From Mt. Airy to the Top of the Mountain

All us Mt. Airy, MD natives are real proud of our Joe. Joe Alexander made it from humble Mt. Airy to the big show. When I was just a pup, still with my mom, Joe stopped by the farm once, to shop for a puppy. Well, he was already a big star around our parts. When he arrived at the farm, there was a big stir among the dobermans and they started to fight among themselves, each wanting to be the first to sniff him up and play some tug-a-war. We cockapoos kinda hung back a little afraid because he was so BIG. He talked to Mr. Burdette about buying a cockapoo and Mr. Burdette said, being a big star and all, he could give him a real good price. I remember my mom, Cherokee, quipped that he was too big for such a little dog. Well, in the end, he looked us all over, me too, but I think he said we were all too skinny and flea-ridden for his tastes and he would try the farm next door.

I wonder what dog good-old Joe finally decided on? That's one lucky dog because Joe's gonna be rich and be able to give his dog steak Kongs all the time and maybe get him in free to see the games in the VID section.

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/06/27/sports/dsports062708.txt

The Spanish and Animal Rights

Praise for the Spanish who formally recognized the human rights of apes. It's a start; there's hope for us dogs yet, albeit in Spain, not my native USA.

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jun/08062605.html

Hard Times for Our Most Vulnerable

Yes, the economy is bad, in a recession, or whatever. But why must the consequences always fall the hardest on our most vulnerable, that is, our pets?

http://www.thestate.com/local/story/441103.html

Sad stories like this would be rarer if we as a society had more compassion. Mr. McCain, Mr. Obama, where do you stand on AFDD (Aid to Families with Dependent Dogs)? America's canines would like to know.

Tommy's Two

Yup, that's right, I turned the BIG '1 + 1' on Sunday. "TODAY I AM A DOG" and all that, you know. My owners made my day real special. I went to PetSmart for a sniff-fest, the doggie bakery for a treat, and a 4 mile run with my daddy (phew, I was tired). But I recoverd in time for the evening. i got a Tommy-burger dinner and, of course, THE PRESENTS. Here I am posing with my b-day gifts - a furry fox and a snout-wrestling giraffe. The fox is furry alright, but got nothing on me in that department. The giraffe is one mean wrestler.

I have to admit, I get a little nostolgic on my birthday, remembering the Autumn View Farm, all my friends and relatives, and of course, my (furry) mom and dad. I wonder what my brothers and sisters were doing and if they were thinking about me like I was them?

A Dark Day Dawns

HILLARY R.I.P

She's feisty, she hasn't given up. But even a dog can read the writing on the wall. What's to become of us cockapoos now? We've lost our greatest champion. And I suppose my appointment as Undersecretary for Canine Affairs is on hold.

I need to take a while to think things through. I'm not endorsing either candidate for president just yet. I'd like to explore their respective positions on pet entitlements.

Tommy's 'Book of the Month'

Barney tells all in this shocking book. Was Barney in it for the money? You decide:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/29/AR2008052903265.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

In the footsteps of giants

A lot of the dogs I talk to are so amazed that I, just a small furry cockapoo with floppy ears and a short stubby tail, can maintain a blog. But believe me, I'm not alone out there. There are hundreds of other doggie bloggers and I only hope that I can make some small contribution to the betterment of dogkind. Not that I'm all that special, mind you. Take a look for yourselves. Look at all the other dogs that also maintain blogs:

http://www.dogswithblogs.com.au/theblogslite.htm

He Got Game

Little did you know, I've working hard to 'up my game', Fetch, that is. You know, I've taken some knocks for not being so good at Fetch. I tried to pretend it didn't bother me, like I even posted to the blog that 'fetch is just not my thing.' But it always bothered me. I read biographies about one of my heros Ashley Whippet (http://www.highland-ohio.com/ashley%20whippet.htm), possibly the greatest frisbee dog of all time. I dreamt about joining the big leagues, performing before packed crowds at half-time. So I decided to take private fetch lessons, on the sly, no one knew about it. I finally got my game to such a level that I was ready to 'show off.' I begged my daddy to take me out for a friendly game. He was dubious, 'why bother' he muttered. No, no, seriously, I said, take your camera. So he did. And check out my form. I still have a lot of work to do, but you'll agree I've come a long way.

McCain: Taking a Closer Look

As most of you know, I've been a big Hillary supporter in this election. I've followed and documented the ups and down of her campaign with rapt attention.

