18
A Purebred – Really?
I stopped by a pet supply store the other day to fit “Ouzo” for a harness.
- Ouzo fka “Zunkito”, My Chilean volcano survivor
As we were browsing the store, tackling all the junk food barrels, which are strategically placed on snout level….all over sudden, in an otherwise fairly quiet store, a big ruckus errupted…
..“ohhhhh” and “aaaah” *pupppppy!!!!…
Not just a puppy – it was a purebred chocolate Labrador Retriever pup, fresh from the breeder.
I just stood there for a moment, in disbelief – numb – thinking of all the cute puppies that were being murdered today in death camps around the country.
And here was this guy standing in front of me…beaming like a young father holding his first born.
We made eye contact – he smiled – waiting for me to chime into the “ohhhh & aaaahhhh” choir.
- obsessed with cookies
Instead I asked him: “Did you get him from a breeder?”
He blushed, looked at me like a young boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar…. “yeeeaah”
I just rolled my eyes, turned around and walked away with my GORGEOUS, PERFECT THREE-LEGGED UNIQUE Chilean Lava Hound.…..
- talented mixed breed, knows to make the bed…sort of
It would have been pointless trying to educate him about the importance of spaying and neutering, why we should adopt and not buy from breeders..
he KNEW…and did it anyway.
That evening, I went online to check out Petfinder, and there are over 1000 chocolate labs waiting for a home RIGHT NOW…..
- This is Zeke, one of over a thousand chocolate labs currently waiting to be adopted
Granted, not all of them are purebred labs, but the point is that there are rescues for every single breed out there, and that each and everyone of us has a responsibility to stop this insanity of breeding pets for profit. It begins with the hamster for your kids, the cute little baby bunnies you give your children on Easter and to the shelter by Whitsun.
BE The Change…
~Misha & Ouzo
18 Comments to “A Purebred – Really?”
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Bea says:
Shelter dogs (and kitties!) are the best!
When Ouzo is done with your laundry, he can do mine. Patrick is not that good at it
Misha says:
@ Bea
shelter animals, street animals – they deserve a break.
Not the death penalty or being tortured by strangers.
Ouzo charges too much to do laundry. He’s good in fluffing the pillows tho
Sharon says:
Great Story! I’m 47 years old now, and I didn’t learn to not buy my dogs until only a few years ago, that is how ignorant the general public are, sad to say. I am not ashamed to admit it so that others realize that there is no shame in it. You can only do what you know, so until you learn you will repeat your mistakes. Never stop learning.
Misha says:
Sharon, thanks for taking a moment to post your comment here as well.
As I said before, it is never to late to recover from ignorance. As long as one is ready to submit to the process I am all for forgiveness.
Obviously your (once) ignorant mind has blossomed into an enlightened one, and sent you into animal welfare…. what a ride
Glad to have you!
wulan says:
can i share this on my facebook?
i feel the same way too and i hope more people would open up their eyes.
Misha says:
@ Wulan
absolutely. We’re first and foremost an educational network and encourage sharing of information.
Go ahead – spread the word
Dharma says:
Misha you rock!! When will people understand? Adoption is where its at. All 6 of our babies were rescued off the streets or from the local humane society. They are all loving and perfect in every way!! Let all of us keep speaking out. It is THAT important!!
Misha says:
@ Dharma
……..Let all of us keep speaking out. It is THAT important!!
Amen, sister!
Alicia Oxenhorn says:
Misha
Some day the world will understand and see the light!
I’ll take my pack over a bunch of overpriced champions any day.
Ouzo is beautiful! In my eyes all beings with good hearts are perfection, who has a better heart than a dog. Surely not mankind.
You are right people should adopt the same sex of hamsters if keeping more than one, and bunny’s have a reputation for a reason. They do multiply like rabbits.
People need to start being responsible for their actions, because animals are paying the price with their lives.
with love
Alicia
Misha says:
@ Alicia
Ouzo thanks his thanks for the kind words. If his head is getting any bigger, it will surely fall off soon
The reason why I included the little animals, is because they are the forgotten ones.
They cost a couple of bucks, are readily available and cheap to keep. They often end up neglected even worse than cats and dogs, in filthy cages with no water or food. If they die – oh well…get a fresh one – if they make it…they are often just released in the backyard or a park to fend for themselves. Where they will of course fall prey to birds.
