Posted by: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Randalph N. Herod) Maryann's cry in the wilderness, ". . . doesn't anybody care other than people like us? . . ." certainly strikes a chord of frustration in all of us. That common frustration is expanded on with Ruby's noting of our common societal pollution of non-involvement with, " . . . ..........it is SO hard to get people mobilized into action. Just look at our own political elections....only 35% of voters vote.......not 35% of the population......35% of registered voters. Yet we all live here, and we all know things should be better/changed.....but we can't get the people interested. . . . " Personally I will imply that it is worse than that by stating my belief that while many dog people talk the talk, few walk the walk. Please, everyone now gasp and throw tomatoes and get it out of your system, but we all know it to be true. With the exception of a few individuals, namely most of those in rescue work, those in humane society work, those in training, and a lesser percentage of those in club and show activities, and few others in the dog world, few will do more than gnash their teeth, bewail the sadness of the situation, and then go on to something else. The truth is, you don't need to have a large national movement to get something accomplished. A few suggestions: First, what are your local laws applicable to dogs? When was the last one passed by local officials? Do you know the positions of your local elected representatives on these questions? Why do they believe the way they do? Have you tried to find others locally who view things the way you do? Can you develop a local lobbyist group? Can you develop a list of dog owners in your local area? What are the average number of dogs per owner in your area? How many are licensed and how many have rabies shots? Have you tried to get the vets and groomers and dog food sellers and farmers to work with you? If the local dog people are working together, puppy mills and dog fighting events cannot go unnoticed, have you tried to develop such a list an watch group? Have you offered to do so for the local police? Do you make presentations to schools, girl and boy scout troops, the boys and girls clubs, the 4H, church groups, and any other group to understand and work with your point of view? Just because you believe in the rightness of your point of view doesn't mean others will come and support you. You are in competition for their interest and support. If you don't actively sell them on your positions, why should they care? Just because you know your right? Yeah, right! We can also feel bad about the low voter turn out, and we should, its pathetic. However, it can also be seen as an opportunity. If you can get a local action group, your opportunity to control an election is better because fewer votes are needed. You can bet the politicians will come to realize your growing power, AND COMMITMENT. You will begin to get their attention and vote. Do you really think that the current laws just happened? Puppy millers put money into lobbyists, do you? Whether we agree with them or not, they are fighting for their livelihood, do you think that they will just lay down and roll over because you don't like what they do? What if you got every dog organization to send just 5 people to the State capitol on the say day? With their dog! I bet you would be noticed. I bet you would get on the news. However, there is a potential down side to such an effort. I suspect that if you have been in dogs very long, you will have met someone in the dog world who has become a friend and they are a breeder. They say all the right things about breeding ethics, but at 3:00 A.M., and saying it only to your self, yeah, they take care of their dogs but with the volume they have, they are a puppy miller. If you are committed, what will you do when they come to you and say what you are working on for new laws will hurt them? Dog people are no different than anyone else and there are just as many less than ethical and unknowledgeable breeders as in any other field. However, a small, committed group of individuals can make a difference. It may not change the world and likely won't fix all of the problems for Great Danes let a lone for all of dogdom. That isn't the challenge, the only real challenge is what will you, by yourself, do even if no one else joins you. For example, find out what laws impact dogs (animals?) in your locality. Separately, find out what the procedures are to attend your local city council and county boards of supervisors. After that find out what animal problems are bothering your elected officials. Now develop a solution that helps your goals at the same time. Now help develop support for that solution and make sure the local politician knows what you have done. Don't worry about the others, just do what you believe to be right. By the way, to successfully sue someone is a bigger effort than what I have just suggested. If your suit fails, you maybe subject to damages. Randy Herod Waterloo, Iowa ---------- > From: Ruby <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [DaneBytes] TITLE: Lyles, TN., Puppy Mill - P Adkisson Trial > Date: Saturday, October 16, 1999 2:48 PM > > > > Posted by: Ruby <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > doesn't anybody care other than people like us? > Maryann > > ............one of the hardest things i had to learn about the internet > and Dane/dog issues it that, for the most part, yes, we are the only > ones that care. > ...........and our Dane/dog world is so small comparitively speaking > comapred to the US. > ..........it is SO hard to get people mobilized into action. Just look at > our own political elections....only 35% of voters vote.......not 35% > of the population......35% of registered voters. Yet we all live here.. > and we all know things should be better/changed.....but we can't > get the people interested. > > Ya know what DOES get peoples/companies attention ? Being Sued ! > > ......i hate it ! > > -- > RUBY, the incomparable ladyR & the "O" > Florida http://www.danebytes.com/ruby > "Every Dane is a Masterpiece" > Remedy Village (human) http://www.lifebytes.net/remedyvillage >
