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Voice your Opinions

"SPEAK FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT SPEAK UP"

At Take Care of Your Dog.com - A website for dog lovers!


This page is for your opinions on current dog issues in the news. It will help us to think about problems our furry friends face in today's world and how we might be able to correct some of them. It allows us to speak up for those who can not speak for themselves. Please be respectful of others when sending a post. I will have the option of not posting an opinion if it is too offensive. We all love our furry friends and have strong opinions on their abusive treatment. Sometimes it's hard to be tactful, but please be tempered in your post. I'm looking forward to receiving your comments. SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE OPINION POST #1.....

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Opinion #1

SHOULD MICHAEL VICK BE CONSIDERED A CRIMINAL IF FOUND GUILTY OF PROMOTING DOG FIGHTING ?

BY Rhonda Erickson

As the owner of a pitt bull dog, and activist in protecting and rescuing this breed of dog, I say that anyone caught, AND CONVICTED condoning or participating in dog fighting, regardless of their celebrity status should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

I am not a football/basketball/baseball ect fan, but I respect that there are millions of people out there that are. They spend their hard earned money on high tech TVs to watch the games at home, and more of their paychecks to go see their favorite teams in person,thus the whopping million dollar salaries paid to players like Michael Vick. Also, many young athletes aspire to be like these professional players and look up to them as role models. I realize that Michael Vick is a human man, and capable of making a mistake, like any of us, but with the opportunity given him, and being in the public eye, it seems he would try to stay clear of being associated with any type of illegal or criminal activity. Does the youth of our country not deserve better heroes than dog fighters, drug dealers, and gangsters?

Like lots of people love their ball games, I am as passionate about animals. I am not a crazy, hang em high animal rights activist. I try to do my part in helping educate people on animal abuse. I realize all people do not treat their animals as well as I do mine. There is a difference in a dog not having the best environment,or the owner forgetting to put out fresh food and water one day, and the deliberate cruel and inhumane treatment of any animal. There is nothing natural about fighting dogs. They are bred for this specific task. The parent dogs are chosen by humans, and unlike reputable breeders that use selective breeding to choose dogs that bring out the good in a breed, dog fighters mate the craziest, meanest, and most vicious pair they can find. The natural protective instincts of these animals are distorted, and the aggressive unruly behavior that legitimate dog breeders would train puppies not to do, is praised and fed to these poor pups like poison. Animals not co-erst by humans do not fight to the death... or for no reason. Canines are pack animals and before they were domesticated depended on the pack for survival. If a fight did break out it seldom lasted long, and the winner backed off when the opponent stopped fighting. Mercy is by far much better displayed and understood in the animal kingdom than in humans. The injuries were not usually fatal, and if they were it was most of the time because of infection to a wound after the fight. In most cases the loser suffered only minor wounds, and was accepted back to hunt another day with the pack.

With this case being so high profile,there will be a lot of arguments, and shoot first ask questions later opinions. I do not know Michael Vick personally, and if he is not guilty I do not want to see his character slandered. If the death and cruel treatment of a few dogs does not matter to some people, they should at least look at the fact that dog fighting is illegal and highly associated with other serious criminal activity. If we continue to stick our heads in the dirt over these issues involving famous people, the dirt is going to follow us right into our own back yards and homes.

Yes, you are right, in answer to the statement "No one would be making such a big fuss about all this if Michael Vick had had a bunch of human wrestlers or boxers in a ring somewhere fighting." I would not care a bit if Michael Vick had a bunch of wrestlers or boxers in a ring and watched them beat each other to a bloody pulp. Number one, these people would be there of their own accord, with their great intelligent human brains and doing what they wanted to do. Number two, it would not be a fight to the death,(I doubt these fighters would have the heart, courage or the stamina of a pitt bull dog), and the loser of the fight would not be killed, or thrown in some ditch somewhere by his cowardly owner, to die a slow horrible death because he lost.

I do not condone or watch fighting of humans or animals,but as humans we do have a choice, and the dogs that are used to fight do not. Just like we have a choice to obey the law or break it, and IF Michael Vick broke the law, he is a criminal, and like that dog that lost the fight, he has to take his punishment. So, IF YOU ARE GUILTY, "Man Up", Michael, I am sure that prison will be a breeze for a big bad "dawg" like you.

Just remember there is always a bigger badder "dawg" out there,and unfortunately, we as humans have just about bred the mercy out of our race.


Opinion #2

PIT BULL DOGS MAKE GOOD FAMILY PETS

By Rhonda Erickson

Choosing any breed of dog to be your pet requires some careful consideration and decision making. Taking the time to research and match a dog,s size, temperament , energy level, over all breed personality and maintenance requirements to fit into your lifestyle comfortable for you and the dog, can make a world of difference between having a positive or a negative pet experience. The space you have available, the time you have to spend with your dog, if your have children or not, and your expectations of what you want from your pet are good places to start your decision making process.

Pit Bull dogs are certainly not the dog breed for everyone, though they can make anyone a good family pet. They do well as the only pet,and also get along good with other dogs or different animals. They are considered medium to large in size, are playful rambunctious puppies, but are not overly hyper active when grown. They make very good house dogs, will lay contently beside you for hours while you are relaxing, and be ready at the snap of your fingers for a brisk walk or game of fetch. With a good diet, occasional bath and run over with a pet brush, their coats are very short, sleek, shiny and pretty much maintenance free.

