A Fortunate Choice
17/09/10 12:09 Filed in: AKC Gazette Articles
On the eve of summer’s unofficial start I sit on our screened porch with near 13-year-old Coal sleeping at my feet. Sprawled around us are three more Collies, fur rippling as a ceiling fan disperses the heavy air. On the couch, Token’s front paws claim my lap in undisputed ownership. I’m trying to think of a topic for this month’s Gazette but instead a persistent feeling of how fortunate I am intrudes on my thoughts.
My devotion to Collies began early in my life, and while I admire and appreciate impressive wins, successful breeding programs and ROM sires and dams, there is one thing I am reminded of that is the most important aspect of dog ownership, and that is my relationship with these animals I know and love so well.
This day to day living with dogs wears the finish off floors, requires extra vacuuming and cleaning off rainy day fur shaking, but despite my frequent griping about what I could do with the extra hours and money, all is forgotten in these quiet times. Beyond competition and training, I think perhaps it is the visceral sharing of our lives that adds another dimension.
Breeders face many pressures now from anti-dog legislation, rising food and veterinary costs, and the increasing expense of pursuing our hobby. It’s a generally unfriendly environment towards breeders by localities, by extreme animal rights groups and even by the very folks who own pets. At parties people are often surprised when I tell them that I breed dogs; I guess the image they are sold by certain groups doesn’t fit when they meet and talk with me.
The fact that our sport is supported by an increasingly aging population also threatens us as breeders. There is so much competition for kids’ attention with activities that didn’t even exist a few decades ago—numerous sports and the internet keep kids under controlled environments or indoors. I remember my own childhood biking through the neighborhood, taking my dog for long walks, or earning extra money as the resident dog sitter. When both parents work, and kids have every minute planned for them, it leaves little time for pets. A recent work project took me into suburban developments where evenings were sadly quiet without the sounds of children outdoors or even a dog barking in someone’s yard. Without realizing what’s missing, there is, I think, an empty space in a life without a pet. Dogs are a connection to an ancient synchronicity when human and canine decided life would be better if we stuck together.
Some would say that it’s a sign of the times, and what can we do? I console myself with the thought that nothing is forever and this too will pass. But I don’t want to passively sit by and just hope for a change. We who breed dogs, who participate in dog related activities must also find ways to convey the rewards of pet ownership. We can encourage our breed and all breed clubs to put programs or events together that connect human and canine in such a way they will discover the joys of having a dog, even if it’s just hanging out on a hot summer evening on the porch.
From the September 2010 Breed Column/Collie