I am so excited about this issue because I feel we are covering some very important topics and they all have to do with change. I know that for some people change is hard but it can be an opportunity for good things to happen.

The first topic of change is regarding our perception of the animals sold in some pet stores. Many people still think that a cute puppy in the window of a pet store is an innocent purchase. Our feature story, “Puppy Mills, The Cruel Side of the Dog Business” details the conditions behind how some of these puppies are produced. Puppy mills are nothing new but with the recent increase in media attention to this subject, such as the undercover footage of the Beverly Hills pet shop captured by The Humane Society of the United States, awareness is really growing to the atrocities that these animals face. Unfortunately, the puppy mill business is still growing with the help of the Internet. It is my hope that after reading this story you will consider all of your options and the impact of your decisions so you can avoid unknowingly lining the pocket of a puppy mill farm.

Another important topic for change is ecological awareness. April 22 is Earth Day and marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement started in 1970. That day 20 million Americans demonstrated for a healthy, sustainable environment. Now more than ever we are aware of the impact that what we do and what we buy has on the planet we live on. You may be wondering what this has to do with dogs? Well, while companies are creating consumer products that are eco-friendly, the pet industry is shepherding in a new wave of eco-friendly pet products as well. On the Dog Treats page we’ve included some of these great organic or recyclable dog products as well as featured some green pet businesses on the Yap page. They are committed to lessening their carbon pawprint with greener manufacturing and practices. All of them have taken steps to make a difference in the world.

Making a difference or making changes is important in order for things to progress. This is exactly the case for the California Healthy Pets Act, also known as AB1634, that will require sterilization of dogs and cats at four months of age or older. This ordinance is intended to reduce the number of stray animals the city shelters kill each year. On February 12, 2008 AB1634 passed the Los Angeles Council 14 -1. It is the largest universal spay/neuter ordinance in the country and will not only save thousands of healthy pets from euthanasia it will also save the taxpayers millions.

So whether it’s your perception of puppies in a store, your recycling habits or your view on how to best save animals, you can change something. Even just passing on this copy of Dog’s Life to another dog lover instead of throwing it away may be a small change that can make a big impression.
I hope you join us in making a difference for our planet and in a dog’s life.