Wichita — Kansas often has capitalized on its designation as the home of Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz," and now one woman thinks the state should honor Dorothy's buddy, Toto.
Annette McDonald is leading a petition drive to designate Toto's breed - the cairn terrier - as the state's official dog.
The Wichita resident acknowledged that she has a special interest in the breed, having owned cairn terriers for 25 years and shown them in national shows. She currently owns five of the animals.
She said the breed exhibits a "true character" that "fits Kansas nicely." They can be "a little ornery," but are "jovial" and "game for just about anything," she said. "They think they're a big dog in a small package," and they "love to be a full member of the family."
Less than half of the states have designated an official state dog, and McDonald said some people have asked why Kansas needs one.
"Well, we have a turtle (official reptile) and salamander (official amphibian)," she replies.
McDonald has enlisted the help of Sen. Mike Peterson, who wasn't sure at first that lawmakers would be interested in an official state dog, she said.
But after the Wichita Republican found some legislators positive about the idea, she said she started collecting petition signatures to prove the public supports such a designation.
She's also seeking letters of support from dog lovers and asking Kansas veterinarians to display the petitions. In western Kansas, which has fewer veterinarians, she hopes county extension offices will promote the petitions.
"I think that's a terrific idea that the lady had," said Paul Miller, interim director at Dorothy's House in Liberal, which has collected more than 100 signatures. "They all say, 'Well, gosh, that's a natural."'
In Wamego, where The Oz Museum's toll-free number is (866) 458-TOTO, more than 200 people have signed the petition, said gift shop manager Ellie Coots.
Comments
LJWorld.com doesn’t necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.
pdecell (Paul Decelles) says…
I agree. Toto indeed. It's bad enough that stereotypes about Kansas are reenforced by our state board of "education". The coyote would make a wonderful state mammal.
Paul
tanzer (anonymous) says…
joy killers - i think this could actually counteract the idiotic board.
legitimate commercialism in our commercial world could be an asset - despite the fact that coyotes and wolves are really cooler than terriers as far as canines go. Besides - florida has disney so they don't have to have daffy as the state duck and it is not toto, but the cairn terrier for ks.. wamego's oz park is not as big an attraction as disney... who knows it could be a fun thing.
geekin_topekan (anonymous) says…
So we're naming our State symbols after movie animals now?
Cool,I wonder who will get Tamone and Poomba?
btw,Daffy was a looney tunes character......not disney.
geekin_topekan (anonymous) says…
Hey!They can start stamping out Cassie Quarters!
awoc (anonymous) says…
Having a state dog is fine but not a yippy puntin' dog.
75x55 (anonymous) says…
I'm surprised - not the All-American Family Dog, the Pit Bull?
["All-American Family Dog, Pit Bull" bumpersticker once seen on a rusted-out 1974 Mercury Marquis, with two adults, six kids under 8 years old, no seatbelts...not that that is indicative of pit bull owners...........]