But some new and rather exciting information has emerged about John McCain. It turns out he is quite a dog lover, as is obvious by this photo of him with his Springer Spaniel Sam. I don't know where he stands on the important dog issues, like universal pet health care, but he nonetheless stands in stark contrast to that notorious dog-hater, Obama.

Here you can read about McCain's love for animals: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/prespets.html

"So Tommy . . .

what do you want to be when you grow up?" I get asked this question more often than I can count. I'm leaning towards becoming a police dog. I'll learn techniques to be vicious and mean and then let's see the dogs in the dog park pick on me. Does anyone know of a good school I could go to?

On to Indiana

Hillary is rolling now and needs the support of all you dogs (and you humans, too) in Indiana. I've been getting thousands of e-mails from dogs around the country professing support for Ms. Clinton. Here are some of the more prominent pooches I've heard from:

Here is Larry Birds golden lab, Jumper.

"Ruff ruff ruff ruff ruff ruff, woof, Hillary ruff ruff!"

Here is Mike Tyson's doberman Mauler. Tyson only spent a little more than three years in Indiana, but they think of him as one of their own.

"Hillary woof woof woof woof woof woof, woof woof woof woof. WOOOOOOOF!"

And Dan Quayle's peekapoo, Potatoe. Cute little guy, floppy eared diverse breed dog like me:

"Yip yip yip yip yip yip Hillary."

Ughhh

More maladies, this time diahhrea. For all you humans out there, you think it's easy being a dog? My mommy tries to analyze my diet, like "Oh no, Tommy ate his kibbles from the left side of the bowl to the right, that's what causing these problems." I don't know. I think I'm a growin' pup. A wise dog once said "This too shall pass."

More Unpleasantness

Maladies mount. This time, I hurled my dinner. Didn't do quite as well as this poor fella pictured a left. I left a pile at my mommy's feet under the kitchen table. Don't know what it was, but after the event, I felt fine, in fact hungrier than before. But then there was all this human talk about whether I should eat any more. I kept trying to tell them, I'm feeling better now, especially because it was rib-roast night.

Here's what I have to say to my family, in verse:

Pay no attention

To that vomit on the floor.

Trust me,

I want some more!!!

Troubles Continue

Now I have a small bout of the constipation. Couldn't 'go' this morning. My mom is very worried and threatening to take me to the vet (nice lady and all, but I can do without that stick-thing going up my tush).

Rough Night

Tough night, last night. I had a bout of flatulance, and an upset stomach. I just wanted to curl up in bed and go to sleep. But my mom picked me up and threw me into the back yard and made me stay out there for a long time. I don't know why. I had to to sleep on the deck for a while until my big brother let me in. But I feel better today.

Hillary Train Keeps a Rollin'

Big win in Pennsylvania for HILL-A-REE!!! Good work to all you dogs out there. Exit polling shows Hillary won the dog vote by 10 to 1!!!

Showdown in Pennsylvania

The big day is coming up - the Pennsylvania primary. Pennsylvania is a crossover state where dogs can vote in human primaries and vice versa. Hillary's going to need a big turnout and her political life could be riding on the outcome.


I've been getting a lot of e-mails from dogs across the state. They've been reading my blog and now understand the importance of this human election. To the dog, they've been asking me what they can do to help her chances, especially given that most of them don't have access to computers so they can't do it on their own (that's another matter and another reason why all dogs need to vote for Hillary; she is strongly in favor of federal subsidies to increase canine access to computers). So I told them all, send me your appeals and I'll publish them. Celebrity endorsements, that's what Hillary needs. I heard Bruce Springsteen endorsed Obama, but BIG DEAL, look who I got endorsing Hillary, some pretty famous Pennsylvania dogs!!!


I wanted to post their endorsements unedited. They are writing in Dogish, so I'll translate.




Here is Mike Schmidt's Golden Retriever Homer:

Hillary ruff ruff ruff, ruff! Ruff ruff Hillary ruff. Ruff ruff ruff ruff ruff ruff, ruff ruff ruff ruff, RUFFFFF HILLARY!!!


Translation: He's saying Hillary is the candidate for him!






Here is Larry Holmes boxer Jabber:

Tommy, woof woof woof. Hillary woof woof woof WOOOOOOOF! Woof woof woof, Hillary Hillary. Woof woof woof woof woof.


