NSXLNT said:
I pose the following questions here, not to disparage anyone here, but to offer " food for thought" , as it were....
Did you know that the American Humane Society estimates that in the United States alone 54 million dogs and cats are euthanized every year. Aren't each one of them unique?
Isn't it possible to enjoy the company of one of them, saving them from an untimely end? Don't they have needs also? Are they any less capable of giving and receiving affection? Why is an animal that is "bred" any more deserving of a good life, free from pain and hunger and want, than any of those that are euthanized? Just wondering...
Keith makes an
excellent argument here. And there is no "right" or "wrong" answer to it.
Those who breed purebred dogs usually do so for the betterment of the breed in some way. Often, but not always, this takes the form of breeding for "conformation" (conforming to the standard for a particular breed - for example, breeding bearded collies that look like a bearded collie is "supposed to" look like). Sometimes, as with our recent litter, there are additional attributes, such as herding ability for herding dogs. (Both Cosmo and Tsootzie, the mom, have won numerous titles for herding sheep, and we intend to train Layla to herd, too.) Without this important part of the dog world, you would not be able (as easily) to get a Newfoundland puppy with the expectation that it will grow up to look and act like a Newfoundland when it becomes an adult. That is the argument for purebred dogs.
The fact that so many dogs are euthanized is indeed sad. Many of these dogs would make wonderful pets, for folks who are simply looking for a good companion, of any breed. Sometimes you can even get purebred dogs that way. Most of the breed organizations have an active "rescue" program, so that if a bearded collie turns up in a pound, the pound can call a contact who will retrieve the dog and find a good home, thus avoiding the euthanasia. We rescued Chevy, a bearded collie, at the age of two; he lived to a ripe old age of 15 1/2 and lived with Cosmo when Cosmo was growing up. And Chevy was indeed a great dog, and just as deserving of a good life as Cosmo or Layla. Here is Chevy:
I would encourage anyone looking for a great animal companion to check out his/her local animal shelter. Many of them have websites where you can check out the animals available for adoption. (
Here's the one in my town.) When you walk in, be prepared for love at first sight. And even if you are not looking for a companion, the animal shelters can use all the help they can get - including contributions of money and goods (not just dog items like dog food and crates, but also office supplies, etc). They are also a tremendous place for animal lovers who might be interested in volunteering their time to help out. There are both public and private shelters, sometimes (as in Chicago,
here and
here) existing in close proximity and coordinating their efforts on behalf of the animals. All try to avoid euthanasia, but it is a fact of life that most shelters are constrained by capacity, labor, and finances, and this is sometimes the only alternative after a dog has not found a home within a certain period of time. All can use help. Please keep your local animal shelter in mind when looking for a pet, when looking for a worthy place for your donations at this holiday season, and when considering volunteer opportunities.
Just always been curious.
