Momma says she is excited about anything that helps the world see how wonderful black doggies can be! Apparently there is something called Black Dog Syndrome that many of you are aware of. It is the phenomenon where black dogs are slower to be adopted and faster to be euthanized in shelters. A double whammy is being a BIG black dog. *Gulp*! You can see this video below that explains it.
Isn't that a terrible thing? Momma has loved black labbies since the first one she met named Maddy. Maddy was later joined by Ebby. I never got to meet either but Ebby (who was part lab and part flat dog) passed over the bridge recently and Momma leaked all over the place and made pathetic sounding noises so apparently Ebby was pretty special.
Then she met Darwin a big 95lb black labbie who is pretty Awesome! Momma loved all of these black doggies so much that when she went to adopt her own dog she was afraid that if she got a black dog she would compare it to these guys and it could never live up to Maddy, Ebby or Darwin. So she decided she wanted a yellow girl labbie but when she went to meet them none of them felt right to her.
Finally she came to her senses and realized it was because she was looking for a big black labbie and if that is what she wanted AND if black labs are always overlooked (everyone wants a yellow lady lab!) then she should just get what she wants so that is how she ended up with ME! (this is one of the first pictures she ever saw of me- can you blame her for driving 2 hours to meet me?).
So why are us black doggies harder to adopt? Some think it is because we are not as noticeable in dark kennels at the shelter. (Here is what I might look like behind bars).
Some say it is because people see black as scary. I mean, what is so scary about me trying to catch a snack? Ok perhaps that is not a good photo to show...
Some say it is because we don't photograph well. Momma claims this is a little bit true and her hard drive is bustin' with 'bad' photos of me. I submit this photo as evidence to the contrary though.
Whatever the reason (and it is probably a combination of things) We big black doggies are more likely to end up homeless and on death row. Some of you may remember TeddyNo (who was on death row when LRRoF snagged him) he was a 'puppy' and it took almost 3 months for him to find a home compared to Bella who took less than 3 weeks!
Ok sure, he apparently got into trouble from time to time but no one even asked to meet him for 3 months! He was an awesome pal who was way more fun than these chubby blonds momma keeps bringing home!
Momma found this site called Start Seeing Black Dogs that has ideas for helping shelters and rescues get us black doggies noticed! I am so excited that Dexter's contest will show the world that we are all unique and wonderful doggies even if some people say we all look alike!
Part of this contest will have the readers match the photo with the name of the black doggie so I need to have momma pick a good photo of my big beautiful black self. She likes this one but PeeWee says it should show your whole face and this one hides most of my moose-ness.
She also likes this one but thinks since I am holding a Moose in my mouth that it would be too easy to match me up with my name. So she will find a photo that shows off my handsome shiny black Moose self and send that to Dexter. It might even be a never-before seen photo of Moose which is reason enough to check out the contest! If you are a black labradog you should enter because for every entry Dexter is donating some of his tennis ball money to homeless labbies up in Master Chew Sits.
When I was looking for a home for Alf, a vet tech suggested bringing him to the shelter. She had never heard of black dog syndrome.
I don't understand it myself. I know some awesomely wonderful big black dogs. And guess what? they are all at least part Lab! No surprise there, right?
Good luck with the contest! make sure we know when to vote!
Even though we are neither black nor particularly big, we think Dexter's contest is Most Excellent, and can't wait to see all the beautiful big black doggies!!! Good luck!
Well it's a good thing your momma found you before I did. If I ever saw that photo of you with that pink necklace on, and those sad eyes screamin to take that girly thing off, I woulda picked you up! geesh. talk about the "poor me" looks!
Loki suffers from BD phobia himself. tho he and juno are mostly black, whenever he sees a black or choco lab, he's a bit snarkey himself. i think it's because it's hard for him to see a black doggie's face or eyes. phoey on him. maybe he can meet you or dex someday and you can show him black dogs aren't all evil... well, not mostly, right? tee-hee...
have fun in your labradink contest. we still think you all look alike...
Woof! Woof! Yes we know about the black syndrome issue ... which I was really surprised because there so much black dogs at the dog park I go to. Great post. Woof1 Woof! on teh contest. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
I love Dexter's contest idea! Ive heard of the black dog syndrome, but it's funny because when we go to the parks I feel like we see a lot more black labs than yellows. Darwin's bff in our building is a tiny girl black lab! Every time I see her I feel like I could just pick her up and put her in my pocket! hehehe She's not really that tiny, but compared to Darwin and you she is! BTW your mom knew another Darwin?! how cool!
We are a teensy bit jelly that we cannot enter into the competition as we are big, black, and a little scary looking (and everyone sez we look the same) but the ma ape sez maybe we should sponsor a sheppy showdown instead of complaining about not being labbies. We are most excited about the competition. Wally would have loved it as he loved dark colored labs. Maybe his mama was one?
Oh yes! My human wrote a entire article on "Black Dog Syndrome" a few years ago for one of her magazines and interviewed the founders of one of the special organisations promoting black dogs ("Black Pearl Dogs") - it's very sad. Over in NZ, the prejudice is actually not against black dogs but brindle dogs! Coz of their association with pit bulls and other fighting breeds used by gangs...again, very sad coz so many in rescue and not the dog's fault!!
