Please enlighten me - Page 2

Echo, "honestly I wish I did not always have the emotions or passions that I do, But I guess it comes with the frustrations of the Job here." Don't EVER appolgize for your passion. When your job happens to be saving animals, your passion is not only put to EXCELLENT use, but if you're extreamly pissed off at what someone has done to the animal, chances are you'll pitty the animal and develop an emotional connection with it. You think the animals hate your passion? No way, considering that before they were rescued the only passion they got was when the owner was passionate enough to actually feed them; Possibly give them a nice look, once in a while. The passion you show is like 7-Heaven to those animals. You are put on a pedistal by those animals, and the way I see it, you are so passionate on this board, and claim to be equaly so in work, you deserve that pedistal! Kudos to you Echo, Krista blueskyekennels@msn.com

well lets assume that "alikzn" posed an honest question, lets assume that he/she has heard of such a thing and is new to dogs, cats etc.. and just wants info. To which you reply "Anyone who would risk the health of they're dog to win some extra points should be SHOT !!! Does that enlighten anyone ?" This is very informative and productive. Ive noticed a trend on this board, that when someone new GSD's has an honest question and just wants to know info about breeding, titleing, showing, etc.. a few folks on here jump all over them. and please explain to me exaclty where in here you mention and info on giving a dog injections to grow. "I know too many people who started dabbling with this stuff on Race Horses, and The horses PAID FOR IT !! They died very young ages, breaking legs because of too much too soon thus being destroyed, or surviving a while to have a heart attack in the middle of a race not only killing the horse but also injuring at least it's rider and many times several other horses and riders. Now Horses are tested !" "This Stuff?" what stuff, stuff to make the grow or run faster or farther. Stuff please tell is this the stuff "alikzn" is referring to? Some how i doubt it 'cus he/she doesn't even know what they are referring too. lets see,you mentioned race horses, but i doubt anyone gives race horses stuff to brow bigger, rather run faster. you mention heart problems, which is valid point. Then you wrap it all up by saying "I hope they do start testing dogs, and shooting owners/trainers caught using this crap. isn't it amazing how the animals always pay for peoples stupid decision" That is very productive, very enlighting. Why not just say what effects you've seen in horses, you'd imagine the effects would be the same as in dogs, and not recomend it. But you'd rather cop a passive aggresavie attitude and all but call him stupid. he/she had a simple question that warrented a simple answer. Then next think you know here comes brittany spouting The same crap, youre entitled to your opinion but what good did it due. Prior to my post there were 7 responses of which only one said anything constructive. It must be a burden to constanly let everyone know you two are so much better than they are. My heart truly goes out to you guys.

WScott00, It's all the same "stuff" no need to put a name to it, and yes the "stuff" given to the horses was for expedited growth, not speed, nothing can make anything "go faster" than it's capable of. So I'll try again... Alkizn, I would not reccommend using anything that promotes expedited growth in an animal it's likely to have steroidal effects on it's body, It's likely to cause damage to internal organs, muscle tissues, and bone structures by deformity in some way. Was that better ? WScott00 To all, I did not jump all over this person by the way, just gave an honest opinion. in fact my response was very generalized to "anyone" thinking of using... , not hey alikzn... And I'm still not "attacking" anyone ! I too value the information that is available on this board, I'm NEW here as well. Krista, Pedistol NO, But yes I do develop bonds here every day and every day my faith in "humanity" is tested to it's limits. Some days are over the top. I don't claim to be marter, but yes my emotions sometimes lead me to "true" spirit comments. did not intend to "jump all over" alikzn as WScott claims, just meant to give an honest opinion on something I have some first hand knowledge of and give my "honest" opinion on what the consequences "should" be. But of course will never be. Humans will always be allowed to torture, neglect, abuse, "enhance growth" and whatever else they wish to do to them, they will be allowed to continue it, because there are not enough people who care to "step in", "speak up", or "get in" and do anything about it. well I'm willing, obviously you are too, For that I thank you. Sometimes I wish there were more people who would at least be willing to speak up when they're neighbor is letting a dog starve to death on a chain, before the dog is dead!! So I spoke with passion and emotion, and I'm being "attacked" for it, oh well happens every day, At least I give a cr-p, and will continue to do so with or without WScott's permission. I'm not affraid to step in the myer when it benefits the animals who have no choices.

"...just meant to give an honest opinion on something I have some first hand knowledge of and give my "honest" opinion on what the consequences "should" be. But of course will never be." In that case why not try to educate rather than condemn. and when you start you post w/ "Anyone who would risk the health of they're dog to win some extra points should be SHOT !!! Does that enlighten anyone ?" that is exactly what you are doing. your passion and emotion are needed and respected but why not respond as you did the the above post. then go on to say but anyone who does it should be shot because ive seen what damage it does etc... your post begot Britanies post which led to blueskyekennels post. non of which dealt w/ the question at hand. now since you like looking at extreme scenarios, hows this one. alikzn asks a simple question, he/she has heard of this and just wants more info. nothing more but he is told "Anyone who would risk the health of they're dog to win some extra points should be SHOT !!! Does that enlighten anyone ?" then brittany and other step in and echo the same. so alikzn, gets no info here, he/she decides to go to another boared may a dog fighting boared or somewhere that does extreme stuff. there he is told that you can use, lets say equine testostrone to help you dog grow. its safe they say, next think you know he's got a120 lb gsd that can pull 2 or 3 tons, the dog grows what he/she thnks is an extra testicle but turns out to be cancer. during the exam the dog is so fired up due to the steriods he bites the vet tech and takes off her nose. now the dog has to be put down, which is most likely the most humane thing since it has cancer anyway. long story short what if people were given sound information, advise an theory w/ out being made to feel dumb or unethical for askig a simple question. if they are met by emotional out cries to a simple request for information, then the board is nothing more than a virtual soap box.

OK Point taken... will try to be more politically correct, and not so Emotional. I see your side of it too.

Good question. I have known only one person who gave a steriod to his Pitbull. The dog was huge and very aggressive. I do not know much more than that but am totally against this practice.

Very aggressive, would be an understament. You would not be able to trust any dog on steriods........

please 1doggie2!! Lighten up!!! I wasn't trying to write a essay!

The bottom line is that people will always cheat. However, a dogs true value is in the quality of its offspring. With that in mind we do our best to keep our dogs in the best health and condition of which they are capable, but it is truely pointless to attempt to circumvent genetic features that exist. There are medical pathologies that are successfully treated with hormones, as well as those vanity "therapies" that serve our aesthetic fetishes. While I am sure that some misguided competitor is right now scheming as to how he can cheat nature, he is cheating himself and his dog. The nature of breeding and training is that they are both science and art. The true challenge is through research, hard work, creativity, and some luck to breed and train a better dog who replicates himself with greater consistency. There are dogs that impress with their heavily muscled bodies, but that is only one part. The GSD is excellent because of balance and multiple abilities. Hormone treatment is perfectly suited to beef production as the goal is simply more meat. Look for the best genetics you can afford, train and condition patiently and consistently. I believe you will be happy with your dog and vice versa. Best Wishes, J

Short term steroid prescriptions by a licensed Veterinarian have a legitimate use for serious allergic reactions and inflamatory disease. Long term use even when indicated involves potentially quite serious side effects, often not worth the risk, such as increased risk of high blood pressure, heart and valve problems, kidney problems. GSDs built up for strength, bulk and stamina in the show ring via steroids are needlessly placed at high risk for later sterility and all the miscellaneous health risks that can occur. Plus it has been hypothesized that permanent changes to the brain and central nervous system can occur as well as to the skeletal system.