We aren't so different

If you know me, then you know that I'm a dog lover. I share pictures and stories about my Labrador Retriever like a proud grandmother dotes on her grandchildren. When I realized that his name had been used more often than any other in my twitter feed, I was slightly embarrassed. Our dog's name was given to him by my 5 year old son after the cartoon character "Samurai Jack". Okay, this post isn't about my dog but it is about dogs and our quickness to judge.

Hi Tina:

Im a former dog sledding tour guide, author and photographer. I chose to support my previous boss for his first attempt of the Iditarod. Then I started receiving emails from animal rights activists who assumed I wanted to promote animal cruelty, which couldnt be farther from the truth. I love the sled dogs I worked with like friends, in fact more than most friends I have. So I decided to open up conversation with the people emailing me and sent the 100th person a copy of my book - Wild Hearts: Dog Sledding the Rockies for free. She was a wonderfully kind person and we both understood that our concern was for the dogs of this race. She in turn sent me a check for the cost of the book, saying she understood how much work and expense was invested in putting the book together and her gift was getting to enjoy it.



It was an experience that moved me greatly and goes to show how if we allow conversation with others we often find out we arent so different after all.

-- 
Dagny McKinley
author/photographer