Uh…You are going to what? (Part 1)
I live in the Santa Cruz mountains and work over the hill in Redwood City which is only a stone’s throw from San Francisco. And unless you’ve been living in a remote wilderness without any Internet and only penguins for company, you will probably be aware that on a political graph i live within an ocean of blue. Because I live smack dab in the middle of granola, I can honestly say left-leaning urbanites have a self-righteous opinion about EVERYTHING. I can freely say this because I happen to BE one of those eco-friendly, composting yippies. I compost, grow veggies, raise chickens, recycle, rage against Fox news and drive a Prius. I feel very at home swimming in my blue state and if you had asked me in 2004 that John Kerry was going to lose in the presidential election, I would have laughed at you and said “Hell no, man. EVERYBODY I KNOW is voting for him.”
So what does this have to do with dogs, you ask? Well the community I live in, most people are very hard core that if you want an animal, you should adopt from your local shelter. To be honest, how can you argue with that? When the “estimated number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year ranges from 6-8 million? (HSUS estimate) And the estimated number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year is 3-4 million? (HSUS estimate)” It does seem kind of silly for people to spend oodles of money on a purebred dog when there are so many needy animals looking for a new home.
And more to the point of this post, I BELIEVE that people should adopt from local shelters. I am a full supporter of my local SPCA. I have even a adopted my cat who recently passed from there. So what crack am I smoking? And the community I belong to? You can bet your sweet bippy they think I’ve lost my marbles. Over cocktails I’ve had well-meaning friends say to me. “ I always pegged you and Brian as adoption people..” Or “my dog is a mixed. What’s wrong with HIM?!!”
Can you not feel the judgment? I can. A part of me is completely guilt-ridden. Like I’ve given up on my principles or something. But the other part of me doesn’t care, and I’m completely satisfied to go against the mainstream in this matter. I’m willing to spend oodles of money, time and energy to invest in a purebred dog that I believe could be my next family member. So yeah. I’m crazy. Crazy in love.
February 26th, 2011 at 8:21 am
You know we adore dogs, and even if there comes a time that we don’t have dogs living with us, we will always consider our home to be a place for dogs. To this day, Freya literally dances for joy when I come home, and greets every guest in our house with an offering (after barking at them that is). Our dogs were our segregate children long before we had our own. As well as our own shelter dogs, we have fostered two abandoned dogs, and helped them find good homes where they live and thrive to this day. Dogs fill a home with joy and love, there is just no other way to say it. Yes, adopting dogs is a good thing to do, and I honestly believe that both our dogs know full well that we rescued them, and our relationship is affected by that.
So yeah, it would not surprise me if we were among those somehow heaping guilt upon you.
BUT – loving an animal has nothing to do with where it comes from. If anyone finds fault with you for loving and caring for another, then they have no concept of what they are judging you for. You are taking a major step by opening your home to an animal, you need to be sure it is right so that poor animal does not end up BACK in a shelter. If that means purchasing a pure bred this time, then that is a wise decision. Wouldn’t it be far worse to adopt an animal that didn’t work out, and it had to go to the shelter twice? This happens every single day. Freya was so ashamed to be in the shelter, I can only imagine what it would have done to her to be abandoned twice. There are many ways to bring an animal into your home, and just as many pure breds looking for a home – the only thing that matters is that it is right for you and the only way to do it “wrong” would be to somehow support a puppy mill, which you are clearly not doing.
If we have been guilty of every acting superior because we adopted our furry friends, please do accept my apology. I fully expect we will own an Italian Greyhound one of these days, and it is unlikely it will come from a shelter. It would not surprise me if you were to own a shelter dog one of these days, but only if it is the right dog at the right time – we were very fortunate, and perhaps it is that amazement at such good fortune that gets channeled into something akin to judgment or superiority. I can’t wait to meet your dog, I’m confident it will not want for love and affection in your home. The opinions of others will never alter that, so F em.
February 26th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
I live in Boulder, CO, another one of America’s liberal hotspots. I’ve had many dogs in my life but this last time around, I paid well for a purebred Silken Windhound, a rare breed. I got some of the same comments from friends about shelter adoption, something I also support.
However, I felt good that my money went to a responsible breeder who I had researched. She was more passionate about animal rights than I have time for. Dogs are her world and she was someone I was glad to support in exchange for a loved family member.
February 26th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
I think this breed looks like a yummy chocolate caramel creme! Good taste often requires some expense. Consider organics, pasture raised, fair traded. You do what your heart tells you.
February 26th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
OMG!
This is why we love you. Being trapped by the confines of ideology. Good luck with the dog, whether it be from a shelter or a pure breed establishment. All animals need love and attention. I wonder if those who have had issues with buying a pedigree have only adopted children vs. the “purebred” ones, talk about the number of kids that are in need of a family…
February 26th, 2011 at 9:23 pm
Mel: Time is well overdue that Maiwenn, Gavin, Brian & you finally have a dog, or dogs in the house. After all the cats, birds, chickens, rodents etc. that you have spent the last few years with, thank god you are finally thinking DOG. We got Lassie a few days before you were born and you spent your whole young life growing up with her. She was as much a part of our family as you and all your siblings. Get a puppy, so that you all can grow and create a history together. It doesn’t matter where you get it from. Just get the dog of your choice and don’t worry about Liberal,Conservative. Your dog is not going to know the difference. Get one, love um lot’s and fill up your life with total joy. That’s what “Gammi” & I did with Oscar & Mayer. Love ya… “OP”
February 27th, 2011 at 4:09 am
Hi guys
so i dont have an individual comment system worked out for this blog yet so I have to post one big response to all of you. Rest assured! The ability to respond to individual comments will be something that happen soooon. That said, thanks so much for your thoughtful responses.
David- please, no apologies my friend. I joke about the guilt “thrown around” but quite honestly no one has ever been non-supportive to me. I appreciate your words and that you even took the time to write, as i know how busy you are. Thanks again! I’m sure i’ll be asking for advice up the ying yang once we get the beast.
steve= you took the words about breeders right out my mouth! I plan to do a post talking about responsible breeders and backyard breeders eventually but I think you summed up my feelings about breeders quite nicely.
Tracy= You are so right about the flavors! Goodness, if swissy’s were a candy that’s exactly what they’d be!
OP= love you!
Ryan= I’m so glad i entertain you. I miss you viking!