Letters to the editor

Hello,

I AM enjoying K9 Perspective very much! It's a neat publication.

I've been partnered with a yellow Lab as a service dog for over the last seven years and I know his retirement is not too far down the pike. I've also been very tired of the well-meaning animal-lovers out there, who continually distracted my Lab when he's in harness. Towards that end, I was looking into other breeds of dogs to work with.

I researched American Tundra Shepherds, with an eye towards having something more imposing-looking than a Lab. But there were way too many red flags, including the over-all temperament, trainability and work ethic of the breed. In deciding not to use an ATS, I felt it would be the most fair thing all the way around.

I wouldn't be expecting the dog to do things that would be too routine/boring for it. I wouldn't be having my hands full with a dog that could get a full six to eight inches taller at the shoulder and about 60lbs heavier than my already moose-sized Lab; and I wouldn't be compromising the safety and general well-being of the public by being everywhere with an unpredictable canine partner.

So it was back to square one, in terms of dealing with those folks who distract my assistance dog. Would you consider running my enclosed article, or at least the latter dos and don'ts part of it? A lot of shows now talk about assistance dogs and the wonderful things they do for their human partners. But very little is ever said about the proper way for the general public to deal with a service dog when they see one. Please think about it.

Thank you for your time and consideration. - Sue

Yes, we are glad to print your helpful article and we hope it makes a difference to the attitude of the public when service dogs are working. - Ed

Attacks on pet dogs

Hello,

I just needed to make a comment and maybe someone could look further into it as well. I am disturbed at hearing the number of incidences of brutal, senseless attacks on k9s. I watched a story on a local man who beat a pit bull terrier puppy with a bat for no reason; I read of a fellow officer who had shot and killed his partner's K9; also a story of an out-of-control officer who shot a family dog and made the family watch - unfortunately the list goes on.

We need to do something to ensure these people are prosecuted, the same as if these attacks were done on a human; or better yet, get people to have a higher respect for our fellow k9s. - James

It is often said, and I am sure it is true, that anyone who would attack a dog in such ways as you describe would also not hesitate to attack humans in the same way. The last case you describe is equally an attack on the family members who were prevented by force from acting on their own or their dog's behalf. - Ed

Magazine comment

Hello,

I would just like to say well done for a fantastic magazine. I know what I am talking about because I work for K9 Media Solutions that produces K9 Magazine and several web channels including K9Online.Com. Well done, again. May I ask when Issue 9 is available, because when I went on your site, I couldn't see it. Take care. - Paul, K9 Media Solutions Ltd

Thanks for the words of encouragement - they are very much appreciated. You will notice this issue is in a new format and from now the presentation will be simpler and the articles easier to find and read. - Ed