Some Questions For The Ministry Of Defence And The RAF

Photo: Pat Pilon

Recently, Prince William decided to retire from the military so he could devote himself to his wife and his new child. It was a simple choice and a nice change of pace for the prince, who had focused on being a search and rescue helicopter operator for the RAF.

One would think this would be a decision without controversy. However, approximately two days after the prince left the military, two of the guard dogs assigned to protect him, Brus and Blade, were put down. The dogs had been serving in the role since Prince William joined the military in 2010. Brus, a Belgian shepherd was 7 and a half years old and Blade, a German Shepherd was 9 and a half years old. Brus, was known for having behavioral issues and Blade had issues with his spine and hips. Still, that's no reason for euthanization.

Now, the Ministry of Defence says that it's a "coincidence" and that they both had behavioral issues. It has been said that the military tried to rehome them, but it failed.

Harrowing Questions

Which makes me wonder, did they really do everything they could or was it the easy way out? First of all, the dogs were hired to guard the whole military base, not just Prince William. Why couldn't they have been kept on the base till they were ready to retire?

Many dogs are given to one of the soldiers when their military job comes to an end. Did the decision makers at the RAF even consider this?

It has been said that the dogs were stressed out. Well, when I'm stressed out, I take some time and retreat to a peaceful and quiet place to de-stress. Why couldn't that be done for Brus and Blade?

There are so many specially trained dog experts out there. Why couldn't the dogs have been sent to them?

What about approaching animal advocates? Victoria Stilwell is one of the biggest proponents for protecting animals and she is from Great Britain. Why couldn't they ask her for any help?

If that didn't work, then why not put the dogs in a special dog sanctuary, so they could live out their last years in peace? There was a dog retrieved in the Michael Vick debacle named Mabel. Mabel was deemed too dangerous by a court judge to ever live in a household. She was given a pass to live in the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and has come a long way since 2007. Am I supposed to believe that two highly trainable dogs who were trained to guard, couldn't do the same thing?

This story reeks of laziness and that's why dog lovers around the world are livid. The only thing that the RAF and the Ministry of Defence has proven is that how they have hid behind excuses instead of facing the problem head on and finding a solution. Maybe there's nothing that can be done know but at least, there is something to be learned from this travesty for the future.

Read More About It

Vanity Fair
Daily Mail

It's All Related!

Remembering Lennox
Dogtown

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How do you feel about this story? Please share below.

Remembering Lennox

Some things in the world happen but just don't make sense. In Belfast, Northern Ireland, Lennox the therapy dog died last night and the whole act was completely senseless.

There were thousands of people protesting his death. There were viable alternatives to killing him. When a Belfast City Council member is elected, it is their job to serve their public. Was that the case last night? I can't believe the people of Belfast would support their leaders for killing a dog that was made to be a scapegoat for a law that has had shaky origins from the beginning.

The Belfast City Council is not a small group. In fact, there are 51 people who represent the council from different areas of the city. They all belong to various political parties and have a vast age range represented. Yet not one of those 51 people could speak on behalf of the people that elected them about how wrong this was.

The First Minister couldn't even understand their decision and asked for Lennox to be re-homed. Victoria Stilwell, a world-renowned trainer offered them the chance to have Lennox leave their country for good, and it was disregarded. She didn't give up. She even waited on their doorstep and refused to leave until her case was heard. Yet it fell on deaf ears. Is this what the people of Belfast, Northern Ireland wanted? I think not. It is clear that the council members chose the path of cowardice to shield their egos.

Lennox was the brave one. Even when a trainer visited him in confinement he was shaking from fear. Yet day after day, he carried on. That's what dogs do. Yet, they said Lennox had a personality disorder in order to justify his execution. As Mahatma Gandhi said:

The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.

