Dogs and a 'certain class of people'
Over the last few weeks there was a possibility that a dog would turn up on my door step, and I seriously considered the consequences of that. I have always excluded the idea of dog ownership on account of being at work during the day, but after extensive research I realised this was not automatically a problem. During my quest of seeing whether I would be a suitable dog owner (no comments about the goldfish please!...) I emailed some rescue centres with my details and life style, to see what they thought (although I didn't mention the dog in question).
One of the replies riled me:
"In your case we would also be concerned for the dog's vulnerability to being stolen, especially since Whippet crosses are particularly attractive to a certain class of people who desire them for hunting, & who, once they have obtained a dog by whatever means, will maltreat & discard the animal without any compunction if it proves unsuitable for their purpose"
why is a dog more likely to be stolen off a boat? And what did they mean by 'a certain class of people'. Oh I know exactly what I mean, but isn't it amazing that people consider their prejudices to be fact!
not only that but apparently "Another consideration would be the possibility of the dog suffering from heat stroke, which they can do just as easily in the confines of a boat as in a car."
That is indeed a worry; some boats are hot, but not ALL boats...! I would have thought it would be possible to get heat stroke in a house during the winter months.
As it is, it really doesn't matter.
One of the replies riled me:
"In your case we would also be concerned for the dog's vulnerability to being stolen, especially since Whippet crosses are particularly attractive to a certain class of people who desire them for hunting, & who, once they have obtained a dog by whatever means, will maltreat & discard the animal without any compunction if it proves unsuitable for their purpose"
why is a dog more likely to be stolen off a boat? And what did they mean by 'a certain class of people'. Oh I know exactly what I mean, but isn't it amazing that people consider their prejudices to be fact!
not only that but apparently "Another consideration would be the possibility of the dog suffering from heat stroke, which they can do just as easily in the confines of a boat as in a car."
That is indeed a worry; some boats are hot, but not ALL boats...! I would have thought it would be possible to get heat stroke in a house during the winter months.
As it is, it really doesn't matter.
posted by MortimerBones at
12:55 PM
8 Comments:
What a load of crap from the dogs home. How many dogs are abused by people who live in houses or flats compared to dogs in who live in narrow boats?
I can recommend the Retired Greyhound Trust or Battersea Dogs Home. We've found both to be very pro-active and positive when it comes to rehoming dogs. One local dog rehoming charities that we're 'unfit to be dogs owners' - despite the fact that we've had happy and healthy dogs for over 20 years! Don't let the b****** get you down - there are more reasonable rehoming charities around. Good luck with the dog-hunt - you won't regret it!
Sue
ive got a dog so small he struggles with the steep steps of the boat, i have to carry it/him on and off but apart from that, no difference to a house. i wouldnt be without him. despite the hassle of taking him to my mums when i leave the country occasionally to go on hols.
a prejudice is just that, and you can see straight through it. one persons opinion thats all.
what do you good people who own dogs do when you are out at work... does the dog stay home?
Battersea went through our life styles with us and were very can-do matching dogs to us. They set us a rule of not leaving the dog alone for more than 1/2 a day and helped us find solutions. Sue works from home some days, they come into work with me: http://indigodream.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/what-the-workers-have-to-do/ my mother occasionally looks after them and they get let out when we get caught out. Heat stroke on a boat has not been a problem for us but scalding hot deck plates were till we got a load of Tescos door mats. :-). Do take a trip to a good rehoming centre - eg Battersea - they do have a branch in Windsor: http://www.battersea.org.uk/about_us/our_centres/battersea_old_windso.html If they can't find a solution that works they will recommend you get a cat!
Richard
Indigo Dream
Hi Bones
What about a cat?
We have just chosen our new feline friend to substitute a much missed moggy.
Hopefully you will be introduced to "The Bosun" in the Summer
NB Bones with a cat flap is well within your vast DIY capabilities
Philip
When A & I were thinking about rehoming a rescue dog a few years ago, the charity said a few general negative things (which can be summed up as "are you really sure")...but it was really about making sure they matched the right dog to you.
Plus, some come and do a 'home visit' - but I think it's a case of showing due diligence rather than anti-boater.
If they came aboard nb Bones and saw all the animal bones then I could see that they might be concerned. :-)
A. says that if you want a cat you can have one or both of ours for free.
mine goes to work on a building site in the day, hes their office wtch dog... thankfull by boyfriend looks after him, feeds him and takes him for a mad half hour in his lunch break.
if boyfriend is away, dog is happy left for a full day occasionally. but half days are much more friendly on the dog. so nipping home for lunch is best bet.
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