Today is my birthday. Usually, I don't like to put myself in the spotlight; I like to keep it quiet. However, this time, I decided to celebrate my 52 years of life out in the open.

In my case, my life is marked by this mysterious divide of 50.

Before I turned 50, it was pretty challenging moving to Canada from living in the Eastern Block, studying and working crazy long hours. To be honest, I do not know what happened. My sense is that all the hardship was necessary to become the person who I am - the flawed being enjoying the mystery of life, animals, dogs and trying to make a difference.

In other words, it seems to be working, and the positive energy seems to be building up and radiating within our community. It is an incredible feeling!

Even those times when what I call a "Facebook storm" happens and heated discussions come up, they seem to be more civilized.

However, this does not mean that you and I will put our heads in the sand about such serious issues such as ear cropping.

Today, I would like to comment and reflect on a few points that those who still advocate ear cropping brought up. If you have not read the original article, read it here first.

1. Shouldn't it be our right to crop ears?
This was one of the questions that came up. Such opinions stem from the old fashioned and still legally enforced idea that animals are property. Animals are living beings, and cutting their body parts without reason can be compared to someone coming to a person saying,  "I don't like your nose; I want you to have it changed." I just do not understand  why anyone would think that it should be our human right to alter other living beings.

2. Are dogs with floppy ears more prone to infections?
This was another opinion that was brought up. In my experience, ear problems are related to diet, digestion, liver balance, and neck and spine injuries and have very little to do with floppy ears or not. In fact, cropping ears severs many energy meridians and lines.

3. Should veterinarians continue to crop to prevent other people from cropping dogs?
As a person having 20 plus years of experience with surgery, ear cropping is one of the most painful and traumatic surgeries. Ears are extremely sensitive, much more than any other part of the body. Just the thought of anyone, without a veterinary license, performing the ear cropping procedure is horrendous. In other words, I am voting 100% for the classification of illegal ear cropping as a criminal offense.

4. Should we continue cropping because people take their dogs to be cropped in countries where it is allowed?
Definitely not! What we need to do is to communicate with other dog lovers around the world, and, little by little, the world will change, the same as what happened in other areas of social change. Let's remember that, some time ago, slavery was legal. I am sure that some people didn't like it when women got to vote, and the same-sex marriage got legalized.

And, if someone asks me, Why should ear cropping stop?

I will answer with: Because animals are living, feeling, emotional beings, because ear cropping is unnecessary and painful, and because we live in the 21st century.

With gratitude,

Dr. D

P.S. The best birthday gift you can give me is free—share this newsletter with others. Together, you and I can make more of a difference! Thank you!