I recently read a critique of AKC written by a fairly well known but rarely hired judge (as far as I know) who is also a prolific author and former delegate, as well as an apparently admired lecturer. He took AKC somewhat to pieces – nothing really new – and quite frankly much of what he wrote was quite redundant and hardly ground breaking.
But it was an interesting if not an overdone summary with some interesting historical data – how accurate I’m not too sure but interesting if true. Sort of like reading an historical novel – you never know what is real and what is not. The thing that struck me the most and the reason why I am even writing this piece is that the author noted how he had been a delegate for years. I sort of remember those days pretty well, and I cannot for the life of me can recall one thing he did then to attempt to modernize the Delegate Body in his days as a delegate. It’s great today to write about what should have been done. We’ve been writing about these problems for over 30 years now – some have been solved and/or rectified some have not. We keep at it attempting to be as positive as can be. But we never have had the power of the vote. Why don’t those with that power today attempt to modernize the organization? In fact, the Board is about as progressive a Body as there is at any Kennel Club in the world! I truly believe that; what stands in its way are those people within the Delegate Body who refuse to give an inch of their power up and who stand in the way of progress. One of the greatest feats of any Board was the introduction of the mixed breed program. In the long run I believe this will be the saving grace for AKC. But it took a very hard-pressed Board to accomplish this feat. True, the Delegates fell into line but if the concept had not originated within the Board and been maneuvered and manipulated with dexterity by a limited few, does anyone really think the Delegates would have had the nerve, courage, or common sense to push that program through? I don’t for one second think so.
A friend of mine recently had his dog diagnosed with cancer of the leg. The dog was ten years old and the Vet suggested a prosthetic. My friend declined and had the animal put to sleep. Well that is clearly distinguishable I suppose from the person who decided to use a prosthetic or braces for injured or sick dogs. The treatment involving cancer aftereffects and broken legs or the like are clearly different. OrthoPets treats more than 100 creatures a month and is a recognized leader in the industry for custom prosthetics and braces for animals that need help to stay mobile and relatively pain-free. Dogs make up approximately 95 percent of the clients for this company. Prosthetics that take the place of missing limbs (and run in the area of $800) can give confidence to three-legged animals. Braces seem to be turned to when owners want to avoid the expense of surgery or when operations are too risky. In Canada there is a company, K-9 Orthotics, which competes with the US company. This is a new and comparatively new medical treatment worth looking into for sure if you are in need of this treatment for your dog.
The election results are in and quite frankly I am not too surprised as to how the Delegates voted. I am told that most of the Board members were happy that Steve Gladstone was not elected I am sure it is difficult to work with him but his legal mind certainly is a major plus as is his understanding of AKC’s constitution. I guess though in the long run his over-bearing presence was too much for most. Too bad I thought – I still strongly believe and have for years believed that at least two seats should be set aside for non-dog business type people to sit on the Board. The situation is desperate insofar as getting real business people on the board – right now there is only one – and outside help is necessary. Do you think you’ll ever see that day? I don’t. •
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But it was an interesting if not an overdone summary with some interesting historical data – how accurate I’m not too sure but interesting if true. Sort of like reading an historical novel – you never know what is real and what is not. The thing that struck me the most and the reason why I am even writing this piece is that the author noted how he had been a delegate for years. I sort of remember those days pretty well, and I cannot for the life of me can recall one thing he did then to attempt to modernize the Delegate Body in his days as a delegate. It’s great today to write about what should have been done. We’ve been writing about these problems for over 30 years now – some have been solved and/or rectified some have not. We keep at it attempting to be as positive as can be. But we never have had the power of the vote. Why don’t those with that power today attempt to modernize the organization? In fact, the Board is about as progressive a Body as there is at any Kennel Club in the world! I truly believe that; what stands in its way are those people within the Delegate Body who refuse to give an inch of their power up and who stand in the way of progress. One of the greatest feats of any Board was the introduction of the mixed breed program. In the long run I believe this will be the saving grace for AKC. But it took a very hard-pressed Board to accomplish this feat. True, the Delegates fell into line but if the concept had not originated within the Board and been maneuvered and manipulated with dexterity by a limited few, does anyone really think the Delegates would have had the nerve, courage, or common sense to push that program through? I don’t for one second think so.
A friend of mine recently had his dog diagnosed with cancer of the leg. The dog was ten years old and the Vet suggested a prosthetic. My friend declined and had the animal put to sleep. Well that is clearly distinguishable I suppose from the person who decided to use a prosthetic or braces for injured or sick dogs. The treatment involving cancer aftereffects and broken legs or the like are clearly different. OrthoPets treats more than 100 creatures a month and is a recognized leader in the industry for custom prosthetics and braces for animals that need help to stay mobile and relatively pain-free. Dogs make up approximately 95 percent of the clients for this company. Prosthetics that take the place of missing limbs (and run in the area of $800) can give confidence to three-legged animals. Braces seem to be turned to when owners want to avoid the expense of surgery or when operations are too risky. In Canada there is a company, K-9 Orthotics, which competes with the US company. This is a new and comparatively new medical treatment worth looking into for sure if you are in need of this treatment for your dog.