Dear Abby's Blunder
Recently, Dear Abby published a story regarding the use of doves at weddings. Her column featured a letter from an ill-informed reader on that topic. In the letter, the writer warns brides that as wedding season approaches, that, for ethical purposes, brides should not release doves at their ceremony -- that these birds will perish.
The reader's intentions appear to be innocent. However, he/she is poorly educated on the subject and Dear Abby buys right into it. You see, the reader was correct in his/her warning that some types of doves would indeed perish if released into the wild like that. However, the column sorely misses a critical point -- that there are professionals who release pure white homing pigeons, carefully trained to return quickly home to their ample lofts. There are reputable companies all over the world which provide such services. These carefully trained homing pigeons, also known as "Rock Doves," are released at weddings, funerals, and many other special events. Following their release, they circle, gathering together and navigating to hone in on the direction of home. They then return to their lofts, most often arriving before their releasers.
The dove release community is up in arms about the negligent and mis-leading column Dear Abby so haplessly published. Her credibility has plummeted in the eyes of all who are perfectly aware of the ethical dove release options made available all over the world. Further, rather than research this topic with any care, her staff simply made a phone call to one single zoo for "expert input." And either this "zoo employee" was none-too-educated on the fullness of the topic, or Dear Abby had an agenda which she furthered by publishing a minute and mis-leading portion of the facts.
For Dear Abby to be so remiss on this topic is shameful. When one has such far-reaching affects via a widely popular column, such power should be wielded with accuracy, care, and responsibility. Hopefully, she will be so kind and wise as to redeem herself by printing a retraction.
The reader's intentions appear to be innocent. However, he/she is poorly educated on the subject and Dear Abby buys right into it. You see, the reader was correct in his/her warning that some types of doves would indeed perish if released into the wild like that. However, the column sorely misses a critical point -- that there are professionals who release pure white homing pigeons, carefully trained to return quickly home to their ample lofts. There are reputable companies all over the world which provide such services. These carefully trained homing pigeons, also known as "Rock Doves," are released at weddings, funerals, and many other special events. Following their release, they circle, gathering together and navigating to hone in on the direction of home. They then return to their lofts, most often arriving before their releasers.
The dove release community is up in arms about the negligent and mis-leading column Dear Abby so haplessly published. Her credibility has plummeted in the eyes of all who are perfectly aware of the ethical dove release options made available all over the world. Further, rather than research this topic with any care, her staff simply made a phone call to one single zoo for "expert input." And either this "zoo employee" was none-too-educated on the fullness of the topic, or Dear Abby had an agenda which she furthered by publishing a minute and mis-leading portion of the facts.
For Dear Abby to be so remiss on this topic is shameful. When one has such far-reaching affects via a widely popular column, such power should be wielded with accuracy, care, and responsibility. Hopefully, she will be so kind and wise as to redeem herself by printing a retraction.
Labels: brides, Dear Abby column, doves, media blunder, wedding season, weddings, white homing pigeons
posted by The Dove Lady at 7:31:00 AM
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