Ohio has always been a farm state.  I remember moving from Brooklyn, New York, to Ohio so my father could have race horses and more important play the horses.  On my first bus ride to a new school, I looked through the window and saw my first cow.  I can remember the thrill to this day.  I studied every book I could find on animal husbandry.  I knew horses, but wanted to know everything about all farm animals and soon could recite every breed of every species.  I am still in love with farm animals, but have no desire to become the vegan that the misguided HSUS wishes us all to be.  Read below carefully.  The Animal Rights groups are insidious and invading every aspect of our society in their quest to end the “enslavement” of animals.  We are being blindsided and unless we do something now, we will only be seeing  animals through the window of a vehicle.   

You may not live in Ohio…and you may not care much if ear cropping and
tail docking are forbidden here (or anywhere)…but I urge you all to
please read the information below about what is happening in Ohio…
this proposed legislation is one of the innocuous-seeming baby steps
on the way to a vegan society…it really is.  I, for one, want to continue
to be free to eat meat..if you don’t, that’s OK with me, too.  We all really
need to be aware of what is going on here……….. and if you can
help Ohio, you’ll only be helping yourself, no matter where you live.
Please read this and pay attention……do what you can to help.
       here’s the story:

Tues Mar 10, 2009 10:05 am (PDT)

http://www.wapakdailynews.com/content/view/96930/1/

Producer problem
Monday, 09 March 2009
By MATT NICHOLS
Staff Writer
      PIQUA – Forcing Ohio livestock regulations onto producers is the first
step in a national animal rights organization’s attempt to eliminate
livestock production and to create a meat-free, vegan-oriented America.
      That was the message which was delivered to hundreds of farmers who
attended Saturday’s 18th annual 8th Congressional District Farm Forum at
Edison Community College.
      The event, which is hosted by House Minority Leader John Boehner,
R-West Chester, puts experts from different farm sectors into a discussion
about the current and future issues facing farmers across the region.
      Speakers in this year’s event included Boehner, Renewable Fuels
Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen, Ohio Poultry Association
Executive Vice President Jim Chakeres, Ohio Corn Growers Association
Executive Director Dwayne Siekman, National Turkey Federation President Joel
Brandenberger and Policy Directions Inc. Senior Vice President Steve
Kopperud.
      This year’s topic dealt with ethanol and animal rights, but for the
vast majority of the event, the topic of animal rights – specifically the
recent actions by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) – dominated
the discussions.

      Two notable speakers painted a bleak future for Ohio livestock farmers
as national Humane Society President and CEO Wayne Pacelle prepares to
initiate a variety of livestock farming regulations across the state. In a
concerning speech, Kopperud said Ohio farmers should be warned that the
Humane Society has the manpower, funding and ability to bring about great
change in how Ohio farms.
      “I’ve been watching and fighting them for 22 years, and what I’ve seen
is the emergence of one single organization which has decided that by itself
that it will shift the way America produces food, shift what America eats
for food and will do it all in the name of animal protection,” Kopperud
said.
      Kopperud said Pacelle’s immediate plans include eliminating poultry
cages, gestation stalls and calf crates throughout Ohio.
      Kopperud said Pacelle plans to bring legislation, or issue a state
referendum, to bring an end to the farming practices. If the practices are
banned, Kopperud said it will bring irreversible changes to Ohio livestock
farming.
      “It will basically shift the way we produce food in this country to
the way it was in the 1930s,” Kopperud said. “If we return to animal
agriculture to the 1930s, we’re toast. Three-quarters of this country cannot
support crops, two-thirds of this planet cannot support crops. You cannot
feed the existing population based on a vegetable-based diet.”
      While Pacelle’s motives may not currently seem like he is driving a
full-fledged restriction on animal production, Kopperud warned the
organization is only just initiating the first steps in a nationwide attack.
      Ohio, he said, will be used as a perfect example. If the changes in
regulations are put forth, other states would likely follow, and more
changes would be imposed.
      “The Humane Society of the United States say they aren’t pushing for a
vegan society, however, if you cut the crap you’ll find they are in a
PETA-kind of agenda,” Kopperud said. “If you think you can sit down with an
animal rights group and give them something and they go away, you are
absolutely insane.”
      During his keynote address at the end of the forum, Ohio Farm Bureau
Federation President Brent Porteus echoed Kopperud’s comments, saying
Pacelle is “gearing up for an assault on Ohio.”
      Porteus said Pacelle told him blatantly that the changes in the crates
and stalls are inevitable, saying Pacelle will take the fight to the people
who do not understand the science of animal husbandry.
      “The Humane Society of the United States has a clear-cut goal that
makes producing meat products illegal,” Porteus said. “They want to put
livestock farmers out of business on their way to creating a meat-free
American society.”
      Kopperud gave one final ultimatum to all those in attendance Saturday,
saying Ohio farmers must come together, get public and put a face on the
livestock industry. If they do not, he said the consequences could be
drastic.
      “This is a collective threat,” Kopperud told those in attendance. “If
all of the Ohio agricultural community does not sit down and figure out a
collective way to stop this right now, you will all wind up as crop
producers.”

