Dear Cecilia and Listers, What a wonderful post! I have to wholeheartedly agree with the words that have been expressed here. Of course, when you have people who are as passionate as they are about their dogs and related issues, there is bound to be debate and opinions expressed. I too read each and every post whether it directly concerns me or not. I am relatively new to the list (late last Fall) and relatively new to Bernerdom,(Stevie is now, thankfully 17 months old!). I also concur that this list is a useful tool as well as a positive forum for us as lovers of animals, whether they be our beloved berners or other quadrupeds, we need to remain open-minded and considerate of all who visit this site, old and new. My eyes have been opened to many new things and many varied opinions that have been lovingly and intelligently put forth on this list. I am not sure how well I would have muddled through some of the early issues that I, somewhat apprehensively, put to the list when I first joined. But the true colours of the "listers" and now "my friends" soon became apparent and showed themselves in the love and support that we received during those dark, grey days of January and Stevie's bizarre accident and as well now when Stevie is a well and very happy bouncing big Berner boy! I have made many friends here both near and very far away and cherish that friendship as though we had known one another for a very long time and the insane part is that we have never met! I too have found the Lancaster County discussion informative and extremely interesting. Of course, I was well aware of the disgusting practices of puppy mills, but not particularly in that area. Part of our "job" as conscientious animal advocates is to weigh all of the issues, research all that we can, and then form our own informed opinion. I read with joy and happiness all the birthdays that are shared here and I always look forward to try to join in the celebrations in some small way. I read of the accomplishments that are posted with such enthusiasm and pride my the "parents" of our gentle giants. I try to reach out and share the deep sorrow and hurting hearts that are experienced here when one of our beloveds goes to the bridge, and I light candles each night for the sick and the dying and for those who may need a little light to show them the way across. So, I too would like to jump on the band wagon and just say to those listers old and new that we want and we need this place to learn, to teach, to inform, to support and most of all to share in the love that is so evident here and remind everyone why and by what motives we are all joined here, whether we agree or not with individual "opinions". Berner hugs and sloppy kisses, Karen and Stevie NB, Canada
----- Original Message ----- From: "Cecilia Ståhl" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Bernese Mountain Dog Mailing List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, June 09, 2003 4:50 AM Subject: appropriate Berner-L topics > Dearest Listers, > > As an international member of this list, my perspective is sometimes > somewhat different - not often but sometimes. Our love of Berners has > gathered us here - many of us have our hands full just keeping the Berner(s) > in our homes happy and healthy, some of us have progressed beyond our own > hearth in our efforts for the welfare of Berners in general. > > I actually read every post, even the ones about "meet us at such and such a > park next Saturday for a hotdog/parade/walk/clinic". The combined energy of > this list is astounding as well as impressive - and the sharing of our > Berner-joys, our Berner-concerns and our Berner-issues gives momentum to new > ideas, inspiration and education beyond this forum around the globe. > > The Lancaster County discussion has been very educational for this Berner > lover sitting on the other side of the world - though I was aware of the > Amish and their puppy mills, I wasn't as informed of the situation as I am > now. Even overseas breeders love and care about the dogs they produce. Some > of them read this list or know people that do. That membership in the BMDCA > doesn't necessarily guarantee that a uniform code of ethics is adhered to, > is also very good information for people not close enough to experience > goings-on at a national level. The Lancaster County posts have all made very > good points as is often the case when people on this list disagree. > > Although I knew prong/pinch/shock collars are illegal in this country, I > learned today that there are other countries where they are not considered > acceptable animal practice. I'm glad Marion had the time to share that with > us. > > Reading about the personal stories of Choupette and her family of heroes in > France/Jeddah, Stevie's and Karen's accident and miraculous recovery, all > the new Berner owners with their fears and struggles teach me courage, > patience and hope. People sharing their sorrow and confusion when losing a > cherished Berner touch me deeply. > > Hopefully, anyone having the interest to make the effort to join a list such > as this one, is also willing to listen carefully to all the issues and > information discussed - from all points of view and with empathy. I > certainly hope to be able to read in future about anything and everything > that goes on in the dog world of Berner-listers, however controversial or > mundane. > > Hugs to all, and I really mean it > > Cecilia Ståhl & Griffin > Stockholm Sweden > --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.484 / Virus Database: 282 - Release Date: 27/05/2003
