Meet and Veg

Much alarm has been raised by the news that a group of ''vegetarian activists'' plan to rally outside of Crufts this year to oppose the show, the Kennel Club, and the 'use of dogs as slaves' amongst other things. There has been a touch of hysteria on the part of show going exhibitors who fear that the protest will result in something much more sinister than a mere rally. There are rumors flying about that dogs will be let out of crates and set free or even poisoned in the name of ''freedom'' from life as a show dog.

There is no doubt an element of exaggeration to these reports and hopefully Crufts will not be marred by the insane logic from the likes of PETA and the Animal Liberation Front. While these types of extreme protest sound far-fetched they have actually happened before at shows in the US and I'm told here in Britain as well, so they are not completely unimaginable. I understand why people are concerned, and we will certainly be keeping a watchful eye on our dogs at all times.

Beverly Cuddy, in her irritatingly condescending-albeit-clever way, has made light of the situation and poked fun at some of the concerns expressed by members of various show dog forums in her blog Cold Wet Nose, the offshoot of her monthly publication. She states:

''The veggies of Northants must have some infrastructure if they're going to pull all of these things off!.......What's the strangest Crufts rumour you've spotted so far? Please do post me any other outbreaks of paranoia as you spot them.
In the words of Michael Winner (almost), "Calm down madam, it's only a dog show!"

Just had a comment on this blog asking what I am trying to achieve. I guess what I'm hoping for is that people will start calming down and seeing how ridiculous all this is.
Both sides in this debate love dogs and imagining that those who want health reform want to do their dogs harm is obviously illogical. But the more people scare each other the easier it is to believe in bogeymen.''

The group's website describes itself and its goals: ''Veggies Catering Campaign provides catering services using no animal ingredients whatsoever and gives support to campaigns for social justice''

The group's online memo for the proposed Crufts rally has a link to the cult also known as PETA's new anti-purebred dog advert starring a man in KKK regalia (seriously) who wanders into an American Kennel Club meeting. The veggie group is very much in keeping with PETA lingo when it refers to the terrier and hound breeds as ''the other victims of bloodsports'' and the working and pastoral breeds as ''slaves.''

Do these sound like the whimsical musings of a zany bunch of kids who just love tofu and make a fab organic carrot and swede mash?

Crufts is going to be so interesting this year!