Nov 10 2000
Ah! The magical world of Disney. What could be better than watching "Old Yeller" or "Lady and the Tramp"? I have many fond memories of Disney movies such as the "Aristocats" and "Bambi". So believe me when I say that I am the last person who wants to say anything negative about our beloved Walt Disney. However, I believe there is an issue that the Disney people may have overlooked. What could possibly be wrong with a Disney movie? Well, nothing with the movie itself. It's what happens after these movies that's most disturbing.
Today I saw a preview for the new Disney movie to be released this Christmas season. It's "102 Dalmatians", a spin-off of our treasured "101 Dalmatians". We'll all go into theatres and fall in love with the cute puppy on the screen, myself included. Then people go home with children who now want Dalmatian puppies. Many parents think that one of these furry friends for their child is a good idea. But what a lot of people donšt realize is that Dalmatians are a lot of work. How do I know this? Because I used to have a Dalmatian many years ago. He had more energy than I could have imagined. What happens is unfortunate for not only the new owners but also the dogs themselves. When this cute little bundle of joy is brought home to the thrill of the new owners, no one stops to think what may happen in a year or so down the road when the novelty has worn off, but the work has really just begun. Now, most of these families go into this with the best intentions. But what we really need to do before making a commitment to getting a family pet is consider a pet that will fit our lifestyles for many years to come. Most dogs will live well into their teens and, if it's a breed that's rather hyper, may not slow down for most of those years. In today's world we have many households with two working parents who are often exhausted by the end of the day. A Dalmatian is a dog that requires a lot of exercise. We need to ask ourselves "Am I willing to spend a couple or more hours a day giving this dog the exercise it requires for the next 10 years or more"? For some people this is not an issue. For others it is pretty much impossible. So what happens in a year or so when you can't keep up the pace? Just check your local Humane Society for the answer. Sadly, many of these dogs will end up there. Some will find new homes, while many others will be euthanized. Kind of a grim end for the dog that was your onscreen hero just a year or so earlier, isn't it?
So what do we do about this problem? Well, back to where I started with this. In this situation, Disney. However, Disney is not the only place that blame need lay. What I would like to see is the industry taking responsibility to prevent some of the problems. And that starts with education. It could be as simple as a 2 or 3 minute introduction at the beginning of these movies, explaining a little bit about the breed. Would this be so bad? Or how about handling out literature to moviegoers? Something to help people make an informed decision. Now don't get me wrong, I don't believe this will stop everyone from running out and getting a dog. I just think that maybe it could cut down the numbers to something a little more manageable. People are people and many will ignore the warnings, but at least we'd be doing our part by educating the potential new owners. Unfortunately, the breeders of these animals and pet stores need to play their part as well. And many of the reputable ones will, but there are always some out there that just want to make a buck.
My advice on this issue? Do your research on any potential new pet and be sure that it is right for your family for years to come. A pet is such a wonderful addition if chosen while knowing all the facts. And if you're a person who has the time and energy for a Dalmatian, then by all means go ahead and enjoy your new friend. They are lovely dogs, just more work than most can handle.
Please send me your comments on this article.