---

The following story is taken from Headlines of the newest edition The Dog Press, www.thedogpress.com  Please read the following carefully and look up the references.  The following refers to the dog show world, but there have been many instances of mixed breed and pedigreed pets being seized.  Please check what is going on in your community and FIGHT for the right to own dogs and other animals.  Meredith

 

NIGHTMARE

02|10|09| In all your doggy dreams, what is your worst nightmare? Loosing your best brood bitch? Your Group Winner is run over?

C’mon, you can do better than that. Let me help you.  They knock on your door. You are in violation of the Illinois State Kennel License Law. “What is that?” you ask innocently while your mind churns, is that what they called it online? No! It was The HSUS Dog Breeder License Act. What is the Animal Control guy saying? His voice is like a thousand rolls of thunder. “You are over the legal limit of three un-spayed females, you sold a dog without a permit, and you have a litter of puppies but we have a signed statement that your vet did not examine the mother dog prior to breeding. We are here to take your dogs.”

You can’t remember how things got this far (dreams are often fuzzy and incomplete) but you clearly remember reading they can euthanize the dogs. Kill them!!!

You protest but the Animal Control Officer has backup. A Police Officer stands beside him and the local SPCA truck is in your driveway. You begin to panic, thinking of the Group-winning bitch here to be bred to your stud dog, oh no, and the 3-week old litter in the den. Your old boy is nudging the back of your knees, his cold nose the only touch of reality in this surreal nightmare. The AC officer is peeking around you at something. He thunders “You have two adult dogs in the house with a litter of puppies!” Oh My God! Another violation.
Suddenly you are running, running, gasping for breath, terrified, your legs getting weaker. They are right behind you, there’s a cliff and you leap – and it feels like your thumb is broken. You look down and see your thumb being rolled back and forth by someone’s hand. What?! You are being fingerprinted, just like on TV. Why didn’t you go get that kennel license and let them do the criminal background check and fingerprint you then? You had nothing to hide. But wait, now you are standing at a counter writing check after check, paying stacks of license fees and fines and your broken thumb won’t hold the pen right and they are coming to inspect you.
You scream “Don’t take my dogs!!!”

And you wake up, right hand crumpled under your cheek, thumb twisted in the necklace you forgot to remove. “Oh thank you Lord” you breathe deeply, still shaken. There’s tapping on your bedroom door and your son says “Mom, what’s wrong? Why were you yelling? Are you okay?” Groggy and trying to make light of it, you tell him it was just a bad dream, “a nightmare like you used to have… go back to bed honey. Everything is fine.”
Oh, but it’s not. You can’t sleep so you get up and go to the kitchen for milk. On second thought, might as well make it coffee. Switch on the pot, switch on the computer, switch on your brain.

