I feel this is a serious message for all of us to read. Please take the time
to do this, even though it is lengthy. It is your future and so very
important to understand what is happening to your right to keep,own, show
and/or breed your precious dogs!
Thanks to B. Richards for bringing it our attention!

The following was published in the December, 2008 issue of Top Notch Toys.
Permission to Cross Post

"Potentially Dangerous Animal Owners" - Linda D. Witouski - November, 2008

At a recent show, I couldn't help but notice the availability of space. Not
only was the parking prime, but the space around the rings inside
the building was incredible. There were dozens of empty chairs ringside - a
commodity generally not so available. It was at that moment that I looked
around the building and a queasy feeling crept over me. Not only was this
building bare, but the people in attendance were mostly my age. That age
where you hope you can begin your downward decent into living in peace and
quiet after having been involved in this sport since the crib, and looking
forward to those "twilight" years or a dirt nap, whichever. I reached for
the judging schedule to see how many Juniors were entered. Nine. Only nine.
I realize that the economy could very well have a definite impact on our
sport, however, there are other factions that have a hand in it.' It hit me
like a brick ! When Wayne Pacelle of the Humane Society of the United
States said, (1993), "One generation and out. We have no problems with the
extinction of domestic animals. They are creations of human selective
breeding," it dawned on me that he wasn't only referring to the animals -
he was talking about US.


ONE GENERATION AND OUT IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

The animal rights movement pressed into school systems and devised an
educational program for every animal venue. Farming, exhibits, zoos,
wildlife, environment, veterinarians, companion animals - no stone was left
unturned. It doesn't matter what we do, it's surely not in accordance with
the animal rights activist groups. Looking around at the very few young
people at dog shows,and the lack of newcomers of any age, it's become quite
clear that the meaning of "one generation and out" wasn't only meant for the
dogs. The animal rights activist movement has taken over the media,
veterinarian, public & private schools, animal control & training of those
animal control officers as well as lobbyists and legislators. They've
infiltrated every thread of what we hold dear. Working together, they have
managed to convince everybody and anybody that they are "THE" experts and
anything that we do is wrong and a disservice to animals. Young people
that we should have taken under our wings have turned to assisting the
movement and most unfortunately, will never know the joy of our sport. They
will never learn what animal husbandry truly is nor will they ever
understand the pride of having bred, loved, cared for and promoted something
that upholds the standards that reputable breeders honor. They'll never
know that special bond that develops nor will they learn to distinguish
between the joy of victory and the agony of defeat. Worse, they may never
learn that people are supposed to be able to make choices that best suit
them - before it's too late. It's up to all of us to take back what has
been stolen from us and to learn, quickly, to work together as one. If we
don't take the time to reach out and touch someone now, our sport, our
animals and our rights are doomed. If we don't make every effort to bring
new people into our fold, who will take over for you when you hang up your
leads? Who will preserve and continue to improve your breed and your
standards? What difference will all of the health research mean when the
results are returned - too late - because you are no longer permitted to
have animals or the ones you do have must be spayed & neutered? How will
all of that research help when breeding is no longer permitted or the
monetary expense to breed far outweighs logic? Are you content to see it
all fall by the wayside knowing the only animals the future will see will be
in museums or books? The animal rights movement is taking away our future,
and we, the majority of the showing populace, are dangerously &
extremely close to being - One generation and out.


ENTICING NEWCOMERS or SHOOING THEM AWAY?

