Sometimes I cringe when I see "newbies" post. You come here happy, proud and wanting to share your joy, only to have folks tear you apart for one thing or another.
The problem, as I see it, is simply that people forget that at one point in their lives they, too, were "uneducated" about all the myriad things affecting our small charges. You fall in love with the breed, want to share your joy ... and then the learning curve begins. In an ideal world, everyone would learn all they could first, THEN acquire a pup. But that's not the reality ...
Some of the people here need to remember how it was when THEY were new, before they started to absorb the knowledge that can be found here. It would also help to put yourself in the poster's shoes before answering ...
If new people are attacked upon joining and stating something perceived "ignorant" as opposed to "uneducated", the poster won't stick around long enough to GET the education. Sometimes it requires taking a deep breath, then carefully choosing words.
The object of this board - and any other animal related board - should be education, with camaraderie and sharing experiences coming in a close second. Education cannot be bludgeoned into the "pupil"; to do so is to alienate, which results in closed minds, rebellion ... and loss of the student. How much will be learned THEN?
We - ALL of us! - love the little furbutts we share our lives with. What we need to try to remember is that everyone has a starting point in learning about our charges - including the person who is posting an "answer". Please remember that not everyone has your experience ... but they're here to learn, so be kind - or you'll run them off.
One other thing: not all the members here live in the U.S., so take into consideration that things are different where they live and make adjustments in your answers (and opinions) accordingly.
Just my opinion ... |