Sophie, Max, and Chloe: "We can't speak your language, so you've got to tell our stories for us!"

I’ve run across a couple of solicitations for input on dog-related issues lately. What better place to ask for data and anecdotes than from a readership composed of dog people?

Pesticide Perils
The first one is from the environmental organization the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), which, unfortunately, is a huge proponent of animal testing. In fact, PETA gave the group an F in our assessment of its animal-testing policies. Now, however, one of its representatives is asking for personal stories of people's bad experiences with flea and tick products so that the NRDC can update its report "Poisons on Pets."

I certainly hope that this isn't a ploy similar to the one that I wrote about involving the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which is using a cute dog in an e-mail campaign to recruit people who are upset about tainted dog food but unaware of EWG's constant pushing for animal experiments. If we knew for sure that the NRDC was going to use people's sad, traumatic stories about the harm that pesticides have done to their dogs in a constructive manner―such as to call for an outright ban on these poisons―then I would say, without reservation, please do send in your stories.

However, since PETA has a long history of battling with the NRDC over its insistence on animal testing and since "Poisons on Pets" appears to call for additional animal testing, I have to remain skeptical about the group's intentions and suggest that if you do contribute your story, please accompany it with a demand that the organization STOP promoting animal experiments. Explain that there is no such species as a "laboratory animal" who does not suffer and die when poisoned with hazardous chemicals! Submit your stories and your request that the NRDC stop pushing animal testing to Alexandra Kennaugh and/or Gina Solomon.

Shocking Stories
The second one is "a private independent study funded by a small group of animal owners concerned about the growing use of shock devices to train, control or punish animals." The group's site is called "Tell Your Shocking Story." They want opinions on and stories about experiences with both shock collars and invisible fences. As you know, I'm not a fan of shocking dogs in any way, unless it's to shock them with how much fun they get to have every single day. I do hope this group publishes its findings.

You can send your stories and opinions about shock collars and invisible fences to www.tellyourshockingstory.ca.

And while you're at it, how about signing this petition by the No Shock Collar Coalition? That'll be your good deed for the day.