Going gently to the abattoir

From English children's books I learned the truth - the true state of animals is dressed up in miniature human clothes and speaking English.
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Its customers, Tesco says, are worried that the dogs are unmannerly when they herd sheep.

Oh boy! what a bunch

What's more, Poms they've sent here to observe our sheep- handling came over all faint when they saw working dogs barking and running about, and definitely detected that the sheep had hurt feelings.

In short, they don't want to buy our lamb and mutton unless they're sure it's been herded to slaughter by pixies and elves with magic wands, which is good news for the fairies, but bad news for our sheep dogs.

But what do the English farmers think about this? I mean, that where we got our working dogs from !!

New Zealand is the biggest source of lamb in Britain at this time of year, and the economic ramifications of the issue are huge. Ramifications are also huge for this country's dogs, who have shepherded our huge flocks since colonisation began.

If you ask me - which Tesco didn't - there's no finer rural sight than an intelligent working dog rounding up sheep. It beats the sight of a farmer on a quad bike doing the same thing any day.

I really think that it's scary when one (1) company can dominate the market!
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And let's not forget that the famous English Cruft's dog show lost RSPCA and Pedigree pet food sponsorship in March, along with BBC coverage, because of their dog breeders' shocking practices.

A BBC documentary, screened in Britain last August, told how in order to meet show standards, dogs were forced to suffer debilitating diseases. It showed boxers with epilepsy, spaniels with brains too big for their skulls, and told how prized bulldogs - once the very symbol of Englishness - can no longer give birth or mate without human assistance.

There's the nub of the problem, surely. It's been too long since Tesco customers saw healthy dogs leading fulfilled lives. They've got used to freaks.

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Finally, Rosemary McLeod (author of this opinion piece) has got it right. I love the last summing up sentence !!