Come on people!
Are you freaking kidding me?

Michael Vick who went to jail for being the leader of a dogfighting ring, was just released from jail after serving only 18 months of his 23 month sentence at Leavenworth.

Not only was his sentence a mere slap on the wrist, but he has once again signed up with Nike as a spokesman. Nike dropped Vick back in 2007, but they recently changed their minds and struck a new deal with him. The amount Vick that will receive from Nike has not been disclosed.

To make matters even more sickening, Vick will have his own eight part television series called the “Michael Vick Project” which will come out in 2010. The project will be produced by DuBose Entertainment,( Vick’s production company) MV7 Productions and Category 5 Entertainment. It will air on BET.

A snippet from Msnbc.com  about the show:

“The tentatively titled “Michael Vick Project,” a “docu-series,” not a reality show per se, will spotlight his comeback with the Philadelphia Eagles and also delve into his back story, from his difficult childhood to his 2007 arrest for running a dog-fighting ring, according to the L.A. Times.”

 
WTF?
Why would Nike and BET do business with someone who was guilty of animal cruelty? This means he will STILL be profiting from dogfighting in the long run.

But guess who else is behind this project?

According to the LA Times,

The project has the support of the Eagles, the NFL and former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, who has acted as Vick’s mentor since his imprisonment, say the producers. Also on board, they say, is the Humane Society, which has enlisted Vick in its battle to end the widespread abuse of dogs in the inner city.

What is this about Vick working with the Human Society? What does “enlisted Vick in it’s battle to end widespread dog abuse” mean exactly?

According to Humane Society president, Wayne Pacelle, who met with Vick while he was in Leavenworth, Vick is supposed to work towards getting young kids to cease any involvement in these activities by appearing in public service announcements.

No word lately about this particular project. I just don’t think these PS announcements will go over too well with the general public. They just may come off looking like a skit from Saturday Night Live in my opinion.

And unless Vick is volunteering his own time, donating funds from his new show and shoveling sh*t out of dog pens at the local pound, I am not convinced at all that he is a changed man.

They confiscated more than SIXTY dogs from Vick’s place when they broke up his dogfighting ring. Apparently BET and Nike have very short memories. And I presume that coach Tony Dungy is only concerned with getting Vick back on the field.
It was Roger Goodell, who suspended Vick indefinitely. Kudos to Goodell!

 
Thank goodness 22 of these poor pitbulls went to Best Friends rehab sanctuary in Utah.

National Geographic has a TV show called DogTown, which spotlighted Vick Dogs.

Meet Denzel, Just One Of Many Of Vick’s Victims

And Georgia, Another One Of Vick’s Victims

Of course the pictures above of Denzel and Georgia show their battle wounds from their fighting all healed. But their scars are still very visible on their faces as well as in their eyes.

Anyone who supports Vick, will be supporting someone who was guilty of a very cruel and brutal pastime.

The short time he spent in jail, was simply not enough. And although he has a three year probation, which requires him to wear an electronic monitor and to work a $10.00 an hour construction job. Again, not enough. 

Many people are not able to find a job these days. I’m sure that they would love to have that job in this economy. But instead, they give the job to a convicted animal abuser.

If the “Michael Vick Project” goes through, I hope the show goes over like a fart in church.

I sincerely doubt that Vick has proven ANY remorse what so ever by serving his cream puff jail sentence. And it sounds like these new deals with BET and Nike may have been struck during his jail time, since they are going to happen relatively soon.

So that means he sat and jail and wheeled and dealed about making MORE money as soon as he got out. And again that money will be made from him telling his story about his tough childhood and his arrest for dogfighting. Therefore profiting from dogfighting once again.

I don’t know who I am more disgusted with…
Vick the dick, the justice (?) system, or the other a-holes who are awarding him with continued wealth and fame. 
JUST DISPICABLE!

The only reason why I gave Vick ANY mention at all, was to spout my outrage. I can only hope that people will choose to send Vick a message by not supporting him in any way shape or form.

So write to Nike and BET and tell them how you feel about them hiring a man who operated a dogfighting ring and who not only had the dogs trained to kill each other, but then put money down on watching the dogs tear each other apart.

