[Cat2861]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Hi all -

Firstly, I just want to say what a wonderful community YT is, and that I hope this thread can help us all think about improving our presence here during interactions…even if it just means tweaking our posting styles a bit.

I’ll get right to the point: we’ve been receiving a huge amount of communications from members who are concerned/venting about some of the harshness and aggression they’re seeing/perceiving in the community. This harshness pertains to both new and old members - on both the receiving and giving end of things. We’re hearing there is a pervasive feeling that members are being driven away via disrespectful, snarky, disdainful, extremely aggressive, and downright mean posting styles. This needs to stop.

We cannot be a community or call ourselves a community if we don’t come together sometimes, as a collective, and agree to do better. Well, it’s time to come together and agree to do better...to be more aware of giving (yes, GIVING) respect, to be more kind, to be more compassionate and supportive.

No one is asking anyone to be a Pollyanna or to not be themselves. We’re merely asking that, in your interactions, you strive harder and TRULY commit to what is mentioned in the previous paragraph. It’s not that hard -- and if it IS hard for you, then perhaps this isn’t the right board for you and perhaps it’s time to move on from YT to find an environment that does fit.

We are not asking much. If you do think we’re asking too much, then 1) this is not the community for you 2) you’re being self-centered and 3) you need to develop your insight into human beings, other than yourself. WE ARE NOT ASKING MUCH.

It is okay to speak your mind here at YT. However, it is not okay to simply justify any means you deem fit to meet your end goal. We believe in being STRONG advocates for dogs/animals - but not, however, at the expense of the human being behind that dependent and innocent dog. Please do not assume or think that it’s okay to behave any way you please merely because it’s in the interest of an animal. We all need to be decent here and post w/ a modicum of respect…EVEN when and especially when dealing with someone who is doing everything we are personally opposed to. Your opposition to another human being’s behavior does *not* mean you are right, nor is it a fact that they are universally and categorically wrong….it merely means you have opposition. Please learn to deal with it because it’s not going away.

If we see excessively negative and/or badgering posting styles, we will be warning people or suspending people and/or permanently banning members’ accounts.

This is an open discussion in terms of feedback, thoughts, concerns….so please feel free to share. This post is not aimed at anyone, so please do not make assumptions. It was driven by the sheer amount of concerned members who expressed themselves via PMs and on the forum itself. Thank you for reading!

Hmmmmm.....This thread was started because of negative, demeaning and aggressive posting styles and it is so evident when you read through the threads. I understand that their are strong minded people because if you ask my husband he will tell you I am the biggest strong minded person he has met. Most of the times it's a good thing but at other times it's not. Lol. People do stupid stuff everyday whether it's to themselves, another person or animal or in life general and demeaning them or being aggressive towards them is not going to change them. Don't get me wrong...I am the biggest advocate for animals and there are tons of posts that I have cried when I read them. To the point where I can't read them anymore. I believe the only thing we could hope is when they come to YT looking for help we can guide them and encourage them to read the threads and maybe, just maybe they will learn from their mistakes. Since I have gotten older, throughout the years I have had to learn to bite my tongue when others have said or done something stupid. I realized that not everybody has common sense, smarts, education, ethics, etc. I go at it in a different approach now. The other point I like to make is that expressing our opinions in writing whether it's on a forum, letter or e-mail is tricky enough because it can be emotionally charged. Sometimes we need to just step back, re-read and adjust our phrases, tone or words. That's just proper writing etiquette. You know how in an e-mail people get offended that others write in caps because they feel that you are yelling at them which may or may not be the case. Just remember that your tone cannot be heard in writing like it could be in person.

Just MHO....Have a great day!