I think posting about bad expeiriences with other breeders and kennels is great. I know when I started on my quest to find my yorkie I was saved a lot of heartache and expense by hearing about various expieriences that other people had. I found My puppy thru a breeder on yorkie talk whom I feel so comfortable with. I know the threat to sue is just that a threat. Actually Im glad someone had posted that thread because I had considered contacting them at one time. Had I purchased a yorkie from them I probably would have recieved a sick puppy. So I am thankful for those threads. I just think threads that are started here should stay here thats all. So im sorry if I somehow wrote the thread to sound like something against opinions. :rolleyes:
thanks again,
sue

I agree - we have the internet and should use it - I wish I had forums like this when I was looking for my first yorkie - I'm very glad you found a good breeder and a great yorkie...

I agree with you Natalie! I have been on other forums where they will actually ban a person without notice if they state their opinion and it is different from their's. We do have a wonderful, open-minded and supportive group who really and truly respect each other and just want to make our lives and the lives of our furbabies better. I don't agree with mean, disrespectful people because those are not just "opinions". They are hurtful and serve no beneficial purpose whatsoever. They deserve to simply be ignored and they usually go away.

Now to put on my legal advice hat, it is perfectly okay to relate "experiences" you have had or to state "in my opinion" about something. If you are truly doing this, then it is not defamation. What it is not okay to do, and what can lead to potential liability would be to simply state something that you cannot prove like, "Joe Blow Kennels is a puppymill" or this breeder "stole a picture off the website" or "Bob, the breeder is not reputable". If it turns out that you cannot prove the statement and the defamed person or business can prove otherwise, they do not even have to prove damages when it happened in writing, such as a post on a forum. It is considered "libel" and litigation could possibly occur.

I am pretty sure Fast Eddie can't be successfully sued for anything the members here post because I am pretty sure he has a notice/disclaimer that the opinions and comments expressed here are those of the members and not those of the owners/operators. He is smart to do this as it protects him. We should still be very careful that we use the IMO phrase whenever we are saying anything negative just to avoid a potential problem.

No worries, Be happy!!!

I disagree. Tarawood posted a good thread on this but I don't know where it is - regarding my post - There are many posts about bad breeders - why would this be singled out ?

There's been countless posts about good and bad breeders and someone here nailed it on the head - if you don't want bad publicity - then don't give anyone a reason to be upset.

we are SHARING INFORMATION and discussing it on a public forum - you are making it sound like no one can say anything without 'IMO' in front of it - I don't think that is going to really make a difference - but that's JMO....

I agree, I disagree, I'm neutral, I am not opinionated, your kennel is horrible, our kennel is great, I wouldn't mind living in your kennel, you're a great breeder, you're a great breeder but I don't agree with you ...
Whatever it is, it's made this forum a great place to learn new things!

And YES, exactly.. if Mr. Brushy Creek Kennel doesn't give anyone to complain about then there wouldn't be any complaints!! Take that Mr. Brushy. :rofl28ib:

lol...good point and well said - I need to shorten my posts - I tend to get wordy ....I like what you said here.

but I think he may go by Mr. SHADY also ...

People get upset for all sorts of reasons whether they are reasonable or not. There are breeders on here who will tell you that people get upset when a puppy ends up being bigger than 5 lbs even when the breeder told them there was no way to guarantee adult size. They will get upset if the breeder raises her prices or refuses to ship a puppy or won't sell to them because they do not find their home life suitable for whatever reason. It would be great to think we can be safe from people who choose to speak in a negative way about someone or their business just by " not giving people a reason to be upset" but that is not reality, unfortunately.

I remember Tarawood's post (Thread "Who's Responsible?" 3/30/05) and I discussed it with her privately because she was not completely correct. In the case of slander, which is the oral or spoken form of defamation, damages must be proven, but in the case of libel, which is the writen form of defamation, no damages need be proven. They are "assumed" because the written word is so much more powerful than the spoken word and can do so much more widespread damage.

I am not telling anyone on here what to say and what not to say, I am simply advising that it is safer to use "in my opinion" if you really want to protect yourself when you are speaking negatively about anyone or any thing.

We should feel free to have healthy, respectful debate and discourse with differing viewpoints on issues on this forum free from fear of making defamatory comments that might unintentionally hurt someone or their business. It is easy if you just do it right. It's not difficult.

