lizblackdog (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lizblackdog) wrote2006-05-27 03:19 pm
lizblackdog) wrote2006-05-27 03:19 pm
Entry tags:
Take an eye into the world
*sigh*
where do you draw lines?
This morning, first dog walk of the day, I run into brindle pibble Kane's owner. They live in a house backing onto our building and I often look out of my kitchen window or Spike's lookout window and see her playing with Kane in her back garden. I like her. She has a good understanding of bully temperaments and is a keen observer of her own dog. Kane is loved and treated well, played with, trained and socialised. He's not being encouraged to be "hard and vicious", he's not being used to prop up someone's shaky masculinity, he's not being left in an outside run to bark his head off all day like the poor Rotties down Woodbury Avenue. There are so very many dogs that are so very much worse off than he is.
But they're breeding him. They have a new red and white bitch puppy that they're going to breed with him when she's old enough. What the hell do I say? I live next door to these people.
What I actually did was have my normal dog-oriented conversation with her. I couldn't help a little wince at the mention of puppies, and later on, when I was telling her about Cassie and her pregnancy, I let drop a comment about the number of pets being euthanised every year. I felt that saying that in reference to her own plans for her dog would have gone too far. I don't believe I could have achieved anything by ranting or lecturing, anyway - I'd just have pissed her off. Besides, Kane is a family dog and although she's the one spending the most time with him I doubt she's the one who's making the breeding decisions.
I do, honestly, believe I handled it the right way. I believe in picking my battles wisely, and what good would it do Kane or anyone to make enemies of my neighbours? I can't stop them breeding Kane now. I might - I pray that I might - have planted a seed of doubt that will make her think it over in the future. I really don't see what more I could have said or done.
...so why do I feel like such a dirty coward?
where do you draw lines?
This morning, first dog walk of the day, I run into brindle pibble Kane's owner. They live in a house backing onto our building and I often look out of my kitchen window or Spike's lookout window and see her playing with Kane in her back garden. I like her. She has a good understanding of bully temperaments and is a keen observer of her own dog. Kane is loved and treated well, played with, trained and socialised. He's not being encouraged to be "hard and vicious", he's not being used to prop up someone's shaky masculinity, he's not being left in an outside run to bark his head off all day like the poor Rotties down Woodbury Avenue. There are so very many dogs that are so very much worse off than he is.
But they're breeding him. They have a new red and white bitch puppy that they're going to breed with him when she's old enough. What the hell do I say? I live next door to these people.
What I actually did was have my normal dog-oriented conversation with her. I couldn't help a little wince at the mention of puppies, and later on, when I was telling her about Cassie and her pregnancy, I let drop a comment about the number of pets being euthanised every year. I felt that saying that in reference to her own plans for her dog would have gone too far. I don't believe I could have achieved anything by ranting or lecturing, anyway - I'd just have pissed her off. Besides, Kane is a family dog and although she's the one spending the most time with him I doubt she's the one who's making the breeding decisions.
I do, honestly, believe I handled it the right way. I believe in picking my battles wisely, and what good would it do Kane or anyone to make enemies of my neighbours? I can't stop them breeding Kane now. I might - I pray that I might - have planted a seed of doubt that will make her think it over in the future. I really don't see what more I could have said or done.
...so why do I feel like such a dirty coward?
no subject
Depending on their income and the main householder's employment status, they may be eligible for free vet care from the PDSA, though. Even if not, I've found that vets round here tend to be very good about deferring bills and paying in instalments.
judging by the conversation, their motivation is about 40% moneymaking and 60% "my dog is so great I want to make more just like him". that isn't a good reason but it's one that's better from the dog's point of view.
they're wrong on this, badly wrong, but they DO look after Kane well.
no subject
Its the puppy mill mentality that REALLY pisses me off. I HATE those people.....because when their animal DOES need medical care for its pregancy ALL they are thinking about is how much money they are losing and NOT what the animal is going through.