Most Pit Bulls have a very low, loud bark, but usually bark less than some other breeds of dogs. They can be good pets if you have children, or live alone. Having a Pit Bull dog as a pet is as rewarding and delightful an experience as having any other breed as a pet. They are very capable and willing to give the same love and companionship, as any dog and can live in harmony with you and your family for many years.

When looking at any breed, but more especially at dogs that may cause red flags to go up with with your neighbors, such as Pit Bulls, Rottweilers and Dobermans etc., you should be very careful where and from whom you acquire your new pet. I personally do not believe that a dog's breed determines that all dogs of that breed, or even a large percentage of them are bad or dangerous. Abusive owners and lousy breeders create undesirable and unpredictable dogs. Unfortunately for Pit Bull dogs,they are often targeted more than most other breeds to likely end up in the hands of those types of owners and breeders.

A Pit Bull dog's natural instinct is not to be vicious, but to be devoted and loving, and they are not naturally dangerous, but are gentle and protective in nature. They are not mindless killing brutes, nor or they child manglers, but are intelligent, easily trained, and make well mannered family pets. They are amazingly adaptable to many different environments and are well suited in your apartment or back yard.

Finding a reputable breeder of Pit Bull dogs, not associated with or condoning of any type of use of dogs for the illegal sport of fighting them, can more guarantee you will bring home a happy, healthy, and safe pet.

A Pit Bull puppy, just like any other puppy needs to start house training right away if he is going to live in the house with you. I prefer the crate training method and have found it fairly easy and effective. There are other methods that work well also, and step by step instruction books can be found at most pet stores.

Just remember your puppy is still a baby, this is all new and a little scary , and accidents may occur occasionally at first. Be patient, kind and gentle, and the puppy will respond with what pleases you.

Another thing Pit Bull puppies do like all puppies, is chew. Be prepared to protect anything he can get to with his mouth, that you don't want chewed on. If you don't teach him what can be chewed on and what can't, what ever you have in reach is fair game to a puppy. The best way I have found to discourage chewing up of everything, is to encourage chewing on certain things. A piece of rope with several knots tied in it makes an excellent chew toy, and having on hand at all times chewy bones and rawhide from the pet isle is great.

Never use a child's baby doll, an old shoe, or one of your old socks as a chew toy. This is confusing to your puppy, being these are just like other items in your home, they look and smell just like the ones you don't want him to chew on. Get some unique and specific toys for him to easily recognize and distinguish as his. If he attempts to chew on something he isn't supposed to, tell him "no" firmly and immediately give him one of his toys saying the words "your toy". Praise him greatly each time he chews on his toys. Be persistent and you will be surprised how quickly the puppy learns what he is supposed to chew on.

Trusting your puppy completely not to chew up your furniture and other possessions will take some time, using the crate to help prevent accidents of this sort is helpful also.

Your Pit Bull puppy is now house broken, and his chewing habits are improving. It is time to work with a little serious leash training and simple home obedience. Twenty minutes a day for ten weeks can have him heeling, sitting, laying, and staying like a pro. There are many books easily found at your pet store or local library that can guide you through this training.

Teaching your puppy these things allows bonding time, builds trust and confidence in both you and the puppy, and establishes you as the "alpha dog" or leader of the pack. As the pack leader you are respected, protected and followed by the rest of the pack... your puppy. What you say and do is the law of the pack.

Abusing, neglecting or mistreating your puppy can cause loss of respect for you as a trusted leader and opens up the possibility of a challenge in the form of training regression or bad behavior. Patience, gentleness and proper treatment will make a puppy your loyal subject, wanting always to please you and be your most trusted friend for all the days he is with you. That is what I consider a sizable reward in return for a little kindness, some food and water, and a game of fetch or tug of war occasionally.

As your puppy grows into an adult Pit Bull dog his desire to chew up everything in sight has lessened or went away completely , and his own special personality is emerging. Making sure he has positive experiences in his young life with many rewards and encouragement when he does good, will fine tune his natural well rounded and even temperament.

Allow him to interact freely with company. Strangers are tolerated with caution at first, but generally quickly warmed up to after they are perceived as not posing a threat to any humans the Pit Bull considers his family. Teasing these dogs by making them think another human is hurting you is not a good practice. Generations of breeding to cultivate their protective natures for guard dogs, make stronger jaws , more muscular bodies, and lightening fast reflexes can turn a simple joke into an accident. In making your dog a family pet you have conditioned in him biting another human or animal is taboo and highly unacceptable behavior. Do not confuse your dog by making him resort to deeply suppressed wild pack instincts to protect his pack leader the only way he knows how.... with his teeth. This is true not only for just Pitt Bull dogs, but of all dogs regardless of the breed or size. Family pets of any kind should not be encouraged or allowed to bite.

Another reason to train your dog well, is to educate people who are skeptical or fearful of Pit Bull dogs just out of not knowing or hearing horror stories about the breed. Putting a fire out in your neighborhood before it grows into a wild fire can save you some grief and even your dog's life. A friendly, well behaved and non threatening dog is less likely to stir up a stink. Pit Bull dogs have a bad reputation because of a small group of unsavory inhumane people. It is up to people like you and I to disprove that reputation, and have these dogs recognized as the wonderful, loving and good family pets they were meant to be.


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