January-February 2008 Issue
On our cover
On our Cover - Storm and Mark Present
The Standard Smooth Dachshund
Am Ch Landmark Black Tie Affair (Imp USA)
Sire Ch Landmark Harmo Stargazer
Dam Landmark Tarabon Sonata
Puppies sired by Jack will be in the show ring 2008
Creating A More Dog-Friendly Culture
For some time now, I've been deeply troubled by the poor old dog's ongoing fall from grace in the eyes of many sections of the community. While dogs themselves have not intrinsically changed, public perception of them definitely has - largely fuelled by headline-hungry reports of 'canine crimes' and 'mutt misdemeanours'. Where once it was commonplace to read good news stories about dogs, now almost all one sees or hears about in the mainstream media is children being bitten or dogs behaving badly. While I am certainly not trivialising such unfortunate occurrences, or condoning doggy delinquency, it does concern me greatly that the reporting of these incidents invariably lacks balance and perspective. Even though such transgressions are statistically very small in comparison to the overall dog-owning population, and more often than not caused by negligence of some kind by irresponsible owners, one could be forgiven for thinking that we are all harbouring weapons of mass destruction - rather than 'man's best friend' - in our backyards!
Unfortunately, the public hysteria whipped up by such media 'beat-ups' invariably leads to knee-jerk reactions, instead of logical, carefully considered responses. The ensuing 'feeding frenzy' then plays into the hands of opportunistic 'do-gooders' with agendas, and before we know it, this general baying for blood leads to the drafting of ever-more draconian legislation regarding dog ownership. However, because the only people who generally pay heed to such rules and regulations tend to be the responsible owners who were already doing the right thing anyway, these are the ones who most unfairly bear the brunt of additional restrictions and expense - rather than the actual wrong-doers. We therefore run the risk of having those very people most in need of the many benefits of dog ownership, being the ones for whom the whole concept eventually becomes just too difficult and prohibitive.
So, how do we try to change community attitudes - before our rights, and those of our dogs, become irretrievably eroded?
In my opinion, the dog fancy needs to place a much higher priority on interacting with the general public, and helping them make informed decisions. We need to promote owner education, and instil pride in dog ownership. We need to upgrade the status of dogs, in order to have them not just more accepted, but also more respected, in the community. We need to help break down barriers to dog ownership, and acknowledge those who are doing the right thing by our canine companions. We need to weave dogs into the very fabric of community life, by having them become an integral part of not just our special traditions, but also our everyday rituals. We need to showcase their many valuable contributions and skills, through positive public displays and ongoing media liaison. In other words, we need to better utilise the most powerful tool we have at our disposal to help further the canine 'cause' - namely our beloved dogs, who are their own best advertisement.
To this end, I recently put together a creative concept for a broad-spectrum promotional and community outreach program, which I submitted to the South Australian Canine Association. I am pleased to report that it received unanimous endorsement by SACA Council at its December meeting. I then put forward a proposal for consideration by the dog committee of the RAHS, requesting participation at this year's Adelaide Royal Show, which was unanimously endorsed at its January meeting. The 'Unleashing Adelaide' program will be officially launched on Saturday 5 April in Rundle Mall. A management team, headed up by SACA Councillor Andrew McLeay, and comprising Marie Merchant, Libby Eatts, Geoff Love and myself, has been put in place - plus a supporters' group, 'Friends of Unleashing Adelaide', is in the process of being formed. More information will appear in next month's edition of National Dog.
It is hoped that if this ambitious project proves successful, then it may possibly become a blueprint for other 'Unleashing' programs to be set up around Australia.
In the meantime, watch this space!
Judy Chapman judy.chapman3@bigpond.com