BlackPhx
Posts: 3432
Joined: 11/8/2006
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I am a strong supporter of spay and neuter and will continue to be. Too many lives are lost each month because no one has room for them and the problem is likely to get worse before it gets better. When people are having trouble making their mortgage and feeding themselves, pets are the first to suffer and be displaced. Our furred friends are expensive members of our families and while some of them more than earn their keep as actors, show dogs and service animals, even more of them can only give love as their contribution, a very worthy one, but not a financial help and if the family gets into difficulties, they are the first to suffer.
Pets offer us a great deal of beneficial services. They lift our moods, make us exercise, make us laugh, comfort us when we are down, protect us and lower our blood pressure. They help us hear, walk ( in my case get up and down), alert us to things like cancer, epilepsy, heart problems. They reach into the private world of the autistic and open the world to the blind. They don't care about breed standards and will mate with whoever is acceptible and available. I had a chihuahua slip through the bars of a fence to try and mate with my female dane when she had enter into heat. All he could reach was an ankle but he was more than willing to try..give him a ladder and he was all about that amazon. Breeds, especially where people are careful to stay on standards and are careful, can tell you right off the bat some of the things to expect from your dog. Working Breeds MUST work or they get into trouble, Retrievers will fetch that ball until your arm falls off, Bloodhounds will sniff, beagles dig and root and so on and so forth. The "Designer" dogs are supposed to mix the best of both breeds, and to be honest this is how we got the breeds we recognize today. Dobermans and German Shepherds didn't spring forth a full standard without crossing lines and other breeds into them until they had what they wanted and it bred true. Doens't mean it is right for this day and age when there are few jobs for dogs to do that are not already well filled.
Responsible owners breed rarely, already have placement for the puppies and are more concerned with the health of the parents and breed standards than cash. They don't breed just so the kids can see the miracle of birth, or because it is cash that doesn't have to be reported for the puppies. If the results are only pet quality they insist on the progeny being spayed or neutered by contract. Puppy mills on the other hand not only have more than one female in estrus or pregnant but also more than one breed going. Health care for the animals is rarely priority afterall they can breed more. Puppy Mills are largely responsible for Collies with skulls so narrow there is little room for brains, LARGE numbers of Dalmations who are born deaf, Hip Displaysia rampant in Shepherds and many other breed genetic defects that are proliferating these days. Every time a Breed wins the major dog shows it becomes popular and when that happens the Puppy Mills gear up. The majority of petshops buy from Puppy Mills not reputable breeders. If you are looking for a reputable breeder check magazines like Cat Fancy or Dog Fancy and then CHECK OUT the Kennel itself. Look at the way they treat the dogs, how they are housed, look at the pedigrees and get references. Check with the better Business Bureau and the AKC or equivalent before purchasing. Better yet, look to Breed Rescue, if you are looking or a specific breed, they will help to match you up with a dog that fits your life and personality. Often they are already spayed/neutered, obediance trained and housebroken.
Check the local pounds and those within driving range as well. Many a loving cat or dog is sitting there waiting on death row and looking for you. BUT, be responsible. Don't adopt if you don't have time to care for the pet. Don't adopt if you don't have time to train them. Make sure your landlord (if you have one) and all family members are in agreement on having a pet and what size. Keep them on leash when outside, vaccinated and contained if they are in the yard. Most of all, remember, they will give their lives for you, forgive you anything, any fault and love you unconditionally..be worthy of it.
poenkitten
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RE: Puppies!!!!! - 
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RE: Puppies!!!!! - 
I felt one of the puppies move a few minutes ago. It's fairly rare for Pandy to lay still enough to feel them instead of her, so I'm pretty excited - this is the first puppy we've felt moving.
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