I Love My Purebred Dogs and I'm Not Afraid to Show It

Mom isn't a Facebook person, but felt compelled to post after reading Jen at My Brown Newfies & Me post this morning. As rescue Shelties we are huge supporters of rescuing dogs of all kinds. However, we also support people who get their pets from responsible breeders. There are lots of reasons people choose specific breeds.

Responsible breeding helps maintain healthy breed lines. Knowledgeable breeders work to reduce the instances of genetic challenges each breed faces and to help maintain the positive characteristics and traits of each specific breed.

Mom and Dad did lots of research before settling on Shelties. Mom had grown up with smaller dogs, but for a variety of reasons, Shelties proved to be a good choice for her and Dog Dad. While some fully understand and support their choice, especially when they realize we came from a rescue, others continue to think it is a snobbish attitude to want a purebred dog. We support owners’ right to choose as long as they do it in a responsible fashion. You can support Purebred dogs and be against puppy mills. In fact, we don't know any owners who love purebred dogs and don't understand the harm puppy mills do to purebred breeds through poor breeding.

There has been a huge campaign targeted against purebred owners and it is short sighted and ignorant. There is a way to support and encourage pet adoption from shelters without attacking those who choose a responsible alternative path. Choosing a responsible breeder to bring home your pet is a healthy choice for people who want a specific breed. There is nothing evil or selfish about making a choice that is right for the family.

However, even pet parents who choose breed rescues face critics for choosing purebreds over a mixed breed. These attacks seem even more childish since purebred dogs in rescue need homes, too. Having groups that understand the breed and can target appropriate homes for them seems like an intelligent choice, not a reason to criticize. Yet, Mom has been criticized for choosing breed rescue over visiting the local mixed breed rescues. This just seems to be about control, not really what is in the best interest of dogs.

We believe it is important to unite as dog owners and support all who love dogs without dividing into splinter groups. There is room for all of us the purebreds and the mutts, rescues and those who came from breeders to support and encourage each other. When our families start to splinter and point fingers, it is the dogs who always lose.

We think all dog owners should love their dogs and not be afraid to show it. It is time for the judgment to stop.

Wordless Wednesday: Inquiring Shelties Want to Know

Save a Dogs Paws in the Park

Save a Dog in Sudbury is hosting their annual Paws in the Park on Sunday May 4, 2014 from 10AM-3PM at the Wayside Inn, 72 Wayside Inn Road in Sudbury, MA.

The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children 5-12, and free to those under 5. For more information check out the website here.

This has become one of our annual dog walk events. We love walking in a historic place, shopping, activities, and visiting with the other dogs.

If you walk a little farther, you can even see the building where Mary's little lamb went to school. The building has moved from its original location, but you can see Mary's school. (Dogs have to peek in from the door, but you can take your picture outside if you want.)

Last year we got to try complimentary massages and a doggy agility course. Who knows what this year will bring. If you are in the area, come down and help raise some funds for Save a Dog.

Friday Flowers

Mom loves tulips, but doesn't always have the best luck growing them. This one popped open yesterday and she just had to get a shot of it.

Katy's Fort

What to do when there are lots of people at your house? Retreat to your own personal fort. You can see and observe all the action, but they have to work real hard to get to you.

Easter Egg Roll

Normally the Easter Bunny comes and leaves us special Easter treats and toys. This year was no different. However, Mom and Dad thought it would be fun for us to participate in an Easter Egg hunt. We refused, politely. They were not pleased. So they decided to make it into a roll. They started rolling the eggs filled with smelly, but tasty treats and enticed us to "hunt" them down. After being tossed a few, Bailey broke ranks not only chasing them down, but learning to pop them open.

Katy required more convincing to engage in the sport. She was willing to attack the open ones. Mom was so disappointed not to get the shot of the egg that Katy had on her nose before she popped it off.

Happy Patriot's Day

We are celebrating a long Easter weekend because Patriot's Day and Easter fell on the same weekend.

For those of you outside of Massachusetts Patriot's Day is celebrated neither as the day of the Boston Marathon or the reason for an afternoon Red Sox game. It also has nothing to do with our NFL football team. Today we celebrate the opening battles of the Revolutionary War the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Since we aren't much for guns and loud noises we celebrate at home with Mom and Dad.