Wendy Diamond's Rude Comments on Greatest American Dog Last Week!

[Sookie]

Thanks for starting this thread. I'll be firing off a couple of emails myself. I think dressing our dogs is our own personal decision and shouldn't be belittled.

[crb]

Someone just posted this to my thread at CBS:

chaznee - a wrote:
You've apparently missed the other conversations regarding this...

The comments about not dressing a dog is completely valid. Just because its a booming industry does not make it right. The alcohol industry is a booming industry...does that mean that its completely healthy and has no side effects? Uh no. The tabacco industry is a booming industry...again doesn't make it right or healthy.

Anyone who has really spent time researching dogs, dog behavior, dog communication or any of that know that they were 100% right in their comments to Beth Joy. Despite the fact taht Wendy may be a hypocrite, the comments were spot on. Their are nuances that the untrained human eye will not pick up in a dogs body language and covering a dogs body does mask those nuances. Its one thing to put a dog in a sweater in the middle of the winter to keep them warm for their health...its a completely different story when its for the owners vanity and nothing else.

Children are abused every freaking day...does that mean that abusing your child is right? Absolutely postively freaking no way on earth is it. I know its not right of me to compare dressing a dog and abusing a child but the SOLE reason I'm using THAT comparison is that it gets the point across...just because it is popular (or common) does not mean that it is healthy or right.

This was my reply:

I have read numerous books on dog behavior, communication and how to read a dog and the most important signs of a dogs demeanor/attitude come from facial expressions, with the tail being next, not the torso of the body, which is the only part covered up by clothing. A happy dog will do a full body "wag", which you can definitely see under clothing. A dog who is about to attack, will stick their tail straight out, hold his head up, chest out, snarl, and have fierce looking eyes, the only thing you would not be able to see is the hair standing on their back, but with all the other signs a dog/person will know that it is an unfriendly dog.

And yes comparing dressing a dog to child abuse is absolutely ridiculous and in no way helps "sell your point". Dressing your dog is not abusing him/her, yes there may be some dogs that don't like it, however there are some children that don't like peas, if you make your child eat peas are you abusing them??? I think not!!!

[jencar98]

I saw the posts on the forum and couldn't help but comment. I also emailed all of those on the list you provided, Michele. Here it is:

Hello,

It has come to my attention that the Editor, Wendy Diamond, of your magazine has recently made some rather rude comments to a pet owner on the new CBS show, "America's Greatest Dog". The comments were made in regard to a contestant's dog wearing a dress. Coming from someone that has had her own pet wear dog clothes before, she does come off as being a complete hypocrite.

The pet clothing industry no longer consists of only a few dog sweaters for those short-haired dogs during the winter months. Pet clothing has become a multi-million dollar industry in recent years, as you are well aware of, given the number of pet clothing manufacturers/vendors advertising in your magazine.

I think your magazine really would not want to be associated with someone that has most likely offended millions of pet owners by her disparaging comments. Also, your magazine's advertisers most likely would not want their customers to be told that dressing their pets is wrong.

I'm not a subscriber of your magazine (wasn't aware of it's existence, before this) and most likely will never be now, because of Ms. Diamond's comments. It's a shame too because not only do I spend thousands a year on pet clothing and supplies, I also spend a good sum on pet reading materials.

[simonandhallie]

I wish we could put half of the energy that has been spent on this topic (a comment about dog clothes) and put it towards puppy mill legislature, stopping animal abuse, or just writing to a rescue group to say thanks.

[cmgny42]

Here is the email I sent to all of the contacts you posted in this thread:

Hello,
I recently watched an episode of Greatest American Dog on CBS where the judging was on obedience and grooming. I was very upset by Wendy Diamond's comments to the pet owner that had dressed her dog. While I understand the reason for the comment was to explain that the judges couldn't judge Bella Scarlett on her grooming because part of her was covered, I think Wendy went too far in her point and was condescending and attempting to humiliate the pet owner.

It further upset me when Wendy said "a dog is not a Barbie doll, a dog is a dog" when the pet owner was defending her reasons for dressing Bella in "appropriate attire" as instructed on the invitation. I have since seen videos of Wendy and her dog Lucky on different TV shows and Lucky has been dressed in each of those episodes. Why is it ok for Lucky to be dressed and not Bella? Is Lucky considered a Barbie doll since she is dressed up?

I think each owner has the choice to dress or not dress their pet as long as the dog is not in harms way by wearing the clothing or visually upset by wearing an outfit. I believe your magazine advertises for pet clothing and I would think some of your advertisers would also be offended by Wendy's comments as I was.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to my comments.

I will let you know if I receive a response (which I am doubting).

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by simonandhallie

I wish we could put half of the energy that has been spent on this topic (a comment about dog clothes) and put it towards puppy mill legislature, stopping animal abuse, or just writing to a rescue group to say thanks.

