National Black Dog Day

[Which Tyler]

Apparently, today is national black dog day, to raise awareness that it is becoming ever harder to find homes for black pets - especially dogs for some reason. Partially due to superstitions about black animals, but mostly because black pets are considered unphotogenic - that's right, they're not instagram friendly!

So f*** that, let's see you black dogs!
Here's my Gunniess-daughter, in all her inability to look good in photos

 

[bushytop]

Political correctness gone.... oh .

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I've got a jet black Golden Shepherd.

Here's one of my fave pics....if anyone tells me he's not photogenic I'm taking them outside.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Ridiculous and colourist against black Pets.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Ridiculous and colourist against black Pets.

But also sadly true. Our daughter works at a vet and has seen this first hand, although more with cats.

Back to our hound. His mum was a normal golden retriever, but his dad was an enormous black Alsatian. We're used to big dogs, but we took a step back when he bounded over to meet us. He was lovely though and I'd have had him like a shot if he'd been available. I do like a shepherd, but they suffer hip problems as they get older and health / longevity was the main reason we went for a cross. Touching wood here, but he's coming up to 10 and he's only ever been to the vet for his booster jabs and an upset stomach.

 

[Which Tyler]

But also sadly true. Our daughter works at a vet and has seen this first hand, although more with cats.

Back to our hound. His mum was a normal golden retriever, but his dad was an enormous black Alsatian. We're used to big dogs, but we took a step back when he bounded over to meet us. He was lovely though and I'd have had him like a shot if he'd been available. I do like a shepherd, but they suffer hip problems as they get older and health / longevity was the main reason we went for a cross. Touching wood here, but he's coming up to 10 and he's only ever been to the vet for his booster jabs and an upset stomach.

Yep - I've seen it too, volunteering at the local animal shelter (and yes, I'm not sure why they chose to emphasise dogs over cats, but hey - maybe they'll do both). I love the idea, and fully support those who rehome / rescue animals - but I've seen too many with behavioural problems; I want to train up from pup / kit, and to know that they're first 8-10 weeks were happy and safe.

I've got cross breeds for exactly the same reason - Guinness (above) is Newfoundland x GSH Pointer; Talkisker (above as a pup) is Leonberger x Bernese Mountain; and both cats are farmyard "leftovers"

 

[Every Time Ref]

We're looking at getting a cat soon and we are specifically avoiding getting a black one ... nothing to do with photos though, it's because there are already countless black cats on our street, so this clearly doesn't apply in our area!

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Loving the names WT!

We'd always said we'd call a black dog Zinzan (all black....). But when we saw the dad we both said that he was more bear than dog so Yogi it was (not original, there are 8 Yogis registered at our vet including a beautiful ridgeback).

We have four cats at the moment. Previous moggies have been named Twickenham and Lansdowne.