At first, it sounded like those cute Kansas school children were at it again, but come to find out, it was a couple of Kansas adults who decided to launch an effort to have the cairn terrier designated as the Kansas state dog.
Brenda Moore, a kennel club member from Winfield, made what she thought was an innocent request of her state legislator, Rep. Ed Trimmer, D-Winfield. She later told a Wichita newspaper that she figured that if Kansas had a designated state grass, it also should have a formal state dog. And what better candidate, she thought, than the cairn terrier, the same breed as the most famous dog with a Kansas connection, the terrier that played Toto in “The Wizard of Oz.”
The first reaction of many Kansans to the state dog legislation probably was that it was a waste of state legislators’ time and resources. Surely, when legislators are being faced with proposals to drastically alter the state’s tax code, its school finance formula, its Medicaid system and other key policy areas, they have better things to do than spend time dealing with legislation to designate a state dog.
And, for heaven’s sake, if you’re going to name a state dog, don’t tie it to “The Wizard of Oz.” Most Kansans are sick to death of the Dorothy, Toto and Yellow Brick Road references that are linked to everything from Kansas sports teams to our recent efforts to attract the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility to Manhattan.
Moore may have expected that kind of criticism of her proposal, but what probably came as more of a surprise was the quick and vehement reaction of an official with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Kansas already has a “reputation as a hotbed for cruel, filthy puppy mills,” said Martin Mersereau, director for cruelty investigation for PETA. Naming the cairn terrier or any breed as the Kansas state dog, he added, would encourage puppy mills to “churn out litter after litter of the breed,” which would support their cruel breeding practices and perhaps reduce the number of dogs adopted from state animal shelters.
The PETA reaction may have been a little over the top, and there certainly are people, including some cairn terrier owners, who support the bill. Even if naming a state dog is a relatively harmless piece of legislation, we agree that state legislators probably have better — and more important — things to do this year.
Comments
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RonHolzwarth (Ron Holzwarth) says…
Maybe it would be better to officially recognize the "A.K.C. Recognized Mongrel" as our state dog.
And, the best place to get one is at your local Humane Shelter.
RonHolzwarth (Ron Holzwarth) replies…
If I ever do get a dog again, it will probably be for a very selfish reason: So that people will say: "He's talking to his dog," instead of saying "He's talking to himself."
lawslady (anonymous) says…
I agree with the writer. I'm also not amused that the Legislators are also proposing to adopt a state rock http://kslegislature.org/li/b2011_12/... and a state wheat festival http://kslegislature.org/li/b2011_12/...
Oh, and if that kind of waste bothers anyone besides me, take a look at the number (in the hundreds) of House and Senate Resolutions last session and so far during this year.
http://kslegislature.org/li/b2011_12/...
http://kslegislature.org/li/b2011_12/...
(look on right side of link at resolutions)
These resolutions are do nothing statements of support, sympathy, praise, complaint etc. A letter to the involved persons, or a news release, would do the same thing and with much less cost, time or trouble. Seems the Legislator's want everyone but themselves to cut back.
Ceallach (anonymous) says…
I am no longer shocked or upset by anything our legislators do. Wasting time and money are their two greatest accomplishments. But a state dog is right up there with the dumbest things. Dumb things being their third greatest.
However, I've had wonderful luck with dogs from the shelter. I have adopted several older dogs. They were loving and I believe appreciative of being treated well. Already housebroken, tolerated cats and grandchildren. My last rescue is a 4 year old spaniel, I'm hoping to have her with me for several more years. Of course, the downside of adopting older dogs is that you lose them too soon. But I've never had better dogs than Lady (adopted at 14 yo) or Emma (adopted at 9 yo).
RonHolzwarth (Ron Holzwarth) replies…
A couple years ago they had the meanest, biggest, and most vicious looking dog you ever saw in your life at the shelter. I mean, the sight of this square jawed huge dog would strike fear into the most hardened of criminals. No one would dare trespass on anyone's property after they got a glimpse of Capone.
I walked Capone a few times. I was nervous at first because he looked so big, strong, and mean.
Capone was a very polite dog, and he never tugged at the leash. His only shortcoming was that he was rather shy. He would bring back things that you threw for him, and then lay them down politely at your feet.
Whoever adopted Capone is certainly a very lucky individual.