If you've been on social media the last few days, you've surely heard about a sickening revelation in Kristi Noem's recently released book. In it, she talks about shooting a dog she found to be not trainable. There has been intense and strong reaction to this story.
Cricket, the beautiful bird dog that Kristi Noem killed because she killed birds (chickens), what she was bred for. This is a training failure, not the 14 month old puppy's failure. pic.twitter.com/zCCU40TujR
— Tina.. (@tallytina27) April 26, 2024
https://t.co/BrwRjkfXdS
— Janice Dean (@JaniceDean) April 26, 2024
Dan Lussen, a professional hunting dog trainer says that a 14-month-old dog is a “baby that doesn’t know any better.”
“To me, it’s a lack of guidance by the owner, or training by the owner, or discipline of the owner,” he says, explaining that young…
Most of the commentary has been filled with shock and anger. People love their dogs and hearing such a callous story is alarming. I have 5 dogs and foster various rescues so it was appalling to me. How you treat animals tells me much about the kind of person you are. On the other hand, there were commenters who believe this is just what happens in rural areas and ranches and what Noem did was common practice.
A lot of you people need to get your panties out of a wad.
— RichFVNC (@RichFVNC) April 27, 2024
A different perspective.
Kristi Noem was raised on a ranch. Farming and ranch people have a utilitarian attitude about animals.
The dog may not have been suitable to be around children or other animals. I think the…
My son's grandfather owns a large cattle ranch in Sneads, Florida. As such, I've spent some time on ranches. A stray showed up to his ranch one day and when it was clear he was a bad fit for the cattle life (he was playing too hard with the calves and knocking them over), he called my son to come get him. Rocky has lived with us now for four years and is a complete joy. So, not all ranchers just shoot dogs who aren't useful to their way of life. All of that being said, the larger political concern is 'who is advising Noem'?
Why did Kristi Noem, a seasoned politician for crying out loud, publish that self damming revelation about her dog. That’s almost as bizarre as the act she confessed to.
— David Limbaugh (@DavidLimbaugh) April 27, 2024
Like Limbaugh, I am left scratching my head about the people she has around her. None of them thought to mention this might be a horrible story to share with the public? Like it or not, the majority of Americans do not live on farms or ranches. Most have never even visited one. Even if shooting dogs is common as a way of life to ranchers and farmers (it's not), people who live in subdivisions and apartment buildings are not going to relate. Americans love their dogs. This was terrible retail politics.
Some thoughts on the Noem situation👇
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) April 27, 2024
Why in the world would you tell that story to begin with? What publishers reviewed the material and didn’t think that it would create major problems? Why didn’t one of her advisers warn her against publishing the story?
Let’s say she was… pic.twitter.com/l5gkuzXj6V
This is what happens when you surround yourself with 'yes' people. It is way more comfortable to have people around you who will tell you everything you say or do is fantastic. That dynamic leads to huge mistakes like this. Leaders have to seek out people who will tell them the truth and not tickle their egos.
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Probably shouldn't have waded into the dog debate bc people are very reactionary one way or the other and I've got a lot to do today, so I'm opting out of further discussion on the matter.
— Jennifer Van Laar (@jenvanlaar) April 27, 2024
But that just highlights the fact that it was stupid as hell for Noem to include that in a…
It was a massive error.
In Alabama, if your opponent says something that is stupid, you might hear the phrase "that dog don't hunt"
— Mark McEathron (@Mark_McEathron) April 27, 2024
And then Kristi Noem shoots em.
That's why we tend to be a little more reasoned, slow to speak and gentile (pronounced gen-teel) in these parts.
The Kristi Noem story is really a prime example of why I don't cheerlead for politicians, even if I find myself agreeing with them on issues.
— Stig the White (@StigTheWhite) April 27, 2024
Sooner or later, something like this happens and you're put in a position of either backtracking your support or embarrassing yourself.
An excellent reminder as we head into election season. Politicians are people and people will always disappoint you. View them for what they are and that is running for the job of representing you. Look at them like you would a prospective employee and not an idol. It will save you a great deal of heartache in the end.
