Working Like a Dog

Dearest Bay Woof Readers,

On the way to publication, this month’s issue took a sharp left turn. We’d planned the June issue with a focus on working dogs, but as we were building out stories with our local dog pro authors, breaking news from Humboldt County suddenly took center stage for many of our rescue partners. 

We ultimately decided to stay with our working dog theme, but for what may be the first time in almost two decades of publication, we’re also going to go to the darker side of animal rescue with a frank talk about the Humboldt case and the questions it raises. After all, if we can’t look at these issues directly and honestly, we’ll never find our way out of the darkness.   

If this isn’t the moment for you to do that, we understand. Just click this link and you’ll skip to our regular features about our working dog companions. But if you can hang in there for a minute, we’d like to explain why Bay Woof is delving into this troubling story after nearly 20 years of sticking firmly to the good news of the dog world. That time has come because we believe the current situation unfolding in our own back yard is such a critical story, one that could - and should - change rescue and adoption concepts forevermore.

Some of this will be hard reading so set yourself up first: sit with your beloved companion dog in a comfortable place with maybe a cuppa tea and a plan for more of the same after reading. Once you’re ready, continue at this link.

And if you’re not ready, no pressure. Just enjoy the rest of our June issue and give your own sweet dog an extra hug from us. Working or not, all dogs deserve our love and kindness. 

– M Rocket, Publisher
Bay Woof

cover: Working dog in training with NICST’s prison enrichment program. photo: Mark Ruefenacht