Dear Ms. Piper,
I am sure you mean well by auctioning off one of the most adorable creations God ever made as a fund raiser but I hope you will seriously rethink this.
Have you ever HAD a lab pup? Have you read the best seller Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog. about how very, very difficult living with a lab is? Please see the link.
http://www.dailypress.com
I'll quote a bit of it. "Marley crashed through screened doors with alarming regularity, He went berserk during thunderstorms (mine does too and ate a hole in a door on the 4th of July) destroying everything in his path. He stole food off the dinner table, slobbered incessantly, drank from the toilet bowl, ate bath towels, sponges, socks, used tissues, plastic toys (which requires a vet visit) furniture, speaker covers, paychecks, even an expensive gold necklace."
I'm almost sure you have not ever actually had a lab. I have--he CHEWED everything. He's almost 4 now and he still chews --but now that he is bigger he also knocks people over (because he is sooo enthusiastic about everything,) he gets dirty and jumps on the doors and windows. We have a fairly large yard but we have to wash the floors and vacuum at least twice a day because he has torn up the grass in the back yard so now he's muddy everytime he comes in. He requires LOTS of exercise --heaven forbid an elderly person would win your puppy!
Labs are famous for CHEWING. Huck chewed a brand new, very expensive mattress AND the box spring. He didn't actually chew it-- the little adorable fuzz ball ATE them. Also the comforter, carpet, shower curtains and door jambs.
We love our lab and we knew what we were getting into-although we did think he'd outgrow the rambunctious a little faster. Did you know that black labs are the most common and least adopted animals in shelters?
PLEASE find a nice piece or artwork or a condo unit for a week someplace. If I had one I'd donate it.... but NOT a living breathing adorable dog who even a well intentioned winner (and that 's a big assumption) will have to invest a lot of time,. patience and money in.
Thank you and please let me know you have found another prize.
Robin please reconsider the action of auctioning a puppy. Aside from the fact that this could lead to ruining the reputation, the exemplary reputation of the American Heart Association, if you auction off a puppy not knowing whether or not the people who receive the puppy are trustworthy and will be good owners, then you are no better off than the secret auctions held at Midnight in which animals are auctioned to the highest bidder to be used as bait or used in labs. Especially in light of the recent news regarding the use of puppies and drugs I along with thousands of animal lovers ask you to reconsider. Although I am aware of the fact that the concept was thought of with the best intentions in actuality it is nothing more than using a life form to raise funds without making the commitment to ensure that the puppy will in fact go to a good home, thus having a shot at having a good life. Thank you for taking the time to read and to consider this request.
Sincerely,
Mary Elizabeth Van Everbroeck, MA, LMFT
Pet Guardian Education & Animal Advocacy Services, Inc. Warminster, PA
1 comment:
Dear Ms. Piper:
I'm writing to voice my objection to the idea of auctioning off a puppy as a fundraiser.
If you feel that it is necessary to include a pet in your fundraiser, might I suggest that you partner with your local animal shelter, and
auction off a gift certificate for a pet of the winner's choice(providing the "winner" meets all of the usual criteria for adopting). In fact, auction off several. This will help with pet over- population in shelters all over the country, and educate your audience about the desirability of adopting a pet from a shelter. You can call this "Have a Heart" since you are the American Heart Association.
Since it's a fundraiser, someone will be willing to pay as much money
for a shelter pet as for a pure- breed puppy, and this way they get
the pet of their choice.
Many people (myself included) would prefer a dog to a puppy, or a small dog to a lab, and many others will prefer a cat or kitten to a dog. Why not let the winner pick the perfect pet for their family?
Otherwise, I hope that you substitute something else for the puppy in your auction.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Anita Wollison
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