A Conversation I Had To Share

[Nekhbet]

This is true, there should be a prime time tv show called WHAT IT MEANS TO OWN A K9 - The responsible owners Guide

animals in general. We have an absolutely appaling idea of animal welfare here in Australia and what is right/wrong. It's so backwards in some cases it's not funny.

[LizT]

thats pretty sad.... I know that I assume everyone is responsible dog educated, and apparently thats not the case... the government should invest some money aside to educate the general australian public

no first we educate the government ...

then we educate the 'animal professionals'

then it will filter down to the public. You can't make the public responsible if the resources they go to are behind.

This is true, there should be a prime time tv show called WHAT IT MEANS TO OWN A K9 - The responsible owners Guide :)...

I don't know too much conflicting advice from "experts" already. Just look at the viewpoint Don Burke directed the public with.

[Nekhbet]

I don't know too much conflicting advice from "experts" already. Just look at the viewpoint Don Burke directed the public with.

And I think this is where we go wrong. We seem to not be able to distinguish between a true professional and someone who is a promoter.

People like Don Bourke are promoters. He is paid to promote things whether he knows about them or not. He vaguely has experience in the field so hence the information spewing forth seems to come from a more 'credible source'. He was always a gardener, how that filtered down to a pet professional is beyond me. I put Dr CHesty Bonds in this category because his lack of knowledge about dog care and behavior, and his riding of paid advertising/bandwagons makes him look like a commercialist douchebag.

Then there are the true professionals who actually have real experience and dedicated knowledge in that field. They are usually the ones NOT pushed into our faces because they cannot be manipulated to promote the latest greatest fad and have a strong opinion.

Now out of these two who do we tend to listen to ... remember the empty cart tends to make the most noise.

Commercial advertising and promotion is about an agenda. That agenda is to make money not to make sure the right thing is done.

[LizT]

I don't know too much conflicting advice from "experts" already. Just look at the viewpoint Don Burke directed the public with.

And I think this is where we go wrong. We seem to not be able to distinguish between a true professional and someone who is a promoter.

People like Don Bourke are promoters. He is paid to promote things whether he knows about them or not. He vaguely has experience in the field so hence the information spewing forth seems to come from a more 'credible source'. He was always a gardener, how that filtered down to a pet professional is beyond me. I put Dr CHesty Bonds in this category because his lack of knowledge about dog care and behavior, and his riding of paid advertising/bandwagons makes him look like a commercialist douchebag.

Then there are the true professionals who actually have real experience and dedicated knowledge in that field. They are usually the ones NOT pushed into our faces because they cannot be manipulated to promote the latest greatest fad and have a strong opinion.

Now out of these two who do we tend to listen to ... remember the empty cart tends to make the most noise.

Commercial advertising and promotion is about an agenda. That agenda is to make money not to make sure the right thing is done.

Precisely the problem. But people hold onto this information barage and run with it. For some reason it really sticks with them. Oh, and 'Dr. Chesty Bonds' must be right 'cos he's "cough" good looking and a proferssional, so w'ell go with what he says. Even if it conflicts from one week to the next or confuses the shite out of everyone.

[mumof4girls]

People baffle me, they really do.

And yes, no matter how intelligent someone is, brainpower doesn't always equal common sense.

It also seems that in this day and age people are letting their kids make all the decisions!

One of the most 'professionally accomplished' women I know recently bought a puppy from a petshop, even though all her FB friends tried to talk her out of it (they wanted a puppy NOW and she "couldn't let the kids down").

Then the other very smart, triple degreed, friend of mine who went to "visit a breeder who had all these different breeds of beautiful designer puppies", and they HAD to take one home then and there as it was a 3 hour round trip and again, "The kids were desperate to take one home".

My little one is 6, she knows we are getting a puppy, but has been told that we are waiting until we can get "the right puppy", and it may take months. It's a great lesson.

Sorry, went a bit off topic there with my ranting...

I'm with you rosaline, makes you wonder who the parents are.. parents that have to "please" their children really annoy me, they are teaching their children to be selfish, demanding and not very nice people by giving into them all the time to make them happy.. ugh don't get me started..

[mumof4girls]

So true pollywaffle.

My OH sister had a mature dog bought as a pup .. Well they wanted a younger dog now so they left it at her mothers just for a holiday... The next week they brought home a pup so couldn't possibly take the older dog back ... Unbelievable, how can you turn off your feelings for a dog you have had since a pup :-( anyway the mother wasn't happy but has accepted the dog as she won't put it to sleep.. At least it will live out the rest of its life with someone that is now bonding to him...

I'm related to people who when can't be bothered with the animal anymore just open the gate and 'it will find itself a new home' or 'someone will pick it up and look after it'. It still happens around Geelong too, if in doubt let them wander, someone else will be responsible on your behalf

Conversely, take your untrained, unsocialised and now high maintenance crazy to the pound because they will ALL find new homes! Despite the fact there is another 50 JUST LIKE YOURS!

I seemed to have missed the mail out of rose tinted glasses ...

Very sad, not sure how they can live with themselves..

