A Trip To The Breeder Changed This Biker’s Outlook!

Lika, what a treat to hear from you. I will contact you through the network. We have many years to fill in. Jack

How nice to see you dear friend!
What a lovely dog! I do have one too named, Meggy- a 8 month beagle! Hope you got my letter. I miss you.

Jack - thanks for sharing your "confession" about having been oblivious to Best Friends prior to learning about what was going on in Lebanon. There is, of course, no need to confess. You're here now and that's all that matters.

I didn't know about BF until after Snake left us and my folks made a donation in her honor. I should have known about them...living in 'Bama, right next door to the Tylertown operation following Katrina, I'm still amazed that I had no clue about the wonderful work of Best Friends until after a personal tragedy. Was I living under a rock? Perhaps. Animals and animal welfare had always been important to me in theory but I did not act.

Now that my best friend has gone on before me, I'm thankful to know about Best Friends and do all I can, even if it only means using my keyboard, to try to do good. Snake led a charmed life and did not reach a tragic end. She simply wore out. But I find it important to me to honor her memory by doing something, anything to help in my own little way.

Welcome to the family, Jack and Winnie. Perhaps none of us will do great deeds which will ever rock the world, but perhaps thousands of small gestures can still make a difference.

I do agree that some people are to quick to return animals that they adopted because they are not "perfect" in their eyes. Where I volunteer, a cat came back because he was shy and hid under the bed..they did not give him enough time. Alot of cats come back ( even after living in their home for years ) because they urinated outside the box..once the shelter had them checked, they had an urinary infection! I have even heard of people bringing back cats because they were to affectionate!! Now that is crazy!
I have a kitten that wont let me pet her..I have had her for 3 months..that is the main reason I adopted her, I knew she would be overlooked. She is the most beautiful baby in the world and is so sweet..she just needs some time..

Hi Jack
First off let me say thank goodness for Winnie. it sounds like you found a best friend along with her finding her best friend. I agree there are breeders out there that are totally irresponsible and out right cruel, however I do believe there are breeders who care about thier animals and treat them as family members. That being said I want to encourage everyone to get the word out about all of the wonderful animals currently in shelters thoughout the country that need homes and love. Remind them they need to give these animals time to adjust to thier new surroundings once they are adopted. I volunteer at a shelter and for an animal rescue group and get so frustrated when people bring an animal back because "its doing this or that wrong" . We try to tell them about adjustment periods and offer training but sometimes people just want the "perfect dog"...there is no such thing ..just like humans every dog has to learn and understand what is expected at home. with lots of love and understanding we can all have the perfect dog...after all I have 4 of them at my home .
Enjoy Winnie (she is a daschound after all i have one I rescued also and he is the funniest little dog Ive ever had)
Have a great new year
Ellen

Thanks for the interest in the Bikers For Best Friends shirts. You can see a picture of the shirts on the Bikers For Best Friends News pages. The shirts are now available from Best Friends gift store and they will mail them to you. Please call the gift store on 435 644 2001 ext 144 to place your order.

Thanks for the support, Ross.

Hi dogsdiggit,

I called Best Friends directly on the telephone and spoke with Ross Hartill. I then sent him a check and promptly received my T-shirt. Good Luck, and have a great New Year.

Hi Jack,
I have looked all over Best Friends website including the best friends store but still could not find it..... Where can I order the Bikers for Best Friends T-shirt?
thanks,
tiffany

Where are all the Jack's in this world? I wish you both lots of love and happiness. Your spirit is in the right place..........Thank you for sharing your story maybe this will touch the heart of another. God Bless:) sandy .

I just had another birthday this month. I am revealing this because I feel a need to confess that until last October, I had never heard of Best Friends.

I knew there were organizations around who were fighting against animal abuse and other groups who compaigned for animal rights, but I did not feel the need to get involved. I agreed with thier causes, but never joined them. I mean to eliminate animal suffering was such an overwhelming cause, I felt I could not be much help.

They say as you get older, you get more sentimental. In my case this is a very true statement. When CBS aired the story of Joelle Kanaan in Lebanon, for the first time in my life, I felt a need to get involed. I wanted to get involved.

Here was a woman in a war zone, believing in a cause so strongly, combined with her love of animals, and unshaken by the bombs dropping around her, she managed to keep her animal shelter running. This lady captured my utmost respect. She gave me my wake up call. Her shear energy forced me to get off my butt.

Because of her story, I found Best Friends. Better late than never I guess.

