EDITOR'S LETTER
Look back even ten years and you can see how much our perceptions about the earth and the animals we share this planet with have collectively changed for the better. Sure, this evolution of thought may not be happening as quickly as one might hope but there’s a sea change, I’m sure of it. Look back even further and the change becomes all the more apparent. Without a doubt we are becoming a more caring and humane society. Jane Goodall, Paul McCartney, and Ingrid Newkirk are but a few familiar names who have championed rights for our animal brethren. And then there are all the everyday heroes out there that champion rescue and honour their animals. We dog guardians, in sharing our lives with our dogs, can attest to their remarkable intelligence, capacity for emotion, and limitless loyalty. It’s proven that dogs can correctly interpret how a person is feeling simply by looking at a static photo of a human face! How amazing is that? (Read all about this on page 100!) The incredibly strong bond we forge with our dogs—another species—helps us learn to become more compassionate toward all other creatures and build a stronger relationship with nature itself.
You’ll find heartwarming evidence of this progressive change of thought within these pages. “Going Public” (page 40) details the modernization of adoption efforts. Stores like PetSmart showcase only homeless dogs for adoption as opposed to selling puppies (puppies for sale in retail locations are almost always from ghastly puppy mills), while hotels like the Aloft are choosing rescue dogs as their canine concierges to highlight adoption. By getting dogs out of stressinducing shelters their true personalities emerge, giving the dogs a better chance to shine and be adopted. Another sterling example is John Mitchell, a co-founder of Paul Mitchell Hair Care and John Paul Pet grooming products. Way back in the 80s he took a stand against animal testing with a philosophy that his shampoos and conditioners be only tested on humans. It took the industry as a whole another ten years to begin following his lead and today this movement continues to strengthen. Then there’s Wilma Melville (page 54), whose retirement didn’t slow her down at all—she went on to start the National Search Dog Foundation, an organization that trains and pairs first responders with shelter dogs, many of which were scheduled for euthanasia due to their fanatical drive and focus—precisely the characteristics that make them great search and rescue dogs! In short, it’s an issue chock full of goodness that we hope will elevate your spirit and leave you inspired. Here’s to pushing the envelope, making a difference, and to having compassion for all living creatures.
Have a fantastic summer!
Connie Wilson, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
The question is not Can they reason? nor, Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?
— Jeremy Bentham, philosopher, 1748–1832