[Judi W]

This is why you almost always see me ask "do you know first hand that this dog was abused" when someone talks about their fearful, timid rescue having been abused. I ask this of students as well as here on the forum. Too often it is something assumed because of the dog's behavior and it is quite untrue. I have to make a sad laugh about a woman in our club who has shorthairs who are all trembling on the edge of fear biting. Never seen a one that didn't have its tail touching its belly. The reason I am so amazed is that she has had the same temperament for 20 years. Likes it so much she just keeps breeding more of them. She claims they are great hunters, but you'd have to prove it to me. (I don't want to find out enough to go to one of their hunts) Poor poor dogs.

I have also worked with many a rescue (some street dogs) that is not the least bit fearful and is thrilled to be in a new environment and a delight to their new owners. These dogs reward their owners daily. Weak-nerved dogs are often not only a hazard (not all are as some chose flee over fight), but they are certainly not fun to live with and more important - they do not live in a happy world. The post I put here not too long ago by Dr. Miliani talks about the psyic pain these dogs endure and wonders why people who would put down a dog experiencing unfixable physical pain do not extend the same release to dogs experiencing emotion and mental pain.