This will probably be the last post of 2007. A big thank you to those who have contacted me either through the blog or directly. I take note of all your comments either positive or negative. Even if you do not agree with everything I say, and if I have not been able to convince you that using Amichien Bonding and being non confrontational or non violent to your dog is the way forward. At least I hope it has caused you to stop and think, if only for a moment, that oppression of any sort only works in a limited and short term way.
2007 was hectic and next year promises to be even more so. We had petitions to Downing Street to ban the use of cruel training aids such as prong collars and electric collars. The Government response was predictable. They care deeply about animal welfare (really they do). Yeah right.
My understanding of their response was ‘When dogs get the vote, come and see us. Until then we’re not interested.’
Well perhaps we can focus their minds a little more next year, which can I remind you is 2008. The Government MUST call an election by 2009. They have dug themselves into a deeper and deeper hole over the last few months. They have sent the armed forces to war with inadequate equipment or back up and then cocked up their pay so that some serviceman are unable to pay their mortgages. They have upset nurses by reneging on their pay agreement and now they’ve done the same to the police. Think of all those Service men and women, doctors, nurses and police who are thoroughly disenchanted with the government. Don’t forget that all of those workers have families who can also vote! How many of these people live in marginal constituencies?
If the government want to get re-elected they need to get their act together. The same applies to the opposition parties hoping to take power from them. Therefore the plan for 2008 is to put all parties in a position in which they agree BEFORE the election that, should they win, they will take steps to ban all such equipment.
I’m off to Montana in early February with Jan Fennell, to see the wolves of Yellowstone, but on my return I will be kick-starting the campaign with letters to every sitting MP no matter if in government or opposition. Also letters to every prospective Parliamentary candidate of all parties and in every constituency. I will have template letters on my website for you to download. A petition is one contact as far as a politician is concerned, a letter needs to be read and responded to on an individual basis.
It’s all go getting ready for Montana at the moment. I got a fair amount of the specialist kit I need as Christmas presents so I just need to top up with thermal underwear and I’m ready to go. My wife, Rosemary is great and has been very supportive. I think that at first she would have liked to go as well although it is a research based trip and not a holiday, but when I got all the paperwork and saw that snow-shoes are supplied she lost all enthusiasm for the project.
Of course I have to show my appreciation of her support and so offered to take her anywhere she wanted. She said “Somewhere warm with some culture.” My first offer of a holiday job in a yogurt factory didn’t go down too well so it will probably be Greece or Florence instead.