BREEDISM IN AMERICA

BLAME THE DEED NOT THE BREED

It seems that no matter what station you watch on television, which newspaper you read, or what radio station you listen to that when it comes to PIT BULLS, many people think that it is a vicious breed of dog, and should be banned. Breedism in America is real and what is behind the move to ban an entire breed of dog. In my opinion, this breed is the victim -- not the criminal that they are often made out to be in the press.
While it is true that many of the more serious attacks can be attributed to pit bulls, has anyone taken the time to research any correlation between the type of people that owned these dogs, and the aggressive behavior that they have displayed? I have spent many years investigating these attacks and have concluded that it is not the breed that is a problem but more often than not, it is the type of person that is attracted to this breed. Let’s face it -- a gang-banger or drug dealer, or anyone involved in illegal activities is not going to want a Golden Retriever to watch their goods. So they are attracted to pit bulls to compliment what they perceive as a macho image, and the dogs suffer once again.

In almost all of the pit bull attacks that I have researched the, dogs were running loose, abused, used for fighting, starved or just treated horrendously. To me this says that it’s these irresponsible owners, not the breed of dog that needs to be banned.

Some people say that it’s the strength of these dogs that have them worried; it’s the fact that their jaws are so powerful. Well, should all men over six feet and two hundred pounds be banned because they can potentially do more harm than a less powerful man?

In Denver they recently banned all pit bulls from the city, and have forced people to turn in their beloved dogs and more than 200 have already been killed by the city. Do they really believe that the person who is dealing crack on the corner is concerned about being cited for illegally owning a pit bull? Alternatively, perhaps, will they turn to another breed?
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? SHOULD THERE BE A BAN ON SPECIFIC BREEDS OR ARE WE ALL STARTING TO SOUND LIKE ARCHIE BUNKER’S CHARACTER WHERE IGNORANCE BREEDS HATRED?

A Sailor, a Schnauzer and Warren Eckstein’s Pet Show -- what do they have in common??

Pet Show listeners join together to help one of our heroes

Every week on the Pet Show, I answer lots of questions for pet owners around the country, and I’m frequently thanked for helping the people and the pets that they live with. Well today it is my turn to THANK YOU!!!!!

On Saturday July 16th I received a call from a young man living on Long Island who was a member of our Armed Forces. He is a sailor leaving for the Middle East and will be stationed there for six to eight months or maybe longer. He had a legitimate concern about his pet schnauzer Archie, as there was no one to care for the dog during his heroic deployment (by the way, not an uncommon problem for many of our young service members.) He asked if I knew of anyone who could help out him and his beautiful dog; as a last resort, he thought about giving the dog up but just could not bring himself to part with his pal.

I asked my radio audience if they had any ideas or if they could help out. Within minutes of my request my website mail was inundated with people from around America and Canada who had heard the plea and offered to pet sit for this sailor’s dog until his safe return.

As of this moment he is contacting the listeners who responded and will choose the right family to watch his pet, while he’s serving so bravely overseas.

Keep checking the blog for updates on this story and emails I hope to receive from the sailor as he serves his country.

GOD BLESS MY LISTENERS AND GOD BLESS AMERICA

Warren

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THE TRUTH ABOUT DOGS AND CATS

THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT CATS AND DOGS---AND OTHER MEANDERING THOUGHTS.
Why is there so much bad advice when it comes to our pets’ behavioral problems!
For well over thirty years, I have devoted my life to helping people understand and resolve their pets’ problems, and now there seems to be a flood of so-called animal behaviorists and pet psychologists who are giving advice to owners that is just wrong.
For example, never let your dog walk in front of you -- otherwise he’ll think he’s the boss or the ‘alpha dog.’ What nonsense! How about just letting your dog enjoy his walk? I’ve even heard these so-called professionals tell people that they have a bad pet and nothing short of euthanasia will do. Remember, two of these very same people evaluated my Cisko and 180 other dogs as too aggressive to be placed -- all should be killed -- convincing even the head of the L.A. County’s shelter system (whom to this day doesn’t except the fact that she was wrong). I invite all of them to come over and meet Cisko and the other dogs that were rescued. (Note: you can see them under the scrapbook icon at www.thepetshow.com)
My going against the County cost me dearly, but in the end I was right and these people have to live with themselves.
On a lighter note, Cisko and Skyler spent the week in Arizona with us and it was really hot, 105 or higher. I ran to the store and purchased a kiddy pool and found that all they needed was a Margarita and some good tunes, and they were very content.
Many of my bloggers have been asking for more photos, and I’m promised by my webmaster that they will be appearing soon. If you would like to see more, send me photos of your pets to the website.
LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD KIDS
If you know of a child that loves animals, and would like to write articles for the website, please let me know. If you’re a teacher and have a class that would like to write, let me know.
Why does there appear to be so much competition among the humane groups? They‘re all working towards the same goal -- yet some groups are great and work with the other humane organizations-- and some seem to believe that they need to be secretive and work on their own. Comments, please
Until next time
Hugs and kisses
Warren

IT WAS THE BEST AND THE WORST

IT WAS THE BEST AND THE WORST!

I hope that you all had a great 4th of July weekend and that all of your pets were safe and back to normal, now that the fireworks are over. Denise and I spent the 4th among the red rocks in beautiful Sedona, Arizona where we have a vacation home. Of course, Cisko and the amazing Skyler were with us -- they adore chasing the lizards in the yard and I’ve purchased a kiddy pool for the guys as well. All they’ve done is drink the water so far, but I assure you by the end of the week they’ll be snorkeling like pros. By the way, in a future blog I’ll tell you the story of a dog that I really had to teach to dive underwater in an underwater doggy diving suit.

On the 4th, we attended a small patriotic parade, I mean small town, Clarkdale Arizona. It was amazing to see how even small towns celebrate America in big ways. Theirs was a parade, which consisted of five members of the local V.F.W. led by the town’s antique fire truck, then a parade of kids on patriotic decorated bikes, the dog dressed like Uncle Sam, and even a goat celebrated the day. The morning started with a pancake breakfast sponsored by the local firefighters and police, and went into late afternoon with a band playing patriotic music in the town square -- it was like being part on a Norman Rockwell painting. So much for my 4th -- let me hear about yours and your pets.

WOMAN KILLS HER DOGS TO BE WITH FIANCEE IN HAWAII!

This incredible and sick story appeared on the MSNBC website, as reported by NBC news.

Question: About a year ago, I made the heart-wrenching decision to leave a great job, house, friends to move to Hawaii with my fiancé.

As part of the transition, I also chose to have my two beloved chow chow dogs put to sleep. This was done for a variety of reasons, including their age and temperament, the smaller living quarters in Hawaii, the tropical climate and frequent travels, all with the goal of making our new life as stress-free as possible. I adored those dogs, but I justified their sacrifice to the greater good of a successful relationship.

The letter goes on with the woman exclaiming that after six months she is still feeling tormented by the memories of her dogs.

ANSWER BY A HUMAN PSYCHIATRIST

It was reasonable for you to join your fiancee in Hawaii. And maybe it would not have been fair to take the dogs, because of the factors you mention. You didn’t want the dogs to suffer, and they didn’t. But it’s really clear you now recognize this decision was extreme.
The Doctor went on to give some interesting concepts, like you could have found a home for the dogs and even went on that perhaps adopting a dog in need from a shelter and that it might help with your guilt.

Last week on the Radio shows I gave my thoughts, like how could a meaningful relationship even begin, when you have to give up your family -- “YES, PETS ARE PART OF THE FAMILY” -- for it. Bearing in mind that I deal with animal psychology not human psychology, anyone can surmise that this woman needs some serious psychological help. How anyone could kill their pets after twelve years is beyond my comprehension -- this is a sick woman who needs help and despite the doctor’s suggestion to adopt another pet, I do not know any worthwhile humane group that would let her!

YOUR THOUGHTS?? LET ME HEAR FROM YOU

HUGS AND KISSES

Warren Eckstein