A great majority of the showing populace has always had an attitude,
particularly when a new person would approach them at a show inquiring about
their breed or the dogs being shown. This anomaly existed way back when and
it still exists today. Looking back, it's clear that this attitude that
some still carry with them, is a great part of the problems today. We
actually shooed people away, thinking that our world would never come to an
end and there would be plenty more opportunities to advance our 'lines.'
The showing fancy wasn't thinking about the future and judging by some still
existing attitudes, still aren't realizing the bleak future of our sport
confronting us. We live in America and we can do what we want, can't we?
Dog shows will always exist...won't they? Worse yet, there are still
those individuals that just cannot seem to get along with their own club
members and those within their own breeds, insisting on making life
difficult for others by continuing to add fuel to whatever fire some
disgruntled person started for no apparent reason other than their own
agenda. Some would suggest that those reasons include selfishness, jealousy
and just plain hatred for anybody that might be doing better in the sport
than others or those really dangerous persons that think that "they know it
all" without having the experience of those before them whom they should be
learning from. All of these factors are nothing more than additions to the
animal rights movement. If you are one of these, you might as well join
forces with the opposition and stop hiding behind your animals. If
you believe that your actions against others will keep you safe, be
forewarned that you are not exempt from that knock on the door. Every person
within your club or breed that you destroy, demean or otherwise
terrorize, adds another nail to the coffin we are all facing. What kind of
message are you sending to younger people or any other persons that might
have an interest in our sport when they discover that those who have been in
the sport 'forever' seem to be hell bent on destroying each other and that
they are incapable of working together or helping each other? How in the
world can you educate or assist a NEW person interested in the sport or your
breed when you can't seem to find the time to stop fighting amongst your
peers and become that helpful educator?


IT DOESN'T AFFECT ME - WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT

I actually have grown fond of this ridiculous comment because it gives me
the opportunity to explain what it actually means and why those who use this
lame excuse are definitely closer to being one generation and out than those
who understand the circumstances. Let me set the record straight using a
few of the popular "reasons" I have been given over the years. Everything
that goes on in the animal world, especially legislatively, affects
everybody. Cropping and docking. You don't crop or dock, either by choice
(while still available) or because you don't have a breed that requires or
prefers it. That doesn't mean that you should sit back ignoring that
ban, law or ordinance and not assist those breeds that DO, for rest assured,
along with that cropping/docking issue, another issue will follow that WILL
affect you and your breed. By not assisting, you are allowing for your own
loss of freedom of choice. Mandatory spay/neuter laws. You don't live
there so it doesn't affect you, but if you don't assist that area, it surely
WILL affect you in short order for it will continue to spread like a
California wildfire if everybody continues to believe that 'it doesn't
affect me'. Maybe not today, but what will tomorrow bring to your
neighborhood, state, city, town or county? BSL, breed specific
legislation.. You don't have "one of those breeds". Are you sure? It
wouldn't take more than an animal hating neighbor, mailperson, meter
reader, delivery person or some unruly kid from up the street to report your
five pound, barking, snarling, fence running 'potentially dangerous dog'
even if the dog wasn't lucky enough to get a bite in ! The next thing you
know, officials are at your house and you are subjected to defending
yourself and trying to get your dog out of protective custody all at great
expense. It IS important for everybody to work together for make no
mistake, it will come to you just like it came to the other guy. You
remember him - the one that kept saying that it didn't affect him? So,

those of you that use the old 'it doesn't affect me' excuse, think about it
before you say it or come up with something better.

Of all the emails I receive, the most common is "What can I do about it?
It's just the way it is." This is not true and you are only deceiving
yourself if you believe that. You, we, are the only ones that CAN do
something about it. We are the ones that are losing our integrity, pride and
reputations and the irony is that it's being taken from us by those who
don't have near the 'expertise' that we have. What they do have is talent
in "marketing, promoting and fund raising". It's up to all of us to become
astute in these same areas, reverse the current trend and take back what is
ours. Need a few common suggestions? Here, let me help you out
...Advertise for new club members, start a kennel club/breed club blog, hold
fun events for the public, stop by that place that you are 'sure' is a puppy
mill, visit that commercial kennel - get to know them before you make any
comments, offer tips and suggestions, help them, listen to them, befriend
them, educate them and be educated in return - go over to Farmer Bob's, step
over those cow paddies and talk to him, ask him if he knows his right to
farm or raise livestock is endangered, go to schools and ask to speak to the
children, make arrangements to take dogs with you, get media attention by
working with children - sponsoring adoption days (purebred or otherwise) or
turning your club classes into a class to teach responsible animal ownership
and safety around dogs and invite parents as well as senior citizens, get
them to help with fundraising, stop by your town hall and ask for the
meeting agenda, check for any agenda subject animal related and attend the
meeting, talk to churches, hunters, any sportsmen, call a special kennel
club or breed club meeting of those members that are still active (before
they hang up their leads or take that dirt nap) and discuss ideas, research
your towns and participate in events offered, check with girl scouts, boy
scouts, invite them to your shows or public events, attend council meetings,
introduce yourself, (invite them to your events & shows,too), and get
involved with rescue work in your breed. Pure breed rescue is one of the
biggest problems that we have - every time one shows up in some shelter,
every breeder is accused of putting it there - the fingers don't only point
to the irresponsible breeders. We are all affected and the time has now
come to be effective rather than affected.

