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by Tam Cordingley     

We all know our own position on any issue, but how much do we know about what the other guy thinks?  It may surprise you to know that the similarities are much more striking than the differences. 

In almost any community there are feuding factions.  The Animal Control people distrust the “breeders” or fanciers who feel the Animal Rights people are kooks.  The Animal Rights activist feels the show exhibitors exploit their dogs.  What is interesting is that if you talk to virtually any individual, a member of any group, they all sound remarkably the same.

All of these groups promote spaying and neutering of pet animals, all are in favor of confinement (fencing) and proper housing, all feel that responsible pet ownership is a commitment to be responsible for the health, happiness, and welfare of that animal for its lifetime.

There are extremists in every group:  There are Animal Rights people who feel that any use, other than purely pet, is exploitation; the Humane groups who feel any breeding is immoral;  he show purist who feels that any dog of less than show quality shouldn't exist;  the obedience buff who feels it should be a law that all dogs must be trained.  Be aware that these are extremists.  Most of the membership of these groups take a much more moderate stance.

If we would all concentrate on our similarities, rather than our differences,  we would be an extremely strong force.  Together we could pass legislation favoring neutering and spaying of pets, proper confinement, maybe even making our pet's medical costs tax deductible.

A number of years ago a Federation of dog clubs was formed.  We attended Animal Control seminars & Humane Society meetings, breed and obedience club meetings, held judging seminars, and proposed a nationwide coalition of involved animal people.  This was a worthwhile effort.  It showed us that these strangers had goals just as we had.  Our Federation members showed these other groups that show breeders were not some foreign type.  We all learned that we could accomplish a great deal if we all worked together and concentrated on our common goals rather than petty infighting.

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