One of the most moving sights I have enjoyed is that of newborn puppies drinking their mother's milk. They latch on to the teat, arch their little backs, push down on their hind legs, grab their mother's breast, and begin the push, pull rhythm on the teats. This has never failed to move me. The mothers do not seem to mind. I said newborns, because once the little ones develop teeth, for the mothers, it is a different story. How each mother handles it is unique.No doubt the sight of newborns feeding would be a joy to all breeders of their favorite animals. In my case, it was the breeding of Shetland Sheepdog bitches. My experience is small; there are many breeders out there with a vast amount of knowledge and experience in that particular area.I support breeders who are wise in their business practices. Those I have known are responsible members of their communities--as they wish their dogs to be. There is a lot to be said, however, for the many animals already in shelters who need homes. More and more I have come to believe their needs must be addressed. The fault, I believe, lies with irresponsible citizens, who get dogs without a long-term plan in caring for them. Thus, helpless animals are thrust upon society's resources. It was partly these irresponsible people who turned me off breeding. One cannot be in control of where puppies go. One needs the wisdom of Solomon to read people, and I did not have it.Support good breeders, by all means, but take a look in at the shelters. You may just find the love of your life there.There are many animal shelters, even ones specific to a breed. I know of two shelters south and east of me, where abandoned animals of all stripes are taken in. These places are not hard to find, nor are the abandoned animals in registered sites, where the kill rate is alarming. As one shelter lady said to me, when I rescued some abandoned feral cats in my area, 'Feed them; they are God's creatures.' She even offered to give me food. No one is supporting her financially. Here is another place we can help. The goodness of the heart does not fill the stomachs of these many dogs, cats, etc. Wild animals belong in the wild, but domestic animals do not.I hope we can do our part to support animals wherever there is a need. Rescue an abandoned dog or cat, rather than purchase it from a shop or puppy mill.
Puppies Anyone? Breeding Versus Shelters
One of the most moving sights I have enjoyed is that of newborn puppies drinking their mother's milk. They latch on to the teat, arch their little backs, push down on their hind legs, grab their mother's breast, and begin the push, pull rhythm on the teats. This has never failed to move me. The mothers do not seem to mind. I said newborns, because once the little ones develop teeth, for the mothers, it is a different story. How each mother handles it is unique.No doubt the sight of newborns feeding would be a joy to all breeders of their favorite animals. In my case, it was the breeding of Shetland Sheepdog bitches. My experience is small; there are many breeders out there with a vast amount of knowledge and experience in that particular area.I support breeders who are wise in their business practices. Those I have known are responsible members of their communities--as they wish their dogs to be. There is a lot to be said, however, for the many animals already in shelters who need homes. More and more I have come to believe their needs must be addressed. The fault, I believe, lies with irresponsible citizens, who get dogs without a long-term plan in caring for them. Thus, helpless animals are thrust upon society's resources. It was partly these irresponsible people who turned me off breeding. One cannot be in control of where puppies go. One needs the wisdom of Solomon to read people, and I did not have it.Support good breeders, by all means, but take a look in at the shelters. You may just find the love of your life there.There are many animal shelters, even ones specific to a breed. I know of two shelters south and east of me, where abandoned animals of all stripes are taken in. These places are not hard to find, nor are the abandoned animals in registered sites, where the kill rate is alarming. As one shelter lady said to me, when I rescued some abandoned feral cats in my area, 'Feed them; they are God's creatures.' She even offered to give me food. No one is supporting her financially. Here is another place we can help. The goodness of the heart does not fill the stomachs of these many dogs, cats, etc. Wild animals belong in the wild, but domestic animals do not.I hope we can do our part to support animals wherever there is a need. Rescue an abandoned dog or cat, rather than purchase it from a shop or puppy mill.
