Little Lost Dog

[Michael Romanos]

Hi Robert
Some of us have done the Disney request bit for the TV film to be released on DVD or Video more than a year ago - but so far no joy. Someone needs to talk to real people in the Disney organisation, take with them to decision makers some telling statistics and an endorsement from Go Corgi with its near 1000 members. The stats could include the estimated number of Corgis in such countries as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Britain. Also is relevant the increased interest in Corgis in Asian countries and in Europe. Mainland China is going to be huge for Corgis in the not too distant future. Also if they released the film within the next 10 months it will help mark the 80th year of Britain's Queen Elizabeth who has owned over 30 Corgis and presently has five.
Now I could do this, but I am at the end of the earth. Someone in the USA lives reasonably close to Disney headquarters.

At the same time as this person is meeting with Disney executives, he/she could also push for a second movie based on the other tear-jerking book you mentioned.

[fido]

have requested -- and asked email friends to request also! (see one of my previous posts).

As we say, "Vote early and often"

[glencorgi]

One more time and not meaning to be a wet blanket at all, HOWEVER, the requests for Disney to release Little Dog Lost have been going for YEARS and YEARS, so long in fact Beta was even a format it was requested on. This has been going on before Go Corgi was even a blip in anyone's thoughts and the credentials of the lists that have memberships far outnumbering GoCorgi's are just a little more impressive. An endorsement from GoCorgi, sorry but I suspect the response from any powers to be at Disney would be trying to hide the snickering. To believe GC has any power or influence in the corgi world at large is merely deluding one's self and an ego check might be in order. That's not belittling GC at all, just reality.

Somehow the idea of Mainland China being huge for corgis in the near future doesn't excite me at all. Frankly, I don't see how anyone who professes such a deep commitment to the breed(s), their care throughout all stages of their lives and responsible ownership could find a bright spot in this. Asian sources of corgis are the equivalent of the commercial kennels in the US, those places which supply pet shops. Asian breeders don't have any other choices than to raise puppies like live stock due to governmental regulations and restrictions. So to see this market opening up and the conditions and backgrounds the dogs will be coming from, sorry, I see nothing bright about this future for the breed(s).

Debbie

[Chip's Mom]

I agree with Glencorgi on this. I want the best for our corgi breed and anything less is totally unacceptable so I will hope the pendalum swings the other way. I just read articles about a country that is killing their dogs because of rabies by clubbing them and another article limiting one dog to a family.

[MissGambler'sMommy]

I agree that it would be an interesting tribute to the Queen to release this movie, however, It's not going to happen. I'm very familiar with how Hollywood works, and it's all about the dollar, nothing else, and 1000 people vs the world's population, which is what a movie studio considers since their profits are determined by a world-wide market, would mean nothing. As for Asian countries falling in love with the Corgi breed, they already have, and my husband is Asian and I have learned, and continue to learn, a lot about the area and the culture and it would definately not be a good thing if the Corgi breed was to greatly increase in that region.

[darci]

Due to some views of others I will only state that I am Vehemently against the growth of puppy mills in asia or anywhere else in the country for that matter.
In the famous words of Gump, thats all I'm going to say about that.

[Michael Romanos]

Go Corgi is an international website and the interest in Corgis in Asian countries is not going to abate because of misconceptions and a failure to see future trends, by people outside the Asian region and the Orient.
In Beijing for example, the local city autorities are very frightened of rabies and in introducing new measures have also placed a ban on people owning more than one medium to large size dog per household. So it will be the smaller dogs that will become popular in a city where it is also difficult for a married couple to have more than one child. Mainland Chinese people will become infinitely better owners of dogs as time marches on, and they will as a whole learn to understand proper care, attention and breeding concepts. So there is definitely a strong position for Corgis in that hugely populated city.
Dogs as pets has grown in leaps and bounds in Mainland China. Dogs as pets are already very popular in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, The Philipinnes etc

[glencorgi]

I am more than aware of some of the measures they are going to in Beijing and other areas of mainland China in response to the rabies scare. Being a part of the Pet-Law list, also broadly international in scope and membership affords the opportunity to stay abreast of such matters. Dogs also remain a part of the food source in areas of Mainland China.

