Raising A Dog, Not All Fun And Games
Owning a dog is more than just fun and games, it requires a lot responsibility. The American Humane Association wants to make sure movie-goers who see “Marley & Me” realize what goes into dog ownership.
They are running a new education campaign around the movie, along with adoption events in at least 15 cities.
American Humane Association and 20th Century FOX are working together to ensure viewers of this holiday’s anticipated hit, Marley & Me, fully understand the responsibility and accountability that comes with owning a puppy. Their goal: to educate potential dog owners to find dogs that fit their lifestyles; to encourage adopting dogs from shelters; and to prevent owners from abandoning puppies because they got “more than they can handle.”
Opening Christmas day, Marley & Me is based on John Grogan’s best-selling novel and columns in the Philadelphia Inquirer. In the movie, Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston star as the owners of Marley, a high-strung Labrador retriever that teaches the couple about unconditional love.
Some things American Humane and 20th Century FOX have in the works:
1. FOX is arranging for a local shelter to put on an adoption day at each theater nationwide that will hold a special Marley & Me screening. American Humane will be working through its shelter network to provide potential shelters with which to work on creating the adoption event.2. American Humane is providing dog training tips and important pet ownership information to FOX for an American Humane/Marley & Me pamphlet that will be available at each of the adoption/screening events.
Eleven years ago there was some media coverage concerning the staggering number of Dalmatians purchased and abandoned following the release of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians.
Labs are already America’s favorite dog, standing at the top of the AKC’s list of most popular dogs for 10 years. As a result, there are many Labradors available for adoption. It also speaks volumes for the number of Lab puppy mills (not ethical lab breeders) that may be preparing to flood the market with cute Labs that carry some of the breed’s genetic problems, such as hip dysplasia.
So many dogs are adopted and then returned, people adopt without thinking about the whole picture. They look at that cute fuzzy face and don’t think about how much care, time, love, and money it takes to raise a dog.
Hopefully this campaign will raise awareness, giving a potential adopter all the information needed to make an informed decision.
* Allie Phillips, Sandi Buck and Tracy Coppola (of the Office of Public Policy) with Marley. Photo courtesy American Humane Association.
That is such a great idea!
Being the Mommy of a VERY smart Dalmatian I am fully aware of the work that goes into owning one of these little spotted angels. People come up to me all the time and ask if she is a spaz or mean or a biter or this or that negative connotation.
Dals are the smartest most loving gentle dogs in the world, they just take a lot of work. People don’t get that.
I have a friend whose dog is a mix and she is upset that her dog is now showing aggression with other dogs.. but she let her dog play very aggressively with other dogs for months. Now wonders what the problem is. Duh.
A dog is not an object it is a feeling thinking family member.. I hope EVERYONE takes some time to really consider this before adopting.
Birdy was adopted once before I adopted her, the woman “didn’t have the time”. So I was lucky. Whoever owned her first and left her to fend for herself in the streets of Tijuana probably thought the same.
Lucky me!!!!
Mama and I are glad to see this is being done. I am a yellow lab myself and am very lucky – since I have a few (shall we say) behavior issues! Mama is always glad that I belong to her, because she realizes that not everyone would put up with me! (I think she is joking) But it is true that I am 100 + pounds of fun and games, and that ain’t for everyone!
So it is best that potential lab owners and all dog owners know what they are getting into. And be prepared to take lifelong responsibility!
Love ya Dogsters!
Savvy and Mama!
I’m so glad lots of pups will find new homes and that the training is getting as high a priority as the owning.
After all, that’s part of the fun of having a dog.
A lot of folks get a dog, not realzing the responsibility and work that goes with it. It’s great to have a furry love bug, but you have to work at socialization, exercise (no matter what the weather is like), and the expense of general care (not to mention specialized care some dogs need).I wen in blindly, but learned fast that my hard work makes my pup a welcome dog to the outside world. Heck, I’ve done more research on her food than my daughter’s!
That is really great. Labs are truly wonderful dogs but many do Not know about their activity level and puppylike playfulness that last YRs not months. They like every other dog do not come trained as good family dogs.It takes human effort and love,