Sometimes I wish that my twentysomething self would peek her idealistic head into my fiftysomething life, and tell me that I really can change the world, that all I need is faith and hope. I am no longer sure that is true. It can be very disheartening trying to raise awareness about topics such as breed specific legislation, puppy mills, and breed rescue and then…
- your neighbor hates and fears your dog just because he is a Rottweiler
- your coworker buys a puppy from a pet store after you have offered to put him in touch with breed rescue and some ethical breeders
- your friend buys a cross-breed “designer dog” from a so-called breeder for more than you paid for your well-bred show dog… or your first car
And there is the unfortunate truth that awareness does not necessarily equal change or even concrete support. But I can’t quite bring myself to give up. My twentysomething self would be even more disappointed in me than she probably already is. What I do to keep myself sane is to try to remember that little things count, too. I may not be able to effect great changes in the world, but I can make life better for a few animals in it.
Right now, I can’t be very actively involved in breed rescue. I can always spare a few hours on a weekend every so often to help with transports, though. These usually involve moving a dog from a high-kill shelter to a rescue or foster home, or from a foster home to a forever home. As an experienced dog owner with a minivan that’s set up for traveling to shows and trials, it’s something that is a good fit for me as a way to contribute. I may not be making a big difference in the world, but I know I am making a difference to my canine passenger.
Between work, The Total Rottweiler Magazine, and the newly forming breed club I’m involved with, I’m on the computer a lot. One little tiny thing I can do while stuck behind the keyboard is to click to help. Not just donations, although I do that, too, while going through my favorite pet blogs. When you can’t make donations, you can still click (and shop) at The Animal Rescue Site and Freekibble.com to donate food and care to shelter animals.
Elisa says
yes! just clicking is so important too! I wish more and more people started doing that 🙂 Thanks for your post!
kathi says
And it only takes a few seconds to help in that way!
Karen Friesecke says
I have personally experiences #2 & #3 on your list.
After offering to find a reputable breeder for my BROTHER, he went to a pet store to buy a puppy anyways.
After advising my friends NOT to buy that Goldendoodle puppy from Amish breeders, they did it anyways.
There are days when I feel like I’m taking crazy pills.
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kathi says
Ouch… it’s somehow worse when it’s family. Like they should have some of the same dog-aware genes as we do, right?
Sarah says
Keep up the good work! Even though it feels like one step forward is almost always equaled by a step back, consider those who have been helped or educated as a positive and permanent change. Those idiots who look suspiciously at your dog – well, they were that way before and we can only hope that someday one of us will get through to them.
kathi says
Exactly… educating just one person, or helping just one dog, can still be important.
Pup Fan says
So true… the little things are important too. And they add up!
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kathi says
If everyone does one little thing, or if one person does one little thing every day, it definitely adds up!
New Cat says
Very nice information.