Just because there might be a strong position for corgis in the country does not mean that it is in the best interest of the breed(s) for them to grow in popularity there. In a country that practices infanticide against its daughters, does one really think that breeding concepts for dogs will grow beyond or perhaps even reach the standards of the Animal Welfare Act and USDA regulations in the US? Breeding will be governmentally controlled and that will prevent any in home raising and socialization of puppies - both vital components to healthy sound of mind and temperament puppies.

Space is already a premium in many Asian countries and there are owners already having problems and issues in raising corgis in such limited areas without available space for walks and exercise.

Debbie

[Michael Romanos]

I think the near past of China is so strong among this country's (of nearly 1.5 billion people) detractors that they cannot see the current dramatic changes taking place or what the near future will hold. Even the business about one child per couple will change as an ageing population will once again be in need of procreation.
I don't believe that China cannot entertain small dogs in their cities and in their apartments in large numbers and that the Chinese government, who is pouring millions of dollars into promoting dog ownership and into dog breed exhibiting etc will not establish large dog parks and other recreational facilities suitable for dogs and their owners.
About 10 years ago there were more millionaires in Mainland China (Hong Kong excluded) than the entire population of New Zealand. Today you can probably trebble that! And as I have said previously, the hugely growing middle class in China are wanting dogs as pets as one of the major wish list items.
And all this means, that whether you like it or not, Corgis will be among those breeds sought after by the Chinese middle class and millionaires.

[MissGambler'sMommy]

Michael: How can you possibly believe that China could ever recognize dog rights when they are incapable of even recognizing human rights? (And, as Glencorgi pointed out, and my husband as well, there are areas in Asia where dogs are part of the food chain, wow, don't know about you, but that's not an area where I would want to be a dog.)

[Michael Romanos]

MGM - I think you're wrong. China will continue to soften its approach, continue down a form of capitalism (if that's what you want). Why would a country who doesn't believe in human rights, entertain so many wealthy people and a burgeoning middle class. New Zealand has signed a free trade agreement with China. We can't get one with the USA. Dogs as a meal (by fewer and fewer) and dogs as house pets are two totally different aspects. You can keep a pet pig, fowl, duck or a pet lamb/sheep or a pet cattle and still eat pork, chicken,duck, lamb, beef. A lot of Oriental-type people just love dogs and Corgis are among the breeds to delight them the most.

[MissGambler'sMommy]

Michael, with all respect, but to show you that maybe you don't understand the Asian culture as well as you think, you should not have used the term "Oriental-type", that can be considered a slur, especially to American Asians. If you were to call an American Asian an "Oriental-type" person, you would get a severe tongue-lashing. It can even be considered offensive and very non-pc. Just so you know. And this is not my opininion, it's my husband's, who read your post, and who is 100% Asian, and knows that I, along with Glencorgi, are not wrong in this matter.

[glencorgi]

MGM, tell your husband thank you for the confirmation!

I realize capitalism is breaking down a lot of walls and barriers. With the Berlin wall it was walkman's and Levis; with China maybe it is iPods and Levis??? Regardless of the amount of money one has, it does not in any shape form or fashion make an individual a responsible owner or even a good owner. Evidence of that is available in any country.

Due to the one child per family law, there is now a younger population comprised of 60 % males - not the best odds for procreation of the next generation, now is it.

