OK..How many of you sat and held your dogs after watching todays Oprah?

[LindaR]

Once again.....it seems that lots of people are on the Oprah "worship" train. Ok, folks...........this is NOT a new story. You can read any newspaper, tune in to any news program, etc. and find the same stories that Oprah has "discovered".

People want to cry and act like they care NOW? Because Oprah did a story on this? This problem has been around for decades!

Who volunteers at their animal shelter? Who donates food, toys, bedding, cash to rescue organizations? Who pays for the spaying/neutering of the pet of the week at their shelter?

It really amazes me that so many people were not "aware" of this until Oprah did this story. Read your newspaper.......cover to cover....for a change.

 

[ckay87]

Once again.....it seems that lots of people are on the Oprah "worship" train. Ok, folks...........this is NOT a new story. You can read any newspaper, tune in to any news program, etc. and find the same stories that Oprah has "discovered".

People want to cry and act like they care NOW? Because Oprah did a story on this? This problem has been around for decades!

Who volunteers at their animal shelter? Who donates food, toys, bedding, cash to rescue organizations? Who pays for the spaying/neutering of the pet of the week at their shelter?

It really amazes me that so many people were not "aware" of this until Oprah did this story. Read your newspaper.......cover to cover....for a change.

I don't think anyone her believes that Oprah "discovered" this story?

Anyone?

Didn't think so. We are all thrilled, however, that Oprah is using her very effective voice to promote a worthy cause.

I am astounded that you are put out by that. If I believe strongly in an issue, I don't care who stands up for me or how they go about it. These dogs, apparantly need a voice stronger than the newspaper (that we are too stupid to read, thanks for pointing that out. )

 

[ericamanda01]

Once again.....it seems that lots of people are on the Oprah "worship" train. Ok, folks...........this is NOT a new story. You can read any newspaper, tune in to any news program, etc. and find the same stories that Oprah has "discovered".

People want to cry and act like they care NOW? Because Oprah did a story on this? This problem has been around for decades!

Who volunteers at their animal shelter? Who donates food, toys, bedding, cash to rescue organizations? Who pays for the spaying/neutering of the pet of the week at their shelter?

It really amazes me that so many people were not "aware" of this until Oprah did this story. Read your newspaper.......cover to cover....for a change.

My goodness, not everyone has the time to read a paper cover to cover. I think it's great that someone with Oprah's media power did such a show. Not everyone knows about every bad thing that is happening in the world. I would be willing to bet there are bad things that have been happening that even you don't know about. So there's really no need to judge others for, as you put it, caring NOW.

Just in case your wondering, yes I do volunteer my time to a local no-kill cat shelter, and have done so for several year.

 

[beattyfamily]

Once again.....it seems that lots of people are on the Oprah "worship" train. Ok, folks...........this is NOT a new story. You can read any newspaper, tune in to any news program, etc. and find the same stories that Oprah has "discovered".

People want to cry and act like they care NOW? Because Oprah did a story on this? This problem has been around for decades!

Who volunteers at their animal shelter? Who donates food, toys, bedding, cash to rescue organizations? Who pays for the spaying/neutering of the pet of the week at their shelter?

It really amazes me that so many people were not "aware" of this until Oprah did this story. Read your newspaper.......cover to cover....for a change.

Wow!

 

[LindaR]

Sorry, everyone..........I REALLY cannot stand Oprah! I think she is really about ratings. Just my opinion.

It just really irked me that so many seemed so distraught by this "news", like National Geographic and the Oprah Winfrey Show "discovered" all this ugliness.

My distaste for Oprah led me to be careless in what I said and how I said it. I apologize.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Sorry, everyone..........I REALLY cannot stand Oprah! I think she is really about ratings. Just my opinion.

It just really irked me that so many seemed so distraught by this "news", like National Geographic and the Oprah Winfrey Show "discovered" all this ugliness.

My distaste for Oprah led me to be careless in what I said and how I said it. I apologize.

I am not a fan of hers, either, BUT her power over the American people is tremendous - even though quite alarming. I remember when I worked at B&BW in grad school and one of our products was on her fave things show. The next DAY we sold out of every one we had in stock. We stayed sold out for 6months and not a day went by that some woman didn't walk in and ask about it.

Her power is amazing.

I emailed her producers years ago about doing a story on puppy mills because I knew she had power that no one else had. People listen to what is on her show - like it or not.

