Now we all know that a darling Pekingese named Malachy toddled away with this year’s Westminster Best in Show. Very nice for that dog and guardian, not to mention the handler. What is not so nice is the fact that Westminster supposedly felt they had to dump long-time sponsor Pedigree because the Westminster leadership felt the sad eyes of the shelter dogs turned off their purebred viewers.  I can only assume that the Westminster leadership has become completely disconnected from the bulk of dog companions, many of whom have both purebreds (whether bought from a breeder or adopted from a shelter or other rescue) or they leadership wants to avoid feeling any guilt for not making more efforts to prevent the millions of unnecessary dog deaths in shelters every year.

Either way, Westminster, you need to rethink your haughty attitude toward rescue dogs. Working with a breed rescue I can tell you that some of your precious show dogs can become shelter dogs. Every day dogs go from riches to rags whether its because their humans die or have to relinquish custody due to health or finances. Other dogs get unceremoniously dumped in shelters for a variety of reasons. Dogs get stolen and dumped, never to be found as they are executed for the crime of being homeless and unclaimed. Read the rest of this entry »