The Sound Of Freedom - July 1, 2005

…. is our Independence, the guarantee of free speech and the exchange of ideas. Or is it? We protect treason, blasphemy, and moral sabotage when it’s called free speech and yet the media refers to mass killers as “terrorists,” a confessed killer is a “suspect” and the guilty walk free if their rights are violated.

Almost as confusing as our sport. We’re never sure which hat to wear on a given day, i.e. “breeding creates unwanted dogs” or there’s “not enough dogs to meet demand so we’re importing them!” Whew! Freedom Of The Press is increasingly used by those with subversive political agendas and yet TheDogPlace has been warned that it may be sued by drug companies and shackled by FDA for providing low-cost, low-risk health information. For dogs!!! Now you understand the new disclaimer at the bottom of certain section pages.

Does that change the editorial position? No, there’s plenty of “fluff” on chat lists, along with enough sour grapes to start a whinery. There’s a plethora of party line PR to sort out, gossip is intriguing but hard to sort fact from fodder. We concentrate on the IMPORTANT STUFF!

TheDogPlace was constructed on a uniquely different platform – to provide original content from people you know who are adjudged qualified to speak on a particular subject. Contributors are “vetted” on the legitimacy of their message, not on whether they advertise or agree with us. Articles are selected for value, not on whether they pander to the politics of the moment. Extracting material from insightful people can be like pulling teeth however, especially if it touches on how to be better players in a sport that is increasingly more about power, ego, and money than about dogs. Interestingly, some of your best ideas come from “productive” bitch sessions and okay, I admit it, bull sessions provide a good balance because guys see things women miss.

TheDogPlace is determined to follow its Mission Statement. It will continue to disseminate DogCare information so owners can take better care of their dogs at less expense to the family and less risk to the dog. The Science and Advisory Board insure it is real knowledge from real authorities, not worn-out reprints or financially-motivated “discoveries.” We can’t help it if readers appreciate and absorb knowledge that helps them take better care of themselves - at less cost and less risk.

An AKC judge commented that TheDogPlace had a puppy and it was sure to be a Winner. We hope he is right because TheDogPress was born to address issues pertinent to show people whereas commercial websites (we think this excludes AKC) make no attempt to "bridge the gap between pet owner and professional" and show magazines wisely avoid making advertisers uncomfortable with who they are. Hard reporting can put hundreds of thousands of dollars at risk but our investors stand behind TheDogPlace Misson. TheDogPress is growing into a pretty powerful puppy as it strives to promote the sport while preserving the sport. It will not duck the tough issues in order to serve the media master. Private funding can and will support the message that man’s obligation to the dog must come before financial considerations! How’s that for a conundrum?

It revolves around what our reporters see around the rings, in legislative news, or during Bitch/Bull sessions. We must acknowledge the obvious - the sport is in trouble and that means dogs are in trouble. Shows are bigger than ever and lots of people are making tons of money but something is wrong. People feel it, even if they avoid thinking about it. Well, our staff thinks about it and lawsuits be damned, we will continue to present news worthy items even if they challenge the establishment. As regards AKC, be assured we have no wish to bite the hand that feeds us but neither should we cringe in fear of that hand! We need leadership that is for dogs, not for profit (there’s that damned-if-you-do thing again) and we desperately need a unified front to protect the rights of dog owners. Thinking “it won’t affect me” is like planning a litter of foxhounds and ordering your hunt outfit in last year’s England!

AKC has done a magnificent job getting free network coverage but the downside is that such exposure attracts even more commercial interests. UKC has excellent participation and with a strong background in “using” dogs, coverage of field events sparks other “fun” and competitive televised events. NCA is attracting more show clubs and supporters by presenting a level playing field and old fashioned values, and like UKC, it is more about dogs than dollars. Unfortunately, those registries are not yet working together on the biggest problems which threaten dog owners. My own daughter pointed out that people still think PETA is wonderful and the “humane society” is like grandma’s apple pie!

We believe Freedom of expression without repression means TheDogPress will survive in a hostile environment because it presents an uncensored view of the real world and examines our failure to confront it. Think about this; marketing firms change our concepts or obscure the obvious. Hammered by news coverage, we rejected SUVs and rushed to buy “environmentally friendly” cars. Great for foreign auto makers but it sure upset the balance of trade and…. Well, here’s something which has been either suppressed by AKC or tactfully ignored by show magazines and it is sneaking up on us.

Puppy mills are getting better. Is it good that AKC has been and is courting them? (If you reject the premise for that question, then you believe PETA is about saving dogs!) What are the ramifications? What is behind AKC’s current story of the “major business” of Chinese imports brought in to satisfy the demand for purebred dogs? AKC keeps implying that show breeders are not able to meet demand, therefore it is okay for puppy mills to exist! Is the China story meant to convince us AKC is working to make it more difficult for importers (see accompanying article) even though it challenges logic? Lana Tsan, President of the China Kennel club is on our Science and Advisory Board. She visits every nook and cranny of China, reaching out to and educating dog owners. She says there is NO such shipping and despite AKC’s claim of “overwhelming growth” there has been negligible increase in sales to the states. So ask yourself - why does ACK want us to swallow the line that puppy mills can’t supply enough dogs for the American people? This may be but the tip of the iceberg and we’ll stay on this story.

TheDogPress is not for the backyard breeder who puts male and female dog together to get some cute puppies to sell through the local paper or increasingly deceptive websites. It addresses real world issues and for some people, that is way too unpleasant. For every ten who subscribe, one says “I don’t like Headlines, I don’t want to hear it” and we understand. That’s okay. YOU are still reading this.

Which means you might like to believe it when others say “so where’s the problem? What’s to worry?” Sure, it would be easier to have a nice litter on the ground, a special that’s winning and just take it all for granted but no, the sound of Freedom is like a worry gnat buzzing ‘round your ear. You swat the air and hope the annoyance goes away. It won’t. Thank you for listening to the truth, even when it bothers you. Freedom of TheDogPress - for a future that includes dogs - and our FREEDOM to own them!

Then you can truly celebrate your Independence. And so will we!

Barbara J. Andrews

Learn what sparked this editorial in Letters To The Editor section, which is where we ask for your advice on whether to proceed. 

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