SMACKING STUPID PEOPLE IN THE FACE SO HARD THEY MIGHT GET SMARTER

[Wendy]

Nice name for a new private group. This new group is really a nice way to get new doodle owners to participate and not be hesitant to ask questions about their new doodle puppy.

I am one of those newbies. I guess i won't ask any questions... just search for answers and hope someone else has already asked.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Thanks Linda!....

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

I may get my face slapped for this one but here it goes:

I beleive part of the reason for DK is to help each other and promote the well being of the members both human and doodle.

There have been many posts on here that make us all wonder "What's going on?" (I will not mention them specificly but they all show a lack of understanding of these magnificent creatures). Yes these people must be educated.

I also beleive that some of the reason for these posts are that the breeders have not appropriately qualified these people as owners. (How can someone sell a dog to a college student living with a roommate that is not involved ith the dog?)

I know that there are many responsible breeders and they can not always weed out the "bad apples" but it appears that in this economy they may have lowered their standards.

Getting back to this discussion - the group is purely meant as a way to vent without offending or embarrassing someone in an open forum.

I have not posted in the group although I am a member and I have stayed away from making posts in the public discussions that will offend or embarrass although I have written them - I did not hit "Add Reply".

For those who do not know me - I have 3 F1b GD's. We adopted the youngest after he had an accident and as a result lost his sight and has a seizure disorder. He has regained "functional" eyesight. They are from two different small breeders. I created the groups "Multiple Doodles (or dogs)", "Health and Medical Issues", "Doodles with Disabilities" and "Men of DK". I am a member of many groups. I am also friends with many of you on both sides of this issue.


I don't think that it is appropriate to remove the group. Perhaps if people feel that the name is offensive it should be changed.

Andy

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Thank you Andy......

[Phoebe's Mom]

Remind me again, please, with all this point and counterpoint, arugments and people taking offense...how is this related to learning about our puppies and what might be best for them?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

What might be best for all puppies would be if somebody would maybe read a book or look at a website before they go out and contribute to irresponsible breeding practices. Adina has advice posted all over this website about how to choose a breeder, and the importance of testing of breeding dogs. But nobody pays attention to that; they are more interested in what people might be saying about them in a private group. The poster of this particular discussion, who is offended by said private group, went out and bought two puppies from an ad in the paper. Her "breeder' does no testing at all. That offends me. Wendy, if you are looking for groups to join, how about "Health & Medical Issues"?
Every day, I open emails that break my heart...desperate pleas from rescue groups trying to pull labradoodles from county kill shelters where their owners left them. Three in Texas this week alone. Then I start giving meds to my own chronically ill puppy-mill bred doodle, whose breeders did no testing and whose original owners dumped him in a shelter when they found out doodles do shed. All of these things which hurt and offend me start with irresponsible, stupid breeders and buyers. And it just breaks my heart. So should I tell them off? Or should laugh about it in private? "Smile Though Your Heart Is Breaking..."
I like to think I have friends on both sides of this discussion, too. I can totally see where the private discussion
has an abrasive title, and nobody likes to think someone is making fun of them, myself included. I really don't care whether the group is deleted or not. But it was NOT invented by anyone here on DK, it is a national group.
I would have liked to have said this a bit more thoughtfully & coherently, but I am at work. I would like to suggest that everyone try to put themselves in someone else's shoes before they get offended by another person's point of view. None of us is that important...the dogs are.

[Wendy]

I thought this was a friendly, fun and informative site about doodles and raising them. Didn't know I was going to be attacked and made fun of. I was just stating the obvious in my starting this discussion.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

See, that's what I mean. People aren't supposed to say things in private groups, but speak honestly in public, and you are attacking someone. Did the words "Breaks my heart" mean nothing to you?
There is nothing fun or friendly about sick homeless doodles, irresponsible breeding practices, or purchasing a living creature who is going to share your home for 12-15 years with less research than you would put into buying a TV set. Informative applies to telling the truth about these things, as nicely as possible.
I didn't start this, and I would never have been so rude as to just criticize someone's poor choices without having been asked. But if you complain about what others are doing, don't be surprised if people look at what you are doing, too.

[Debbie, Brianna and Duncan]

Karen, know that you have expressed your thoughts. I commiserate with you. I felt sorry for Wendy, but I listened to everything else. You guys do try to take the 'wait of the world on your shoulders' with the dogs in need, the feelings of bad breeder practice, how about those brokers, etc. What can be done? How can this change.... I read a ton of groups that are trying and feel the same that something should change. Talk about this in open forum and positive discussions may ensue. May bring into the ball game many helpful people too, of all faculties. Small things bring about huge change, right.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Deb- how long do you want this discussion to be????
Seriously, I had no intention of bringing any of this up, here, and the discussion you are talking about is something that we have attempted many times. But we either end up preaching to the choir, or people who made poor choices get offended and start trying to defend them. Every once in awhile, you run across a miracle of creation like Adrianne, who learns and turns into an educator herself. And who understands that criticizing your choices doesn't mean criticizing you. And who is not afraid to ssay "I made a mistake", because everybody makes mistakes. The only sin in that is not learning from it. If Oprah can't get the word out, how can we? But we do what we can.
Anyway, I can see both points of view in this particular discussion. I don't agree 100% with either side. But being free to speak or ask questions should go both ways.
Enough from me.

[Debbie, Brianna and Duncan]

Then why did you bring it up if you didn't want a response. This is a discussion. Others are still posting I see. Yep any attempt to reach out to help or be helpful and in a friendly manor falls flat!...I read it, felt compassion and posted. I am not sorry for that, when I read about doodles with problems my heart aches too. Crimeny sakes shoot me for not searching your rescue attempts to improve on the past forum discussions. And Sorry I don't watch Oprah...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Deb, you misunderstood my response. I was very touched that you reached out and felt compassion, & your post didn't fall flat at all. My response to you was meant in the same friendly way. I wasn't at all saying I didn't want a response. I would love to talk about rescue forever, but didn't think anybody wanted to hear about it, especially in this discussion. I guess my frustration must have come across more than my intent to explain.
(I don't watch Oprah, either. She has had specials about puppy mills that have been posted in various places.)

[Tricia, Shiloh, Fenway & Tessie]

la la la la la.....hey....does anyone want a cookie....cookies make me happy!