Tell BET he should not profit from telling his story. And tell them if this show does go through, that any money made from this series should go straight to the Best Friends dog rehab where his dogs were sent.

And as far as Nike goes…
If they insist on using Vick for a spokesperson….
Then Vick should set up some sort of deal with Nike. They can either have a percentage of their sales go straight towards animal rehab, or they can deposit a percentage of his pay right into the Best Friend’s bank account.

Of course I hope public outrage nixes both deals before they can ever happen.
But if they go through, Vick should have to redeem himself by having his money go to abused animals.
Although as far as I’m concerned, he can never be redeemable in my book.

No Animal Should Ever Have To Endure This Torture

They say Karma is a bitch, and I hope it catches up to Vick real soon.

Pamela Anderson with Henrik Winther

Pamela Anderson has a bone to pick with Kentucky Fried Chicken. She is a member of PETA. Although she has been criticized in the past for being a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to PETA, as far as what she has worn and eaten, I have to say that  this fight against Kentucky Fried Chicken is justified in my opinion.

Now I am not a big fan of corporate food chains to begin with. The most I ever venture into is a Crackle Barrel or Burger King if I am on the highway and the choices of meal stops are very limited. I haven’t been in a Kentucky Fried Chicken since the late 1970’s, and after watching the KFC chicken processing video, I never will.

I had the misfortune of suffering through the entire video of Kentucky Fried Chicken’s processing plant which you can view at  www.kentuckyfriedcruelty.com and I was totally horrified to say the least. Workers throwing chickens against the walls, stomping on them alive, clipping their beaks off on arrival, over crowding, boiling them alive and the tale of terror goes on.

Pamela Anderson has contacted Kentucky Fried Chicken and has asked them to be more humane in their processing plants and and even asked Kentucky’s governor to remove a bust of Col. Sanders from the State Capitol Building. Pam went as far as to contact Henrik Winther, president of Rostik, KFC’s Russian partners and asked them to watch the slaughter house video.

Pam has appeared in billboard adds in her “lettuce bikini top” and TV spots asking people to boycott Kentucky Fried Chicken until they change their evil ways.

Pamela is not alone in her fight against KFC. Many celebrities as well as musicians have joined her fight. From Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Tommy Lee (natch), and Pink, to the Smashing Pumpkins and Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders. For the full list of  almost 60 celebs that support this boycott click here. And some of the celebs have provided short videos. These stars are asking people to “Kick the Bucket” and sign the petition.

Kentucky Fried Cruelty Activists explain their beef with KFC:

The roughly 1 billion chickens killed each year for KFC’s buckets are crammed by the tens of thousands into excrement-filled sheds that stink of ammonia fumes. The birds’ legs and wings often break because they’re bred to be too top-heavy and because workers carelessly shove them into transport crates and shackles.

Chickens’ throats are slit and the animals are dropped into tanks of scalding-hot water to remove their feathers, often while they are still conscious and able to feel pain.

KFC lets frustrated factory-farm and slaughterhouse workers handle live birds, so many of the animals end up being sadistically abused. At a KFC “Supplier of the Year” slaughterhouse in West Virginia, workers were documented tearing the heads off live birds, spitting tobacco into their eyes, spray-painting their faces, and violently stomping on them. This was discovered more than two years after KFC promised PETA that it was taking animal welfare seriously.

KFC hides behind its Animal Welfare Advisory Council, even though five members of the council have resigned in frustration. One of them, Adele Douglass, told the Chicago Tribune that KFC “never had any meetings. They never asked any advice, and then they touted to the press that they had this animal-welfare advisory committee. I felt like I was being used.”

And How KFC Can Clean Up Their Act:

PETA wants KFC to adopt the animal welfare programdeveloped by five members of its own animal welfare board. These advisors are the world’s top poultry experts; they advise the meat industry in North America and Europe and believe that KFC can—and should—adopt them. KFC has yet to do any of the following:

Adopt the “Animal Care Standards” program. This would lower the amount of ammonia in the air in factory farms, improve the living spaces and lighting in chicken sheds, prohibit the intentional starving of breeding birds, and ensure that birds are provided with mental and physical stimulation.

