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Natural History

by Scottie Westfall

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Time to hang it up

September 5, 2015 by SWestfall3

golden retriever working

I promise to keep everyone posted about Miley’s recovery, but other than that, I’ve decided that I’m no longer doing a dog-focused blog from this time forward.

The internet culture around dogs is not a good one. We have to deal with outrage culture mixed in with liars and demagogues and people who market by cult of personality. It is a world where bullshit piles up faster than you can ever hope to shovel.

I am not a dog expert. I have never been.

I know a few things, and I know enough to know I don’t know much.

It’s time for me to step away from this quagmire of schisms and focus on animals that aren’t nearly this controversial.

I leave the door open that I might return to this topic at some point in the future.

It’s not that I don’t have more to say. It’s that it’s pointless to say it.

I wrote about dogs to reconnect with a simpler time and place, where dogs gave me peace and joy and complete fascination. I may write about those dogs again. They were behind every post I wrote. Their ghosts loomed deep in my psyche and still do on nights when they appear in my dreams.

The world of dogs is about the world of people, and unfortunately, dogs bring out both the best and the worst in us all.

And the worst as pretty much beaten me.

So I hope you’ll stay for the wildlife and nature posts.

Maybe I’ll return to this topic another time.

But right now, the online dog world is full of Donald Trumps and Geraldo Riveras, and it’s just not a place where I fit or compete well.

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Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments

10 Responses

  1. on September 6, 2015 at 2:34 am dorothea penizek

    Your choice. A bit nose out of joint but I like the ducks and wildlife posts a lot…even better…so please keep them coming!


  2. on September 6, 2015 at 6:06 am pippakin

    I sincerely hope you don’t have to be an expert on dogs to write about them or I’d never be able to write about mine. I may not agree with some but I do enjoy your posts about all animals including dogs. Don’t be browbeaten into giving up something you believe and/or enjoy.


  3. on September 6, 2015 at 9:44 am M.R.S.

    “. . . Pointless to say it. .”. ?? No. There certainly are readers who appreciate the musings of one not involved with all that muddle and mayhem. And for those who are historically minded (like myself) the many references and old texts you’ve brought to our attention are invaluable.


  4. on September 6, 2015 at 4:25 pm Kim

    I’ll miss you.


  5. on September 6, 2015 at 5:17 pm nebbie916

    It’s your choice. I like your duck and wildlife posts, and some more cat and wildcat (Felis silvestris) posts would be interesting. I enjoy all your posts, especially the taxonomy related ones.


  6. on September 6, 2015 at 5:47 pm kittenz

    I enjoy your dog-related posts most of all. All those self-described dog experts, the doggie Trumps and doggie Riveras and all the other doggie humps, matter not one whit to people who know dogs the only REAL way to know them: by spending their lives with them, with both their eyes and their minds open.

    But … as a longtime participant, first in your blog, then mainly in the facebook group, I have sensed a definite burnout. Not so much a burning out, as a burning down. And every “dog expert” out there seems to have a bucket of water ready to throw on the flames.

    There are always going to be way more horses’ asses in the dog world (and the world at large) than there are horses. And not even Hercules could wield a shovel fast enough to keep all that horseshit from piling up.

    The stupid dog people aren’t going anywhere, and the intelligent ones will still be here when/if you decide to take up dog writing again. Your wildlife posts are terrific, Miley’s always a star, the ducks are interesting. And of course, there’s politics and the very real battle looming over this coming year. Plenty to write about; plenty to discuss.

    So, bank the embers. Write (or don’t write) what you want. Or maybe just … take a break and recharge for awhile.

    Your Constant Readers will still be here for you.


  7. on September 6, 2015 at 8:18 pm Margaret - from Oz

    I am so sorry to hear that, I have learnt so much from your blogs, which is what has kept me coming back time and time again. I enjoy the duck and wildlife pics and anecdotes, but I must admit that dogs are my first love and i always check to see any posts – it starts my day :). Anyone can disagree with an article or an opinion, and that’s their choice, however, there is always an intelligent way to comment without being disparaging, condescending or sheer bloody-mindedness. I am assuming now, but I would think that most of your followers, don’t really give a crap about the ‘ferals’ out there and especially their comments. And your short, sharp rejoinders, always give me a smile. Please don’t give up, take a break and come back refreshed !


  8. on September 6, 2015 at 8:50 pm misshuckleberry

    Heartbroken!! I learned so much from you. You’re wrong about one thing: your research and balance and careful consideration is what gives you expertise.


  9. on September 7, 2015 at 6:02 am Chris Miele

    Your insights into the history, especially that of Goldens, has been wonderful to read and tremendously enlightening and have led to fruitful discussions. We all lose because of the trolls. I would join a closed group if you choose to go that route.


  10. on September 9, 2015 at 4:52 pm Patrice

    I’ve enjoyed reading your dog posts. Please let me know if/when you come back to the topic.

    But I can see where you’re coming from. That’s why I keep The Cooper Project (http://patricedodd.wordpress.com/) about my own dogs and my own experience with dogs. I don’t have near the readership that you do, but a whole lot less conflict.



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