Wow. I really wasn't expecting this reaction. I will do my best to address your comments and Samantha's. To provide some more background, I did use Google and actually learnt about Leerburg on Google images. I found numerous pictures and one from Leerburg on Google images was perfect for what I had in mind. I am mindful of the fact that permission must be sought to use any information that's not yours (copyright matters)and to that end, I called Leerburg to explain what I was trying to accomplish and was provided with someone in management to email my request. I had no prior knowledge about Leerburg or any other company I contacted, including one in the UK (as an aside, the company in the Uk referred me to their US agent, but the prices for the pictures were in my opinion too expensive). I emailed the official at Leerburg and he responded, explaining that for the same copyright reasons, he couldn't authorize the use of any pictures because he didn't have the consent of anyone for such use of the pictures. I thanked him and that was the end of the story. I was ready to move on to the next company on my list. The official at Leerburg sent me another email, suggesting that I take my request to the Leerburg webboard to see if anyone would have pictures I could use. All I wanted were pictures. I didn't go into any research of what Leerburg does, so all the comments that insinuate mischief or an attack on Leerburg, or dogs or dog owners is not true. I'm not sure if there has been a history of antagonism towards what Leerburg represents, and if there is, I'm not a party to any of that. The comments have felt me quite shocked. There were other comments about details of my experience and I have tried to share some. If I share every single detail about what happened, then I have more or less published the book. If I had anything to hide, then I wouldn't be publishing the book, however, sharing all the facts on this forum will leave nothing to be desired about the book. My book (at least my attempt at one) I believe is objective, funny in some ways, at least I hope others think so, and yet raises some fundamental issues. These comments have been overwhelming and with this response, I will respectfully refrain from further comments...not pleasant for my first webboard/chatroom experience. That being said, I have taken all the comments into consideration and will pursue this publication without any pictures. I feel there is enough substance to proceed without them bearing in mind the sentiments expressed. I have been privileged to own many dogs, cats and birds of various species. There has been a complete misconception about my request.

They didn't teach you to used paragraphs in law school?!!!

Folks here will not usually read long posts that are all bunchd together.

 Quote: Tracy Collins

No responsible dog owner needs this message. No irresponsible dog owner would be open to it.

It really comes down to that. A book about how a dog scared you on a walk isn't going to change any minds.

Would you be proposing legislation in this book?

I don't know the extent of your experience with the dog and the irresponsible owner... but if you read any of the past threads, you will see that we have ALL had negative contacts with irresponsible dog owners... I think most of the world has had negative experiences with irresponsible dog owners...

Just today, about 2 hours ago, I had a negative experience with a dog. I was at the farm store and a car parked very close to mine. I had to shimmy between the vehicles to get to my door. In the process of doing this, I noticed that there was a dog in the car next to mine. I saw a blurr of movement and turned my back just as the dog lunged out the half open window and grabbed the hood on my sweatshirt. Luckily the dog was not able to get his shoulders past the window, but my shirt was still torn and I was a bit freaked out.. it easily could have been my face...

There are stupid people all over the world. Many have dogs. A book will not cure stupidity.

A book like yours sounds like it would be more like a lecture on how to be responsible. As mentioned previously, those of us that ARE responsible won't need it, and those that are NOT responsible don't think they need it.

So, I really don't know what kind of target audience you are looking for, and I believe there would be no point in a book like that other than to over emphasize the damage that a dog can do to a human body...

If you do end up writing this book, I hope that you will be fair to the dogs... they are the product of their environment.

 Quote:

and those that are NOT responsible don't think they need it.

Not to mention how the general public is bombarded with information on how to be a responsible pet owner. How many people don't know who Cesar Milan is? My personal opinion of him aside I don't know a single American who doesn't know who he is and what he does. So many people have seen at least a few of his shows that he's effectively reached the vast majority of cable TV watchers. His message on every single show is 'Be Responsible'.

People who still ignore that message after having it shoved at them while watching TV aren't going to pick up a book and have their opinions changed because of pictures.

 Quote: SamanthaTopper

 Quote:

and those that are NOT responsible don't think they need it.

Not to mention how the general public is bombarded with information on how to be a responsible pet owner. How many people don't know who Cesar Milan is? My personal opinion of him aside I don't know a single American who doesn't know who he is and what he does. So many people have seen at least a few of his shows that he's effectively reached the vast majority of cable TV watchers. His message on every single show is 'Be Responsible'.

People who still ignore that message after having it shoved at them while watching TV aren't going to pick up a book and have their opinions changed because of pictures.

Yes, I must sadly agree with each poster here who has (more-or-less) said in effect, "The OP might as well write a letter to Santa Claus asking him to bring us a hundred million Good, Intelligent, Responsible dog owners so we can replace all the Bad, Stupid, Worthless ones & everybody can then live in the Best of All Possible Worlds"