A PET'S Purpose...WARNING: This is a RANT...

Several months ago I shared a movie trailer for a film that is soon to be released, called A Dog's Purpose.  The trailer alone made my human cry.  But this week, a video surfaced which showed a dog in the film supposedly being forced to go into the water - and he was reportedly terrified.  I say supposedly and reportedly because my human could not bring herself to watch it.  She has a hard time watching videos of animal abuse - and honestly, just won't do it any more.  Of course, since then, there has been a boycott on the film - and subsequent versions of the scene have apparently been shown.  Now I don't know if the dog was abused or not.  It certainly IS possible that the dog was forced to do something he did not want to do.  And that would be awful.  But honestly, forcing a dog to do something happens in my house, too.  If given the option, I would NOT choose to be groomed.  But I do it - and I get copious amounts of treats during the process - so while I am being "forced" to do something I don't WANT to do, it would hardly be considered abuse.  At least not in my mind.  But please keep in mind that I didn't SEE the video - so it may have actually been abuse. And THAT we don't condone. AT ALL.

But the other thing to keep in mind is that the movie was filmed 15 months ago.  With animal control officials reportedly watching.  The video that was just released was a short, edited version of the scene.  Note I said edited.  What happened before or after is hard to know.  But then again, IF it was abuse, it was abuse.  It's interesting, though, that this video was released JUST before the film was to come out - perhaps to get the MOST attention.

Which brings me to the BIG thing to keep in mind.   That is who released this abusive segment of film.  None other than PETA.  Yup.  The organization who on the surface looks like it genuinely CARES about animals.  HOWEVER - IF you own a pet - of any sort, PETA is NOT, I repeat, PETA is NOT your friend.  PETA does NOT believe animals should be used in medical experiments, for food, for clothing OR AS PETS.   While some of their campaigns (like Save the Whales) might be a good thing - IF YOU OWN A PET, PETA IS NOT ON YOUR SIDE.  PETA advocates that you adopt a dog from a shelter - and you should spay and neuter.  Which is all fine - and there is NOTHING wrong with adopting a shelter dog.  NOTHING.  But read further - and THINK further.  PETA portrays dog breeders as evil people.  PETA says we have "enough" dogs in shelters and there is no need to breed.  So let's take PETA's stance.  No more breeding.  Adopt.  Spay and neuter.  No more puppies.  No more puppies.  No more dogs.  Ever hear the word "extinction?"  THAT'S what PETA wants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  PETA does NOT want dogs as pets.  Purebred or otherwise.  PETA does not want ANY pets.     READ THE WEBSITE.  I think it's ironic that an organization that supposedly protects animals is so dead set on seeing the extinction of dogs.  But then, they don't believe in domesticated animals at all.  PETA says that humans are "selfish" to own pets.  And here is a direct quote from their website about pets: "They are restricted to human homes, where they must obey commands and can only eat, drink, and even urinate when humans allow them to."  Yup.  As you know - life is VERY tough for the pets in THIS household... 

Because some of their work for wild animals may be good, people tend to overlook their REAL agenda with pets.  If you agree that 200 years from now there should no longer BE Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, or Labrador Retrievers, or Berger Picards,  or Poodles or ANY purebred dogs - go ahead and support PETA.  And don't kid yourself - their campaign IS working.  There is a HUGE number of people who have been swayed to thinking that shelter dogs (spayed and neutered shelter dogs) are THE thing to own, and in some circles, it's considered uncool to own a purebred.   And let me repeat -  there is NOTHING wrong with adopting from a shelter.  What the shelter dog supporters who support PETA don't realize, is that in PETA's plan - someday THOSE dogs will be gone too - along with the purebred dogs.

Now I am NOT saying purebred dogs are without problems - that's a rant for another blog (!).   BUT if you love your dog - purebred or not purebred and if you believe in the unconditional bond, love and support in owning a pet - ANY kind of pet - watch who you support. 

Phew.  That's my rant for today.  Who KNEW I could be so fired up about a political topic.  See - I SHOULD have run for President....