Penny’s New Life -Part Two
Nowadays some breeds such as pugs have become very popular because large social media stars have bought these dogs and regularly post photos on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat and videos on You Tube. This has taught a lot of the younger viewers about these breeds and fuelled their enthusiasm to have the same dog. For example, Zoella (12 million followers) , PewdiePie (64.5 million followers), Joey Graceffa (9 million followers) and Doug the Pug (3.5 million followers).
Social Media is such a big earner that some people use their dogs to advertise and earn income. For example they will use their dogs to advertise clothing, merch, different brands and even make up. This encourages their followers to do the same. But generally their followers are also young, with low income and they want a similar dog quickly. So, they go to the internet and there they can buy a relatively cheap dog, quickly. But they don’t realise that these dogs are probably from puppy farms and have a high chance of congenital diseases and problems. They often become ill or die very quickly.
For example, Jessie Paege (a US You Tuber with 1.5 million followers) bought her Yorkie dog called Ollie over the internet and he died within a week from a seizure. But the thing is, she doesn’t and many others don’t use their platform to help spread awareness on this. If she only mentioned the words Puppy Farm once within her 20 minute long video about his passing, it would raise a lot of awareness. I would like to encourage those with a larger platform to use their influence to raise awareness.
There is another You Tuber named Stacy Plays who rescues dogs in the US. She barely mentions puppy farms and she could also spread awareness. She has nearly 2 million followers. It’s so difficult to reach these people, but I try. I comment on these You Tuber’s videos talking about how they could raise awareness and my comments often get the most likes, but the You Tuber’s still don’t do anything. Is this because they don’t want to be controversial? I don’t understand what there is to be controversial about. Is it because it’s too difficult to explain? It’s not that difficult. Or is it just that they want to put out videos that earn them more money, rather than saving dogs’ lives?
But back to Penny. While she was at DBARC Penny was diagnosed with a minor heart murmur which she went for a scan for at Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists. The murmur was diagnosed as very minor so did not need a further scan or treatment. This was all funded by Schnauzerfest which I urge everyone to support so that more lives like Penny’s can be saved.
Right now she is sleeping on a rug in the living room with us. For the first 2 weeks, she wouldn’t do that. She would peer at us through a window or a doorway, her safe places. She still finds a rug more comfortable than a sofa but she would probably choose a sofa over a rug if her back leg muscles were developed properly. We’re working on it!
You can follow Aimee, Frankie and Penney on their social media accounts and new blog:
Frankie and Penny’s Puppy Farm Blog which you will find HERE.
Frankie And Penny Schnauzers on Instagram HERE
and on Twitter HERE
