Traitor!

Ted Paul is approved by AKC to judge Collies,

Shetland Sheepdogs, Pembroke and

Cardigan Welsh Corgis, and Junior Handling.

He has not had a judging

assignment – specialty or all-breed – since

2007.

 

 

Recently, Ted and his wife very publicly aligned

themselves with and bequeathed their entire

estate to H$U$, the largest domestic animal

exterminationist 
animal “rights” group in the world. It would

seem that Mr. Paul is no longer interested in

future show judging assignments. All fanciers 
involved with Collies, Shelties, Corgis, and

Junior Showmen – the future of the purebred

dog fancy – should be made aware of Mr. Paul’s 
affiliations and now public agenda.
 
Those of us who cherish our pets, as well as

the rights of our future generations to enjoy

the human / animal bond in like manner, might

well be shocked and outraged by Mr. Paul’s

actions. How could anyone so involved with dogs

as to become an AKC-licensed judge support

H$U$, much less bequeath an entire and

apparently sizable estate to such an organization?
 
We must remember that courting dog world

insiders such as Mr. Paul is a political tactic often

used by the Aristas to garner publicity and confuse 
the uninitiated. The H$U$, already a multi-billion

dollar organization, is more likely interested in the

Pauls for their standing in the purebred dog fancy

than in the hefty estate holdings they may have to 
bequeath. Could it be that the already well-funded

H$U$ gave or promised the Pauls “an offer they

 couldn’t refuse” in exchange for the use of 
their names and personas as “generous donators”?
 
Whether the Pauls are merely victims of ARista

propaganda or strong arm tactics will likely never

be known to anyone but the Pauls themselves 
and a few key players in the AR movement.

What we do know, however, is that the H$U$ is

making a very public showing of having captured

people whom the purebred dog fancy has

considered “one of our own”.
 
AKC and the Collie Club of America now hold

the proverbial ball in their court.  We sincerely

hope, in the desperate interest of the protection 
and future of the purebred fancy, that both

organizations have progressed beyond the stage

of ignoring this kind of threat and hoping 
it will all just go away.

One thing we can promise: it won’t.

 

Therefore, we must address practical and

immediate steps to take.

 

What are the options for AKC and CCA?

 

What are the options for individuals who

participate and support the interests of AKC

and CCA?

 

What legal recourse is possible when a

prominent member publicly chooses to

identify with an institution dedicated

to exterminating purebred dogs?

What kinds of objections can AKC member

clubs and individual CCA members file to

protest continuing affiliation with and by

the Pauls?

 

What procedures do the clubs have to assert

their dissatisfaction with the Pauls’ stance?

 

If these organizations do not have provisions

for disassociating themselves from members

who proclaim allegiance to animal
extremist groups, it is time to initiate some.
 
It has already been widely stated on internet

chat groups and within smaller affiliated clubs

that Ted Paul should immediately be stripped

of his AKC judging license and ousted from

the CCA.

 

What suggestions and solutions do you propose?

“Lassie Kills Chickens”

Do you remember hearing that?
Years ago, some “other breed” people who were jealous
of the Collie’s longstanding popularity began putting
out press saying that “the real dog” Lassie was not such
a likeable animal.  Of course, their intentions backfired
on them, with some people being pleased to think that
“Lassie” behaved a lot like their own dogs, after all, and
others being completely defensive of their much loved
“in the flesh” icon.  Lassie didn’t lose any popularity over
the allegation, and in the end, probably gained some.
 
Now we have a pair of disgruntled former associates of
Bob Weatherwax attempting the same sort of thing, only
today it’s on the internet.  They’ve even managed to
dig up an estranged  family member to parade around
in their effort to “show the world” that Bob kills chickens,
and not only that, he’s also part of a dysfunctional family!
Well, if the whole world and the whole society of Lassie
fans can’t relate to that, it is that revelation itself that will  
prove to be shocking!  Imagine, Bob Weatherwax is a
human being, and his dog, Laddie, is a real dog!  Not evil
enough for you?  Oh don’t worry, these two will embellish
until the cows come home….  on blog sites, on Yahoo lists,
on “Comments” made to any internet news group that
publishes a story about Bob, Bob and Laddie, or – to really
get them going – the Weatherwax Lassie dogs!
 
While all of this is the usual stuff of “wannabe” jealously
and questionable mental stability, it is still somewhat
disturbing to witness.  In this case, particularly, it
becomes unsettling when you realize the victim is a
sixty six year old man who, throughout his lifetime
has stuck with his father’s commitment to a dog, and
to a family of dogs that represent an international icon. 
Now, how many sixty six year old men can say that?
Equally disturbing is the fact that behind the smear
campaign is an association with a
multi billion dollar corporation that would like nothing
better than to separate that icon from all association
with the father and son, and the very real dogs they
judiciously bred, trained, lived with, and yes, loved.
 
My guess is the world doesn’t want the corporate icon
if it’s not associated with the Weatherwax Lassie Dogs. 
Anyone can draw a cartoon of a collie with a big white
collar and a blaze on it’s face, and there you have the
corporate icon.  Or you can make a movie or produce a
TV show around a collie, call the dog “Lassie”, and
there again you have the corporate icon (as has been
done).  You can even take a collie Bob Weatherwax
gave to someone he thought was a friend and declare
it to be “The Real Lassie”,  and once again, all you have
is the corporate icon.
 
Real men, father and son, neither of them perfect;
and real dogs, nine generations of them, father to son,
and none of them perfect either, are what comprise
the public’s view of “The Real Lassie”.  We see them
as united parts of the whole, and not to be disassociated
by either big corporation or disgruntled former fans.
We will take them, flaws and all, thank you.  Besides,
if you ask a fan, they will tell you it’s the disgruntled
wannabes who have the skeletons in the closet. and the
corporate Lassie who kills chickens!

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