Translation: he's saying "Hillary's da bomb."





Here is Terasa Heinz Kerry's poodle Phee Phee:


Yip, yip yip yip Hillary, yip yip yip yip yip. Yip yip yip yip Hillary yip yip yip yip yip yip yip, yip yip. Tommy yip yip yip.

She says that Hillary's great and hs got to win or else she will go anorexic for a whole month.

Don't Call Me Tommy

Just call me Ol' Number 39090. I got my official dog license today. How humiliating. I'm supposed to wear this around my neck all the time. I DON'T THINK SO.

Explain to me, how is this different than those poor concentration camp survivors?

My Brother, Caligula

I received an e-mail from my brother, Caligula. Haven't seen him since I was just a little pup. As you may know, I was the last of my litter to be adopted, while Caligula was the 'pick', so to speak, the first one taken. Here, he sent me this picture. It sure takes me back to the farm. He's a cute little cockapoo, isn't he?

I guess life hasn't worked out so good for him. He says his owners leave him outside all day and night, he has fleas, is never bathed, never taken sight-peeing, and is forced to eat only DOG FOOD. Kinda sad. You know what they say - "But for the grace of God, there go I." I'm one lucky dog!

I Have a Dream

I've been getting a lot of e-mails from readers, asking me what famous human leader from history I most admire. Well that's an easy one . . . and rather topical at present . . . I like Martin Luther King. You see, he and I are a lot alike. We're both non-violent and like me, he was obsessed with rights, Martin with civil rights and I with the canine variety. Just like me, he probably got bullied a lot when he was a boy, and being no fool, he turned non-violent, get it? He didn't want to get beat up, but he was still able to get a lot of things done, like that lunch counter thing and the voting, you know. And like MLK, those issues are important to me, too. I have a dream that some day all dogs, be they big or little, caramel or white, floppy eared or straight up will be be able to sit at the lunch counters with their owners and also be able to vote. I like that Ghandi guy too. He was also non-violent and got things done. And I imagine he too was beat up a lot as a boy, but maybe he was asking for it, wearing that diaper all the time.

My Rite of Passage

My daddy forwarded an e-mail to me, which was sent to him by my grandma. She told him about the increasingly common practice of doggie Bark Mitzvah:

A NEW CRAZE AMONG SOME JEWS IS THE BARK MITZVAH FOR DOGS. . . BARK MITZVAHS HAVE BECOME A BUISNESS, WITH BOOKS, SONGS, AND PARTY PLANNERS.GUESTS BRING THEIR OWN DOGS, ALONG WITH PARENTS FOR THE BARK MITZVAH (FORGET THE FOUNTAIN PEN), WHO MAY WEAR A DOGGIE TALLIT AND SPECIAL YARMULKE TO FIT OVER HIS EARS, WHILE DELIGHTING IN A BONE-SHAPED MEAT DOGGY CAKE, AND A HAPPY BARK MITZVAH HAT. THE CANINE GUESTS GET A DOGGIE GOODIE BAG FILLED WITH MENORAH BISCUITS. . . .SOME FEEL THE CEREMONY CELEBRATES THEIR SPRIITUAL CONNECTION WITH THEIR PET.

I've been doing some research, so you can read about it for yourselves: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bark_mitzvah

I really want to do it and I will study hard. My family belongs to a Reform Synagogue, which no doubt they will be eager to embrace the new practice. Now let's see . . . Bar Mitzvah traditionally occurs at age 13 and there are 7 dog years on one people year, so . . . I should have my Bark Mitzvah just before my second people year, like late April of this year. So it's coming up pretty soon.

Now as to the guest list, I want my Happy Tails buddies there, and of course Ginny and Tucker, and Maddie and Pippa and Bartley. Killer? I don't think so. And any of you dogs who have bullied me (and you know who you are), don't be holdin your breadth waiting by the mail box.

You Go Girl!

Hillary's still in. She's tough, not backing down.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8VP4R300&show_article=1&catnum=3

Sen Hillary Rodham Clingon says she has something in common with legendary film boxer Rocky Balboa--she's not a quitter.