Switch to controlled-atmosphere killing (CAK). This would prevent live birds in slaughterhouses from being abused by workers, having their throats slit, or being scalded while they were still conscious. CAK would also improve conditions for workers and decrease contamination levels in chickens’ flesh.

Switch to mechanized chicken gathering. This would drastically reduce the number of broken bones and painful bruising that birds endure when factory-farm workers carelessly throw them into transport crates.

Breed for health rather than rapid growth, and stop feeding drugs to chickens. This would reduce the rate at which birds suffer painful, crippling diseases and injuries, such as broken legs, heart attacks, and lung failures.

Make all welfare standards transparent and verifiable. This would simply ensure that the animal welfare program is being adhered to through announced and unannounced independent audits (the results of which must be made available to the public through KFC’s Web site).
 

Seems like all reasonable requests to me. So if people have to pay a little more for their bucket of bird, then so be it. Besides, these places are only adding to the ever mounting and staggering problem of obesity in the US. Fast food chains play a huge part in the rising cost of health care due to all the health problems associated with being overweight.

Now I am not a fan of Pamela Anderson’s one iota. I can write an entire article on her that would rip her a new one as far as her and Tommy Lee’s shenanigans over the years, besides her overall phony fake parts appearance. And some will say she does all this for the publicity. Whatever. It’s still a good cause and KFC can certainly be less cruel. I know all slaughter houses are a nightmare, and I am certainly not dismissing all the other cruelties that go on in other places, but simple measures can be taken to make them less cruel. And I will admit that I am a bit of a hypocrite due to the fact that I am not a vegetarian myself, but I do try to limit my eating habits.

Many people think PETA goes way too far, but I agree with what they have asked of KFC, and I saw the horrific processing video. And since I HATE corporate fast food chains already… this campaign gets my vote. I am also in full agreement with PETA’s stance on any circus that uses elephants and big cats in their shows. Go to the Cirque baby! Animal free circuses all the way!

I digress….
So before you pull in to that next drive thru… stop and think of what you are supporting. If the chicken processing video you watched of your next lunch or dinner being prepped didn’t bother you, perhaps when you order that next KFC Chunky Chicken Pot Pie , Mmm mmm, that has 770 calories and 42 grams of fat,  and 2,160 mgs of sodium, will make you think twice.

For all the caloric, fat content and sodium levels of all KFC’s menu items, go here, and feel ill. Check out the stats on other fast food menu items too. I guarantee you won’t be making as many trips as you used to!

Kentucky Fried Cruelty Website Logo

Such A Cutey

Poor Jessica Simpson. Her dog Daisy was nabbed by a coyote right in front of her eyes. What a terrible thing to have to witness.
Frantically she went on Twitter to see if anyone has seen her beloved Daisy.
Eonline reported:

The dingo coyote took her baby!

Jessica Simpson is holding out hope that her most faithful of companions, her 5-year-old maltipoo, Daisy, will have a safe return after she witnessed a four-legged predator snatch her beloved dog.

“My heart is broken because a coyote took my precious Daisy right in front of our eyes,” Simpson tweeted yesterday evening. “HORROR! We are searching. Hoping. Please help!”

Along with the tweet, the distraught Simpson, who received Daisy as a surprise gift onstage from her ex-husband, Nick Lachey, a half-decade ago, posted an online flyer with a picture of the MIA pooch; the words “I miss my mommy”; an email address for people or, presumably, literate coyotes to write with information; and the promise of a reward for the canine’s safe return.

Dog-speed, Daisy.

I sincerely hope that the email she posted doesn’t get abused by people just wanting to say hey! or gives her false hope and lies about seeing her dog. If someone says they have her dog, let’s hope she has the smarts (rolls eyes) to bring enough people with her for protection to go check it out. Or have someone else check it out for her. Of course people can always bring a similar looking dog to her for the chance of meeting her. Sorry to be so paranoid, but there’s are a lot of sick people out there, and there are also many over zealous fans.