Since then, I have shared my story with friends and have encouraged them to visit the Best Friends website. I am not exactly sure how I will fit into this animal thing, but I know it will happen when it happens. I'm just sorry that it has taken so long to get my calling. Most of you out there have been aware and involved for a long time. I've got a lot of catching up to do.

For the first time in my life, I am proud and honored to join a group that believes in the same ideals concerning animals that I do. Now if I can just get Jack to get off of his butt and get with the program.

Winnie

Sadly there are thousands of shelters around the US just like the one you walked through. I used to volunteer for an animal control shelter and it broke my heart everytime I walked in that place. These dogs didnt even get go on walks.
With people like you working together, maybe one day there will be "No More Homeless Pets".

Bless your heart. Thank God you and Winnie found each other. She needed a guardian angel, and you were there for her. A very Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful new girl. Ya'll are picture perfect !!! Happy Holidays from Emilie and her Mom.

Thanks for posting Jack's story, Ross. Very nice!

To lafoela99,
Thank you for your comments. We both have similar commutes apparently.

Recently the HOG group I belong to made thier annual Toys for Tots run to UCLA Medical Center. This was my first run with the group. It was quite sad to see babies, and young children with illnesses, some were recovering, some terminal. All of them were there through no fault of thier own or anyone elses for that matter. They just did not get a healthy start in life like most of us. I left the Medical Center in a very somber mood, feeling quite helpless.

As sad and moving as the Medical Center was, an even sadder place for me to visit is the city dog pound. When I am walking thru the rows of cages, each filled with an animal sadly looking at me, it saddens me and makes me angry. Like the children, these animals are there thru no fault of thier own, but unlike the children, they are there because of an irresponisible person. They seem to know that time is running out for them.

I commend you on your ability to work at such a facility. I don't know if I could.

I am still trying to figure out where I fit into the animal scheme of things, but rest assured, I have found my calling and I am eager to get started, so pass me an elephant ear on a bun.

Winnie & Jack

Hey Jack,
Oddly enough when I drive to work I see the same thing and it breaks my heart. I'll see dead dogs (mostly dogs because word on the street is that the dogs eat/kill the stray cats before the cats can get hit by cars), I see packs of stray dogs sickly and skinny, or worse yet skinny but fat with pregnancy, roaming the streets looking for a garbage can to hopefully get a small meal. I see dogs chained in yards. I work at a Humane Society and drive 35 miles each way to get to the shelter, and the things I see on the way break my heart. I've done this for going on 4 years. Our shelter is purposefully located in a very poor county to serve those who cannot and would not seek veterinary attention for their animals. We're a non-profit shelter so we rely 100% on donations from individuals and don't receive any government support or donations. It's very tough to provide services to a community without any money.

And yes, I would say you correct that there is a strong correlation between stray / free-roaming animals and low income. I say that there is but I'm only going by what I see on a daily basis. The clients that come to our clinic emotionally care for their animals but they don't even have enough money to feed themselves or their children usually. Most don't know the basics about feeding, or vaccinations, or spaying/neutering. And yes, we have several clients who are homeless but still manage to bring their dogs in for their distemper shot or rabies shot, especially if the law has gotten after them.
All people everywhere own pets whether or not it's in their best interest or the pet's. I've seen so many sad cases of elderly people who would rather feed their pet dog or cat then spend their small income on themselves for medical care. But that pet is all they have to love sometimes.

I'm all over the board on this one, but hopefully it is a possibility to some day have no more homeless pets. I don't see how there is any way to legislate responsible animal breeding or pet adoption any more than to legislate people not having children when they might not be in the best financial situation or mentally unhealthy or a substance abuser. Yet it happens. everyday. everywhere.

So if you want to eat an elephant, it's best to start one bite at a time. I try to learn everything I can about animal health and rights, and have even gone back to school to become a registered vet tech in hopes of furthering my animal welfare career. It's all so very overwhelming when you think about all the pets surrendered to shelters and if you look at the euthanasia rates in the US. It's really sad. I think every irresponsible back yard breeder should have to work in a city animal shelter and witness the euthanasia of a perfectly healthy adult cat or dog simply because their time was up and the room was needed.

I read on a website, I think it was peteducation.com, a stat that said for every puppy/kitten born, 4 will end up homeless, neglected or abused.

But you do what you can because you love the animals and are a compassionate human.
And you don't have to stand on a street corner with a sign up just yet, but just by you being aware of the problem and being compassionate will help to make huge changes for the problem of pet overpopulation (and already has changed Winnie's world).
Thank you for caring about the critters who don't have much of a say in what's dealt them in life.

