A few years ago, I realized that my arthritic knees had become more accurate at forecasting changes in the weather than the National Weather Service. Not that it came as a great surprise to me as, like most investigative reporters, I view anything emanating from a government agency as suspect. However, what I didn’t realize was that dogs–mine and those belonging to others–were even better at detecting weather changes in the offing than my knees.
I graduated from college with a degree in elementary education. A required class for that tract was a comprehensive immersion into children’s literature. With another major in English literature, it was an excellent pairing for me. Both of these majors have proven to be worthy assets in my life. From helping me guide our son through school to coaching new exhibitors in the ring–and to be sitting here writing for you, my faithful readers–I am grateful for that education.
The dog-loving general public has fallen for language that automatically makes purebred dog breeders the enemy of kindness and morality. As the marketing rolls out from animal rights groups into general-population usage through social media, pithy pronouncements like “adopt, don’t shop” take on mythical, magical, and poisonous properties. It’s up to the fancy to clap back on language that makes it easier for people to vote for laws that affect the rights to own and enjoy any kind of dog–purebred or mixed, intact or neutered, and even whether litters of puppies can legally be produced.
Legends come and go. Be they walking on four or two legs, one thing is certain–no one gets out of this life alive. And so it goes that over the last two years I have lost four people who were significant characters in my book of life. Each deserves a story but my focus for this piece will be my most recent loss.
Like many others, I stumbled into showing dogs. When I was nine, my neighbor took a chance, knocking on my door and asking for my help. I’d never even walked a dog before, much less considered showing one. I remember tentatively nodding before running my first ever down and back with a Chesapeake Bay Retriever happily bounding beside me. From that moment, though, I knew I was in the sport for the long haul. Since then, I have had numerous breeders offer me once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that have shaped me into who I am today. Without them taking the chance on me, I would have stayed stagnant.
Closet Confidential with Elaine Lessig. Outstanding Outerwear. Your clothing questions answered. It’s all about putting the power back in your hands by letting you ask questions. Should you wear this or that? What should you donate? How do you mix and match? How do you ensure your clothing isn’t wearing you? Elaine answers all these style […]
At this point, everyone clearly recognizes the connection between breed popularity and the secondary repercussions stemming from that. There are a multitude of danger zones attached to that fate. Obviously, no breed can survive or evolve without an ongoing core of dedicated fanciers. That is essential in order to maintain a sufficiently viable and diverse population and ensure competitive momentum. More participation definitely brings genetic advantages. That level of serious commitment also tends to curb exploitation–to some degree. Okay, we know that, right?
When a recent Supreme Court case struck down academic use of affirmative action, critics were quick to point out what was not impacted: legacy admissions. It’s the idea that because the parent, grandparent, etc., attended the university and was successful–or because they spent enough money–the child will also be successful and is ushered in, held to a different standard than the rest.
Have you had this experience? Your promising youngster turns into a seasoned special who loves to go to shows. Wins come easily, and soon the promising youngster is a Champion, then a Grand, and maybe even climbs the levels of Grand. Meanwhile, you’re bringing on another promising youngster and starting to leave your previous promising youngster home more and more.
Tail docking is not a new phenomenon. The ancient Romans advocated preventing rabies by cutting the tails off of puppies when they were 40 days old and then pulling out the long tendons. The tendons resembled worms, which were thought to cause rabies.