And speaking of sick people, I have already read several comments that people have left on articles and blogs around the internet and they are above and beyond cruel. Here is just one lovely part of a comment I found by a lovely person:
“knowing Joe Simpson and his idiot daughter, I wouldn’t put it past either of them to make this story up to get attention for Jessica”

That comment was tame compared to some of the ones I read. We all know how hurtful people can be in the comment sections! Right?

Now I am not a fan of Jessica Simpson myself, and never was, and I know she has a reputation for not being the sharpest tool in the box, but this isn’t the time to ridicule someone that has just lost a dear friend.

Yes, many non-famous people have lost their pets and it isn’t in the tabloids, we all know this. But hey, if you were famous, it would be. And even though eveyrone knows the chances of finding Daisy are slim to none because of the circumstances, she is desperate and heart broken. So I feel compelled to say, hey! back off douche bags!

So back to coyotes. I live in an area that looks like we would never see coyotes, but yet a few months ago, a coyote went through a neighbor’s yard only five houses down from me and her small children where in the backyard playing and thought it was a dog. And more and more are being seen in the adjacent streets.

Coyotes are very stealth like and fast. There have been many reports of coyotes attacking children in many states. They have also been attacking cats in our neighborhood too. The more and more areas get developed, the more coyotes search farther for food.

So word of caution people…
Keep an eye on your kids and your pets. Keep your dog on a leash. If you have a cat, keep it indoors, and make the sacrifice and get a damn litter box. It is worth it if you love your cat. There is nothing safe for cats outside anyways. There’s not only fleas, ticks, worms, animals with rabies, other cats, the chance of being hit by a car, and now being carried off by a coyote. Besides, if you take away all the other potential dangers of an outside cat, your vet bills may end up being a lot cheaper for you with an indoor cat. 

Just use your noggins people if you love your pets. Help them to live a long and happy life!

And to Jessica, sorry about your baby.

Surely everyone remembers the talking Taco Bell dog. I wonder how many said “Yo Quiero Taco Bell” every time a chihuahua walked by back in the 90’s? I think the Taco Bell dog played a huge part in why there are so many chihuahua dog owners today. NOT Paris Hilton, despite what she thinks.

The voice of the Taco Bell dog was done by Carlos Alazraqui who now plays Garcia on Reno 911. What most people don’t know is that the Taco Bell dog, was it actually was a girl chihuahua named Gidget that also starred as “Bruiser” in Legally Blonde 2.

Sadly, Gidget just passed away at the ripe old age of 15. She had a full life to say the least and her retirement found her sitting pretty and leading a very pampered existence — and Gidget had quite the following. Taco Bell sold talking stuffed animals that said “Viva Gorditas” and there were key chains and talking figurines that said “Yo Quiero Taco Bell”. One trip to Ebay and you can see that these items are still selling today. Perhaps there will be a new demand for these “collectables” since Gidget’s death, including a Legally Blond 2 stuffed animal with a purse complete with different outfits for the dog to change into. Needless to say Gidget will go down in history along with Lassie, Spuds McKenzie,and Rin Tin Tin as a famous pup.

The LA Times reported:

The owner of Studio Animal Services in Castaic says Gidget suffered a massive stroke late Tuesday at her trainer’s home in Santa Clarita and had to be euthanized.

Gidget was the sassy mascot in Taco Bell commercials from 1997 to 2000. While other dogs had bit parts, it was her bug-eyed, big-eared face that was seen pronouncing “Yo quiero Taco Bell,” Spanish for “I want Taco Bell,” in a male voice dubbed by Argentine actor Carlos Alazraqui. A few years later, Alazraqui landed the role for which he is best known: Deputy James Garcia on Comedy Central’s “Reno 911!”
The Taco Bell ads provoked some criticism from activists who said they used Mexican stereotypes.

Gidget also had a role in the movie “Legally Blonde 2,” but others associated with the ad campaign weren’t so lucky. Earlier this year, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the creators of the Chihuahua character hadn’t been properly compensated for their work, and Taco Bell was ordered to pay $42 million.

Gidget’s trainer, Sue Chipperton, in an interview earlier this year with the People Pets website, described the diminutive dog as a consummate professional on the set. But, she said, Gidget had been the victim of typecasting, which limited her career choices (or, rather, Chipperton’s choices on her behalf).

