This week's rant from Stroud Life columnist Pete Sake: What's the problem with getting a dog chipped?
TEENAGE Sake reckons it's about time we had a dog. After 12 or so years of saying 'no' I'm starting to warm to the idea.
Our daughter is at the age when she is old enough to shoulder the responsibilities which come with dog ownership - and not turn her nose up at the more stinky unsavoury ones.
If the final 'yes' does grudgingly escape my lips it will be on the proviso that, come the torrential rain and howling winds, I'm not left to drag a reluctant hound across the commons. No fair weather dog ownership in the Sake household.
Of course, it goes without saying, that poop will be scooped and disposed of sensibly.
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And, given the Government's recent announcement that it wants to enforce compulsory chipping, the Sake dog would be taken to the vets to have a microchip inserted into the scruff of his or her neck. And why not?
Of course, you're always going to get the types who claim having their dogs chipped is an infringement of their civil liberties. Right on.
Then you'll get the sorts who'll say they can't afford to get the job done while wearing their expensive branded sports casual gear. Sure.
And there's the underworld dog fighting lot who will just carry on breeding their pitbulls and whatnots. Nothing will ever get them to chip a dog.
But look at it this way. If you have paid £500, £600 or even more for a pedigree chum the first thing you'll do is get it chipped.
I once found a scared Staffie wandering around on Bonfire Night after he had escaped from his home in terror. He had no ID hanging from his collar so I popped him to a vet friend who scanned him for a chip.
Luckily he had one and, within an hour, he was reunited with his grateful owner.
Enough said.
4 Comments
by geraint2010
Wednesday, February 13 2013, 11:24AM
“Yes get a dog for goodness Sake!
Downside – your teenage daughter will inevitably tire of going walkies with dog once the novelty wears off.
Upside – your own regular dog walking routine will keep you fit and the folk you meet on your travels should provide ample new material for you column.”
by QuedgeleyGuy
Wednesday, February 13 2013, 11:11AM
“A Dog is what you make it.
Kids and Dogs raised together from early ages produces the best of everything.
The love and trust goes both ways and is for life.
There are plenty of free puppies if you're not into bling or social accessories.
Dogs,in any shape or form are expensive to keep. Very Expensive.
They also demand attention 24/7/365. 366 on leap years. :-)
12 years of "No!" is about the same length of time as saying "Yes!"
Maybe you should consider a small dog. (Easier to carry if it tires out on the Common)
I say "Go for it". I've never been without a dog. Or Kids.”
by supernova1
Wednesday, February 13 2013, 10:39AM
“a_calm_voice.....you are wrong, on many points.
Firstly, you say too many, so what is the acceptable level then?
Second, many don't have good homes. So any person considering whether to have one or not SHOULDN'T, just because some, not many, are not cared for properly. That's like saying to a young couple, don't have children, because SOMEWHERE in the country, a few are being abused.
Thirdly, the vast majority are small breeders, often from their own pet *****, and seeing a wonderful temperament, think it a good idea to pass on the genes, often with the breeder keeping one or two for themselves.
Questionable methods, expand please. A young puppy will not thrive in anything other than a good home. When you visit, you ask to see where the pup is being brought up, it's siblings, and it's mother.
Yes, some are in it for the money. We are all in 'something' for the money. It's a big business, making billions for people so that many are employed, pay tax, and contribute all round.
Because many animal lovers want an animal at close hand, that's why 'pets' are bred. So there rae animals in cages. Animals in the home. Animals in fields. Animals in zoos and reserves. These are there for all of us to benefit, including educational.
My mother volunteers for the Riding for the Disabled. Are you saying that severely handicapped children and adults should be denied a fantastic tactile experience, just because a few tree-huggers want their own way?
So, we are where we are, we have millions of pets in this country.
You are saying what, that you would rather they weren't born at all.....?
So now that they are born, you would rather they were put to sleep.....?
No, thought not...........................”
by a_calm_voice
Wednesday, February 13 2013, 10:06AM
“Please don't buy a dog. There are far too many of them already in Britain (about ten million according to estimates) and many don't have good homes.
The industry that produces pooches often uses questionable methods and many of its practitioners are clearly in it only for the money.
How any genuine animal lover can buy as a pet a creature that has been bred only for the amusement of its owner and the profit of its breeder is beyond me.”