*Vallhala MN
Message to MNHQ:
Dear Justine et al,
I am GENUINELY AMAZED and humbled by the support on here, though I appreciate that it's not unanimous. And, I take on board the criticism though I can defend most of it. Perhaps that's for another time though. I DON'T think that my TLES posts warranted a ban. Honestly. Sorry to those who do but I fail to see it. Other posts sure, though as has been noted I HAVE toned it down recently but NOT this one. TLES lied. I proved that. She denied it and in doing so attempted to discredit me. I provided further evidence of a lie. I said she was foolish - other posters, rescuers, dog owners, non dog owners and a respected and reponsible breeder have said the same. NO-ONE supported TLES and many were far more outspoken than I. I said that she was a disgrace - I meant that she was failing her dog and putting the animal's life at risk AND that if unchallenged her post would encourage future readers to do the same. I could have put that better and explained what I meant by "a disgrace" and I am sorry for the offence caused to MNHQ and other readers by not doing so. I said I was appalled. I am. I cannot apologise for how I feel.
I am grateful to those who pointed out to Justine that the lady who wanted to get rid of her dog and whose DH had passed away only stealth like (albeit unintentionally) mentioned that well after I had spoken out... as had others. And to those who pointed J to the recent rehoming thread and who stuck up for me when I told the person who was breeding JRT pups why they are adding to the unwanted dog population. I WAS OTT and out of order to the readers in that latter post... but they do not see the dead dogs, the unwanted dogs and the dogs with genetic health problems caused by such breeders until they themselves buy one, by which time it is all too late and I am left with other rescuers to pick up the pieces and to sob our hearts out.
And yes, I HAD been warned. And I had promised to tone it down. And I HAVE toned it down, others have acknowledged that. I may have been guilty of not doing so on the JRT breeding thread though I still maintain that I have a justifiable point, albeit badly put, and had I been banned then I would have held my hands up to that. But I have been banned for comments which were factual and which were far less offensive than some others on the TLES thread. I did not criticise her personal appearance as someone else did. I did not refer to unrelated topics or past threads, only past threads which proved her lack of consistancy to the matter in hand and which, I hope, went towards refuting her insinuatiion that I had fabricated her inconsistancies and which as a result called into question my honesty and transparancy.
I RELY on that mutual trust and honesty to save canine lives. That's why I have often given MNers my phone number and checkable references off the forum, so that they can see who I am. For those who are confused about the DBF/Vallhala thing, I must explain - I namechanged as I was, as a result of being trackable, being "stalked" as Vallhala. I've given up caring now, as you can see! There was and has never been any attempt to deceive or to act as a troll or sock puppet on MN and I have made it clear to many MNers that I am one and the same, often posting as DBF on unrelated to DH parts of the forum to those who knew me as Val and adding "it's Vallhala, btw). Several MNers know me from my usual FB page, several have my email address and phone number, some are members of the dog forums I frequent, including the one for which I am a hands on volunteer and which know me in RL.
I can only say this: Neither MNHQ or I will lose out from me being banned. They can do without the work and god knows so can I! For every 5 posts on the forum to which I respond there are 2 or 3 pms and emails where I try to help off the board... I'm knackered and overworked! Sadly. :(
MAYBE... just maybe... the ones to lose out will be the unwanted dogs and the families which will in innocence take on a dog from a pound without any support or assessment of that dog to check that he won't hurt them or break their hearts. And end up dead as a result. That IMHO would be a tragedy. And no, I'm not the only rescuer, I'm not the be all and end all and I'm NOT a ruddy expert and I am always at pains to say that but sometimes it seems that when I am criticised it is alleged that I think I am. I will say it now... I am NOT nor do I think I am. But I DO have some experience to offer which could help and I do enjoy MN, all parts of it.
My world won't collapse without MN nor theirs without me. I can see that they would hang the flags out! I apologise from the bottom of my heart for offending MNHQ and for causing them extra work, I am willing to tone it down and only post facts and advice if thats what's required but I stand by what I said - that being banned for the post in question is "unreasonable" (see what I did there?!). I am also troubled to read that Justine says that she is unsure if I can do this - Justine, I know me better than you do!
What else is there to say? As usual I have gabbled on too much. All I can end with is a plea that others don't risk getting banned by being kind enough to speak out for me. I love so many of you (PINOOOOOT! Ahma talkin' about YOU, girl!), and would hate to think that this situation had repercussions for the nice folk on MN and take away their virtual support network.
Whether MNHQ decides that I stay or whether they decide that I remain gone, thank you all, I REALLY am humbled by not just your responses tonight but by your support to me over dog things, my health, DDs schooling (gotta mention PR47bridge and Minx here, can someone highlight that and tell them so please) and the way you've made me laugh from the depths of my soul. To those who have said I'm funny and/or witty... REALLY? Bloody hell! A twit, yes, but funny? That's made me beam. To those who are not happy with me - sorry.
DBF/Vallhala/call me whatever you like (oh God....!)*