Associated Press writer Robert said this on 
Austin360.com:

Although she was hard of hearing, Gidget was otherwise in good health up to the day of her death, eating well and playing with her favorite squeaky toys at the home of trainer Sue Chipperton, McElhatton said.

“She was retired. She lived like a queen, very pampered,” McElhatton said.

Gidget was found at a kennel and wasn’t show quality, McElhatton said; she had an undershot jaw and huge ears.

But Gidget knew she was a star, McElhatton said.

“She was a prima donna, basically. She absolutely knew when she was on camera,” McElhatton said.

Gidget traveled first-class, opened up the New York Stock Exchange and made an appearance at Madison Square Garden, McElhatton said.

In later years, she did other acting work, appearing in a 2002 commercial for the insurance company GEICO and in the 2003 movie “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde.”

She remained the object of affection after her retirement, going on hikes and beach visits with her trainer. She aged gracefully, and liked nothing more than to snooze in the sun.

“She was like a little old lady. She’d kind of gotten smaller,” McElhatton said.

Gidget will be cremated, McElhatton said. Her owners had not decided on a final disposition of her remains. Taco Bell Corp. said in a statement Gidget would be missed by many. “Our deepest sympathies go out to her owners and fans,” the company said.

Every once in a while there is a story that tugs at your heart strings and this is one of them. Gidget was certainly a huge star that was fortunate to live to a nice ripe old age and will be remembered fondly by many. To Gidget the diva of all chihuahuas, may you rest in peace.

Aww!  I’m sure he’s got a wonderful personality!

Meet Ugly Bat Boy…he lives in New Hampshire at a vet’s office, and he’s apparently just like any other cat, except he doesn’t have much fur:

Ugly Bat Boy is bald all over  – apart from one patch of shaggy, unkempt fur around his neck.

Staff at the veterinary hospital where the eight-year-old moggie lives have even been forced to put up fliers saying he’s perfectly normal  – just unattractive.

They claim he makes up for his terrible looks by having inner beauty and a nice disposition. [...]

Ugly and his sister, who only survived a few weeks, were both born without fur.

And although he may not look like an ordinary cat, staff at the hospital say he behaves exactly like every other feline they’ve ever known.

He loves attention and is very friendly.

I hope they have a little sweater or something to put on him when it gets chilly!  If you ever wanted to know what your kitty would look like shaved…there you go.

I’ll let you write your own jokes.

In another life, when I come back as a lonely spinster, this will be my fate. I love the pussy…cats. Can you imagine the smell at the Caboodle Ranch? I am sure having all those kitties around would get old, but being a life long lover of animals, especially cats, this would be a variation of heaven for me. All the purring and pretty cat faces to look at and pet.

Craig, or Mr. Caboodle Ranch guy takes care of 500 cats, and has created a haven for kitties on a 30-acre ranch he built using his own money, including feeding, treating their various illness and loving them as best he can. He has a website you can donate to if you are so inclined, www.caboodleranch.org.

By now, most of you have heard about the horrific brush fires which are currently blazing through Australia.  Over 180 people have died as a result, and so far two people have been arrested for suspicion of arson related to most of the fires.  Entire towns have been burnt, and the death toll rises every day:

Firefighters were today tackling fresh fires ripping through the Australian bush as the crisis showed no sign of abating.

The latest sites are near the historic town of Beechworth north-east of Melbourne.

Police said the fires – which include one huge blaze – had been deliberately started and warned residents to be prepared to flee.

Wind is so far keeping the flames away from houses.

‘It’s virtually impossible to believe that people are still lighting fires,’ said Victoria’s Premier John Brumby.

‘There seems little doubt that these were deliberately lit. I think words escape us all 
when it comes to describing that deliberate arson.’

Police hunting for arsonists responsible for the deaths of 181 people in Victoria’s bushfires said today they are close to making an arrest.

With 80 people still missing in the town of Marysville – described as a potential ‘Ground Zero’ – and more of the badly burned victims expected to die in hospital, the death toll is expected to rise to 300. [...]

The remains of most the missing are believed to be lying under the rubble of homes in the historic town of Marysville – described as a potential ‘Ground Zero’ – a few miles from another badly-hit community, Kinglake.