To southerndogmon,
You are already a Queen in my book. You are one candle burning steadfast in this world, a Queen against animal abuse.

An overwhelming job to take on, but just think about it, if you are able to light two other peoples candles and they in turn each light two other peoples candles, very quickly, your single flame will turn into a very large fire.

So keep up the good work, which I know you will, and maybe one day your flames and my flames along with many other flames will create an infernal.

Winnie says, don't burn yourself......Jack

Jack - I don't have any stats. Perhaps someone else more "in the know" can help there. I'll admit that the goal of no homeless pets is perhaps but a pipe dream which is why I joked about being Queen of the World.

Until people stop objectifying companion animals in one form or another, in one geographic location or another, the problem will persist. I commute to my job through a rural portion of Northern Alabama and am always appalled at what I see whether it's dogs treated like cattle or dead dogs on the side of the road. I can't count the number or prayers I've said for the souls of these unfortunate creatures.

I came to BF after we had to say farewell to our 16 year old Shepherd/coyote mix and have slowly evolved into what I consider a KARA. Keyboard Animal Rights Activist. I can't change the world, of course, but I do what I can to honor the memory of my beloved friend and to try to improve the quality of life for companion animals in my own small way.

Wishing you and Winnie all the best, Jack. She's Heaven sent, you know.

Isn't it true that in some countries, like Germany, there isn't a homeless pet problem because there is not indiscriminant breeding/milling. The stud books are controlled, and if you want a puppy you must get on a wait list for one. No impluse buys at the mall (how often do those turn fatal for the dog?), no buying from backyard breeders who don't care how they destroy the bloodlines & breed dog after dog with inbreeding problems. So yes, no more homeless pets is a goal that can be achieved. I meant no personal criticism and I'm so happy that Winnie and Jack have each other. My Annabelle came from a petstore 11 years ago. She was so highstrung, nervous and distrustful of people at 8 weeks old, my husband says she is very lucky to have people willing to spend $ to train and the patience to work with her after that trauma of mill to petstore. She has developed into a very loyal and intelligent dog and I love her dearly. BUT I will never again buy a petstore dog, as it supports the cruel milling/overbreeding industry.
Thankfully there are groups like BF and many other anit-cruelty groups who have educated me in what life is like for a mill dog, or an unspayed/unneutered animal. I have 3 other wonderful dogs from rescue groups, and they KNOW that they are safe and loved and have escaped a bad situation. We just have to keep speaking out and trying to educate people.

NO MORE HOMELESS PETS, is a noble goal, but seems a bit unrealistic to me. Is it really an achieveable goal?

This morning on my way to work I counted (5) dead dogs & cats in the street. Oddly enough, all of these animals were on the same street within a (3) mile stretch.

I drive (34) miles daily to work. I take surface streets mostly because the freeways are always jammed during rush hours. I drive through many different neighborhoods, some quite well to do and some that are not so well to do. I've been making this drive for several years now and have noticed several interesting things.

In the higher income neighborhoods, There are hardly any people on the street. I see a few people jogging or walking thieir dogs, mostly I see the gardeners taking care of the yards. For the most part the streets are quiet.

In the lower income neighborhoods, there is quite a bit more activity. Not too many joggers or dog walkers, but many more people walking to some destination and lots of school children walking to school. I also see a lot more unleased dogs roaming the streets. All of the dogs and cats I saw squashed on the street this morning were in this neighborhood.

I am not insinuating that people of lower income neighborhoods are irresponsible, I'm just stating that I see more animals running loose, unsupervised in this neighborhood.

Does anyone have any numbers as to the amount of pets in pounds or shelters waiting for a home vs. the demand for pets per year?

Let's pretend the world suddenly became perfect. Let's pretend breeders quit breeding, and all the people who presently own pets became responsible and had their animals spayed and neutered. This would basically leave the only pets available for new pet owners, the animals in the shelters and ones living on the streets.

At the present rate the general population acquires new pets compared to the number of existing pets waiting to be adopted or taken in off the streets, how long would it take to achieve the goal of NO MORE HOMLESS PETS? Does anyone reading this have any numbers or statistics on this subject?

It seems to me that every city has a neighborhood like the one I drive through every day and if one wants to take a big step toward the goal, these neighborhoods are a good place to start.

I hope I am not opening up a hornet's nest making these comments. I am not an animal activist as of yet, however, since becoming acquainted with Best Friends, I realize it is just a matter of time before I'll find myself standing on a street corner with a sign over my head picketing for animal rights.

I have never won any awards for my writing abilities, I hope the above makes sense.