USE THAT TOOL THAT'S ON YOUR SHOULDERS

The AKC has many informative brochures, flyers and pamphlets that can be
placed in assorted locations and they have educational programs that can be
used in school systems. They can provide you with CD's, DVD's, classroom
workbooks for teachers and a large assortment of other publications that can
be used for just about any venue, including legislators. Take advantage of
them. Utilize the tools that are available to you, especially that one that
sits on your shoulders... and get creative. We are losing everything that
we've worked so hard to achieve. We're losing our 'expert' title, our
rights, our freedom of choice, our animals - and it just keeps coming with
no end in sight, except our demise. There are many other organizations, pet
law lists, and breed legislation lists that are jam packed with good
information that you can use. All you need to do is ... DO IT - before it's
too late to do, and my friends, that time is quick approaching. The plane
is circling the airport for a landing and we need more people standing on
the runway....!


THE CHALLENGE

The dog fancy is generally not very laid back and those that I know will
fight to the bitter end about any subject We've always had the spit 'n'
fire to strike back. Where is that aggressiveness now? For those that have
told me that they fear some sort of retaliation, know that the more visible
you are, the less likely you are to be targeted. With that said, how many
of you will step up and start working toward reversing the travesty
befalling us? How many of you will make an effort to stop using derogatory
terms or take the time to educate? How many will prove that they are part
of the dedicated fancy and work together to make a difference?

And, last, but not least, I don't want to forget about those in the sport
that I mentioned earlier who are still intent on being vicious towards their
comrades. Those who can't seem to get past making their own breed and club
members miserable and those who can't stop complaining about or accusing
their peers of some heinous crime, hi volume breeders or commercial
facilities. You have a "special gift" and it's time for you to put it to
better use against those who would see you dog-less, or just let us all know
when you fall off the fence into the AR pit so we can start working on a
"potentially dangerous animal owner" law.



Linda D. Witouski
AKC Judge & Delegate
AKC SC Legislation Representative
Legislation Chair, BOD & Delegate - Myrtle Beach Kennel Club, Inc.
Legislation Chair - Minature Pinscher Club of America, Inc.
Legislation Chair - Yankee Miniature Pinscher Club, Inc.
SC Camo Coalition Steering Committee
SC Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses
Legislation Editor & Investigative Reporter - National Pet Press/The Dog
Press Co-Author - Monthly National Legislation Report -
http://mnlreport.typepad.com/the_monthly_national_legi/
Owner: DogLegislation@yahoogroups.com
Owner: MinPinInReview@yahoogroups.com
Owner: SC Animal, Sportsmen & Wildlife Voting Coalition

Thank you Linda. I keep sending things like this out to my club members as well as key people in other clubs, but it seems that it either does not get forwarded to their members, or no one reads them, or no one cares.

Whenever I ask someone what they think about this or that (the item I have emailed to them) I usually get a blank stare and asked what I am talking about.

I hope I take that "dirt nap" before my freedoms are taken away. I even joined the NRA yesterday. I'm not a gun toting Grandma, but I want the right to be if I want to.

Keep at it, there are people out there listening and acting. Maybe it will become contagious.

