A decade of experience in the “dog blogosphere” has taught me much. If you’re going to get a dog blog started, I thought the best thing to do was to be controversial. All the other successful dog blogs did this sort of thing.
If they weren’t trashing breeds they’d never own, they were going on and on with dog abuse porn. I chose the former route. I made a name for myself.
But I grew up. I had things happen to me that changed my perspective on certain issues, and I struggled with these issues over and over.
I’ve finally come to the point in my life where I can say that I am happy with where I am in dogs. It’s not the same place I started.
And in this, I have to accept that I am now a heretic. I don’t have to wallow in anger or post videos of poorly-bred and poorly-exhibited show dogs to stoke the fires of misery.
Too much misery already exists in the world. Dogs should not be an add-on to misery. That is certainly not their purpose in the modern world.
I do like dog shows. Are they the most important thing in the world of dogs? Not by a long shot. But having lived with several show-bred dogs, I can tell you they have indeed undergone a selection for dead-solid, stable temperaments. Are all show dogs like this? No, but a lot of them are.
Are there problems with closed registries? Yes. Are there some welfare issues with conformation in some breed? Yes, but, most of these dogs are well-cared for, and their breeders are prepared for the issues that might arise.
I suppose at some point I lost my ability to be sanctimonious and full of shit. And that only happens when you are forced to be humble or when you get your ass kicked.
The dogs have humbled me more than any person ever could. And when you’re humbled, you have to check your ego and take stock. Otherwise, you’re never going to be happy. Or I’d be in my 50s and still writing pretentious twaddle about “real working dogs.”
And yes, I am now a sinner. But my sin is choosing to be happy. I let the rest wallow in misery. And if you want to read that stuff, you know where to go.
And I’ll go on sinning, thank you.
Enjoy all the four-legged ones. They are wonderful. Humble. And kind. Xo
Can we get an “amen” for this “sinner?” Welcome, brother, to the Underworld where heritage breeders health test their dogs, sleep in the whelping box, sometimes have to make agonizing decisions, socialize their puppies with the “Rule of 12” in the back of their mind, properly vet prospective owners, and then cry their eyes out when saying goodbye to a lovingly reared puppy. Are all breeders like this? Of course not, but in my view, there are enough of them to warrant a review of legislation intended to target substandard breeders, but that hurt the hobby breeder dedicated to their breed, instead. Baby steps, one supposes.
“Purebred” does not equate to “well bred” … there really is a difference in a dog produced with an eye towards the standard, health and temperament. Predictability. Breathe deep, enjoy the new sunrise.