Atlanta Dog Scene gives Skip Cloninger the "Compassion For The Canine" thumbs up for his true love, appreciation and companionship for his dog Boone.

What follows is a very detailed interview between Boone, Skip, and Atlanta Dog Scene today and it was a true pleasure.

Me: What is your four legged family members name?

Skip: Boone

Me: What breed is Boone?

Skip: Labrador Retriever - European

Me: How old is Boone?

Skip: 9 - March 2, 2012

Me: Do you celebrate Boone's birthdays?

Skip: yes

Me: Are there any special stories that you would like to tell us about Boone?

Skip: He thinks it is cool to come up behind my wife and goose her with his wet nose 1st thing in the morning.He goes to bed before me, sleeps in my spot, gets it warm and moves to his bed immediately upon reentering my room every night.

Me: Would you say that Boone is spoiled rotten?

Skip: Not until I got Married!

Me: What obedience problems are you having?

Skip: He has a very distinct bark that hurts the ears, that he will use if I ignore him when its playtime. Can’t seem to break him of it.

Me: Have you always been an animal person?

Skip: YES. Always have had dogs, sometimes as many as 16 – 2 Golden retrievers, 2 black&tan longhair miniature dachshunds and 12 golden puppies. 5 times.

Me: Can you tell us how Boone came into your life?

Skip: My 2 goldens died within 3 months of each other- Field Trials dogs. Savannah died first from cancer. Her sister Shelby died next from depression and loneliness (we believe) Vet found no obvious reason. I was very down and my daughter surprised me with my Lab (I have now) about 6 weeks later. Her grandparents (Mothers side – 1st wife) raised labs. They started when I introduced them to a previous (Chocolate)Lab I had, then I gave them one of their own.

Me: Any Atlanta dog businesses that you would like to recommend to other loving dog owners?

Skip: Inman Animal Hospital – Dr. Fowler and the entire group are very loving and competent.

Me: Any Atlanta dog businesses that you would suggest that need some improvement in services?

Skip: Have never used any other services.

Me: How has having Boone in your family made changes to your life?

Skip: My children grew up raising and training our dogs. We all have an understanding of how special dogs are. Now that the girls are on their own, they have dogs in their life. Most inexpensive and successful counselors I have ever had. I suffer from depression. During a very down period in my life my dog, Boone would either lie right beside me or try to drag and nose me to go outside. This lasted many weeks. He never left my side, no matter where I went. He saved my life!

Me: Are you part the movement of rescuing and adopting dogs?

Skip: I must say that I am just now getting involved. I believe the tragedy of so many rescue dogs speaks of the decline in respect we have (generally, not we everybody) for anything in this country. I grew up at a time (at least in my home town), where there were very few strays. Almost all of the kids had dogs. Any dogs that wandered off (no-one used leashes) were taken care of by the community. If a dog disappeared the neighbors would talk to each other and keep each other informed until he showed up. Although I know there is a real problem with the number of homeless dogs, I am a dedicated advocate of Maintaining the Pure Bred species. The problem exists with the lack of respect for anything except money. Too many people exist that run puppy mills to provide weakened species to lazy pet owners, not only unwilling to locate quality Breeders, unwilling to research the breed that fits their lifestyle and unwilling to train or get training for their pet. They then quickly discard the dog when the dog does not behave like a Disney animation. I remember the incredible number of Dalmatians that were put down within 2 years after the Blockbuster Movie, “101 Dalmatians” came out, I believe in the 80’s. Nobody knew!!!! That these dogs were very hyper required extensive exercise and a very patient trainer, not necessarily a dog for small children. Yea, too damn lazy. Sorry, I’m ADD, in answer to your question; I am just now getting involved.

Me: How do you feel about the fact that there are over 4 million dogs in the United States that need to be adopted?

Skip: Please see my Rant! Question before last. IT PISSES ME OFF. However, please, let’s talk before someone gets on the bandwagon for more damn useless laws. Laws to try and prevent stupidity and laziness almost always only hurt the law abiding, ethical and moral person and are always ignored by the greedy. The unethical scoundrel doesn’t care about a new LAW if he/she did not previously care about the health and wellbeing of a puppy or the family that the dog eventually passed thru on the way to the Gas Chamber. Sorry, ranting again. Think I got the answer.