[kristen johnson 2]

Jamie- that is an interesting question….I would hope if there were 19 they would just stick the first free one in there to be able to send them all out. I know the feeling though about having that kind of luck! That’s so the kind of luck I have! I hope that doesn’t happen for you!

Randy – I’m sorry to have upset you. All I meant was that I am hoping that since they’ve made this change to be able to get more funding that things might be different. All we can do is wait and see. I know it’s not ideal but it’s better than nothing I think. I hope.

[kristen johnson 2]

Brenda, I can understand your being frustrated but I think they are truly doing the best they can. They didn’t have the funding to be able to process all the DNA kits and there was nothing they could do about that. They relied on a set amount from grants. Now that they are a non-profit and can take donations they may get more funding and we may see an increase in the amount of DNA kits they are able to process. We should give them a chance. They did make this change and so they’re clearly actively working to correct the issue. There was just nothing they could do without the funding. I think it has to be frustrating for them as well. They want the information as much as we do.

[kristen johnson 2]

Haha. Kate that’s funny. What dog owner doesn’t love the opportunity to talk about their dog…..I was filling out comments on most of the questions…..what else can I tell you about my favorite creatures in the world!?!?

[kristen johnson 2]

I agree Mary! Thank you for donating as well! Your dog is beautiful!

[kristen johnson 2]

I don’t know where those are in the surveys either but I would say they are different. My dog can have owner directed aggression but his is usually when he wants to direct it at something else and can’t. I believe I put that in a comment somewhere……

[kristen johnson 2]

Bett, Have you tried maybe using a different browser? Idk if that would work or not. I didn’t do the expedited DNA but I did donate and I was able to get that to work. I was using Google Chrome.

[kristen johnson 2]

Well I can see how it would look like a bait and switch initially, but I think it’s an attempt to encourage donations. Unfortunately unless they get more money they can’t do anything about processing these kits any faster. I think it’s fair that they give people a “reward” for donating that much, even though this means I’ll be moved down as they move ahead lol. I’m not able to donate that much right now but I gave a small amount cause I figure every little bit helps. If everyone gave a little that would add up to a lot and we could get our results faster. They’re kinda helpless here because they aren’t able to do anything about it without adequate funding. I’m sure they would love to be able to process them all and get all the results as well.

[kristen johnson 2]

I’m not sure it will matter at all but I had to try. I think people just want to be negative. It really sucks.

[kristen johnson 2]

Amen! I get so frustrated seeing all the complaints. I can’t help but wonder how many people are donating anything at all? People can complain and get mad but without the funding they just can’t do anything about it. I’m sure they would love to process all the tests and get all the results as well. I just hate it for them. They have to get so tired of reading all the complaints.

[kristen johnson 2]

I guess I’m just excited to be getting one at all, because I would never do it otherwise. I figure even if it takes 5 years……it’s something I would never have gotten otherwise. I do love that so many people have mutts! I think too I’m glad there is such a backlog because it means there are sooooo many people/dogs participating and that excites me. I am super fascinated by this and can’t wait to see what they are able to discover from the entire study. I was so intrigued that by the time I finished the surveys I had forgotten I was getting a DNA kit. Lol. I think it’s likely that they may have been overwhelmed by the amount of participation they received. Hopefully that means they will get lots of good information out of it! The limited funding they had just couldn’t keep up. Now that they can take donations that should help.

[kristen johnson 2]

Vivian that is genius! I wouldn’t have thought about that! I’m gonna have to get people I know who had their dogs DNA tested to do that!

[kristen johnson 2]

The trailblazer level is so fascinating. I wish I could afford to do that. I’m so excited about this survey and super fascinated by it! I wish I could contribute that much (both $ and scientifically by getting that in depth analysis). I know it will be many years but I look forward to seeing what comes from this study.

[kristen johnson 2]

This is a study and not a for profit business. The funds are being donated to help contribute to the study, not for a profit. It really shouldn’t be about getting something in return. It should be about helping the study. I would never spend the money for a DNA kit for my dogs just because I don’t care that much what they are and it would just be for entertainment, but I will feel good about spending it to contribute to a study about dogs and it is an added bonus that I get something out of it!

[kristen johnson 2]

This is very fascinating. That makes so much sense! I am dog sitting my parent’s Newfoundland this week and she generally barks when she wants to go outside. However, I’ve discovered that at my house she does this “roar”……..(when she yawns noisily it sounds like a roar and my dad wanted to teach her to do that on command, so I have been working on that with her and exchanging ear rubs for roars.) I found it interesting that she does this at my house when she wants out because she has learned that this noise gets her things. Their other dog never makes any noise. He is a country dog and basically roams free when outside, which is whenever he wants. With your explanation above that makes total sense! All my dogs growing up were not barkers and we always lived in the country where the dogs were just free, so they rarely were in any conflicts when they’d need to bark. Interesting!

[kristen johnson 2]

Dave that’s what happened to me with my Dexter…..well sort of. The shelter labeled him as an Australian Shepherd mix. At some point a Blue Heeler/Australian Cattle Dog was mentioned and I googled and was shocked. I’m convinced he has that in him. I know you can’t judge mutts by looks but I feel certain he has to!

Thanks for the response Jesse! I really didn’t expect a specific answer so that’s awesome. I’m glad to hear there are purebreds because I’m sure that will help with the study. My parents have a Newfoundland and a mutt and I’m going to get them involved as well. I’m super fascinated by this whole thing!

[Author]

Posts