It will be daylight soon and you’ll call in sick. You sure can’t afford it but you can’t afford to let another day go by without going to the courthouse and asking for the kennel license application form. You can probably fill it out right there and pay with a credit card. Right. You’ll sell Susie instead of spaying her to comply with that damn law. And the puppies will soon be ready to go and that incredible little boy will have to be sold too.  You grapple with the per-dog fee on top of the yearly license and sighing, admit you just can’t afford the luxury of keeping three males even if one of them is twelve years old. They make no allowance for old dogs.
Pouring coffee, you realize if you don’t keep that little male, you’ll have to ship Maggie because she can’t be bred to Skipper, too close. How will you manage? And what will it be like, having inspectors come into your home poking around? Will it bother the kids? What about the shows? The handler has been wonderful to work with and Skipper has started to do really well in the Groups. Oh well, he’ll just have to come home.
But what’s the point? Suddenly you are overwhelmed and stirring the coffee, you start to sob. You love your dogs. They are part of the family. Your husband will be reassigned soon and be here with you. He can fix anything. And then, dropping your head in both hands and sobbing aloud, you realize there is not one damn thing he can do about a state law! He can go off and fight a war, he can put a rocket together and blow up things but he can’t fight city hall, Animal Control, and the state of Illinois. They have won.
It’s too late now. Gasping, tears streaming, your mind repeats the running, running and suddenly you realize who “they” are behind you. They are your worst nightmare. They are the HSUS, PETA, and shaking your head, now you admit they were empowered by your own lack of initiative. By all the day-in, day-out things that seemed more important than writing letters, making calls, and getting to know your politicians on a first hand basis.
Wiping your eyes, fumbling with a napkin to blow your nose, you sit alone with only your guilt to keep you company at 5:30 in the morning. Well, it’s decision time. You get up and pour more coffee, reach for the cream absentmindedly. What to do? The answer is hard but obvious. Forget the courthouse today. Or any other day. Bring Skipper home, let the dogs go, all but three which is all they allow without a breeder or kennel license. Sell Skipper because the two old dogs have to stay. Sell a bitch on co-own, get a puppy back later for the family but that’s it, it’s over. They won.
You stir the coffee, take a sip, resolved now. Yes, you can do this thing. It will hurt, like cutting off your arm but for your sanity and your family, you have to get out of dogs. Then “they” will leave you alone, no more hiding dogs, no more nightmares.
Standing up, you force a smile, telling yourself “I’ll be Miss Compliance, I won’t worry about animal control, the humane society, AR Legislation.  No more crazy laws, I have rights.  They will leave me alone and everything will be fine.”
Your nightmare is just beginning.

---

related links: Little-Minded Littleton Breaks Into Setter Rescue, seizes litter

SPCA illegally enters home, confiscates birds and animals

20/20 Undercover – SPCA Steals Dogs
Politics of HSUS Double Coverage

Reference: American Sporting Dog Alliance http://www.americansportingdogalliance.org  John Yates
http://eaglerock814.proboards107.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=19

---

We also recommend the following Groups. 

http://www.americansportingdogalliance.org American Sporting Dog Alliance

http://www.cfodconline.org/index.html California Federation of Dog Clubs (CFODC)

http://www.petpac.net PetPac

http://saova.org/ Sportsmen’s and Animal Owners’ Voting Alliance (SAOVA)

http://www.adoa.org  American Dog Owners Association

Daylight Savings time really caught me by surprise;  I was behind all day yesterday.  Al cannot drive yet so have been the chauffeur.  He hates not driving and is being less than his usual less than jovial self! 

I am tired tonight so won’t write much; however, I read an interesting and excellent article in USA Today which I will report upon next time.  The article deals with to do with our declining adherence to a moral code in this country.  Food for thought.  Until next time . . .

