This is going to be quick, because explaining what today’s “Be the Change” challenge is all about is better left to BlogPaws, the organization where it all started. And also because I want others to know that even if they’re busy and broke — guilty on both counts! — they can still help. First, there’s…
The Kindness of Strangers
It’s easy to become cynical about human nature. Just open the newspaper to any random page and you’ll likely find a story of cruelty and stupidity. And even the well-intentioned can be overwhelmed by the difficulty of improving the world. Most of the readers of this blog, say, would love to help dogs, but may…
Pet charities: Some year-end musings
Writing a book about dogs, starting a dog blog, becoming involved in an online dog community… It’s been a year of continuing education and revelation, including the realization of just how useful an online community can be. The flip side: As a result of connecting with other pet advocates, I learned some things I (almost)…
So your kid wants a dog…
[originally posted November 16, 2009] Forget violence and lewd language. In many households, it’s films like Hotel for Dogs, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, and 101 Dalmatians (in any version) that require parental controls. All are dangerous viewing for families unwilling, or unable, to get their offspring a dog. But even parents who are considering a furry…
What’s So Funny About Pet Rental? Nothing!
[first posted November 3, 2009] Just when I thought public consciousness about dog care was being raised, with shows and articles devoted to avoiding puppy mills and promoting rescue, along comes the latest proof that popular culture is still clueless: Jokes about dog rental. Case in point (and disappoint): A recent segment of one of…
Will My Dog Hate Me for Fostering?
Before Frankie came to live with me, he spent a good deal of time in the care of my friend Rebecca, who rescued and fostered him. As I’ve described in the introduction to my new book, AM I BORING MY DOG, she won the affections of the shy guy — to the point that he…
Happy National Dog Day!
It’s National Dog Day and I hope you’ll take the opportunity to devote a bit of extra time to your dog. If you’re buying into the whole outdated dominance theory/need to overpower — as opposed to lead — your dog, toss it in honor of the holiday. Throw away shock collars, prong collars, spritzers, scary…
How to recognize a good dog breeder
I’m going to set semantics aside for the moment — not to mention, again, the issue of whether or not rescue would be preferable to getting a dog from a breeder. People are going to get dogs from breeders, whether you approve or not. They should be able to recognize the good ones. Whatever a…
Dog Breeding & Its Discontents: Two Responses
Writer Jan Hoadly responded to yesterday’s post with a story called “Dog Breeding — Associations and Opinions” on the Associated Content site, adding some definitions to the mix. One thing I’d like to clarify about Hoadly’s characterization of my position: I only said I preferred professional breeders in my original Twitter post because of ignorance,…
Dog Breeding & Its Discontents, Part 1
The other day I got into a mini-argument on Twitter –well, in 140 characters it’s got to be pretty short — with a dog breeder who extolled the virtues of “hobbyists” as opposed to “professionals.” The tweeter proclaimed that hobbyists breed dogs for love whereas professionals do it for money, making the former preferable to…