Also, don’t forget about the little goldfish they give away at carnivals. PLEASE DON’T GET THEM!!
99% of them die in a sewage pipe because they were flushed down the drain, or they die in their own filth in that little glass bowl they come in.
Gold fish waste is high in ammonia and they are one of the biggest stinkers out there. They need frequent water changes and good care. Not a little bowl and a toddler to torture them ….
It does start at home – with each of us.
Keith Jackson says:
God bless those of you who walk your talk and don’t breed your own children. With tens of thousands of children languishing in orphanages and foster care in the USA and dying around the world, there is no reason to be bringing new resource consuming kids into this world. I adopted a dog and can’t wait to pick up my new purebred Portuguese Water Dog puppy. I won’t be breeding kids.
Misha says:
Keith, good for you! I don’t think we need to breed children either, just as we don’t need to breed animals.
You are comparing apples and oranges, as they are two separate issues. Both important in their own rights, but simply not related.
I don’t see the correlation between not having kids, having adopted a dog in the past, giving you the absolution to go out and get a dog from a breeder.
You’re still perpetuating the problem, no matter what kind of breed.
Even worse – you’re getting a breed now made popular, because our “First Family” has one. So, I guarantee you they will be popping up in shelters near you very soon as well. History has shown us that….Dalmatians, toy breeds like chihuahuas, shi tzsus, etc….
Congrats, you’re now part of an even worse category….
Monica R. Patitucci Buck says:
I had a friend just contact me about adopting a small breed dog as she BOUGHT one recently and had to put it down. I think seeing my postings on FB, etc. educated her on how bad it is to shop and not adopt. At least now she is going to adopt. It takes time but reasonable people really do want to see the light and do the right thing. It is just taking a really long time unfortunately. Sad about how many dogs and cats don’t make it out of the shelters these days. But I try to use that as fuel to keep me going. Thank you for all you do! Love Monica
Misha says:
exactly, Monica. Don’t be afraid to speak up. I always ask people whether they got their new pet from a rescue. The ones that buy from breeders usually know why I ask and you should see the guilt in their eyes…and then the reasoning (excuses!) begins…
“Oh no breeder, someone had puppies and sold one to us…” =the worst kind: backyard breeders!
“We just wanted to start with a puppy”
“We looked at the shelters, there were no puppies”
another ‘good’ one:
“We wanted a pure breed, because shelter dogs have no history…”
I listen, and then I start asking more question, often the “breeder” turns out to be a pet shop – and we all know where those cuties come from….PUPPY MILLS!
Again – it begins and ends with us as individuals. Each of us can make a big difference. Just do it. Who cares if someone is offended, because I despise their choice of buying an inbred Shih Tzu, who has to suffer a life of chronic eye infections, skin diseases, horrible teeth.
Why? Because they’re sooo pretty to look at….
I have nothing against the animals…it’s not their fault!
Mariya Williamson says:
Love what you have said!!!
Misha says:
it was a no-brainer
(on each side)
Jennifer says:
I understand your point, and own two rescue dogs and two rescue cats myself. I love them dearly! I also foster and help with rescue placements. I disagree with your looking down upon someone who purchased a dog from a breeder, however. The breeder may have been very reputable. The man may hunt or participate in field trials and specifically purchased a puppy from working lines. While I, too, feel guilty sometimes when I think that I may get a dog from a breeder in the future, when you plan to use the dog for it’s bred purpose (herding), it is not as easy. Also, some of the rare breeds do not have rescues…the breeders ALWAYS take them back. Labs, of course come up in rescue…goldens, Jack Russells, the list goes on. But not every dog is available in rescue as you state. This is another reason I’m considering a breeder in the future.
I applaud your efforts in wanting people to consider adoption first. I always ask the same of people. However, I feel like you need to be more understanding of those who choose reputable breeders, especially if you do not know the circumstances under which they obtained the dog.
Misha says:
…hunting…field trials? Are you serious?
“Hunting” is not a sport it’s a sad excuse for thrill killers.
Quit hiding in the bushes and go bear wrestling. You don’t need dogs for that and the bear actually has an equal chance.
There’s no need to breed anymore animals. You are wrong – there is a rescue for every single breed on this planet. You just have to look.
I would never give anyone an animal for the purpose of hunting and torturing another…