Helping The Scars To Heal

Too many have been deeply hurt by this injustice. The 12 year-old daughter who relied on Lennox to help her handle her disabilities better lost her best friend. Her family who brought Lennox into their lives as a puppy, lost a family member. This was a social crime that became political because of blatant ignorance. Lennox may be gone, but the events of the past two years prove that you fight for the ones you love. No one did it better than the family that loved and adored him. My thoughts and prayers go out to them during this difficult time.

Gandhi also said:

An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.

The only action the City Council took was to show how strong their stubborn streak really was. This tragedy was 100 percent preventable. I hope the people of Belfast who are distraught by this international catastrophe remember that when the next election happens.

Victoria Stilwell said it best when I was watching her with Jane Velez Mitchell on Headlines News last night.

It should be about the deed and not the breed.

While I will never know the answer to the question Was it really worth it? I do know that there is one thing for sure. We will never forget!

Rest in peace sweet boy. Your life was special and nothing will ever change that.

Let's Discuss!

I'd love to hear your thoughts as well.

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How Could Someone Do That To Pookie?

It never ceases to amaze me how people can be so cruel to animals. This was especially so on Veteran's day in Greensville, South Carolina —a day where we recognize the armed forces who serve our country—where someone set fire to a sweet 14 year-old dog called Pookie, whose only desire was to serve his family with love. He was the type of dog to keep to himself and didn't hurt anyone. All he did is mind his own business sitting outside in his doghouse while watching the owner's house.

Yet some pathetic shell of a human being set this dog (a collie-chow mix) on fire in his doghouse, his head pinned under a cinder block. The dog was badly burned but rescued in time. He will need surgery to repair the severe damage to his head and face. Both of his corneas have been damaged, so there is a possibility he will go blind because of the scarring. He will have a long, slow recovery ahead of him, thanks to this spineless coward. He's improved steadily and is not as skittish today as he was yesterday.

To date, there has been no suspect implicated in this heinous crime. The only lead the police have is that a person saw a tall, thin man hanging around the doghouse moments before the fire started. I only hope there was a witness out there to bring this poor dog the justice that he deserves.

Good News

The good news to come out of Pookie's plight is the overwhelming support of the public to help donate money to cover the surgery costs. He will also be adopted out to a good home, since his owner, Mable Ramey can no longer afford to keep him. At least, he will spend his golden years being treated like a king.

If you would like to pictures of how this dog is doing, you will want to check out the WYFF Website . If you would like to make a donation, please call Animal Care Services in Greenville at 864-467-3954. I didn't post the pictures due to the fact that they are very graphic.

Let's Discuss!

Have you heard this news story? What are your thoughts that you would like to share?

Minka Kelly and Taylor Momsen

Photos: minkakellyfans.com and Karen Curley

I read two stories about these celebrities and their dogs this week. One of them had me feeling proud as a dog owner and the other left me mystified. Let's start with the good.

Minka Kelly

Recently, Minka Kelly from Friday Night Lights was booted from the first class section on a flight she was taking because her dog Chewie, a five-year-old Cockapoo couldn't fit under the seat in the first class section. The actress had made special arrangements with Delta Airlines to ensure this was possible. Luckily, another flyer from the coach section offered for her father to switch seats with her dad so she could fly. The dog carrier that she had fit in that section better than first class.

What surprised me the most was the fact that the first class section was not built to accommodate dog carriers. It amazed me that there were rumors being started that the actress threw a hissy fit about the whole thing. All she wanted to do was make sure her dog could fly with her. Although this goes with the territory when you're a celebrity why bring up a situation like that? It's astounding that this was blown out of proportion.

With all the nightmarish stories and mishaps you hear about canines on airplanes, it's admirable that the actress was concerned about the welfare of her dog. Even though there are more alternatives for flying your pets these days like Pet Airways, it's great to hear about a celebrity who does right by her dog.

Taylor Momsen

I only heard about Taylor Momsen in the news. I never watched Gossip Girl until I was able to view the pilot on iTunes this summer. In the show, this actress plays a smart, level-headed teenager. In real life however, she's known as the wild child who's always stirring the pot with the media.