Firefighter John Munday believes that when searchers can start sifting through the remains of Marysville ‘the toll is going to be massive.’

Prime minister Kevin Rudd has said the arsonists should ‘rot in jail’.

If convicted, the firestarters should receive no mercy from justice, said Mr Rudd.

‘The laws of the state provide that they can be put away and put away for life,’ he said.

‘My view is they should be allowed to rot in jail. This is unspeakable murder on a mass scale.’

You can read the rest of the story at the link above, it’s too horrific for me to post here.  The thought of all those poor people dying in a fire which could have been deliberately set is too depressing to think about.  Men, women, children, the elderly, little babies, pets and animals, all gone.  It would be bad enough if it were a natural disaster, but to think that this could a deliberate act is unconscionable.  In some cases, they are ruling out arson, but the investigation has yet to be completed.

However, a small heartwarming story has emerged from the ashes.  Two koala bears, Sam and Bob, have been rescued from the fire and have now formed a bond with one another which is helping them both.  You might recognize Sam, the koala receiving a drink from a firefighter, but you might not know Bob, who was badly burned as well:

The story of Sam and her new boyfriend Bob emerged after volunteer firefighter Dave Tree used a mobile phone to film the rescue of the bewildered female.

She was found cowering in a burned out forest at Mirboo North, 90 miles southeast of Melbourne.

Photos and a video of Tree, 44, approaching Sam while talking gently to her, and feeding her water from a plastic bottle as she put her burned claw in his cold, wet hand quickly hit video sharing website YouTube.

But it was after reaching a wildlife shelter that Sam met and befriended Bob, who was saved by wildlife workers on Friday, two days before Sam.

Tree, who has been a volunteer firefighter for 26 years, said it was extremely rare to get so close to a koala so he asked his colleague Brayden Groen, 20, to film him.

‘You can how she stops and moves forward and looks at me. It was like a look saying “I can’t run, I’m weak and sore, put me out of my misery”,’ Tree said.

‘I yelled out for some water and I sat down with her and tipped the water up.

‘It was in my hand and she reached for the bottle then put her right claw into my left hand which was cold so it must have given her some pain relief and she just left it there. It was just amazing.’ [...]

She said Sam had suffered second degree burns to her paws and would take seven to eight months to recover while Bob had three burned paws with third degree burns and should be well enough to return to the bush in about four months.

‘They keep putting their arms around each other and giving each other hugs. They really have made friends and it is quite beautiful to see after all this. It’s been horrific,’ said Wood.

‘Sam is probably aged between two to four going by her teeth and Bob is about four so they have a muchness with each other.’

I’m sorry, maybe I’m an old softie, but that brought tears to my eyes, to see something good come out of so much devastation.  I sincerely hope that there are more stories of hope and renewal come out of this terrible time.

I have a small experience with fire myself, and I know on a small scale what it is like to be caught up in it, to run into flames searching for an animal, to stand helplessly watching the flames and worry.  Fortunately, everyone in my family, including both cats, made it out.  However, I cannot fathom fire on this scale or magnitude, or what it feels like to see entire towns wiped out or entire families gone.  I don’t pretend to even imagine the anguish of family members searching for their loved ones.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all our Aussie friends during this time.

I’ve found two sites where you can donate to help the victims of the fires:  The Australian Red Cross, and The Salvation Army in Australia.  Both have links where you can donate online.  If any of our readers know of any other sites, please let us know.  I know we all are being hit with the credit crunch, and times are bad for us all, but it isn’t until you lose everything that you realize true riches do not come from money.  I’m sure we can all find a little bit to help.

What a cutie!  After being nursed back from the brink of death a few years ago, a beautiful Sussex Spaniel named Stump took home the big prize last night at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and, in the process, became the oldest dog to do so:

At 10 years old, Stump the Sussex spaniel should be well into his dotage. Instead, the dog who technically retired four years ago took home Best in Show on Tuesday at the 133rd Annual Westminster Kennel Club show at Madison Square Garden, becoming the oldest to win the award.