I don't believe that we have to adhere to the addage, "if you don't have sonething nice to say, don't say anything at all" but I would just say that if you have something that's not nice to say, then state that it is your experience, or it is your opinion, and it be less likely to cause a problem.

A lot of threads I've been going to, I see the topic of free speech and opinions being debated (regardless of what the thread name is! lol). What's going on here guyssss? :rolleyes:

PS. Kim, your PM box is full! lol

I sure don't know - I thought all that was covered earlier.

Natalie:

Say it with me

"I pledge allegiance to Yorkie Talk and to the yorkies for which it stands."

We should write a yorkie constitution or Yorkie Bill of Rights!! :yorkiesar

IMO.... its sad that lately so much legal advice has to be given/posted on a YORKIE FORUM. There should be more of a respect for privacy that "what happens here, stays here." I have been coming to the yorkie forums since I got a Yorkie almost a year ago and have never seen threads like these recently. And I am not claiming to be an angel, I got upset over a thread the other night, so I reg'd to post and I did ...but I am very passionate about not defending breeding practices that I feel are unscrupulous and that is where it started and I admit, it got way out of hand and personal and I apologize for that. But it just isnt even funny to joke about needing to discuss what libel is and what slander is! I am no regular poster, but I can see why people that come here to learn something about yorkies wouldn't want to stick around after reading posts like this.... It should just be dropped! Its a dog forum, there shouldnt need to be a YT constitution or anything remotely close. People should be able to feel safe enough to post what their thoughts and experiences are without needing to "IMO" or "JMO" it or worrying whether it violates the YT Pledge. I'm sure those terms were posted in a joking manner, but there is still an undertone that just isn't appropriate on a dog forum.

I know that a selected few have personal problems with a certain member on this board because of past experiences with her, but please please please please stop bringing up things that don't need to be brought up! Like everyone says, what happens there stays there and that should pertain to personal problems as well.
I hope you guys agree because, personally, I'm tired of seeing posts aimed towards her.

If you want to read other members threads and delve in the information than it's all up to you. However, if you don't find those post useful or if you are sickened by the post (i.e. the Greenies thread) than noone is shoving your face into it and forcing you to read it. Simply skip it and move on. People can share whatever information they want to and you really cannot stop them from doing so by complaining that they're posting it. It's just up to you to read it or not. Just because it's there, you read it and you don't like it/have no use for it doesn't mean that person shouldn't post it because the person that reads it after you might find it useful.

I hope you guys understand what I'm trying to say!
I don't think this is yet ANOTHER controversial thread, let's try not to make it one you guys. Please!

I'm lost now... I thought this thread had to do with Natalie & I getting into an argument the other night, which is why I just posted what I did. I think maybe I am misunderstanding something that has to do with someone else....which is fine with me! I guess I missed the part about something else being directed at someone else???
As far as the greenies thing... I feel like Britney Spears here...."Oops! I did it again!" B/c I just posted some advice on the Greenies. I didnt know that was a bad subject sorry! I don't think I offended anyone one that one though!

Tara:

I was trying to lighten things up. Why don't you tell us about your yorkies?

Don't tell me there is a libel/slander worry about the greenies too if you decided not to give them anymore b/c of the warning that was posted here??? Please tell me this is not for real? How can anyone share experiences anymore if they are worried abt getting sued???

"I'm sure those terms were posted in a joking manner, but there is still an undertone that just isn't appropriate on a dog forum."

Kim- I knew you were and that is why I posted the above. And also started my post with "IMO" so as not to offend anyone.

Thank you for asking about my yorkies... they are absolutley wonderful! Simply could not be better... beautiful, happy and healthy! Can't ask for much more than that!

No worries there (Greenies thread)! There is plenty of evidence and incidences of the truth behind some dogs suffering harm. I think the manuacturer has even decided to post it's own warning.

Tara: Natalie was referring to someone else from today, not you from the other day. I don't want to use names, but if you go read the thread you will know what she was referring to. It was osmeone saying some "mean" things.

Well I just wanted to be certain that I'm posting within the legal guidelines, so as not to jeopardize the forum.

