Why, of course, its what kind of dog Obama is buying for the White House. Fancy dog or pound mutt? The BBC loves to run audio from people who seem to have nothing more important to worry about than whether or not the Obamas save some dog from lethal injection.
Another guy was interviewed today about his cross country trip in a bus collecting signatures on a petition that would somehow force Obama to plant an organic garden on the south lawn of the White House. Isn't the compost heap on Capital Hill enough (rim shot!)?
Here the local news is dominated by Palestine. Every day the local papers have pictures of bloody children and stories about Israel's aggression. News from the US? Dogs and organic gardens and recycling. I'm sure there is more going on, we just don't get to hear it.
4 comments:
What - no bailouts, no recession? At least, gas prices are reasonable again.
Actually, with this economy I think most people here are more worried about their next paycheck (or in some cases even their next unemployment check). This is what makes up the majority of our news, along with Gaza, Bush leaving office, this week's sub-zero temperatures, basketball, etc.
But anyway, your remark about the Obamas "saving some dog from lethal injection" seems a little shortsighted.
Why? Because, Americans do love thier dogs. Unfortunately, they also love celebrities. Regardless of how you feel about the president-elect he is a huge celebrity and will have a much bigger impact on America's dog population than just "some dog" in a pound.
Whenever a dog makes the headlines it unfortunately causes a bump in popularity for that particular breed of dog (Examples: 101 Dalmations, the spike in Chihuahuas after those dumb Taco Bell commercials, the spike in pugs after one of the Men in Black movies, etc.) This increased popularity results in irresponsible breeding, often from inhumane puppy/backyard breeders. Once the fad wears off many of the people that rushed out to buy the dog that they saw on tv realize that they were in fact too stupid to take care of a dog to begin with. These dogs end up neglected, possibly abused and likely in an already overflowing shelter.
Facts:
Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year: 6–8 million
Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year: 3–4 million
This is where the Obamas could make a huge difference. On one hand, they could get the "fancy" dog. It will come from a fine breeder. It will be a great dog for their family i'm sure, but it will also result in the popularity bump i wrote of earlier. This only adds to the problem.
On the other hand, if they do get a shelter dog, this could cause a bump in shelter adoptions. This would help save many more dogs from lethal injection, rather than contribute to the problem. It could also help increase responsible pet ownership (most shelters will have been spayed/neutered, dewormed and vaccinated. many require references to adopt and offer adoption counseling, etc.). Adoption groups are already reporting an increase in searches for adoptable pets and an outpouring of support just from Obama's mention of adopting a mutt of his own.
A very smart young woman once told me "We, as Christians, should care MORE about the earth and the animals on it. We should be responsible for protecting the gift that we've been given." I agree and it really bothers me that so many "Conservative Christians" don't. Are dogs and recycling more important than dying children and starving families? No, not at all. I doubt anyone believes otherwise, but they are much more important than a throw away comment about "some dog in a pound".
"Some Dog in Louisville"
Brian Mathews
Hey, Dog:
This is one thing that is great about blogging and the 'Net--exchange of ideas, especially ones like yours (well thought out and held with passion).
It is obviously a shame that so many animals are neglected and mistreated. We as believers do have a high degree of responsibility as far as stewardship goes. On these points we agree.
I had never even considered the idea that people would go get a dog just because the President did. But as all the 'Spuds Mackenzies' of the world can testify it does happen. That is sad. Reminds me of Michael on The Office wanting to adopt because he saw it on TV. Those kind of folks should be denied the opportunity of pet ownership.
The post--as much as anything--had to do with the fact that people here are kind of consumed with political news now while the BBC and Al-jazeera casts Americans as only caring about trivial matters (dogs are hated by our neighbors). I think that was where I started to go anyway, they paint us (since I am American, too) as being kind of dumb and concerned with triviality while Sudan, Zimbabwe, Gaza, et al have such serious issues.
So, in conclusion. I grant the point that my comment is short-sighted. But I would also maintain that a great many people who are so passionate about animals care very little about the people that I see every day. Maybe that is what I was railing about. I'd have to reflect more on that.
Finally, when it was time for us to get a pet, we rescued our two cats from the trash after a lady threw them away behind a shopping center. We agree something should be done about the discarded--animals and people, too.
Thanks for the most awesome response ever. I didn't even know you check in. Miss you and Lillie (forgive me if its Lily). Come see us!!
Craig
hey craig,
i hope my comment didnt come off as too confrontational. i worked a 12 hour shift yesterday. :)
i've been thinking about stray animals a lot lately (rescued some kittens and a momma cat from outside my office. we had 7 cats in the house, down to 6 now).
my main point was to demonstrate that the Obama dog could have a big impact and that fact probably ties in with what you were saying about how many Americans think. my intent wasn't to say that you personally don't care about animals, and i hope that's not how it sounded.
i check in every now and then (I'm a computer programmer at UPS, so that little star that says "Mahwah" is likely me wasting time at work). it's interesting to see what you guys have going on in asia, plus who doesnt love pictures of monkeys?
anyway, i'll try to leave more comments in the future. take care.
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