Ruger Dachshunds

Okay, here's a really boring thing I do, but absolutely necessary if I want to continue to have the right to breed and show dogs: I write letters.  I write multiple letters a week, mostly to politicians and AKC.  Occasionally, I write letters to my dog family, such as the one below, encouraging them to add their voices against the current drive by AKC to tax dog show judges. ::sigh::

I write letters to protest the following:

• Restrictions on Breeding
• Mandatory Spay/Neuter
• Dog Limit Laws
• Fees & Taxes
• Breed Specific Legislation
• HSUS and PETA in general

These subjects, while initially sounding like good ideas, are rarely as they sound on the surface, and they all mean that your future choices in a pet can be severely limited.  Don't even get me started.

Anyway, for those of you here for my sample letter to my dog family regarding AKC's proposed Judge Tax, here you go:

I know some of you don't "show" per se, but we could use everyone's help.

AKC has proposed a new tax that will be levied yearly on AKC judges.  These fees, based on a per breed basis, will trickle down to those who are exhibitors.  Judging, while prestigious, is normally NOT a money making endeavor.  Most judges, after paying to care for their own dogs left behind on a judging weekend, end up in the red.  A judge who is approved for all breeds and Best in Show would be taxed approximately $1850 PER YEAR for the privilege of judging.

AKC doesn't run the tightest ship in the business from a fiscal standpoint.  There is a fancy office in the heart of NYC, millions in art, lavish parties and trips.  The CEO makes over 1% of the yearly revenue.  There is nothing wrong with any of these things as long as a company is solvent.  AKC is not, and instead of tightening their belts, they keep coming to the show people; the very heart of AKC, for more money. This is not the first time.

We need voices.  Most of your have entered a show or a performance event in one way or another. Even if you haven't, you have benefited from a pup whose parents are shown in multiple events. If you are on Facebook, there are a couple of easy ways to protest this tax.  You can post your protest on AKC's "Wall" at http://www.facebook.com/AmericanKennelClub and you can "Like" this group, created to protest these new taxes for judges:  http://www.facebook.com/AmericanKennelClub#!/group.php?gid=113799768661657 or http://bit.ly/9gBPj7.

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