Recently I have been told how many imported dogs have broken down working overseas, so many in fact that some contractors have stopped using imported sport dogs. It is funny in one sense that it has taken so long for the truth to come out. Yet on the other hand it is both sad and somewhat maddening that these dogs are not up to par yet are still in the field in some cases. Companies who incorporate sport dogs and trainers for live theater are no more than bandits. It would be more likely however for pigs to fly than to get these ones to change.

The change however is coming and coming fast as handlers are telling the stories of dogs not fit and the problems that arise. I guess throwing balls for reward only makes sense in training. When real explosives are around and high temperatures exist, "Stupid is, as stupid does". Real will always be real. Keeping it real will happen on its own. The outcome should be based on professionalism not politics.

The dog world is full of loud, ignorant individuals that rely upon intimidation to maintain their shaky stand. When the lives of our sons and daughters are at stake I think it is time for the little guy to stand up and speak up. It is after all the little guys, the unknowns, the John Does of the world who must face the dragon's breath. It is not right that the dog jockeys of this world should line their pockets with the blood stained money of injustice.

I have been getting many emails regarding my writing. I will not stand down or back off if I feel that I am in the right. In the same fashion I will not knowingly stand for that which is wrong. What has been going on in the dog world and continues to take place is very wrong. Large contractors or agencies have sometimes been ignorant to what they are placing in the field. Many times however this has not been the case and inferior dogs and training have been placed for the purpose of simply showing up. Money is the face of this dragon.

I just heard on the radio that the average person over thirty in the United States of America is taking four different types of prescription medicines a day. The average person over fifty is taking seven different types of prescription medicine per day. Add to that alcohol and other stimulants. It is no wonder we are where we are and our dogs are where they are. The majority of us are nicely and legally sedated, or at least lethargic enough to be of little consequence in a heated debate. One cannot I know; suggest that someone stop taking sedatives or relaxants. I fully understand how very difficult it must be to simply face life in a world of unknowns. Therefore I am not suggesting anything to anyone; I am simply reciting that which I heard on a radio program. However I do think that we are given but one life, one chance to make a difference upon this earth. In that one shinning moment we can become the whores of those who would enslave our bodies and minds or we can stand and ensure their fall. We have been less than diligent; they have taken our young and schooled them in foolishness. They have taken our elderly and placed them in homes. They have taken our churches and made them as useless as we have become. It is not too difficult to make these shouting, pouting little birds take to flight. The first word one needs to ask is, "Why?" The second is to loudly proclaim, "NO?"

The dog shares the suffering of man. Weather that suffering comes from forces outside or inside of our influence, the dog remains loyal and steadfast. He is however a barometer of our human condition. In this we see clearly that the dog is riddled with health problems and lack of ability. Turn the man, turn the dog. How will you spend this day? Will you find it worthy to "Keep it real?"
©Mike McConnery-Baden K9 Incorporated, August 30, 2006

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