Just A Pet

A Gaggle of Pets

JUST A PET…

We’ve all said it.  We don’t mean it to be denigrating but, let’s be honest, it rarely carries a glowing connotation. What’s that about and how does it impact our effectiveness at keeping breeding in the hands of responsible breeders

I recently read an article by Patricia McConnell, PHD entitled “ Pet Peeves – Let’s Hear it for the Family Dog” ( Bark magazine March/April 2007) in which she explores society’s ambivalence about the value of the family pet. She noted that definitions of the word pet include “spoiled”, “fondled” and “indulged”. She added that it is often used disparagingly i.e. “teacher’s pet”. Interestingly, she speculated that our discomfort comes in large measure from the emotions that pets evoke in us. Ms. McConnell comments:

“Dogs make us vulnerable, pure and simple. That’s fine with some of us, but it may make others uncomfortable and motivate them to downplay the importance of the family dog. Thus, it’s at least understandable that the value of companion dogs is often demeaned by society in general. However, it’s people in the dog fancy itself who surprise me -…”

I have some thoughts ( you knew I would!) about the squeamish relationship the dog fancy has to the whole “pet” thing.

Kennel Gardening

Kennel gardening IS possible!

Kennels and gardening are not ( contrary to popular belief!) mutually exclusive. Given that most of us spend so many of our waking hours with our dogs, why not  pretty the place up? Prospective puppy people should find our  kennels clean, attractive,  fresh smelling, calm and homey – in direct contrast to pet stores and mills.

My Dog’s a Local Dog!

Bad T-shirt

These T-shirts ( above), for sale on an extremist animal rights website are what got me started writing this blog. I finally took offense. I felt there had to be a better way, a more productive way to tackle the problems the domestic dog faces. I knew ethical breeders were actually a valuable part of the solution – not the cause.

So, I designed the T-shirt (below) as an alternative. As an embodiment of an idea. This is really just a mock-up. The T-shirt doesn’t exist ( yet!), the website on the back doesn’t exist ( yet!) nor does the ability to become certified ( yet!). I think this model is due for some exploration, though. The time is nigh…

Good T-shirts!

The Power of Face to Face

Had a wonderful time at a small, specialty conformation show this weekend. Enjoyed reconnecting with my “tribe” of breeders, exchanging news, ribbing each other, bantering about our dogs, our hormonal states, our children and what wormer seemed to work best with that last litter of puppies. In the familiar bustle of preparation ( hurry up and wait!),  the laughter and the borrowing of shears and spray bottles, it was easy to overlook the newcomers hovering by themselves ringside and tentatively wandering through our set up areas. Occasionally, some – braver than others – would come up and introduce themselves and ask about puppies or club information. Most watched quietly from the wings and finally wandered off back to the agility rings or their cars.

In retrospect, I realize we, both as a club and as individual breeders, missed an opportunity to connect with interested potential puppy buyers, those new to our breed  and those just curious about the games breeders play. There they were – standing there – wide open to an invitation to join our “tribe” or at a minimum to feel less alienated from breeders as a group ( our image could surely use a face lift).

And we blew it – we let an opportunity  to educate, inform and connect pass by.

An opportunity for the public to meet local, ethical, reputable breeders face to face.

An opportunity for the public to actually pet the breeding stock they might then choose to get their next puppy  from.

It’s these kinds of opportunities that brokers and puppy mills don’t have. This is where our strength lies. This, our local presence, is what we need to capitalize on if we are going to try to help keep pet breeding out of disreputable hands. And dogs out of shelters.

So, given how busy we are at shows, how much we enjoy catching up with each other, how distracted by the competition and the camaraderie we are – is there a way we can do a better job of not leaving the public feeling like outsiders at our events? 

What, No Puppies?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just added the text below to the “Available Puppies” page on my web site because I won’t have pups till the Fall. Potential puppy “people” clicking on our available pages are really seriously looking. They need their next step to be a click away – preferably in the right direction! I added the URL’s directly for the breeder’s directories ( not the home page) of clubs I am associated with, so clients don’t get frustrated wading through the club news and event calendars that we often feature most prominently. I don’t want to lose them back to Google and a broker…