COLUMNS
February 20, 2010 As Olympic athletes competed for gold in Vancouver, the best of the canine best competed this week at the 134th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
It has been called "America's Dog Show", with 2,500 dogs representing more than 170 breeds, all competing for the top title of Best In Show.
This year's winner was a four-year-old Scottish Terrier called "Sadie", who had lots of personality to go with her good looks.
Just moments before the winner was named, the judging was unexpectedly interrupted by a couple of protesters, carrying signs claiming that dog breeders are responsible for the deaths of shelter animals.
The crowd booed, and then cheered as the intruders were ushered away by security.
Sadie seemed not at all bothered by the incident, wagging her tail and prancing around the show ring after winning the title.
I agree that the problem of pet overpopulation is indeed serious, and deadly for most animals who end up in shelters.
But I don't think we can put all the blame on breeders of pure-bred animals.
There are too many accidental and unwanted litters of puppies and kittens born every day, most of them mixed breed animals, and nowhere near enough homes for them all.
The best solution is for individual pet owners to have their dogs and cats spayed and neutered, to prevent unwanted and unnecessary births of animals that will eventually end up in shelters for lack of homes.
This coming Tuesday is the 16th Annual Spay Day USA, sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States.
From Alaska to Hawaii and in almost every state in between, events and activities are taking place to encourage pet owners to have their animals fixed.
As Spay Alabama says, "They can't read or write, but they sure can multiply."
You can help change that by calling your veterinarian and making an appointment to have your cat or dog spayed or neutered.
I think even Sadie would agree that makes everyone a winner, when you're speaking of pets.
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