I was aghast to hear that she set her neutered dog's testicles on fire in a fire pit. Granted, they weren't attached to the dog, but the act alone is repulsive. But, she's only seventeen years-old. Kids at that age do ludicrous things that don't make sense. However, this actress lives in the public eye. Doesn't she realize that news stories like this can bring on copycat incidents?

Charles Barkley always said he wasn't a role model. I think that's a copout for celebrities who use this reasoning yet constantly find themselves in the spotlight. If it wasn't for your success, you would be just another face in the crowd. If you don't want to be a role model, then does that mean you don't acknowledge the importance of your fans, who made it possible for you to be there in the first place?

If you're a celebrity and you want to do something stupid and outlandish do it to yourself, but don't involve others who don't have a choice. I hope this kid grows up and cuts out the craziness.

Let's Discuss!

What are your thoughts on these stories?

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Lawn Lovers vs. Dog Owners

Photo by Schick

University Park, Illinois

Lately it seems, there has been an increase in confrontations between homeowners who love their lawns and dog owners who exercise their dogs. The most serious of these incidents happened last week in the south suburbs of Chicago, when Charles Clements, a 69 year-old man shot and killed Joshua Funches, who was 23 years-old. What did Mr. Funches do? He walked his dog on his lawn and let the dog urinate on it.

Mr. Clements was a man who took great pride in his lawn. He didn't have a huge lawn but won neighborhood beautification awards for what he was able to accomplish. He used Kentucky Bluegrass which is one of the highest quality grasses available. This man also put up a sign telling the mailman to walk on the sidewalk and not his lawn.

This man had never had a previous encounter with the homeowner. In fact, the homeowner grabbed his gun and chased him down the block to shoot him. It's sad that a man who took great pleasure in keeping his lawn beautiful will have nothing but jail time to show for it. Equally sad is the fact that a young man who was being a responsible dog owner, had his life cruelly taken from him.

Copenhagen, Denmark

A 68-year-old man retaliated against a 41-year-old woman for not picking up after her dog. She had forgotten to bring a bag with her. When the homeowner approached her, she offered to go back home and get a bag and come back to pick up the mess. How did he retaliate? He rubbed her face into the feces. This guy wound up getting a suspended sentence of 30 days.

What's The Solution?

These are just two of many incidents that reflect on the tensions between people who love their lawns and those who love their dogs. The irony is that dog waste in small amounts actually contains nitrogen, the key ingredient in many lawn fertilizers. The problems arise when there is an overabundance of this element which causes yellow spots. If not treated in time, the lawn will not come back.

I think that both homeowners and dog owners need to have mutual respect for one another. Acting out in the heat of the moment never resolves anything but guarantees more problems.

Read Up On It!

Sun-Times Article by Mark Brown
The Copenhagen Post
Oh Mi Dog
Dog Gone It Lawn Problems
Yard Health

Let's Discuss!

Have you had a similar situation in your neighborhood? What ways were you able to find a suitable compromise?

What were they thinking?

Last week, Bill Brady, one of Illinois' state senators, had backed a bill allowing up to ten animals to be euthanized at once.  It was a suggestion by a local veterinarian. What were they thinking?

Animal shelters are out there to help animals. If animals have to be euthanized, it should be as a last resort. How does euthanizing ten animals at once help that? These shelters are the last place some unfortunate animals will ever see. When did numbers eliminated come before showing compassion?

So many pets have the capacity to love and just want a home. Why would anyone working in a shelter take that lightly? It was a huge misstep by the politician but I fault the person who suggested this idea more. Killing a bunch of dogs in a gas chamber? Why? Is it all about cost-efficiency? It's bad enough that any of these dogs have to be euthanized at all. I can only imagine what the animal welfare workers go through every day they have to do that part of the job.

Here is the article from the  Sun-Times in its entirety.

That's all I really have to say. If you would like to share your thoughts please do. I am still fuming about this to make much sense. Thank goodness it's been shelved.