[mumof4girls]

So true pollywaffle.

My OH sister had a mature dog bought as a pup .. Well they wanted a younger dog now so they left it at her mothers just for a holiday... The next week they brought home a pup so couldn't possibly take the older dog back ... Unbelievable, how can you turn off your feelings for a dog you have had since a pup :-( anyway the mother wasn't happy but has accepted the dog as she won't put it to sleep.. At least it will live out the rest of its life with someone that is now bonding to him...

I'm related to people who when can't be bothered with the animal anymore just open the gate and 'it will find itself a new home' or 'someone will pick it up and look after it'. It still happens around Geelong too, if in doubt let them wander, someone else will be responsible on your behalf

Conversely, take your untrained, unsocialised and now high maintenance crazy to the pound because they will ALL find new homes! Despite the fact there is another 50 JUST LIKE YOURS!

I seemed to have missed the mail out of rose tinted glasses ...

Very sad, not sure how they can live with themselves..

[LizT]

People baffle me, they really do.

And yes, no matter how intelligent someone is, brainpower doesn't always equal common sense.

It also seems that in this day and age people are letting their kids make all the decisions!

One of the most 'professionally accomplished' women I know recently bought a puppy from a petshop, even though all her FB friends tried to talk her out of it (they wanted a puppy NOW and she "couldn't let the kids down").

Then the other very smart, triple degreed, friend of mine who went to "visit a breeder who had all these different breeds of beautiful designer puppies", and they HAD to take one home then and there as it was a 3 hour round trip and again, "The kids were desperate to take one home".

My little one is 6, she knows we are getting a puppy, but has been told that we are waiting until we can get "the right puppy", and it may take months. It's a great lesson.

Sorry, went a bit off topic there with my ranting...

I'm with you rosaline, makes you wonder who the parents are.. parents that have to "please" their children really annoy me, they are teaching their children to be selfish, demanding and not very nice people by giving into them all the time to make them happy.. ugh don't get me started..

In fairness it is VERY hard to go "visit" puppies you have an option of buying without coming home with one, even as an adult. :) Especially if it is a Pet only!! If they had truly not been intending to get a puppy that day they would not have gone for a 'look' or brought the kids with them. Adults often use the "don't want to dissapoint the kids" excuse for justifying their decisions.

[Jordan Windebank]

I just don't understand why pet ownership laws aren't significantly tougher. You should need a license to own a pet and unless you are a registered breeder, you should be legally forced to desex your pet.

Vets should be legally forced to report cases of non-compliance and penalties should be harsh.

I don't understand how people can not value the lives and well-being of these animals.

[LizT]

I just don't understand why pet ownership laws aren't significantly tougher. You should need a license to own a pet and unless you are a registered breeder, you should be legally forced to desex your pet.

Vets should be legally forced to report cases of non-compliance and penalties should be harsh.

I don't understand how people can not value the lives and well-being of these animals.

You would be surprised on how many truly responsible pet owners would disagree with you on mandatory desexing. There are different view points, all posing a reasonable arguement, on that particular hot potatoe. :)

E.T.A. short of pre-natal classes there is no real 'education on parenting", any idiot can go out and have a baby.

Pet ownership still comes way after many other social issues.

Edited January 30, 2012 by LizT

[Jordan Windebank]

You would be surprised on how many truly responsible pet owners would disagree with you on mandatory desexing. There are different view points, all posing a reasonable arguement, on that particular hot potatoe. :)

I know, and it is definitely a position not well thought out but surely there has to be a solution to the endless breeding of poorly raised animals that keeps the cycle going. Perhaps those who want to keep their pets whole need to request a special exemption and prove that they will be responsible. Or face tougher punishment if those people are then found to have bred when they agreed not to. I don't know, is it really this futile?

E.T.A. short of pre-natal classes there is no real 'education on parenting", any idiot can go out and have a baby.

Pet ownership still comes way after many other social issues.

This is true, however children have society in general looking after their welfare. It is much, much harder to just dump a child than it is a pet.

[LizT]

You would be surprised on how many truly responsible pet owners would disagree with you on mandatory desexing. There are different view points, all posing a reasonable arguement, on that particular hot potatoe. :)

I know, and it is definitely a position not well thought out but surely there has to be a solution to the endless breeding of poorly raised animals that keeps the cycle going. Perhaps those who want to keep their pets whole need to request a special exemption and prove that they will be responsible. Or face tougher punishment if those people are then found to have bred when they agreed not to. I don't know, is it really this futile?

E.T.A. short of pre-natal classes there is no real 'education on parenting", any idiot can go out and have a baby.

Pet ownership still comes way after many other social issues.

This is true, however children have society in general looking after their welfare. It is much, much harder to just dump a child than it is a pet.

Sometimes it seems as such, when all local council does is raise the revenue with higher rates for entires not connected with an organised group such as Obedience Clubs or ANKC members, it all about money and you know this isn't really an incentive.

Thankfully no, but you all to often hear of sad situations where society lets these children down time and time again. But that's another topic.

Edited January 30, 2012 by LizT