I have heard different things like this but never so thought out! When I was looking into showing dogs I was looking at labs or Rotts. Both are dogs I love and charish. When going to some all breed shows and talking with all kinds of breed owners. I was told not to go into the labs, that they were the most cut throats of all breeds. I did in the end go with the labs. However, I have learned how true this is with some of the breeders of labs. I am still very new and it just seems most breeders will not give a new person the chance to show their puppies. So many say "will only place puppies on limitted". Why not say "will place on a co own to a show home" or "anyone wanting to get into showing please contact"

Go look at most breeders website and see how inviting they come across to the new people.

This is so true!! I have met a very select few who are willing to offer info to new breeder/show, but it does seem like the longer I show people become more willing to except us. I think you do have to earn their trust and respect most of all. It was tough for us getting started but worth every minute of it. I wouldn't trade my labbies for anything in the world. And am proud of what we are accomplishing.
On another note, with the length and time it took us to get started, I have been very willing to speak with new prospects about helping them get started and giving information.

True. I'm moving to a new area and recently e-mailed a local breeder for some specialty vet info but guess it's top secret info as I never got a reply. A little help would have been nice.

I have only been showing for 10 years. I don't have numbers from 20 years ago but I was thinking that there might be even more folks involved in showing and breeding now than in the past. With the internet it is so easy to become involved. You can seach for breeders to get that show prospect, then read breeder or pet type forums to get you through the rough spots. Researcg food, medical problems, enter a show--all on line.

As far as juniors. There are so many things for kids to be involved in these days. It isn't like it was a generation ago. Did there used to be full classes of juniors?

I think showing dogs is a hobby more interesting for people who have raised their families even if they are ready for that nap!! :-)

ENTICING NEWCOMERS or SHOOING THEM AWAY?

A great majority of the showing populace has always had an attitude,
particularly when a new person would approach them at a show inquiring about
their breed or the dogs being shown. This anomaly existed way back when and
it still exists today. Looking back, it's clear that this attitude that
some still carry with them, is a great part of the problems today. We
actually shooed people away, thinking that our world would never come to an
end and there would be plenty more opportunities to advance our 'lines.'
The showing fancy wasn't thinking about the future and judging by some still
existing attitudes, still aren't realizing the bleak future of our sport
confronting us. We live in America and we can do what we want, can't we?
Dog shows will always exist...won't they? Worse yet, there are still
those individuals that just cannot seem to get along with their own club
members and those within their own breeds, insisting on making life
difficult for others by continuing to add fuel to whatever fire some
disgruntled person started for no apparent reason other than their own
agenda. Some would suggest that those reasons include selfishness, jealousy
and just plain hatred for anybody that might be doing better in the sport
than others or those really dangerous persons that think that "they know it
all" without having the experience of those before them whom they should be
learning from. All of these factors are nothing more than additions to the
animal rights movement. If you are one of these, you might as well join
forces with the opposition and stop hiding behind your animals. If
you believe that your actions against others will keep you safe, be
forewarned that you are not exempt from that knock on the door. Every person
within your club or breed that you destroy, demean or otherwise
terrorize, adds another nail to the coffin we are all facing. What kind of
message are you sending to younger people or any other persons that might
have an interest in our sport when they discover that those who have been in
the sport 'forever' seem to be hell bent on destroying each other and that
they are incapable of working together or helping each other? How in the
world can you educate or assist a NEW person interested in the sport or your
breed when you can't seem to find the time to stop fighting amongst your
peers and become that helpful educator?

I can attest to the fact that there are breeders encouraging new people to get involved. I showed for the first time this weekend and could NOT have done it without the help of my breeder. She took the time to talk with me, coach me and encourage me at the show. No question was too trivial to ask her.

I can't wait for the next show date and am looking forward to working on all the of things we need to improve on.

It seems to me that breeders who help people to show prospects out of their litters to be successful, will be the ones to benefit in the end. If I can attain some titles for my dog, it will increase the credibility and visibility of the lines she is developing. Now I want to do well, not just because I enjoyed it and my pup had fun too - but because I want to HELP her kennel to grow and gain stature.

Seems like a win-win to me.