Al and I were married twenty five years yesterday, the day after he wound up in the emergency room again for the same symptoms he had when he had the bloods clot and fresh bleed.  He checked out to be okay, but we are very watchful and he is certainly not one hundred percent, but he will be. I continue to work as I find that I have a renewed calling in the principalship and am happy being back working with kids. After setting my own hours for ten years, it has been hard to go to bed at a relatively normal hour so I can get up at five–a perfectly horrible hour!  I did not always get laundry done before now I am really behind.  I understand all the dog bedding, but cannot for the life of me understand how two people can generate so much laundry.

I have been working every day but do not know if the pattern will continue as I go in when a principal is absent and a building needs coverage.  We have the home base covered, so Al is in no danger of being without immediate help should he need it.  It is a worry, but I am really happy to be back in the schools and Al is really happy to get me out of his hair.

I have a couple of nice puppies that I intended to keep at least for awhile, but now that my time is so limited, I will let them go. I have simply no time to show right now and have accepted very few judging assignments.  This is the week of Crufts in the UK and I usually attend, but am fine with staying home as Al held down the fort for the last ten years as I traveled as I wished.  I wish I could see all the Cavaliers at Crufts and could watch our own Peter Green judge Best in Show, a very great honor for this great dog man originally from Wales, but an American for years. I am sure that Peter will do a brilliant job of judging.

 

Fourteen years ago, I let a dog named Walk the Walk, Dash, go home with Jim Mineo who has loved him and has cared for him so well over the years.  I just got an email from Dash that I would like to share:

Greetings from one of your pups….”Dash”….Walk the Walk.  I am getting
on in years, 14, but what a good life I have had.  I moved to Canfield Ohio
from Rattlebridge and have always had a companion cocker spaniel to play
with. on occasion even a springer.  I had to show them the ropes and what
was expected of them.  The highlight of my year was always the summer when
my family spent time at their lake house, and the arrival of three
grandsons, oh how they love me!!!! Unfortunately time marches on and I have
lost all my canine companions and am now alone.  I would miss them except
age has taken its toll on me as well and am not as playful as I was in the
early years.  I ma blind, deaf, lost most of my teeth and have seizures, but
I still manage to find my way to the dinner bowl, my bed on a couch in a
bright and warm sun porch, and of course to any friendly hands willing to
give me attention. I just had a haircut last week and look like the puppy
that left Rattlebridge many moons ago. Keep up the good work and breed many
more puppies just like me………Love Dash

I am so touched by Dash’s note and know that I will see him again at the Rainbow Bridge someday.  Stay happy and healthy, Dash.  Thank you, Jim, for loving him so much. 

Also, from Marilee Snyder, a wonderful picture of “Harley” (who really needs to drop a bit of weight!!! as Marilee knows. LOL) waiting patiently to be asked to play in the snow:

My friend Marilee sent me this one!

All dogs Go To Heaven (been around before but too good not to share again)

This is literally a ‘church signs’ debate, being played out in a Southern town, between the Catholic church and a  Presbyterian church. The churches face each other across a busy street. From top to bottom shows you the response and counter-response over time.

Great sense of humor by both congregations………

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As probably known by many, I served as an elementary school principal in Columbus Ohio City Schools for many, many years. While I started my career in education in high school and still hear from my first high school theatre class (four years younger than my 22 was a lot then and nothing now!), I did not want to do middle or high school sports as dog shows were even then my beginning addiction.  So after supervising the secondary reading program, I elected to go into the elementary principalship which I loved. When I started to feel burn out after 33 years and began having a few health problems, I retired and put all my efforts into the Cavalier mania traveling the world telling Al that when he needed me home, I would curtail my traveling and be home. I have always missed the principalship and really felt it was a calling; after cutting back on breeding and showing at least for now, I finally gave in to my long felt urge to return to school and have been substituting as an elementary and middle school principal in my old district. From the first moment that I walked into my first assignment, I felt that I was home.  I am working nearly every day and seem to be spending a lot of time as a middle school assistant principal as well, of course, as an elementary principal.  The problem is that middle schools start really early and this old night owl has been staying up until the wee hours and getting up at nine a.m. for quite a few years now. Rising at five a.m. is horrible!  I hate it.  Leaving the house by 6:30 a.m. every morning exposes me to a world I have seldom seen.  While others may delight in the quiet of early morning, my dogs have been conditioned to sleep in.  My poor Wendy and Snoop do not even open an eye when I leave, just snore away.  We have not done mornings in forever.  Poor Al who loves mornings does not love the very new early hours that I am keeping. 

