Comments on: Does Liking Dogs Mean You’re a Good Person?

By: Caitlin

Caitlin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:42:46 +0000

It’s fascinating to see that footage – it’s not a clip I’ve ever come across before. I also don’t think it’s enough to love animals. Hitler and many of the other central players in that dark time were animal lovers. The Nazi regime imposed strict animal welfare and protection laws – but what good did it do when they were practicing the exact antithesis of ethics, morality and humanity on their fellow citizens? Heck, some animal shelters (yes, even within the United States) still use a gas chamber – you know, technology that wasn’t invented but was definitely perfected by the monsters of WWII – to euthanize stray animals. So for all the “good” the animal lovers tried to do, they just mucked things up worse.

I won’t always trust a human who loves dogs, but I will trust my dogs every time when it comes to humans. If my dogs don’t like them, chances are there’s a reason for it and I should be keeping an eye out. It’s not fool-proof methodology, but it’s served me well on a number of occasions.

By: melF

melF — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:38:58 +0000

Finally saw the video. Holy cow.
Is it just me, or did you wonder if Hitler was thinking about killing the puppies as he was looking at them? Creepy, evil man.

By: melF

melF — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:35:37 +0000

What a wonderful post Pamela. I wanted to see the video, but it doesn’t seem to be working for me (just keeps clocking), but I trust what you read in the dog’s body language. I was going to do a comparison of someone currently in the political realm, but I think your examples were better.

I have to agree with you. A person who “listens” to their dog and tries to understand them is more likely to be a good person than someone who just happens to own a dog. I love when you mix history with dogs and a lesson to boot.

By: Kirsten

Kirsten — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:52:31 +0000

What a fascinating video. That poor dog, using her exquisite sensitivity and finely- honed communication skills to no effect.

A lot of old-school trainers, force-based trainers, prong-collar trainers say they love dogs too, and their dogs look just like this when they interact with them. How right you are that a world more attuned to canine body language would be a world wiser to many truths about humans too!

By: Kristine

Kristine — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:15:18 +0000

This is such a great post. I am sorry I am reading it so late. I don’t have much to add. I know Hitler was an animal welfare advocate, in a very roundabout way, and became a vegetarian as a result. But I don’t remember reading about his dog before. Clearly I didn’t read enough 20th century history.

I like the point you made though. It’s like the difference between people who are dog lovers (“eeee! puppies!!! *lunge and hug*) and people who are dog knowledgable. I don’t think someone who loves dogs can be forgiven for his or her actions towards humans. An evil dictator is an evil dictator, regardless of how well he treats his dog.

By: houndstooth

houndstooth — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:18:11 +0000

What a fantastic post! I see all the classic signs that Blondi was very uncomfortable. And like you, I think the most important question is what she thought of him. How fascinating to see Hitler in that context, though!

By: Urban Hounds

Urban Hounds — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:36:37 +0000

In the Rin Tin Tin book by Susan Orlean there is a long part on Hitler and Blondi and the attitudes of the Nazis towards natures and animals. Its very interesting

By: Of Pit bulls and Patience

Of Pit bulls and Patience — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:44:49 +0000

I’m just repeating some other thoughts, but it’s truly saddening to see Blondi’s reaction to her owner. Unfortunately, dogs have no say in who they spend their lives with. Blondi’s behavior is pretty clearly saying how desperately she wants to put distance between her and Hitler. Very interesting footage- thanks for sharing!

By: Jen

Jen — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:10:17 +0000

Truly bizarre to watch Hitler smiling as he watches a litter of German Shepherd puppies play.

Also, very clear (and I watched it without the sound on so the people I’m in the room with don’t think I’m a weirdo) that Blondi was truly uncomfortable. Yawning, looking away, tongue flick, in addition to the outright cower, head down, tail down, belly to the ground.

My understanding was that Hitler killed Blondi because he didn’t know what the Allies would do to her when they were found. Which may or may not be true. We see a lot of footage, nowadays, of soldiers doing horrible things. It’s impossible to stick by any of Hitler’s decisions, though.

By: Jodi

Jodi — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:34:07 +0000

I stuck with the video because I trusted that you wouldn’t put a video up of him abusing the dog.

The thing I hate most (besides seeing someone physically attack an animal) is to see a dog cower when their master reaches out to them. That tells me so much, and I felt so bad for Blondi. Besides the ears back, licking, yawning oh this video was wrong in so many ways.

I think people can ‘say’ they love a dog, but their actions must back up the words.