A few weeks I did a post called Can You Handle the Truth? In this post I talked about how frustrated I was with all the slander that purebred dogs and show dogs have been getting these days.
I was venting.
I meant no disrespect to anyone and by the comments that you left on this post, I believe that none was taken. It was actually quite the opposite and I thank you for that.
You made me see that maybe the battle that we face isn’t all that big after all, and that the support that we each need is out there.
Maybe, just maybe, if our voices are louder than our enemies, and I think you know who I am talking about, we can win this battle together, for the love of all dogs.
Which brings me to a wonderful story that I would like to share with you about a dog named Maverick and his incredible journey:
Mavericks story made headlines back in February, right before he stepped into the Garden at the most prestigious dog show of the year, Westminster.
For those of you are are not familiar with Maverick, he is a Weimeraner who was neglected, abused and forgotten. He was forgotten until one day someone stepped in to save him. Someone who believed in him.
With a lot of love, faith and compassion, Maverick went from being a dog found on Craigslist to a dog that can now be found competing at some of the biggest dog shows in America.
You can read all about Maverick over at Life With Dogs, where his owner Dan Stallings, talks about how he found Maverick on Craigslist and the horrid condition he was in when he first laid eyes on him. Dan also talks about some of the obstacles that they are working on to overcome life in the show world, due to Mavericks abusive past.
I wanted to share this story with you because first of all, it is truly an amazing story about an amazing rescue dog, who just so happens to be a show dog and to show that rescue dogs can overcome their negative pasts with the love of a wonderful, dedicated person.
Together we stand, right? Right.
Remember, what you see isn’t always what you get in the dog show world.
Remember what you see in a shelter or on Craigslist isn’t always the whole picture.
Some of us really do this for the love of our dogs, and Mavericks video displays this perfectly.
You can read more about Maverick and his incredible journey on his website, One Unforgettable Journey or on Facebook
Dan
Monday 14th of May 2012
Hi Jenn. Thanks for posting this. Mav's story has certainly touched a lot of people and most have never even met him. I promise you if you did, you would be just like Dan Harris, the ABC reporter yo see in the video petting Mav while he was giving me a hug. He was a self professed cat person when we did the interview but he really liked Mav, his personality and charisma. Mav was very much a rescue. He was in dire need of being saved from that family. Knowing Mav as I do, he would've certainly shut down had he gone to a shelter of even been boarded in a kennel as many rescue groups do when they are out of foster homes. Had he been neutered immediately as some others have complained, he would've been stressed out even further. Instead, as the foudner of our rescue, I evaluate each weim, take them to the vet for a complete physical and then decide an appropriate plan of care for each. For example, we have a rescue now who just came in severll heart worm positive. I am certainly not going to have him put under to be neutered until he is hw free. Likewise, Mav was in such horrible condition, I didn't want him to be put under until he was completely healthy. After discussing all of this with the vet, Mav's breeder I tracked down, a fellow trainer who shows dogs and a local handler we ALL decided to give this boy a chance....and look what he did! BTW, this rescue has helped place a number of other weims in other areas of the country after people heard about him. I'd say he's not only a rescue but he has helped rescue others. Read the book when it comes out and you will then understand his whole story and why we did some of the things we did the way we did them.
Jen
Monday 7th of May 2012
Thank you Jet, your words mean a lot! There is room for everything!
Jet
Sunday 6th of May 2012
Hey Leroy, Jet here. Hi Miss Jen. Mom and I read your first post to understand this one. We believe that as long as you put out energy for the highest possible good there is room for everything. Mom always wanted to share her life with a golden. She does feel strongly about rescue because it works for HER. Breed rescue solved the situation for HER.
Miss Jen, we respect the care, love, and responsibility you take sharing your life with your show Newfies. We love watching shows, too! Like someone commented, nothing is black or white, life is in shades of grey... or brown, or white, or black in the case of us K9s! Extreme views in any arena does not sit well with Mom. (or our family.)
What makes us Angry is when humans abuse any creature; human, K9, feline, equine etc!
Pamela
Sunday 6th of May 2012
I'm so glad you posted your earlier "rant" and this follow up post about Maverick. Your commenters demonstrate that there are many ways to help dogs and that real life is complicated and nuanced.
When I started writing Something Wagging This Way Comes, I expected to receive a lot of grief for getting a purebred dog from a breeder. But I've been amazed to find that real people, who love dogs, accept many ways to enhance the human and canine bond. It includes rescue, responsible breeding, fighting puppy mills, fostering, being good dog ambassadors and much more.
I'm very thankful for the smart, intelligent range of people who loves dogs and show their love in the many things they do with them. And based on reading your comments, I bet (hope) you're thankful for the same thing.
I see a parallel in human politics. We see nasty rhetoric surrounding the issue of abortion. But in the real world, people of all types--prolife and prochoice--are doing things that benefit women and children. While politicians are using the challenging circumstances in people's lives to make political points, real people are doing good things all the time--without worrying about whether it will get them votes. It's what gives me hope.
Jen
Sunday 6th of May 2012
You are so right Pamela! I, of course, felt the same way, but I have quickly learned that there are a lot more real people out there that love dogs than there are those who look down on me for my choices! All I needed to do was look and I am so thankful for these people for giving me my hope and motivation back!
snoopy@snoopysdogblog
Saturday 5th of May 2012
What a great story about a Dog that was able to find the love he deserves!! It makes me wag :)
Wags to all
Your pal Snoopy :)