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)

Our Nation's Capitol

What a walk. Can you imagine, a small, furry, cockapoo from humble Autumn View Farm beginnings, taken for a morning walk around our nation's capitol! Yep, that's where I was out sniffing yesterday morning. Out where so many greats paved the way for us, the likes of Calhoun, Clay, Lassie, Rin-Tin-Tin, Webster, and Benji. I was so overcome with emotion, that let loose a massive stool before we barely began our walk.

Some Breakthrough - Big Deal

Check it out: Scientists develop computer that can 'translate' a dog's bark

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=508550&in_page_id=1811

Big Deal, a computer that can translate what we say when we bark. Why not just ask me? I'll tell you what they're saying. Unfortunately, they're often barking "Tommy, I'm going to beat you up."

Sight-Peeing

My mommy and daddy took me to our nation's capitol for some sniffing and peeing. It was a fun trip. I got to pee on some real famous spots. We started at the Vietnam Memorial. I peed on a couple of the posts, but my daddy wouldn't let me 'go' on the wall, not sure why. Then chased some ducks at the Declaration of Independence exhibit before going to the WW II Memorial. There were a lot of people there, so it was hard to find a quiet spot, but I managed to get one of the pillars. I then got to go to the Washington Monument (pictured at the left). We walked the entire perimeter, my daddy tried to get me to 'go' on it but I was saving it up for . . . the National Christmas tree. It's a big, big tree, a dog could really lose himself in there. But to my bitter disappointment, it is all fenced in - I got so close, but yet so far. We walked around there for a bit; I tried to lift my leg on the cute little manger scene, but daddy whisked me away before I got a chance. We ended the day at the Einstein exhibit, but I had nothing left for Albert.

All in all, a great day.

Heartwarming but . . .

Here's a story sure to warm even the hardest of hearts. We all need these uplifting stories in this the age of global warming, imperialistic wars over oil, and increasing corporate greed.

Yes, Armani the monkey is being returned to his loving owner. Armani, you may recall, was ripped from his owners arms by the authorities. Now the courts have ruled that Armani can return to her and play in his own private playground again. The story is heartwarming in one sense, but cautionary in another. In this, the age of Bush and Cheney, when the authorities can literally kick down your door and steal a cute little monkey, what's next, Cockapoos?

http://www.gazette.net/stories/121207/montnew54142_32356.shtml

Whatever Became of . . .

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/mutts/blog/2007/12/michael_vicks_dogs_where_are_t.html

Where are they now, Michael Vick's dogs? Well, 47 of these poor fellas are still looking for a loving home. Please help.

Thanks,

Tommy

23 months: Was Justice Really Served?

I've been silent on this subject up until now. It took a while to get over the shock. Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months!!

Can you imagine that - 23 months. For MULTIPLE HOMICIDE? Why not throw in T-Bone steaks, smothered with beef gravy every day? And ice cream sundaes? If we, as a society, have become that unconcerned about man's best friend, well, I'm afraid we've 'gone to the dogs' (so to speak).

http://www.boston.com/sports/articles/2007/12/11/vicks_sentence_23_months/

OK, I've said my piece.

Tommy

All I can say is - WOW

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=492264&in_page_id=1811

That's some little dog, there on the right. Not a BIG cockapoo, like me.

Cherokee Responds

My mom e-mailed me. Maybe it clears it up. I included her e-mail, unedited. You can decide for yourselves.

"Dearest Tommy,

You shouldn't believe anything that Gizmo says. He's the kind of dog, how should I say this . . . well, after you wrestle him, you better count the studs on your collar. This dog, Gizmo, he's always got an angle. He plays cards with the Dobermans all the time, for BIG steaks (sic). It's been alleged that it's not beneath him to pull a card or two out from under his fur, which he conveniently keeps longer than average. He's a gutsy poodle, I'll give him that; if the Dobermans ever catch him in the act, I'm afraid it's goodbye Gizmo.

Well, Tommy, he's been pulling this dramatic "I'm you're pa" stunt with nearly all the newly adopted Autumn View Farm puppies. Once he learned about Trouble's $12,000,000 trust fund (you know, Leona Helmsley's Maltese dog named Trouble), he's been trying to find an angle to get himself in on the action. He's been trying to ingratiate himself with a well-to-do family, get off the farm and adopted, and maybe cash in on his own big trust fund.

So Tommy, my adorable little puppy, Gizmo is not your dad. He's just not my type. As I've told you before, Cody is your dad.

Love,
Mom Cherokee"

OK, yea, I did read about Trouble. Here is a link where you can read about it yourself. Some lucky dog, huh? But you know what they say, money can't buy happiness. I wonder if Trouble has anyone to wrestle or play ghost dog or ruff bowling with?

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070829/helmsley_s_pooch.html

Gizmo

I received a very surprising e-mail from Gizmo, one of the miniture poodles of Autumn View Farm. I copied the contents below.

