Tiny rules.... and the potential problems

We love tiny creatures because they bring out the protective and mothering instincts in us. We tend to want to baby, cuddle and care for animals that are bred tiny. Like the new colt born recently that weighs only 6 pounds. Most lap dogs weigh more than this little guy. And yes he's adorable.

However, as I read through the article, I noticed they mentioned that they didn't "think" this colt would display the dwarfism characteristics that Koda in England displays who is the current tiniest horse. This is Koda:

Koda isn't much larger than a medium sized dog. And he has dwarfism, he's survived many surgeries to correct leg problems to allow him to walk. And he will require a lot of medical care through the years of his life.

Thus this brings a point out again. How we are corrupting and damaging our wonderful furry friends and companions by selective breeding to suit the trend of what is popular for looks or traits at this time. Selective dwarfism through nature is in response to habitat and the ability to alter genetics through nature to adapt to the changing environment or habitat. However, in some cases, some companion animals are bred specifically to encourge dwarfism abberations and tendencies. Like the Munchkin cats:

 All I see here is an unnatural kitty who probably wouldn't have the capability to fend for itself or defend itself. Much like the T-Rex whose front legs were pretty much worthless. All I can wonder is what is his lifespan going to be like? He will probably have a lot of bone problems later in life.

Then sometimes due to so much selective breeding and inbreeding to acquire specific traits backfires, and the genes trigger dwarfism genes and such. Case in point this shepherd pup:

While they are all cute, we have still upset nature's balance and natural selection. A lot of these loving little animals do suffer with medical maladies, pain and such. What we've created for our pleasure isn't fair to them. Unfortunately much of society today sees all these as status symbols and a commodity.  We all love small and adoable and cute, but it should happen by nature's choice, not our greediness.

Now on the second part, there are some animals being classified as miniatures, when in fact they are slowly being returned to their normal sizes. Like some cattle or dairy cows. Many dairy cows weren't the great big animals we know today, many were much smaller and were handled easier. We bred them to be big large animals to maximize the amount of milk they might give or meat they might provide. And there are some out there who are working to return some of the breeds to their normal or original statures.

Once again, when we start molding our animals to fit the latest fashion statement or style, we're creating pain, agony and a much shortened life span. I will agree though that yes, they are adorable, and yes they bring out out protective nature and that needs to happen, they do need to be protected from harm and given the best possible care they could receive for their life. They are so much more fragile than you can imagine. Yes even the tiny horses. People think horse, they think something like the Budweiser horses, big and strong. But I'm telling you, these tiny little guys are so fragile, a 40 pound dog could crush one foal. And remember, they can't fend for themselves or defend themselves either like their normal sized counterparts.

I apologize if my viewpoint upsets you, however, it's how I feel, and frankly I am on the side of the animals. Not our desires for status or cute or the tiniest. We are here to help our companions and help care for them, we've domesticated them, they have become reliant on us for their care, and I believe that care and responsibility lies with us fully and 100 percent.