I still cannot go to bed early and have just finished doing the dogs  before I started on the blog.  In fact, I just finished my The Royal Spaniel magazine article about legislation, what a surprise!  I am late getting to bed and will seriously pay the price in the morning. Good night for my morning wake up is less than five hours away and I am an old woman now who should know better!

Please read the information below and help defeat the legislation being proposed in Oklahoma.  This week, I will feature some of the pressing anti breeding legislation cropping up in so many states.  Please be aware of what is happening in your state, city, county, or community.  Our right to own and/or breed dogs is being threatened.  Peta had announced that its members, dressed up as the KKK, would be protesting the showing of purebred dogs at Westminster.  Only a couple of the protestors showed up and were loudly booed and jeered until they retreated.  This antic by PETA only shows just how underhandedly their organization works–the KKK yet!!!

URGENT: Oklahoma Measure Would Restrict Movement of Breeders and Allow for
Unreasonable Search and Seizure 

The AKC is extremely concerned about provisions in Oklahoma House Bill 1332,
as written, and urges all Oklahoma dog fanciers, owners and breeders to
contact their representatives to express their concerns.

The AKC promotes responsible dog ownership, responsible breeding practices,
enforcement of cruelty laws, reasonable inspection programs and nuisance
regulations. However, HB 1332 does not improve the welfare of animals and
would punish fanciers, breeders and responsible owners who participate in
dog sports and/or breed in Oklahoma.

The AKC is disappointed that although the bill’s sponsor agreed to address
concerns about this measure voiced by the AKC and its federation prior to
bringing the measure to the floor, these discussions have not yet taken
place.

Provisions of HB 1332
<http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/2009-10bills/HB/HB1332_HFLR.RTF>  would:

*    Duplicate existing federal laws and also require that anyone who is
a breeder, person, firm, corporation or other association that qualifies and
is certified as a breeder, dealer, animal rescue, out-of-state
dealer/breeder, shelter, or retail pet store that sells, gives away, or
transfers a cumulative total of 25 or more animals of any age in any one (1)
calendar be subject to licensure and inspections that mirror USDA standards.
This includes all animal rescue organizations that utilize foster homes if
they transfer more than 25 animals per calendar year, but excludes all
shelters.

*    Stipulate that out of state breeders cannot transport animals in
Oklahoma without a state license. Although substitute bill provisions allow
for the exclusion of those who participate in dog shows and field trials, it
does not cover those who travel into Oklahoma for other dog-related events
such as training sessions, matches, hunting activities and public education
events that are not classified as a dog show or field event.

*    Require the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture to develop and
implement regulations pertaining to this bill, but does not guarantee public
input or representation from stakeholders. Experts and responsible breeders
should be consulted in the development and implementation of such
regulations.

*    Provide for warrantless search and seizure by poorly-defined
enforcement personnel. The measure states, “Oklahoma Department of
Agriculture, Food and Forestry personnel and agents shall have the right to
enter the premises of an individual or facility and conduct inspections.”
The bill language does not define an “individual”.  This appears to leave
the door open for those that do not qualify to be subjected to unwarranted
searches and seizures.  The legislation should state specifically that
inspections/searches pertain to only those that are applicants and/or
licensees.