"I been reading the blog you done set up. You got it all wrong, I'm your pa, not that Cody bloke. Your ma and me, well we was quite a pair. Cody's good for nothin, don't believe nothin he says. Maybe I come visit you in virginia some day, then we can catch up like father and son should. We can wrestle a bit and I teach you some good moves. Your real dad, Gizmo."

Gosh, I don't know what to make of this. I'm very confused right now, I don't even look like Gizmo. I just want to clear this up.

Seeds of Abu Ghraib?

Don't get me wrong, folks. I like it here in McLean, I love my family. But was this humiliation necessary?

So who do I like?

Many of you have been asking - "so Tommy, who do you like for human president?" I didn't want to respond too hastily, this is, after all, my first presidential campaign. I've given the matter a lot of thought and done quite a bit of research (what else do I have to do with my time during the day?).

At this stage . . . drum roll please . . . I'm prepared to throw my substantial weight behind Hillary Clinton.

I found this web site that clearly lists where each candidate stands on the major issue of the day. Hillary has what it takes, a nice, friendly looking dog, one that wouldn't bully me in the dog park. He looks like the kind of dog you can sit down with and enjoy a bowl of Alpo. And from this picture it's obvious Hillary has made a very happy, stable home life for her family and dog.

As for those other candidates, Richardson's got two cats (nuff said); Huckabee's hunting dog sounds scary; Chris Dodd - wait a minute, who is he, again?; McCain just can't make up his mind; Romney with his horses - who cares? But the worst one, that Obama, he's got no pets and he's already making promises he has no intention of keeping.
----------------------------------------------------------

Here's that web site I was telling you about and I copied the important stuff below the link, so you can read for yourself.

http://www.visitmypet.com/action/content/Presidential_Pets

Democrats
Hillary Clinton owns a chocolate lab named Seamus.
Bill Richardson has two tabby cats, Jackie and Squeaky.
Chris Dodd and Barack Obama have no pets, though Obama has promised his kids a dog.

Republicans
Mike Huckabee has a hunting dog, Jet, and a shih tzu, Sonic.
Mitt Romney's wife owns horses.
Sam Brownback has his two cats, a Lab/blue heeler mix named Twinkle, a miniature Dachshund, Emma and a fish named Marvin Three.
John McCain owns three turtles, three parakeets, a ferret, two dogs, a cat and 13 salt water fish.

A Cockapoo's Tale

Scary, but true story.
http://www.newburyportnews.com/punews/local_story_305234256.html

"Rags, a 17-pound cockapoo, a cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle, who belongs to Donna and Martin Seim, went missing the morning of Oct. 24 after the 2-year-old pup ran out of his Middle Road home to chase deer. . .

"At long last, Sunday morning a man was walking his dog near the landfill when a small, scared-looking dog ran out of the woods and whimpered. The man knew it was Rags right away, the Seims said, and called them to let them know his whereabouts."

I think I've learned my lesson. I'm not running off after any more squirrels unless I'm safely on my leash. Just glad to hear Rags is OK (kind of a dopey name, though, 'Rags.' Not a cool name like 'Tommy.'

My new brothers and sisters

Cherokee, my mom, e-mailed me pictures of the new puppies, my new half brothers and sisters. Mom and dad, that is Cherokee and Milktoast, down there on Autumm View Farm, are very proud.



I asked my human daddy and he said we can have one. We are going to Mt. Airy this weekend and pick one out. He said I get to choose. I'm kinda undecided. Which one do you think I should take?

Thank you

I see that my appeal worked for this other Tommy the Cockapoo.

I just noticed on the web site that 'Adoption Pending' for this little guy.

http://www.cockerspanielrescue.com/dogs/dogs.php

Now he can get his cararact operation. If you are the one who was summoned to act on my appeal, give us all a shout in the 'Comments'. We'd all like to hear from you and give you our hearty 'thanks'

Another 'Tommy the Cockapoo'

[This is just gonna break your heart]

I was browsing the internet and look what I found - a furry little cockapoo, and he's named Tommy, just like me! But that's where the similarity stops. This Tommy hasn't had the good life, like I have. He's had a mean mom all these years and now he's looking for a real home and a new owner who can pay for his cataract operation.

Here's the web link. You'll see little Tommy towards the bottom. Just click on his page to read his heart rending bio. http://www.cockerspanielrescue.com/dogs/dogs.php


So if you're a human out there, and you've read my blog and you're convinced that a small furry cockapoo is the way to go (yes, he also has floppy ears and a short stubby tail, just like me, and his teeth don't look so straight, neither), and you got one thousand bucks to pay for that cataract operation, you should consider adopting this little guy. Just follow the web link which will tell you how.

Thank you for opening your heart.

Tommy (the caramel cockapoo)

My Poor Daddy

Poor Cody. He really got beat up bad by Milktoast. I've learned my lesson. Fighting's not the answer (though I do enjoy friendly wrestling once in a while).

Daddy, hope you get better soon. Everyone out there, please send your 'get well' wishes to him at cody@autumnviewfarm.com.

Groomed Again - Clean Glands!

