I dont have the hang of multiple quotes yet but I would like to say thank you to Nancy, AshleyV and Nikki+2. You have said very nice things about me and you do not know how much that means to me.
The puppy mill issue is sooooooo HUGE!! Almost to the point of over-whelming. I will be the first to admit that I do get a little carried away sometimes. Please read all of the legislation that is trying to be passed. In these bills, responsible breeders are exactly the same as puppy mills. There is no differential treatment. These bills are being spurred on by peta and H$ who have millions of dollars and strong lobbyists in every state. These "demonstrations" do point out puppy mills, which is good up to a point. But it also gives uneducated people a bad image of ALL breeders, not just the mills. As Nancy said, no one is watching the back of the good breeders. We will also be subject to every fine, fee, intrusion of private life, home invasions, strict micro-mangement, and siezure of our dogs that we have spent our blood, sweat and tears for. Alot of the good breeders have spent YEARS perfecting the breed of their choice. Good breeders have spent their hard earned money on health research, breed education,dog ownership education, shows, field trials, handicap dogs, search and rescue dogs and all of it for the love of the breed. Good breeders are the mentors for newbies wanting to "get into" their breed of choice. Education and time spent with the 'newbies" is priceless. With the passage of each bill, the more all of these good things will dissappear to the point of the good breeder not being able to breed anymore. It will just be to expensive with all the added fines and fees and restictions put on us by these badly worded bills. I even put my showing on hold this year because of the economy. I cant afford it right now. But these is next year!!
I hope you all can see where I am coming from on this issue.
Personally I think that peta and H$ and the hecklers should go after the mills first. Without the mills, the pet stores will have no one to buy from. Back Yard Breeders will not accept the small amounts that the pet stores offer for their puppies. This will make it hard for a pet store to stay in business with no access to puppies.
Thats just how I see things. Lynn
Sorry if I offended any of you and seem obsessive. It just seems like its so easy to see the 'peta hsus' ideals and not the good breeder points of view.