What do you mean Dexter's competition is the only one you have a legs up, Moose?? You totally had a huge legs up in my SLobber Contest!! :-)
Oh, Gem the great labradane is so excited to pick out her pics! She's just like Moose, big,black,shiny and beautiful. I wouldn't want it any other way.
When I was looking for a home for Alf, a vet tech suggested bringing him to the shelter. She had never heard of black dog syndrome.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand it myself. I know some awesomely wonderful big black dogs. And guess what? they are all at least part Lab! No surprise there, right?
Good luck with the contest! make sure we know when to vote!
Even though we are neither black nor particularly big, we think Dexter's contest is Most Excellent, and can't wait to see all the beautiful big black doggies!!! Good luck!
ReplyDelete*kissey face*
-Fiona and Abby the Mutant Puppy
Trixie is not a lab, but she would like to state for the record that she is a black dog and thinks Black Dog Syndrome totally stinks.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Much love to all the BBDs out there! Domino and Moose are only 2 of the wonderful examples of why they deserve a 2nd chance :)
ReplyDeleteSome two leggers don't LIKE dawgs that are Black? What's up with that???
ReplyDeleteWell it's a good thing your momma found you before I did. If I ever saw that photo of you with that pink necklace on, and those sad eyes screamin to take that girly thing off, I woulda picked you up! geesh. talk about the "poor me" looks!
ReplyDeleteLoki suffers from BD phobia himself. tho he and juno are mostly black, whenever he sees a black or choco lab, he's a bit snarkey himself. i think it's because it's hard for him to see a black doggie's face or eyes. phoey on him. maybe he can meet you or dex someday and you can show him black dogs aren't all evil... well, not mostly, right? tee-hee...
have fun in your labradink contest. we still think you all look alike...
I think this is a great contest. We had a black lab for the last one, but we decided to get a yellow this time so we wouldn't be confused!
ReplyDeleteI'm so stoked about this contest...Mom and I have been looking through my photos today!!
ReplyDeleteSay it loud, I'm black and I'm proud!
Your Ebony Pal,
Buddy
Hope Mandy is doing well!
Moose pal! That was an awesome post. Yuh, you know I suffer from that discrimination too because I am big and my face is all black. It is just wrong!
ReplyDeleteI remember TeddyNo. He was a fun guy! We are totally pro black faced dogs here for sure.
Slobbers,
Mango
P.S. Love the SNACK photo. Made me laugh.
Woof! Woof! Yes we know about the black syndrome issue ... which I was really surprised because there so much black dogs at the dog park I go to.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Woof1 Woof! on teh contest. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
I love Dexter's contest idea!
ReplyDeleteIve heard of the black dog syndrome, but it's funny because when we go to the parks I feel like we see a lot more black labs than yellows. Darwin's bff in our building is a tiny girl black lab! Every time I see her I feel like I could just pick her up and put her in my pocket! hehehe She's not really that tiny, but compared to Darwin and you she is!
BTW your mom knew another Darwin?! how cool!
Nice to meet you Moose. You are a very handsome fellow!
ReplyDeleteIt always makes us sad to read about the blakhk dog/khat syndrome...
ReplyDeleteWe do know they are a challenge to flashie beastie - Mom's blakhk transportees are proof of that!
As fur the khontest, I'm trying to borrow The Beast's Blakhk LabraDog outfit -
I'm sure she has one I khould skhweeze myself into!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
We hate to learn of any dogs being pts.....reasons are so pathetic especially ones like black dog syndrome!
ReplyDeleteCrackin post Moose and nice to meet you. We're all black and tan!
Big Nose Pokes
The Thuglets
We are a teensy bit jelly that we cannot enter into the competition as we are big, black, and a little scary looking (and everyone sez we look the same) but the ma ape sez maybe we should sponsor a sheppy showdown instead of complaining about not being labbies. We are most excited about the competition. Wally would have loved it as he loved dark colored labs. Maybe his mama was one?
ReplyDeleteSheps w/Pep and Stripey Otis, the odd man out.
We are big fans of black Labs and we don't understand why people aren't so keen on black dogs. Muzzle (my human mum) says black dogs are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMinnie-Moo, rescue black Lab, UK
Oh yes! My human wrote a entire article on "Black Dog Syndrome" a few years ago for one of her magazines and interviewed the founders of one of the special organisations promoting black dogs ("Black Pearl Dogs") - it's very sad. Over in NZ, the prejudice is actually not against black dogs but brindle dogs! Coz of their association with pit bulls and other fighting breeds used by gangs...again, very sad coz so many in rescue and not the dog's fault!!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean Dexter's competition is the only one you have a legs up, Moose?? You totally had a huge legs up in my SLobber Contest!! :-)
Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane
We are looking forward to seeing all of the contestants.
ReplyDeleteOh, Gem the great labradane is so excited to pick out her pics! She's just like Moose, big,black,shiny and beautiful. I wouldn't want it any other way.
ReplyDelete