Shouldn't Happen to a Dog

I'm basically a friendly cockapoo, but I'm kinda scared, like of other dogs. I don't know why, but they always want to beat me up. Like, I go to the dog park sometimes, just to have fun, you know, and sniff around. Lots of dogs there, big dogs, little dogs, and all the sizes in between. But who do they pick on, who do they stalk? Me, friendly little Tommy. And on my walks, the other dogs are always real mean to me, mean barks like they really want to get me, and sometimes they do and my dad has to protect me. I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but there's even a cat who trys to bully me. I don't like to fight back, I'm kinda scared and I just want to be a good boy. But gosh darn it all, i just gotta do something.

So I saw this ad from a guy named Charles Atlas and he says he can make me strong and tough in as little as 15 minutes a day. Well, I don't have a lot to do during the day, when my familiy is away, all I do is kinda laze around. So what do you think. Do you think Charles Atlas can make a new dog out of me?

Bush Bails Out the Fat Cats

It's time to get really outraged. The Fed will bail out Bear Stearns, one of the richest Wall Street companies:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/investing/bal-te.bz.economy15mar15,0,4840774.story

Once again, Bush shows his true stripes, giving money to his 'fat cat' friends (I mean that figuratively, if he was really favoring the fat cats, I would be even more outraged). That money could really be used for good to help the poor. There are cockapoos starving in Mt. Airy, Mr. Bush. But do you care?

Just a lot of poo? Breedism in America

Some dogs I know say we live in a post-breedist society, breed doesn't matter, all dogs are equal. Well, read this . . . if this doesn't scare the dog poop out of you, I don't know what will.

http://www.petznjam.com/msgboard/messages/928.html

Here are some choice quotes:

"Behind the hype and the clever name is a common mutt."

"Every mixed breed dog . . . is one of a kind because its genetic makeup is an unpredictable jumble of characteristics. No two are alike. Does this factor alone justify a high price, higher than what's charged by many reputable breeders of quality purebreds?"

"Don't be fooled by the whimsical names, the intriguing descriptions, and the high prices! It's just a lot of poo. "

This is how it started with the humans in Germany. They said no one was as good as the quality purebred German. Then look what happened. Dogs and sympathetic humans, take note and BEWARE. And while you're at it, be sure to email that 'Paula' (email link in the article) and let her know that her kind of breedist thinking is un-American.

Tommy

June 1

Some little dog (I'm not going to say who, but he looks a lot like the cute little cockapoo to the left) has a birthday coming up. And I think I know what he might like for a present. If you can't think of the perfect present for that special little guy, why not consider this:

http://www.cafepress.com/buy/hillary+clinton/-/pv_design_prod/id_16216281/p_storeid.91983939/pNo_91983939

The Campaign Rolls Forward

I didn't want to rush right out and start bragging last Tuesday after Hillary won impressive victories. Those who frequent my blog can probably guess that we cockapoos are humble creatures. We're not gonna do any trash talking or anything like that. But an impressive victory it was. I'd like to think that in some small way I was helpful, getting out the dog vote and all. I'm friendly with a dog close to the campaign who tells me Hillary will soon release a new plan to allow a tax write-off for dependent dogs. So owners will have more money for bones and toys and stuff like that. This will sure help some sad cases, like the lady who went to the cupboard to fetch her poor doggie a bone, but I heard that when she got there, the cupboard was bare. Kinda breaks your heart. All you in Pennsylvania, PLEASE consider this when you get out for that important vote next month.

Congrats to Pearl

Congratulations go to my good friend Pearl the Springer Spaniel. Your namesake has his Tennessee b-ball team at #1 (though perhaps short-lived).

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/rankings

Brush with the Law

I had a frightening experience last weekend - I WAS ARRESTED! No, I wasn't detained, just cited. You see, I taking a nice walk with my Daddy in Lewinsville Park and I was off the leash. I knew I shoulda been on the leash, I saw the sign and all. But it's fun to roam around, sniff, and romp. Well, we were deep in the woods when wouldn't you know, but this mean policeman on foot storms over to us, looks down at me and said "You bad little cockapoo, you can't wander around like that, get back on your leash!" I did what he said, because he was very gruff and looked more vicious than Killer the Dog, my neighbor across the street. Then he wrote me a ticket and said I hadda pay and if he ever caught me again, I'd end up in cockapoo lockup. I was scared; I don't want that to happen again. I've learned my lesson. Daddy said he would pay the ticket for me, but says I have to do extra chores around the house, like pick up my toys and put them back in the toy basket.

