Alec Swan
...
I've delayed posting this, to be sure of my thoughts. I generally have a rather jaundiced view of those who operate 'Rescue Centres', and I feel with good reason. There are those who maintain an ethical stance, but they're few and far between. I've recently fallen out and seriously, with someone who runs a rescue for lurchers. Previously I held her in the highest regard, not just because of the problems that life has put before her, but because she 'knows' her dogs. The DG and I have sponsored her 'shows' and helped her in any way that we can. This is the story so far;
The woman concerned had two merle coloured adult lurchers come in with two of their 4 month old pups. Both pups are both blind and deaf. Both pups have now been re-homed.
For any dog to have a balanced and intellectual relationship with a human and on any level, there has to be some sort of rapport and contact, obviously. How does one house-train at the start, or ever let the dog off a lead? How great would the risk be of a sleeping (or even wide awake) dog being suddenly touched and reacting with alarm, the list of what-ifs goes on and on. How does a dog find its way around it's own environment using it's only other two faculties of it's nose and sense of touch? Is it possible for any dog which is denied the two primary senses of sight AND hearing to live a life with any propose and from the owners viewpoint, how would they ever interact with the dog?
Who with any experience would really want to take on a dog with such life limiting problems, and despite the good intentions, what future do these poor creatures have?
The former friend, it now transpires, had a greyhound bitch for re-homing, had a litter of pups from her which she then sold and then re-homed the now adult, bitch. Strangely perhaps, I'm ok with that, or at least I'm uncertain as to where the line is.
I wrote to her pointing out that I was staggered at her actions, and withdrew any future support. I also put a block on the FB page, and she published my private message to her, so I'm told. The reaction from her other FB page and charitable supporters was predictable, with well meaning fluffy-bunnies to the fore! I've no problem with that, in fact I couldn't give a flying fig.
What I find equally disturbing is that following my letter which she printed for the world to see, she's opened up a 'Just Giving' page with donations adding up, again so I'm told. Perhaps she should thank me for my letter, a nice little earner!
I understand the need for those who act in a charitable way to find the funds to support their 'work', but when the subjects of their work are 'used' as tools which prise money from the well intentioned, then in my view that's wrong, very wrong. Those two pups should be humanely PTS and I'm staggered that she feels otherwise.
Alec.
The woman concerned had two merle coloured adult lurchers come in with two of their 4 month old pups. Both pups are both blind and deaf. Both pups have now been re-homed.
For any dog to have a balanced and intellectual relationship with a human and on any level, there has to be some sort of rapport and contact, obviously. How does one house-train at the start, or ever let the dog off a lead? How great would the risk be of a sleeping (or even wide awake) dog being suddenly touched and reacting with alarm, the list of what-ifs goes on and on. How does a dog find its way around it's own environment using it's only other two faculties of it's nose and sense of touch? Is it possible for any dog which is denied the two primary senses of sight AND hearing to live a life with any propose and from the owners viewpoint, how would they ever interact with the dog?
Who with any experience would really want to take on a dog with such life limiting problems, and despite the good intentions, what future do these poor creatures have?
The former friend, it now transpires, had a greyhound bitch for re-homing, had a litter of pups from her which she then sold and then re-homed the now adult, bitch. Strangely perhaps, I'm ok with that, or at least I'm uncertain as to where the line is.
I wrote to her pointing out that I was staggered at her actions, and withdrew any future support. I also put a block on the FB page, and she published my private message to her, so I'm told. The reaction from her other FB page and charitable supporters was predictable, with well meaning fluffy-bunnies to the fore! I've no problem with that, in fact I couldn't give a flying fig.
What I find equally disturbing is that following my letter which she printed for the world to see, she's opened up a 'Just Giving' page with donations adding up, again so I'm told. Perhaps she should thank me for my letter, a nice little earner!
I understand the need for those who act in a charitable way to find the funds to support their 'work', but when the subjects of their work are 'used' as tools which prise money from the well intentioned, then in my view that's wrong, very wrong. Those two pups should be humanely PTS and I'm staggered that she feels otherwise.
Alec.
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