I'm thankful they finally decided to do such a show, and I'm thankful that people listened. I don't think she spend near enough time on finding reputable breeders, and pinpointing what a backyard breeder is, but I think that's mostly because she herself got her dogs from backyard breeders Nevertheless, the show was just an hour and highlighted some of the largest cases of animal cruelty we have in this country. For that I think her producers should be commended.

 

[CathrynRose]

Just do your research to make sure they are not affiliated with militant animal rights groups, most noteably HSUS and PETA. These groups don't want to just end puppy mills, they don't want you to own domestic animals at all, period.

Thank you for mentioning this.

PETA is completely and totally against Pit Bulls. Think they should all be put down, because they could possibly endanger another animal (like the bunnies and squirrels in your yard) I'm pretty sure ALL doggies go after the bunnies in the yard (unfortunately) and the squirrels ( unfortunately)

A group such as PETA should be for ALL animals - not select ones, and last I checked Pit's were animals.

Once again.....it seems that lots of people are on the Oprah "worship" train. Ok, folks...........this is NOT a new story. You can read any newspaper, tune in to any news program, etc. and find the same stories that Oprah has "discovered".

e.

Yeah - but you know what? The Oprah worship train has finally brought light to a situation that needed to be talked about!!! Too many people wander into pet shops day after day and shell out big bucks for these animals. And if it took someone (who I also am not *crazy* about) who people DO worship to finally see the light, then so be it.

 

[Poohbear67]

Once again.....it seems that lots of people are on the Oprah "worship" train. Ok, folks...........this is NOT a new story. You can read any newspaper, tune in to any news program, etc. and find the same stories that Oprah has "discovered".

People want to cry and act like they care NOW? Because Oprah did a story on this? This problem has been around for decades!

Who volunteers at their animal shelter? Who donates food, toys, bedding, cash to rescue organizations? Who pays for the spaying/neutering of the pet of the week at their shelter?

It really amazes me that so many people were not "aware" of this until Oprah did this story. Read your newspaper.......cover to cover....for a change.

I understand where you are coming from and I know that everyone has there own opinions on things but I agree with alot the other people Oprah does have the media on her side as it is more viewers to get the word out too. Just look we are all talking about it and that in itself is a good thing it makes us all aware of what is going on in this world.

Myself and my Fiance do donate own time to our resue (greyhound Adoption of Ohio) we also do ALL the VET checks before they are RESUED/adopted and we have adopted 3 as of right now and waiting one more our males sister (biological).

 

[Nynaeve]

Just do your research to make sure they are not affiliated with militant animal rights groups, most noteably HSUS and PETA. These groups don't want to just end puppy mills, they don't want you to own domestic animals at all, period. To them, owning a pet is the same as enslaving an animal, and they will go to some terrible lengths to prove their point. Ultimately, they are not fighting just for an end to puppy mills, but to completely eliminate pets from our lives.

PETA I can see having a stance like this. But HSUS? I don't think I've ever heard them promoting this, only a voice against cruelty. Even their site says: "Established in 1954, The HSUS seeks a humane and sustainable world for all animals—a world that will also benefit people. We are America's mainstream force against cruelty, exploitation and neglect, as well as the most trusted voice extolling the human-animal bond."

Where does not owning animals come into that at all, I've never heard them connected to a extreme view like that at all.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

PETA I can see having a stance like this. But HSUS? I don't think I've ever heard them promoting this, only a voice against cruelty. Even their site says: "Established in 1954, The HSUS seeks a humane and sustainable world for all animals—a world that will also benefit people. We are America's mainstream force against cruelty, exploitation and neglect, as well as the most trusted voice extolling the human-animal bond."

Where does not owning animals come into that at all, I've never heard them connected to a extreme view like that at all.

A few years ago when I was still really involved in state and national horse show organizations, the knowledge was pretty wide spread that HSUS's real agenda was that all animals should be set free. No animal ownership, no providing food or water. Just return them to the wild... that included domestic farm animals, and cats, dogs, etc. Most of the organizations I belonged to went to great lengths to educate their membership not to support PETA or HSUS because of their true agenda.

 

[Planogirl]

A few years ago when I was still really involved in state and national horse show organizations, the knowledge was pretty wide spread that HSUS's real agenda was that all animals should be set free. No animal ownership, no providing food or water. Just return them to the wild... that included domestic farm animals, and cats, dogs, etc. Most of the organizations I belonged to went to great lengths to educate their membership not to support PETA or HSUS because of their true agenda.

Do you have any links so that I can read up on HSUS being a part of this? I do support them and have never seen anything of the kind from them. If I've overlooked something I would certainly like to know.