Future dog breeding operations in China will most likely be along the lines of those in other Asian countries, the equivalents of the US commercial kennels or more commonly known as puppy mills - sterile environments, wire cages, and concrete runs, IF that. It will be breeding for product to meet the market demand for things, no different than a manufacturing company meeting the demands for Talking Elmos. I wouldn't be surprised either to find limits on the number of puppies that could be sent to "market." IF only 4 puppies are allowed per litter, what do you think will happen to the other 2 to 4 in a litter? They will be culled and I don't mean by being placed in pet homes either. (This is already happening in other countries, Germany for one pops to mind.) Surplus puppies also opens a black market trade in dogs/puppies. Those are just a few of the animal welfare issues to take into account. Secondly, there is the soundness of the dogs that are going to be producing these puppies. The breeding pairs imported there are not going to be top specimens of the breed in either conformation, temperament, health and/or overall soundness. Health issues corgi owners from the Asian realm report speak to both genetic and animal husbandry issues and as their gene pools are not as large as in other areas of the world, it does not bode well for future corgi owners there to have sound healthy dogs.

Size wise, I understand the attraction corgis would have to the Chinese population in terms of acquiring animal accessories from a material perspective. We all should acknowledge though, that they are not "small" dogs in any other way than their stature. We see far too often the results of lack of appropriate mental stimulation and exercise in the reports of behavioral issues owners report here.

Whether the Mainland Chinese population latches on to the whim of the attraction of corgis or not because they meet size criteria, I do believe there is probably merit in the thought that they will. That does not mean that I have to embrace the idea with enthusiasm. I do not see it as good for the breed(s).

Debbie

[Marshy]

Due to previous track records & recent bad reports about Asia, it is not difficult to see or understand why we have such bad reputation & misconception as well.
I am here not to defend anyone. May you be comforted to know that there are animals lovers on this part of the world.

Corgis are considered rare in Singapore.
The popularity for this breed has picked up within this 2, 3 years. I have friends who genuinely wanted specific pups,
not just Corgis (As pets, not breeding business) & have contacted breeders from UK, NZ & Aust.
Later, I learnt from them that many breeders refused to sell it to us in Singapore because of all the bad reports all over Asia.
We have a lot of convincing to do.

There will always be bad owners or people who abandon/ abuse/ exploit dogs or other animals & regard them only as "beast".
Scum bags who are out for quick $$$ in the expense of the poor pups & etc.... There will always be people like that.
Even if all breeders decide to stop selling pups over here altogether, it is not going to solve any of the existing puppy milling problems or exploitation entirely.
Yes, I understand that you are also taking great measurement to ensure that no further contributions are made to the statistic of abuse cases.
Please take your time to know / check out the other party while generating your evaluation.
Please take heart to know that there will be a community of animal lovers there (regardless of the number)
who would play their role & commitment to do their part.

In Singapore, our animal lovers community plays an active role.
Through forums, we create awareness & believe in educating others continueously on relevant issues.
We constantly harp on the message to consider adoption first if possible.
All doggie lovers here DO NOT & NOT IN FAVOUR of supporting puppy milling business.
We shared info on caring & maintaining our furkids. We are appreciative to experienced owners who readily share
their knowledge with the rest & contributed in so many other ways.
Many of our existing doggie shelters here are started by animal lovers & majority run & supported by volunteers themselves.
Doggie shelters here takes in, care & home the dogs / cats until they find a proper owner and home.
It is still in operation is still on going. The community here are aware & keen in supporting these shelters.
They are programmes for spaying strays as well.
Bottom line, achievement has been made & increasing measures are being taken continueously to ensure efficiency & effectiveness.

With this, I hope you would know us better here in Singapore.
Just my sharing.

My boy Dexter, an Aussie, is very precious to me. He is my boy.
If i have a kid, the kid would have to respect him as well.

[MissGambler'sMommy]

Marshy: NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please do not misunderstand my post, or Glencorgi's, if I may speak for her(she can feel free to correct me if I am wrong) but we have absolutely nothing against Asain dog lovers/owners, it's the breeding and puppy mill practices that will more likely than not happen in China. You said that there will be people there who will oversee these practices and watch out for abuse, but the MAJOR difference is that in China, the governement will dictate the rules and regulations, NOT those people, and that is where the problem lies. We would NEVER mean to offend you, or any other loving and responsible dog owner. We love you and Dexter here on GOCORGI!