Tommy Cloning

If I didn't see it with my own two eyes, I wouldn't have believed it - dog cloning.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7246380.stm

I know it's controversial and all, but i think it's a good idea in some cases. Like for instance, I'm a pretty good dog, that's what my family tells me all the time (except for my human mom, who sometimes claims I pee and poop in the house too much, but really she's unfair because I hardly do it at all). And who wouldn't want a little cockapoo just like me. The truth of the matter is that when I was just a pup, I was lightened by two stone so it'll be tough for me to have puppies the old-fashioned way. So now there's a new way. If I get cloned a few times, there'll be a bunch of Tommy's running around. Maybe we can have a couple more Tommys right here in my house and maybe we can have a few Tommys of other people who would like a small furry cockapoo with floppy ears and a short stubby tail.

So whatya think? Please vote on the right.

Tommy

Betrayal

Sorry, I'm just getting over Hillary's disappointing finish in the VA primary. My dad was right, I was turned away when I tried to vote. Cockapoos have been systematically disenfranchised for this country's entire history. Life sure has some harsh lessons to teach. "A dog's life" they call it. I'm starting to realize why.

But being unable to vote, the least I could expect is my family would support me. My mom and dad both told me they voted for Hillary. But what about my brother? He told me he voted for McCain. I think if all the dogs were allowed to vote and didn't have to depend on unreliable family members to carry out their wishes, Hillary would have won.

Heros or VICTIMS?

Something doesn't quite sniff right about this story. Why didn't those people try to save those innocent dogs? One could make a case of wanton murder. But because they were only dogs, does anyone care?



Dogs Give Up Their Lives to Save Family

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5huApFOJnetOHl_S9SKUMYA3dFN8QD8UOCJU80

In Support of My Candidate

Dear Mr. Obama,

I am very honored that you took time out of your busy schedule to read and respond to my blog. However, I must respectively inform you that I am a Hillary supporter. As for your comment to my previous post, regarding the fates of Socks and Buddy, I fear you too are slipping into the 'politics of personal destruction'. Until now, I would be the first to admit that you have led an upstanding and respectable campaign. But using the unfortunate demise of Buddy the Lab for your own personal political benefit is no doubt beneath you. Shame on you, Mr. Obama.

But to change the subject, Mr. Obama, how long are you going to duck the issue that hovers over your campaign, the one most important to my readers? When will you fulfill your promise and get your kids that dog?

Tuesday is less than 48 hours away. I implore all you cockapoos and other dogs out there to get out and support Hillary.

An Urgent Appeal

Dear Friends,

Tuesday is the big day, the day we in Virginia vote in the presidential primaries. Who better to cast your ballot for than the nice lady who wrote this heart-warming book? I refer, of course, to Hillary Clinton. She's in a tight race with Obama, who appears to be a good man, but what do we really know about him? He doesn't appear to be any friend of the dog, I'll say that. He's probably still promising to get his kids that dog, but when? He's just not a man of action. Hillary is for a universal pet health system, so if you get sick with, like, rabies or something, you're sure you'll be taken care of. And Hillary's against global warming and I am too. I have so much fur that I will be very uncomfortable if it gets any warmer. I intend to vote for Hillary on Tuesday and I encourage you to do the same thing.

A Good Walk Spoiled

Mommy and Daddy took me for a nice walk yesterday. We went to the National Mall. Lot's of friendly people, but it wasn't all so great. A few problems 1) it was a little scary, what with some of those little kids and other dogs, 2) they walked too fast and I didn't get to as much sniffing as I would have liked, and 3) they started fighting over whether I could drink from the rain puddles.

You see, we had quite a rain on Friday. I should know, my fur got real wet during my walk. It was such a prodigeous rain that there were many puddles on the mall. We took quite a hike yesterday, and as you might imagine, I got thirsty. And I saw them, those inviting puddles. So I pulled and tugged at my leash, practically choking myself. Daddy wanted to let me take a drink, but mommy protested, took the leash from him and wouldn't let me drink. She said stuff like - the puddles aren't clean and puddles are only for low class, diverse breed dogs. Well I don't know for sure, but I see some pretty fancy, hoity-toity McLean dogs, real snooty non-diverse breed dogs, drinking from puddles. Fact is, I even saw Pippa and Bartley drinking from them and they are high-class dogs (VERY non-diverse breed).

So here's my question for the day. Should I be allowed to drink from rain puddles? Please vote at the right.

Thanks,

Tommy (the cockapoo formerly from Mt. Airy)