As the official spokesperson for Winnie, thank you...Jack

Sending big smiles to you. Such a happy story. (not to advocate breeders but happy that these two found each other!)

The fate of a dog in one of these so called breeding places, who is not able to breed, is not a nice one. This man saved a life by listening to his heart.

Thank you Jack for saving Winnie! :-)

This story is a win-win. Jack has Winnie. Winnie has Jack. And while I can't speak for Jack, I suspect he will share this story with many people and perhaps a few will change their thought process regarding breeders.

Like others who have posted on this thread, I can't count the number of times I've referred people to a local rescue, shelter, petfinder.com or 1-800-save-a-pet. I can only hope that they consider that option once I provide the info...

And I don't think we're trying to put a stop to breeding altogether....just irresponsible breeders.

I feel very sorry for the puppy mill dogs too, and if a breeder is willing to give them to a rescuer, then that's one thing. But if you have to buy them to rescue them, then you're putting money in the breeder's pocket, and it ends up supporting them. And that seems to me like the wrong message.

As for the pet store pups, if you go buy them to "rescue" them, then the pet store owner just contacts the breeder and buys another one.

Obviously, we're all happy when a dog is saved, but if we were to put that money to use paying for a lobbyist to help us shut down puppy mills, it seems to me that would be a better use of our very limited funds.

OK..I dont agree with breeding at all and I know we should not buy our pets from breeders. All of my pets are shelter rescues.Once people stop buying from breeders, then the breeders will be out of business, is that correct? Well, there will always be people buying from breeders, so it is not going to end. What concerns me is, if no one buys from breeders,what happens to these poor animals? What if Jack did not go to this breeder? Then poor Winnie would still be living in a cage. I think some breeding dogs and cats have it bad, just like a shelter animal. Someone needs to resuce them as well. What about the poor dogs living at the Petstores? I dont know where they sleep at nite, but it does not look like alot of fun sitting in a glass box all day with no bed or toys. That may not be how they live now at the petstore, I dont know, I have not been in one in years, I refuse. What I am getting at is, shelter animals need us to rescue them and provide them with a home they deserve, but dont these poor animals forced to breed deserve a good loving home as well?

Great story, and Winnie is a very lucky dog to have found Jack.

Southerndogmom's comment about how people think shelter dogs come with built-in problems struck me as very interesting. People have told me the same thing and yet some of the most "messed up" dogs I've known were purchased by friends from backyard breeders. Physical and behavioral problems all over the place.

If someone tells me they're going to buy a purebred dog because of the breed's standard looks or personality, I remind them that there are groups all over the country rescuing their particular breed, and I point them to Petfinder and 1-800-Save-a-Pet.

Unfortunately, I rarely find out they're planning to buy a dog until they've already done it. But I did have a friend call me once who wanted to adopt a Maltese for her Dad. I sent her to Petfinder, and before long her Dad had a new Maltese friend.

To southerndogmom and rmlamasney25,

After visiting the breeder I realized I would never go back to one again. There are too many other animals in shelters or roaming the streets that need a home. Just as I needed a companion, Winnie needed one too. We were lucky to connect.

On a personal note: As I am writing this, Winnie is patiently waiting at my feet for me to finish, so to all of you, thank you for responding to my story. Now it's time fo give Winnie some attention...Jack

Hi Jack and Winnie!

Where do you live Jack, I'd love to meet you!

Teresa McNamara
walkswithwolves8@msn.com

I love this story!! And the picture of Winnie looking adoringly at Jack is pretty darn cute as well!

Amen to that! In my queendom there will be no more homeless pets either. My sis-in-law disappointed me so much - she just bought a pug puppy from a breeder. I tried to convince her to save a grand and more importantly, save a life, by visiting a pound or a rescue group, but she had the same attitude as southerndogmom's coworker. I keep talking to everyone about how wonderful the dogs we've adopted are....and I won't give up trying to convice people to adopt

What a touching, wonderful story. Jack saved Winnie and Winnie will save him right back.

I'm often perplexed by people who insist on using a breeder. A woman I work with had to have her dog euthanized somewhat unexpectedly. When she began talking about getting another pup to love, I suggested she consider a shelter or rescue. Her response was, "I don't need a dog who already has problems."

How unfortunate that people who use breeders assume the animal they adopt is problem free and that animals fostered by rescues or cared for in shelters are somehow social outcasts of the animal world.

Someday when I'm queen of the world (sarcasm), there will be no more animal breeding whatsoever until all of the homeless creatures have loving homes.