:eyetearss I'm in the laughing mood. I wasn't talking about your Greenie response, Tara! I was talking about someone else saying that ALL OF US (you, Kim and I included) don't deserve to own Yorkies if we feed them Greenies which is hilarious. What I was referring to was Kim posting legal advice or sharing her knowledge on what she knows on laws and legality. If you don't read it, than by all means.. don't read it but the person that reads it after you might find it useful! That's all, nothing "controversial". lol
:yelrotflm I'm sure we all, under all the resentment and disagreements, love eachother. :wub:
See LvMyYorki, we had our disagreements in the other posts but, girl/woman/Yorkie lady, at the end of day I admire you for owning spoiled Yorkies and I appreciate all the information you share with us.

Can I get a hug please? hahah Just kidding.

I don't know what thread you guys are talking about. I didnt realize there were so many. I am soooo lost! I thought I was still getting garbage bc I posted abt that "breeder" and then got into an argument with you. I thought you & I were finished arguing by the end of the thread... I found out after the weekend that the thread went on and on until it got shut down. I guess I missed most of the stuff everyone was in a snit about!

That is the post we are referring to. :thumbdown
I'm not sure if it's bad to quote from other threads. :confused:

well, she was being blunt...she even says so herself. I can see that she is frustrated. It appears that she came off as venting a little. I can be accused of the same thing where it comes to irresponsible breeders. It just frustrates me too!
I was one of the people that took them away from my yorkie and replaced with the new "smart greenie." i couldnt be certain how much he was biting and chewing up into small enough pieces, so i just decided not to take the risk. One mf my yorkies loves the new one and they other is just a puppy and likes her nylabones. so it wasnt a big deal for us.

lvmyyorki I was just venting mainly because what started out as a decent day for me got bad. I know sometimes these threads can get controversial and thats perfectly allright its just when things are said and done in a disrespectful way that I tend to get frustrated. We all love our pets dearly there is no denying that. Some of us are more passionate than others when it comes to certain subjects. I know there are things i truly feel strongly about but I try not to be direspectful. Yes certian threads have gotten a lil heated these past couple of weeks. I guess I just got tired of it all and when I wrote the thread I was not in a good mood and it transferred to what I was writing. I have met a lot of terrific people on here whom I hope I can always keep in touch with. Some of you make laugh so hard with some of your post and really brighten up my day. You see its very hard to talk about your pets to people who are not into it them like we are and thats why its nice to come on here and share with people who understand. Thats why i got upset cause I look to yt for info and yes comfort as well amusement. I just dont want that to end thats all. Yes I did mention yours and natalies lil exchange of words but i used that as an example and I shouldnt have and I apologize.

I pm'd you hours ago to explain about what happend the other night bc I didnt want to post abt that incident again publicly and stir up that bees nest for no good reason....don't know if you got my message.

Hey guys!

Let's lighten things up now, okay? What's the funniest thing your Yorkie did this week?

Kim :D

ME tooo! It's the devil in me that makes me do it!!!! :eyetearss

I'm soooooooooooooooo glad I've not posted on this thread! MEOW!! Jeez, let's all be friends, okay? When I joined this forum I was attacked, but I want to be a part of it so badly that I just didn't post for a few days so I could let it go! Guess what? I'm baaaaaaack!!!

Now, can I tell someone what happened at lunch today? I was walking my yorkie puppy in his harness to the mailbox. I saw a lady on the sidewalk with a golden retriever and a lab (both on leashes). I politely walked out into the street with my puppy (culdesac) to go around them. Suddenly, the lab tore after my puppy!!!!!!!!!!! Without even thinking I whisked him UP into the air like a yoyo) dangling in his harness and caught him in mid-air about 6 feet off the ground! OMG, he was going to be that dog's lunch!! I was terrified for my pup. He was fine, though scared enough that he couldn't walk and I had to carry him!! The lady could no more control of those dogs than the man in the moon! I was so scared and angry I couldn't even speak. She walks these dogs for someone, so she doesn't even own them. She shouldn't be walking them if she can't control them!! If I'd have bent down to pick him up I imagine I would have had a dog bite or worse. I can hardly think about it without crying!!!!!

Wow that had to have been scary. They should use one of those soft muzzles on those dogs if the person walking them cant control them. heaven forbid if you had not acted as quickly as you did. Hope he is okay now :) .

will someone pm and tell me what's going on w/the bushy creek kennel thing and the thread-who's responsible?? i wasn't able to get online for a few days and now i'm way lost??? :confused:

Yup...people went nuts on it!!! :( Guess I have missed alot on here. We are all family, I wish we could all get along. :(