*    Provide no element for public education or consumer protection and
attaches all the responsibility to breeders.  It provides no incentives for
those who follow ethical guidelines established by parent breed clubs, or
obtain health and genetic testing to ensure consumers have healthy quality
family pets. Responsible breeders follow ethics guidelines and existing
federal laws. Rather than to bring substandard kennels up to par, HB 1332
will cause them to hide from regulators, making identification and
enforcement nearly impossible.

HB 1332 continues to impose punitive measures that duplicate federal
efforts.  This bill will have a negative impact on responsible breeders with
valid USDA licenses, those that visit Oklahoma for recreation and legitimate
organizations that provide a valuable rescue services to animals.

The AKC and its federation encourage animal advocates to look for solutions
to community pet issues. However, HB 1332 as amended cannot solve the issues
of producing healthy pets for consumers and eliminating substandard breeding
practices.

What You Can Do:

*    Contact your representative in the Oklahoma General Assembly and ask
him or her to oppose HB 1332. To find out who represents you in the Oklahoma
State Legislature select the address tab found at this link.
http://www.okhouse.gov/Members/MemberListing.aspx

*    For a sample letter to personalize, please see attached document.

*    For more information and tips on contacting your representative,
please view the following AKC publications:

Disagree Diplomatically, (http://www.akc.org/pdfs/GILEG2.pdf  ) 

Make Your Contact Count (http://www.akc.org/pdfs/GILEG3.
<http://www.akc.org/pdfs/GILEG3.pdf> pdf  ) ,

Preparing For Action (http://www.akc.org/pdfs/GILEG3.pdf )

 

This following was emailed to me today. It really got to me; so often we don’t think of how our behavior affects our pets. In this economy, pets are finding the times as hard as their owners.  As foreclosures happen and houses abandoned, pets also have been left locked up in empty houses with no food or water or left on chains to die.  The breed rescues are filled to capacity; the shelters are taking in so many dogs that can’t be placed and may be eventually euthanized.  My brother just found the sweetest, nicest dog abandoned on the roadside; this dog is one of the lucky ones as we will see that he finds a good home.  It is hard to imagine families being forced to give up the pets that are loved as members of the family; however, people losing houses may have to find housing that does not allow pets.  Such a sad situation for all. When you read the following, please think of your dog (or cat) and remember how dependent our pets are on us.

A PET’S TEN COMMANDMENTS………

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them.
Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God’s critters.
We do not have to wait for Heaven to be surrounded by hope, love and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs! 

 

Insanity in New Hampshire

The New Hampshire legislation is among the most restrictive  anti-hobbyist bills we have ever seen. It was presented in the House Environment and Agriculture committee today for a hearing. Dog owners were not informed of the hearing, and the results have not been made available. The legislation is scheduled to move out of committee following an executive session on February 19.

      House Bill 337 would:

      · Allow New Hampshire residents to sell only one dog or cat a year.

      · Allow a maximum of no more than two additional sales by a special
      permit, for $25 apiece. No one could receive more than two special
      permits.

      · Impose fines of $50 to $200 would be imposed. All permit fee
      revenues and fines would be placed in a special fund for spaying and
      neutering pets.

      · Only large commercial kennels are exempt.(what is the definition
      and why can large kennels be approved over the hobby breeder?)

Here is a link to the actual text of the legislation:

http://www.gencourt .state.nh. us/legislation/ 2009/HB0337. html.
           

The American Sporting Dog Alliance is urging all New Hampshire dog owners to immediately contact each member of this committee and express strong opposition. It is critical to do this quickly, before the February 19 executive session.

Here is a link to the names of each member of the committee:

http://www.gencourt .state.nh. us/house/ committees/ committeedetails .aspx?code=H06
     
Clicking on a name will bring up a page with contact information for phone,surface mail, fax and email.

            PLEASE CROSS-POST AND FORWARD THIS REPORT TO YOUR FRIENDS