I was reading through one of my Animal Studies assignments from earlier this year on Animal Welfare, and found a short piece I wrote about my thoughts on Puppy Factories/Farms.  Responsible breeding is an enormous part of animal welfare, and is something I have pretty clear and strong views on.

Here is my original, unedited writing.  I would love you to share your thoughts and comments!  Please note that the original brief was to share your thoughts on an RSPCA campaign - I chose to focus on 'Close Puppy Factories' - Ending the mass production of 'designer dogs'.

Puppy Factories operate with little or no regard to the physical or mental wellbeing of the animals, being run purely for profit.

Backyard breeders, and even some so-called 'professional' breeders are just as guilty of these disgusting practices as larger operations.  In the worst cases, bitches are often constantly pregnant, and live in squalid, overcrowded conditions with minimal human interaction.

Anybody who buys these animals - even though they may believe they are 'rescuing' or 'saving' them, are only encouraging the situation to continue.

The reality is that Pet Stores are businesses, and where there is a demand, they will source from where they can to meet it.

Irresponsibly bred or mass produced animals are rarely screened for genetic diseases, nor are their temperaments and general health taken into account.  The puppies then suffer from reduced genetic capacity, which makes them far more susceptible to disease, unstable temperaments and physical deformity.

I feel very strongly that the public must demand more stringent regulations in regard to the breeding of not only dogs, but of all animals, especially in regard to the sale of animals.  For this to happen, responsible breeders, animal welfare and retail operations need to cooperate!

Yes, this is in-your-face and partially incomplete, but I'm sure you get my drift!

Visit the Close Puppy Factories RSPCA Website: http://www.closepuppyfactories.org/

...and I have little of general interest to post about!!

But I'll try.

Blog Stuff

I've had a fiddle with the blog and fixed the template, removed some stuff, and added some new bits.

Not a new feature, but over on the right side of the page (>>>>>>>>>>>>), there's a big box for my Twitter feed.  I've started posting there again, in a micro-blogging style, so anything that goes on in my world will be seen there first, and blogged about later if it's noteworthy or has photos.

I also had a play around with my Youtube Channel Page, so if you're bored and want to know a little more about the things that interest me, having a look at my Playlists, Likes and Recent Activity on Youtube is a good place to start.

Also re-added the list of 'Blogs I Read' down the left side of the page.  Only the most recently active ones are shown, but oyu can see them all by clicking 'Show All'.

I'm never sure what direction to send this blog in, so if you have any suggestions, comments or criticisms, please feel free to let me know!

Animal Studies

I finally had a change to catch up with my Animal Studies teacher yesterday, and got together all the bits and pieces I still needed to be able to complete the remaining assignments for the course.  I have it all now, so it's just a matter of finding some down-time to get it all done!!  Hopefully I can knock it out sooner rather that later, giving me more free time as the weather improves and the daylight hours grow longer to spend time with my animals!

A long time between posts again, but I've been busy - I promise!!

Since my last post:

• More riding lessons
• Pilates and Rider Wellbeing
• Got my Own Horse!
• Teaching my Beginners Group
• BIG Trail Ride!
• Trip to Hobart
• Work, Work, Work...

Horse Stuff

The lovely Andrea from Southern Tas Pilates made a trip to the North of the state in July, and I was lucky enough to get a spot in both the Pilates Mat Class and the Rider Wellbeing Class.  I learned a few things I didn't know about my body, and some techniques to deal with everyday 'problems'.  I also learned a lot about my posture and riding position, and the change in the ease of riding was almost instant!!

Later that weekend, I took a trip with Merry to visit a lovely old Thoroughbred named Gypsy.  Despite the freezing, howling wind, my tired, nervous body, and the slippery ground, she walked slowly around the roundyard with me on her bare back, in nothing but a rope halter.  From those first few moments, I know she and I would become friends.  So, the next day, Merry and I drove out with the float to pick Gypsy up, who called to me as I walked to her paddock to take her away from her friends and her son.

And so begins the story of Gypsy and I!  It's been almost a month now, and we have had a couple of short rides together, and are developing a great understanding.  She is kind, gentle and willing, and I know we will have a lot of fun together.

One of my new workmates - Amelia - is also a Horsey person, and was kind enough to invite me to the Tasmanian High Country Rider's Assoc. ride at Kimberley last month.  I rode her lovely 23-year-old boy Bundy and had a hell of a lot of fun!  Some of the downhill sections scared the pants off me, and I was sure I was coming off more than once.  But I didn't!!  Can't wait to do it again sometime.
Work

Well, I'm still there!!  Not much more to say aside from I am lucky to be working with a great group of thoughtful and supportive staff.  I'm still enjoying it, and leave every work-day with a smile.  It makes me laugh, makes me cry, but most of all it makes me feel whole.

Road Trip!

Had a bit of a trip to Hobart last weekend to catch up with friends and family, especially Emma & Charles Gregory and their spawn(!) to celebrate the impending birth of their third child!

One of the things attendees to the 'Blessingway' were asked to do was to knit or crochet a square to be added into a blanket for the baby.  I haven't knitted in years as it hurts my wrists, and have never learned to crochet, so that's what I did this week!  After only a few attempts, I managed to create a pretty square-ish looking patch to become part of the babys blanket.  Proud of myself!

I also managed to do a bit of shopping while down there.  But only a tiny bit, I promise!

Dogs

I'm still teaching my beginners group at training - only one more lesson next weekend, then the following week is their assesment!!  I'm really proud of the progress they have all made, and while I would like to think that it is due to my guidance, I would be more realistic to attribute it to each person and family's dedication to their dog.

Well, enough rambling for now... I'll try and write again soon!!