On 4 Sep 2005 00:35:48 -0700 jason@smkzone.com whittled
these words:
> I have a 10-month-old male boxer named Bowser, which I rescued from a
> puppy mill when he was 7 weeks old. I am planning on having him
> neutered soon, but before I do would like very much to breed him just
> once. All I would ask is the pick of the litter.
Jason, of course you love your dog. We all want to see our dogs go on and
live forever. But sometimes we have to think beyond our personal needs
and wants and consider also those who will be affected by our decisions.
Look you knew your proposal was going to cause a reaction. It is time to
open your heart and be willing to listen to, and investigate as to why
there is that reaction. I don't expect you to agree right away. I just
ask that you read everything. Honestly consider not just the puppy you
choose to keep, but the futures of those you don't. Your suggestion is
born from the love of your dog, not from an evil heart, but good
intentions alone will not help the sons and daughters of your beloved dog.
You need knowledge. You need to understand the depth of the problem.
What bad thing will happen if you take the time to learn?
Go down to your local shelter. Look at the dogs. Most of those came from
"just once" breedings. That is because the "just once breeder" doesn't
know how difficult it is to find a puppy a truly permanent home. They
think that sincerity, and good intentions, and love of their own dog are
enough. But 63% of dogs are given up before the age of two. Most of
those will die in the shelter - big breeds die at a higher rate than
smaller breeds. Most dogs in the shelter are under 2 years old. So - are
you ready to accept the fact that you will have a direct hand in creating
dogs to die?
If you do not wish to create dogs to die, what steps are you willing to
take to prevent it? Are you ready to personally house, care for, and
rehome each of the puppies as the original people who took them decide to
give them up? Are you ready, willing and able to keep in regular contact
with these people to give them advice, support and guidence to reduce the
risks that will happen? Are you willing to accept the financial burden if
the poor gentics from your dog's background cause or contribute to the
creation of deaf or crippled dogs? A little more than 10% of boxers have
hip dysplasia. Your dog may even have it, he is too young to properly
evaluated for the disease (he needs to be at least 2). Do you feel any
responsibilty for whether your choices contribute to the increase or
decrease of that problem? More important than the hip problems, are the
heart problems. As one of the two parties in control as to whether a new
life is created your choices dictate whether you contribute to the spread
of cardiomyopathy in the boxer, or whether you are working to reduce its
risks? Ever have a fun happy dog you love suddenly drop dead before its
second birthday? Well I have, and heart disease was the killer. Sure you
want a puppy out of your dog. That is normal enough. But the cost isn't
just money. It is the lives of the other puppies. Are you willing to
take some time to learn about inheritence and canine genetics? Do you
have enough information on your dog's background to make use of that
information?
What concerns do you have over the fate of the puppies you do not keep?
Any? Because you should know that in most statistics show that many if
not most of the litter will be dead before the age of two.
Wheter I will judge you harshly or not remains to be seen. The question
will be answered by the sincerity with which you decide how you will avoid
creating more dogs to die.
--
Diane Blackman
There is no moral victory in proclaiming to abhor violence
while preaching with violent words.
http://dog-play.com/
http://dogplay.com/Shop/dogplayshop.htm
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