion Bradshaw’s tenacious resolve, was the printing of 300 copies, 100 of which Marion personally taped on tent poles around the Palm Springs show grounds, saving the remainder for handouts. Palm Springs also hosted a ”Meet The Breeds,” patterned after AKC’s successful event, on Saturday.

The club has a history of extensive PR prior to the show and as a result draws a strong gate. Thanks again to the Bradshaws, tours were set up, announced on the loud speaker hourly and signs, printed on shocking pink poster paper, were strategically placed announcing “TOURS, SAT, SUN, 10:00, 11:00, 1:30. Meet at Supt’s Table.” Tour guides were people that responded positively to an email plea from Marion for volunteers. A “script” of sorts was provided so that the guides would all be “on the same page” and so that the idea would seem less daunting. Animal rights’ issues were carefully woven into the script. Reports indicated that people were lined up and waiting for the tour to begin for each time slot on both days and that some 80-90 people were exposed to the information provided during the tours. A closing statement at the end of each tour directed participants to a legislation table where CaRPOC (Ca Responsible Pet Ownership Coalition) VP, Stormy Hope, offered AKC materials, Humane Watch flyer reprints and legislation information on PUPS HR835 (the congressional bill negatively affecting breeders). Certainly The Kennel Club of Palm Springs has raised the bar for all show-giving clubs. The public simply does not understand the potential loss of so many of life’s pleasures if AR organizations succeeded in their efforts to turn our world upside down. The guided tour idea is an impressive tool for disseminating information without sounding “preachy.” As one visitor commented following her tour, “I had no idea!”

The Dog Show Tour concept has been carried home to Arizona and will be offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the Fiesta Circuit at West World in Scottsdale the first weekend in March. Kathy Grosso’s flyer will be plastered all over the show grounds as well. The fancy must take responsibility for seeing that the public understands the seriousness of our battle for it is their battle as well. Because if we don’t, who? Let’s hope many other clubs will take heed and follow their lead.

Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=2817

Posted by admin on Mar 19 2012. Filed under Breaking News, Current Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.