Black Dogs and Lower Adoption Rate

I pretty much figured out what was going on here -- I can read between the lines.  I'm taking no sides.  She was being ignorant with her thoughts on Willow's "dominance", but that's her problem.  And I'm obviously not on your side, either, because I know people see things differently, thus the reason she took the picture the wrong way.  Like I said, people see Roxie and have negative thoughts.  It doesn't rankle me in the least.  I go on about my business without letting them ruin the fun.  It's their loss for not seeing what she really is, and you should feel the same way about Willow.  If people think she's a vicious killer based on looks, ignore them.  You know how great she is. []

Okay, not many have common sense.  It's sad, but not everyone can be educated about dog safety via the internet. 

I don't post often, but I read a lot.  It seems that when someone has a different opinion or thought, some automatically launch into defensive mode.  You can offer your opinion to someone without trying to make them look stupid or making them feel bad.  Maybe some don't realize how rude they're being, but I see it. 

because I know people see things differently, thus the reason she took the picture the wrong way.

 
That's exactly why we are saying the method she states she uses on her other forum is not reliable and her accessment of Willow was not reliable.  But, more importantly, I don't want other people using this method and getting hurt if they are wrong.
 
I don't feel that I did anything to make anyone feel bad or stupid.  But, if someone posts something that I don't agree with or have information on I will speak up.  I don't have everyone always agreeing with  me but I don't erase my posts and or get all upset and not post anymore. 
 
 

There's nothing wrong with speaking your mind if it's done nicely.  Some don't, and I'm not saying you're mean with it. 

She probably erased what she said because of what's happening in this thread now.  That, and she's embarrassed. 

I don't want to fuel this anymore, so I'll try to stay out of it. 

Thank you Roxie for being a voice of reason. [] Although I wouldn't say I was being "ignorant", but that I misread the body language in the picture. No one is perfect. But again, I do appreciate you stepping up and saying something about this situation.  I don't think Glenmar, Willow's Mom, OR I were completely in the right. I should have NEVER said anything that could remotely been taken as negative about anyone's dog. Lesson learned. 

Okay, this was a very long post with tons of examples defending my point, but I realized I don't need to be "right". I don't want to go on another tangent, but I feel like God put us on this earth to be nice and help each other. In arguing back and forth I haven't exactly been doing that.

I sincerely apologize for offending you Willow's mom and I would really like to let this go.

Thank you Lori.  That is EXACTLY what I was trying to say....you can't judge a book by it's cover...or a dog by it's appearance.  I can't just sit here and let go something that could be dangerous and using pics on the internet to decide the personality of a dog CAN be dangerous because someone might carry that over into real life and approach a dog who LOOKS friendly, but who actually isn't.  I have actually had people think that it's ok to run up and try to hug SHEBA.....Sheba is a beautiful white shepherd and LOOKS approachable, but she's reactive as all get out and you don't approach HER the way you could one of my boys, who are not so beautiful.  They ARE of course, but whites are so uncommon that they seem to get all the attention.  Just as a wagging tail does not mean that the dog is happy and friendly...there are DIFFERENT wags and they all have their own meaning....facial expression often doesn't mean squat.
 
I've had folks say that my young Theo looks mean.  He isn't...he's a baby still and he doesn't have a mean bone in his body.  BUT his facial markings....the "eye liner" common in gsds is different on him...never seen markings like his before...and we sometimes call him Diablo or Little Devil Dog because of the markings.  To someone ELSE tho, those markings make him look "mean".  Yet Sheba, who has the potential to be mean, they see nothing but her beauty.
 
So THAT is what I was trying to say.  Not that Luvntzus was being mean or cruel or stupid, just that you CAN'T judge by pictures.  And it's not safe to judge just by facial expression in any event.
 
I honestly look at pictures of Willow and do just want to hug her.  Would I?  No, because I have enough dog smarts to not approach a dog that way....although I'm betting after 10 minutes sitting on the floor with her, I'd have her in my lap for some serious loving...but a LOT of people don't have dog smarts and MANY will approach my shepherds and go right for the head and not even allow them a cursory sniff of the hand that's reaching for them.  When I take my dogs for a walk in town, around people, it's never more than two at a time....I CAN in fact control all six of them together, although its a lot of work....but what I can't control are the PEOPLE and how they react to my animals.  And it's the people who THINK they know what a dangerous dog looks like who are the most dangerous.

ORIGINAL: Luvntzus

Thank you Roxie for being a voice of reason. [] Although I wouldn't say I was being "ignorant", but that I misread the body language in the picture. No one is perfect. But again, I do appreciate you stepping up and saying something about this situation.  I don't think Glenmar, Willow's Mom, OR I were completely in the right. I should have NEVER said anything that could remotely been taken as negative about anyone's dog. Lesson learned. 

Ignorance isn't horrible.  It just means you didn't know.  That's the difference between an ignorant person and a stupid person.  Really, that wasn't something rude. []

It's cool, the word kind of has a negative connotation to me, but I do see what you're saying. [][][]

I should have NEVER said anything that could remotely been taken as negative about anyone's dog. Lesson learned.

 
Well, I just wish that you would say something to make me know that you realize what we were upset about.  You saying something "negative" about" Willow wasn't the reason I got upset.  It was how you came to that "conclustion".

Honestly, just let it go. You're beating a dead horse here.

Yeah, I know it's a dead horse, you JUST posted that yesterday.  But, it's a dead horse.  WHATEVER!!!!!

No need for this thread to go further down the tubes....remember nice matters.

[:@]

Lori, I hear you loud and clear and I AGREE with you....but I think we've made our point for the lurkers and thats all that matters.

ORIGINAL: willowchow

Yeah, I know it's a dead horse, you JUST posted that yesterday.  But, it's a dead horse.  WHATEVER!!!!!

 
Yikes..... [&:]