@dmcarty: OK this is where lots of people will get realy realy mad at me but I'm going to say it anyway. While I appreciate desire and any rescue or raid the puppy mill groups desire to save some animals in deplorable conditions - I keep coming back to the phrase, "unintended consequences". Because dogs were purchased at auction or out of a pet store or some place in deplorable conditions - you have increased the 'market' for that breed of dog. They (PM's) don't care about your kind heart, have little guilt about the conditions they were in - they know the dog was sold. Several years ago many in basenji rescue and BCOA were involved in a horrid situation in Kansas City. Placing a huge number of dogs - now many breeders have not bred in some time because there is no "market' for puppies from reputable breeders - some because they gave up homes that were on their lists to these rescues - some because they've taken in some of these dogs themselves and can't have any more dogs in their house. While it pains me to say this because I do have a heart - I think there is a point where because of our collective 'heart' we are making the problem worse. If there was not a 'market' for these animals - we would not have puppy mills. BTW - the only way you can even think about this is if you don't have your fur-baby on your lap. But do think about it a bit. I understand your stance on the puppy mill but these puppies were actually from the McMinn County Animal Shelter in Athens, TN. The deplorable conditions I described occurred at the shelter and while on transport with the shelter's volunteer to a rescue group. Even though this is a shelter run by a humane society the conditions there we overcrowded, dirty, and no better then a puppy mill. With that said, the volunteers who work there do the best they can with few resources and little or no knowledge about veterinary medicine. They do provide a service when in the month of June over 400 stray and surrendered pets were admitted to the shelter. If you've ever been to a country that lacks a system to deal with stray animals then the importance of such a system is apparent, regardless of the conditions found at the shelter. Who know's where the parents came from but in the south (as in much of the country) we have a large problem with the lack of spay and neutering. I actually paid $0 from the shelter to obtain the pups. Since they were headed for euthanasia the volunteers and animal control officer released them to me so I could provide them with medical care. More than likely these pups were from someones' dogs out in the country who weren't spayed or neutered and probably was allowed to run free. Who knows maybe the parents were from a backyard breeder or puppy mill but I would never advocate for people to pay a large sum of money for a purebred dog instead of a good ol mutt from the pound just because somewhere along the way a relative of that pound puppy might have been from someplace I don't support. Everybody has to make their own decision but I have trouble faulting the shelter and its volunteer workers when its the city, county, and federal government and its representatives who should do a better job providing the funding necessary to train competent workers and provide adequate housing conditions. In a rural county such as McMinn in Tennessee these resources are just not available.

I am sure these guys have all found homes, but I was curious if you had ant updated pics. They are so cute!

Have JM :)

I went to as HSUS 3 day weekend dealing with pit fighting. Most of the filming, I couldn't watch, and when I did, I just sobbed. These poor dogs are just treated so very badly. I won't even share what they do to them as puppies to "toughin" them up. Sick folks this group! No excuse for abuse. In my eyes, this is abuse of the worst kind.

@sharronhurlbut: I agree…death is not the worst thing that can happen to animals. Sometimes its a kindess. I cry everytime I have to take a dog to put it to sleep. Thankfully, its be a while since that has occured. I agree with you ….. sometimes it is the hardest act of kindness you can do.....

You all make great points and I agree with you all. BUT I still think the public is adding to the population pet overcrowding, by having intact dogs. This should not in my opinion effect show dogs, as this is a whole other catagory. But, if they can give the distinction to cars, motorcycles, and trucks, why can't they give the distinction to show dogs, pet dogs and the like? I mean, its not brain surgery. I do understand everyone having issues with across the board pet legistation…but I think it can be broken up into sections, and handled according. Again, We need responsible show breeders and this is a totally different sect from the bubba's that just put 2 dogs together.

Here is the worst part about the Beagle that I found. He still has not been picked up from the shelter and Animal Control told me today that the will not hold him for adoption and he will probably be put down unless someone comes in and puts the paperwork in to adopt him now. He will be able to be adopted on Tuesday and they told me because they get hunting dogs all the time he will probably be put down. I contacted a Beagle rescue group and I am hoping to be able to have them get him. I also told a guy I work with about him and he may be interested. I feel bad, it is almost like letting him roam free he might have found a better fate or his way home.

peacocks can be used like "guard dogs". They're aggressive, and territorial.

@JazzysMom: CA Spay/Neuter Action Center CA AB 1634 Pulled From Committee! The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce that CA AB 1634 was pulled today from the California Senate Local Government Committee by the bill sponsor Assemblymember Lloyd Levine. The bill would have required owners to spay or neuter all dogs and cats six months of age, with few practical exceptions. Because of this development, AB 1634 will not be considered for the remainder of this legislative session. Yes, the bill was pulled, but it is NOT dead, it will be reintroduced in January… so the battle is far from over

I believe it is better to error on the side of caution. I have friends who lost one of their standard poodles in a very rural area. She didn't even have tags on her collar, let alone a chip. To this day, they still haven't put tags on their other standard poodle, nor is he microchipped. Makes no sense to me!! Hollie came chipped… mandatory by the shelter I rescued her from.

I have a MySpace page for each of my music projects- My true basenji site- Basenji vocal renditions by or red female! check out all my Basenji mySpace friends here- Sugar Puppies http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=61431922 Barkless Dog- http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=41630687 More Barkless dog here free downlaods here- http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pageartist.cfm?bandID=578947

Welcome back!

At Wal-mart it is in the Baking Goods aisle, where the flour & sugar is!

I forgot about that! There was a bay here in Lake Champlain that had that and they were warning dog owners about it. How sad.

Yes, Logan (w/b 4 in August) loves Veggie Booty too…thankfully he loves the Pirate Booty too!

JYS, They only get wet food occasionally. I want to try to add the canned pumpkin to their diet but I keep forgetting to pick it up when I am at the grocery store! :rolleyes:

That was amazing.

We are learning in California how critical it is to stand together to lobby for our right to own healthy, well bred pets. The bill did pass out of the Assembly to the Senate but the vote was much closer than I think anyone thought it would be when the bill was first proposed. We still have to stay loud and keep writing letters and keep letting California businesses and politicians know how much responsible pet owners contribute to this state and how much money the state stands to lose over this legislation since money talks.