My groomer came again yesterday and trimmed my fur. I feel good and everyone says I look cute. But what's the deal - she gave me a 'B' again. I overheard her telling my daddy that she marked me down because I was scared of the reverse vacuum cleaner she used on me. Duhhh - maybe she shoulda marked herself down for using such a brutal instrument on a small, furry cockapoo.

I'm very proud to report that my anal glands were in good shape. Not every dog can say that, now can they?

'Fetch' - It's Not My Thing

See the picture. I know my Daddy would like for me to do this - fetch, that is. But, hey, it's just not my thing. Some dogs are big, some small. Some dogs are furry, some not. Some wear stupid pink collars, some not. We dogs are not all cut from the same mold - what a boring world that would be. I happen to prefer not to fetch. I like being chased, that's my thing. What's my point? Well I've come under a lot criticism, from my human mommy and daddy, from Cody, etc. And I just wish everyone would cut me some slack and let me be the cockapoo I am.

Comments?

Sodomy on a Saturday Morning

Yesterday seemed an ordinary Saturday morning. We slept in late, I got a nice walk around the neighborhood. Then my daddy got me all excited, yelling 'bye-bye, bye-bye'. Cool, I thought, let's do it.

Off we went and I thought we would go on a nice hike or something. But no, we arrive at my doctor's office. There were a lot of nice dogs around and I enjoyed sniffing them. Then, it's my turn to go into 'the Room.' The next thing you know, this lady pulls out 'the Stick' - you know the one I'm talking about. She starts to chase me around the room, and I said 'NO', well, at least as best as a dog can. I put my tail firmly between my legs and crawled under the chair my mom was sitting in. In dog language, that clearly means 'I don't wanna.' But then the lady comes at me with an evil grin, yanks me out from under the chair, and proceeds to sodomize me. Why doesn't she understand that 'NO' means 'NO'?

Well, this sort of thing goes on all the time to us dogs, as the world stands by and does nothing. How come in the human world, it's a major crime, a front page story, and it happens to us cockapoos and everyone thinks it's ha-ha, funny? Like that poor human in New York City a few years ago - you know, Abner Louima

(http://www.karisable.com/crlebcal.htm).

He's the guy who was brutalized by the NYC cops. That's a big deal, a major scandal for then mayor Rudy Guiliani (who incidentally is currently running for human president). Well, this Abner fellow ends up receiving $10 million in a lawsuit. What do I get? KIBBLES. It's time to take a stand everyone. This shouldn't be happening to dogs, not in the 21st century.

My Pee Post

Ahhhhhhhhh. Just the sight of it gives me relief. Here I am posing with my favorite 'pee-post' down the street, around the corner. The sniff of it gives me this overwhelming urge to urinate. But I gotta go fast, because sometimes this mean man with the two dopey looking poodles comes out and yells at me.

Mystery Object

Hey everybody - it's me, Tommy.

You know, I love my backyard. It's a great place to sniff, run, lift my leg, and play with my toys, all in a wooded setting, the kind of setting that helps bring out my inner dog. You know what they say . . . "you can take the dog out of the woods, but you can't take the woods out of the dog."

So after all this time, I know every inch of my backyard, every toy, every tree (yep, I've gotten them all), etc. But this yellow thing here, the one pictured, it's got me baffled. It looks like something left by a space alien. Once in a while, my daddy takes me on the leash back there and just stands there until I lift my leg. I don't know why he does it. I sniff it, it smells awful. Then, I stand around for a few moments, then what the hey, I'm not going to stand here like a dope forever, so I water the tree next to it. It's then I'm led away, my daddy muttering something, and finally taken off the leash to run and play.

Anyone out there in the blogosphere got a clue? What is it?

I Made It

D-Day has come and gone, folks. I'm still here in McLean, here for another year. I'm one happy pup and the whole experience has given me a new perspective. Yep, I'm gonna be extra good, no more struggling in the bath, no more struggling when my daddy puts that goop in my ear, and maybe I'll even fetch the ball once in a while.

And you, dear reader, will have another year of Tommy's BLOG - that is, computer access here, but no way down there on Autumn View Farm.

D-Day - Again

It's Dog-Day (D-Day for short). It's really here. It's wonderful to think I've been here for a whole year. But I've been so scared all day - today's the day misbehaving cockapoos can be returned to their original owners. I was in my crate this morning, minding my own business, when the door went 'beep - beep'. That nice girl from next door came by, but I was scared that maybe she came to take me away. But she just walked me and played with me and that was fun. Only a few more hours to go till the end of D-Day. I'll be happy when this day is over!

D-Day

Uh-Oh. That day is coming up, October 8, my one year anniversary in this wonderful home in McLean. I overheard my daddy talking about D-Day (for 'Dog Day') coming up, and how every year on D-Day, owners are permitted to return misbehaving cockapoos to their original owners. Well, I've been real good, except for a few times, and I've tried real hard. Mommy, Daddy, if you are reading this, I really like it here and I will try to be better if you let me stay - OK?

By the way, I looked up 'D-Day' on the world wide web and found this ominous picture. It captures the spirit of what may be in store for me if I have to go back to Autumn View Farm (though I do miss my mom, Cherokee).