My Pet World: Woman says condo doesn't allow 'service' dogs
If at first you don't succeed, find someone else to do it. Cats are particular about people and sometimes it just means you have to find the right person to cut their nails. I am not surprised you have two different solutions for two different cats. They have such different personalities, and a technique that works on one won't necessarily work on another.
Dear Cathy,
I cannot believe your answer to John who "inherited" his daughters 115-pound Great Dane. Substitute "dumped" for inherited and "cruel" for metal cage daily. Oh yeah, that would require critical thinking on your part -- instead of "pat" answers. Why not educate these people? Don't buy a dog you plan on leaving in a cage all the time. My heart goes out to the Great Dane living a horrible life in a cage. Probably went from a "puppy mill" breeder straight to a clueless owner and onto her clueless dad. Instead you should have asked these two morons how they would like to be left in a cage unable to do much else other than lay down or stand for most of their lives. I find both the question and your answer despicable. With contempt for your "expertise." -- Susan, via email
Dear Susan,
I am sorry to disappoint you. We clearly have different approaches to education. It doesn't matter whether the dog was "dumped" or "inherited;" the man was seeking advice on how to care for his new dog.
While I didn't chastise the man (or call him names) for keeping the dog in a kennel most of the day, I did recommend he not keep his dog in a kennel anymore. I admit I could have added that kennels should be used for training and short-term management and not all day use. When it comes to educating people about animals, I have learned that if you chastise people, they tend to not listen to your advice, and the animal continues to suffer.
It's important to educate people in a way that motivates them to do the right thing, rather than shame them for doing the wrong thing. Shaming people almost always backfires.
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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)
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