Worries about the movie "Eight Below"

Examples of emails received since the newspaper articles:

Eight Below should be Six Feet Under.>> Disney's new movie, Eight Below, features a group of huskies that make> Lassie and Benji look like pikers. These dogs are loyal, dedicated,> sympathetic, and loving to a point beyond humanity. In other words,> they are not real. Actually, little in this 'inspired by true events'> movie is. In the real event in 1957, a Japanese expedition left 8> huskies for six months. Only two managed to survive. The Disney> version of unreality allows for six to come out virtually unscathed> after half a year in the Antarctic winter. The Disney version offers> lots of sunlight and other opportunities that do not exist in reality. > The audience is lead to believe that huskies can survive without food> and water for extended periods, fending for themselves in the most> amazing ways. In reality those are long months of unbelievable cold,> massive storms and near total darkness.>> And truly, darkness is the reality for such heartstring tugging> fantasies like this. Films of this nature paint unrealistic portraits> and expectations. It is grossly irresponsible to promote such a false> image of huskies, knowing what the consequences will be. The result is> that every such feature brings a scramble to obtain the darling or> heroic animal heralded.>> Granted, the producers obtained the services of two Iditarod race> legends and other experts, but still the end result portends creatures> far removed from the husky that one finds at the breeder, pet store or> the pound.>> It is estimated that ten thousand Dalmatians were bred, purchased,> abandoned and died after the latest spate of successful Disney movies> featuring them. Adorable puppies grow into dogs. Responsibility of> ownership takes over after the cuteness and excitement wears off. And> the suffering is tremendous.>> Huskies are a very dynamic looking, but an exceedingly challenging> breed to own. Thus, this same cycle of desire and discarding will> follow in the unreality presented by 'Eight Below.' No attempt was> made to show huskies as they truly are or educate the public as to> their traits.>> The disclaimer at the end of the movie says that no animals were> harmed in the making of the film. Sadly, the reality is thousands of> huskies will probably suffer abuse and die as a result of this film's> popularity and the public misguided expectations.>> No matter how entertaining a movie may be, when it presents an ureal> image of an animal, thus launching a widespread frenzy to obtain such> animals by an unknowing public, under uninformed owners and leading to> the loss of life that has been shown time and again resulting from such> films...please consider boycotting it.>> Scott Ringwelski>> Five things you should know before considering owning a husky:>> They RUN! Consider them a 100 mile a day dog. If you do not know how> to handle that kind of energy, then please do not get a husky. They> will destroy your home. You can never trust a husky off leash. They> WILL run and do not consider cars or buses. They will cover an> unbelievable amount of ground before slowing or stopping.>> They THINK! There is a big difference between intelligence and> obedience. A Golden Retriever is obedient and wants to please. Huskies> were bred for thousands of years to survive in the harshest environment> on the planet. They are clever, innovative and resourceful. They> WILL out-think and out-smart you if you do not stay several steps ahead> of them. They rarely win obedience trials. They are all escape> artists and can figure out how to get out of almost anything. Once they> get out, refer to #1.>> They have a PREY INSTINCT. Cats are considered a snack food. Yes,> they will eliminate any vermin you may have, but they will also make> quick work of Fluffy the rabbit or Cuddles the cat or even take out> Taco the Chihuahua on occasion.>> Fur becomes a condiment in your house. From floor to ceiling fan,> you will always have fur everywhere. Get used to it.>> These are just a few items to consider. We usually suggest checking> out The Homeless Husky (http://www.homelesshusky.com/), an excellent> website, for more information before you consider getting a husky. And> remember, a dog is not a possession, it is a companion. You are> committing 10 or 12 years to a fellow creature. It will be part of> your family.>> Thank you for reading and telling others