People CAN put their energy into two causes...how do you know those standing up for dog clothing AREN'T putting their energy into stopping puppymills and BYB's? We already do have some great threads going about what we can do to stop puppymills...this thread is about another topic though. If you have no interest in this cause, that's your right..but we have the right to stand up for our interests as well

[crb]

Originally Posted by simonandhallie

I wish we could put half of the energy that has been spent on this topic (a comment about dog clothes) and put it towards puppy mill legislature, stopping animal abuse, or just writing to a rescue group to say thanks.

I have spent time and money on purchasing and distributing puppy mill material (as posted on the puppy mill thread) and I have made plenty of donations to the ASPCA, I think we can all be passionate about more than one thing.

[paulapoo]

I can't believe the opinion of a few people could cause this much outrage. I agree with SimonandHallie wholeheartedly. It was an opinion, and they are entitled to it, just as you are. I think it's been blown way out of proportion. In todays world with the economy, the war, etc. the issue of 'to dress or not to dress' our babies seems very pale in comparison. I would want each one of you on my side campaigning for pulling the troops or lowering gas prices, and fighting puppy mills and abuse, but to the right to dress a dog somehow pales in comparison. It was an opinion. Aren't you glorifying the people who said it. Making them feel their opinion somehow is more important than it actually is? Just my thoughts.

[adorame]

Originally Posted by simonandhallie

I wish we could put half of the energy that has been spent on this topic (a comment about dog clothes) and put it towards puppy mill legislature, stopping animal abuse, or just writing to a rescue group to say thanks.

I hope not to sound rude, but who is to say just because we are putting our time and energy into the "clothing comment" that we have not or don't put our energy into stopping puppy mills, animal abuse, our local shelters, or even other causes that are not even animal related also?

[mizzwanned]

Thank you, I plan on writing an email and sending it tonight

[mayfateleadyou]

Originally Posted by simonandhallie

I wish we could put half of the energy that has been spent on this topic (a comment about dog clothes) and put it towards puppy mill legislature, stopping animal abuse, or just writing to a rescue group to say thanks.

Again I hope not to sound rude but as a moderator I am extremely upset at your comment. Everyone here is passionate about puppy mills and I am in the process of trying to shut one down where I live. Your comment is off subject of this thread and totally uncalled for. IMO I have been known to stand up for people being attacked on this forum but again I think what you just said was kind of wrong. Especially when this thread us supported by several donating members and you made ygrm sound like they are wasting time and space on something they are also passionate about.

[mayfateleadyou]

Sorry for misspelled words I'm using my phones internet.

[FL Tink]

Originally Posted by mayfateleadyou

Again I hope not to sound rude but as a moderator I am extremely upset at your comment. Everyone here is passionate about puppy mills and I am in the process of trying to shut one down where I live. Your comment is off subject of this thread and totally uncalled for. IMO I have been known to stand up for people being attacked on this forum but again I think what you just said was kind of wrong. Especially when this thread us supported by several donating members and you made ygrm sound like they are wasting time and space on something they are also passionate about.

I am also saddened by this comment. I spend a lot of time talking with my YT friends and learning about yorkie care etc. In that comment, what I hear is that I am just wasting my time on YT too. That all my efforts to brighten peoples day or share stories or my input is just a waste of time and not nearly as important as my efforts to shut down puppymills or protest the war. I think moderators should be leaders and helping to keep the flow going and stepping in when things get out of hand. Critism should be constructive and well...not so critical.

[paulapoo]

I disagree, moderators are also members of YT and entitled to their opinion just as everyone else. No one wastes their time coming to YT, there is an endless wealth of knowledge here. No one is against ever dressing dogs, it's just the level of outrage for a couple of people's comments that I don't understand. Who cares what the people that made these comments think. There is an endless wealth of knowledge here. Let's show pics of our babies and talk about the cute things they've done today, or ask questions if something doesn't seem right. I could care less what Wendy whats her name thinks about it! Her opinion means nothing to me and influences my life in no way!
ETA. Moderators are just as passionate, if not more, about their animals, otherwise they wouldn't be moderators.

[jencar98]

Originally Posted by paulapoo

I disagree, moderators are also members of YT and entitled to their opinion just as everyone else. No one wastes their time coming to YT, there is an endless wealth of knowledge here. No one is against ever dressing dogs, it's just the level of outrage for a couple of people's comments that I don't understand. Who cares what the people that made these comments think. There is an endless wealth of knowledge here. Let's show pics of our babies and talk about the cute things they've done today, or ask questions if something doesn't seem right. I could care less what Wendy whats her name thinks about it! Her opinion means nothing to me and influences my life in no way!
ETA. Moderators are just as passionate, if not more, about their animals, otherwise they wouldn't be moderators.

You're right, the moderators are entitled to their opinions. There is also a poll here today asking about thoughts on freedom of speech, taking responsibility for your posts, and hurting others feelings with your posts.

IMO, Kim has hurt feelings by her assuming because we care about the original topic of this thread that we can not also be passionate about and spend time and money on other causes. It was uncalled for.