Here is a link to their page if anyone is curious: http://www.hsus.org/ I still don't know what you're referring to.

By the way, coincidentally one of their campaigns involves banning puppy mills. There's also a link for those looking to adopt strays.

 

[JPN4265]

You mean people still watch Oprah?

 

[megthewonderful]

I don't even have a dog (my husband is very allergic!) and I was crying my eyes out after Oprah!

 

[Poohbear67]

I don't even have a dog (my husband is very allergic!) and I was crying my eyes out after Oprah!

seriously if you want a dog try a greyhound we have had alot of people who have allergies to animals and they can have a greyhound it seems to work

 

[Todd&Copper]

I don't watch Oprah for a number of reasons, but I hug my dogs every day, always have, always will. I spend a couple of hours each day playing with them, and that is not counting their evening walk, which generally takes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. They know they are well-loved.

Puppymills are a nasty business, but rescue dogs are not for everyone, etiher. I commend everyone who rescues a dog, but having worked with some rescue dogs, many of them have some issues that need more time and patience to work through than training a new puppy. Out of our fosters, one was wonderful - she adjusted very well to being an indoor dog, she had only one accident, she never tried to chew anything except her toys, she came when called, she was eager to please.
Two were OK but needed training/work. They had infrequent accidents, generally came when called, tried to jump on the coutner to get food, had difficulty adjusting to walking on a leash, and had other behavioral issues that would prevent them from placement in a house with children.
The last one was one step away from hopeless. We had him for a month before passing him along to another foster home. He needed intesive training and possibly "doggie therapy." This dog was WORK!
And, we were apparently given the "easy" dogs b/c we were newbies to the fostering gig.
Sure, some owner turn-ins who came from nuturing homes are great candidates for a smooth transition after they are adopted, but with a lot of resuce dogs, you never really know what happened to the before the rescue and how that will affect them after placement, or longer-term.

 

[ericamanda01]

Sorry, everyone..........I REALLY cannot stand Oprah! I think she is really about ratings. Just my opinion.

It just really irked me that so many seemed so distraught by this "news", like National Geographic and the Oprah Winfrey Show "discovered" all this ugliness.

My distaste for Oprah led me to be careless in what I said and how I said it. I apologize.

I don't think anyone believes Oprah discovered this. As a matter of fact it was a billboard that said "Oprah: Do a show on puppy mills. The dogs need you." It was put up by Bill Smith, founder of Main Line Animal Rescue. Honestly if Bill O'Riley, someone I can't stand, had done a show like this I would have applauded him. I don't think it should matter who is talking about it, so long as it's being talked about by someone who has the publics attention.

 

[Jynohn]

Do you have any links so that I can read up on HSUS being a part of this? I do support them and have never seen anything of the kind from them. If I've overlooked something I would certainly like to know.

Google "HSUS against pet ownership" and you will find many links, including articles linking them to the Animal Liberation Front. It doesn't just stop with puppy mills. These groups ultimately want you to live a vegan lifestyle, with no domestic animals at all. I belong to several email groups because I show my Great Danes, and we've been talking at great lengths about HSUS and other radical animal rights groups. They are behind breed bans, legislation to enforce mandatory spay/neuter of animals as young as four months old (which is unhealthy for a variety of reasons), restrictive licensing and zoning laws to limit the number of animals you can own in your home, and the list goes on an on. They hide behind feel good legislature that everyone can get behind (like putting an end to puppy mills) but what they don't count on you knowing is that they want to end all farming, hunting, dog shows, etc. right on down to owning any pets at all.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

The HSUS is not the type of organization you think it is. It does not support even 1 actually animal shelter. It is strictly a fundraising organization that has accumulated millions of dollars. If you want to give to an animal shelter donate to one locally.

I'm lame at posting links but here is a good article on what HSUS does.

http://www.activistcash.com/organization_overview.cfm/oid/136

 

[poohangel]

Sorry, everyone..........I REALLY cannot stand Oprah! I think she is really about ratings. Just my opinion.

I am so glad I am not the only one. I quit liking oprah when i saw her on youtube.com.

 

[AmberI]

I think it's very sad..... I also think that there should be more low cost spay/neuter clinics. Were I live now there are none, vets here charge around 120+ for spaying, neutering, and $15+ per a shot. In Cali (not to sure about south CA) you could find many low cost spay, neuter, and shot clinics and get everything done for less then a hundred bucks.

I don't know maybe more people would spay and neuter their pets if it was cheaper?

Oh and PETA sucks! I love all my animals exotic and domestic.