Stump, officially named Ch. Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee, might have surprised aficionados, who had their eye on a giant schnauzer, but the crowd clearly preferred the jaunty spaniel. Stump was greeted with deafening applause each time he plodded around the ring.

It was the first time that a Sussex spaniel won the top prize, although the breed, which originated as a hunting companion in England, was among the first to be recognized by the American Kennel Club. [...]

Stump won the sporting group at Westminster in 2004, but in early 2005 fell seriously ill with an undetermined sickness, said Scott Sommer, Stump’s handler and an owner along with Cecilia Ruggles and Beth Dowd.

Stump eventually returned to health, and by last year he was looking quite good. Still, Sommer said he was not sure until last Wednesday that he would definitely show Stump at Westminster.

“I wanted to take him here and hope he showed good,” Sommer said after winning the group. “That was my goal.”

Awww!

I myself was pulling for the Scottie, because I love Scotties (part of my heritage), but also because I love to see a beefy guy leading a little doggie around the ring.  I don’t know, it’s just the aesthetics of the thing.  I thought Spirit the Giant Schnauzer would take it, mainly going on the buzz that she was the favorite…and, after all, the favorite took home the big cup last year.  But when Stump won, it just felt right, y’know?  What a great comeback.

I also thought one of the high points of the show was when they showcased Uno as not only a former champion but as a therapy dog, and the standing ovation given to the returning soldier who had lost both his legs and the little girl with cancer who had met Uno.  They were there to bring attention to Angel On A Leash, which uses therapy dogs to bring joy to patients who need it.

Speaking of Uno, this brings his reign to a close, a reign where he was a very visible dog.  Is travel in the plans for Stump as well?

Despite Stump’s charisma, Sommer hinted that the dog was unlikely to replicate Uno’s demanding travel schedule. And at his age, who can blame him?

“Stump’s going to travel back to Houston and kind of stay there,” Sommer said. “He doesn’t travel that much.”

So congratulations to Stump, and to all the dogs, who are all champions.  These dogs are the best of the best of purebred canine breeds.  As David Frey has said before, the ethical purpose of breeding purebred dogs by loving owners is to keep the standards of that breed alive, the things that each particular breed has been known for and bred to perform over millenia.

But there are so many unethical breeders and owners out there.  Unfortunately many animals end up abused, hurt, neglected, and unwanted.  We here at GlossLip are animal lovers, and if you feel you can responsibly take care of a new pet, we encourage you to make a visit to your local animal shelter when it comes time to choose a forever furry friend.  At dogsrule.com (Pedigree sponsored the show), you can not only find a new adoptable member of your family, but you can also find ways to donate to help animals in need.  You can also make a trip to your local shelter or rescue home with a bag of food and some doggie toys.  Of course, donations of blankets, newspapers, money, and your time are always welcome.  And, as always, spay and neuter your pets.

Yeah, I know, I’m as square and boring as a cheap paper napkin, but this is one of my viewing traditions each year…the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.  There’s just something about seeing these beautiful animals that makes me smile and feel all warm and fuzzy in this cynical heart of mine.  Or maybe it’s gas.  I knew I shouldn’t have had the General Tso’s Chicken.

Either way, you can bet that my television will be tuned in to the show tonight (Monday, 8-9 p.m. Eastern on USA and 9-11 on CNBC; Tuesday, 8-11 on USA, which is kind of weird, but oh well).

So while we’re discussing beautiful animals, this gives me a perfect chance to trot out one of my little pet causes (pun intended)…why not make a visit to your local animal shelter or rescue center?  I’m all for responsible breeding of purebred dogs by licensed and responsible breeders, but there are plenty of homeless animals who would love to have you as their new forever parent.  If you can responsibly take care of a new animal, why not consider it?  If you know you cannot responsibly take care of a new pet, or any more pets, please consider making a donation of food, bedding, newspapers, money, or your time.  Now more than ever, we need to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves.

See you at the show!

I think Catan has some issues.  :)  That being said, this video made me lol.  And there’s a nice link at the end to a doggie rescue organization that places basset hounds with good homes.

What’s really funny is poor Gunny…who, after all, just wants a nap!

(oh, and check out the laptop in the corner, it never goes off…screensaver, anyone?)