“A good dog is one of the best things of all to be.”
– Dean Koontz, author
The philosopher Immanuel Kant once said, “We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.” If dogs were allowed to vote in the upcoming US presidential election, I believe that this would be their main criteria for voting.
US President Barack Obama kept his promise to his daughters when he was elected to the US presidency and the family adopted Bo, a Portuguese Water Dog. Bo currently features in the President’s commemorative photo issued by the Democratic National Committee:
The official photo issued by the Democratic National Committee
In stark contrast is presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s reputation for caring for the family’s dog, Seamus. Romney placed Seamus into a dog crate on top of the family’s car in 1983 for a long car trip from Boston to Ontario, Canada. Romney defended his actions by saying that he outfitted the crate with a ‘modified’ windshield. When Seamus soiled the crate and the rear window of the car, Romney calmly stopped the car and used a hose on Seamus. (Romney’s team has commended his approach, citing it as an example of his emotion-free crisis management.) (You can read more about Romney’s treatment of Seamus and others in this Vanity Fair article.)
When interviewed by ABC’s Diane Sawyer, she asked Romney if he would do it again. He replied, “Certainly not with the attention it’s received.” (No comment about the appropriateness of his actions, just the attention).
This act of cruelty has been described by Scott Crider as a ‘deal-breaker’ for Romney’s candidacy. Crider has started the Dogs Against Romney movement which includes a Facebook page.
Supporters can also buy various Dogs Against Romney merchandise from the movement’s website. For example, your dog can wear a bandana that says “I ride inside” or you can use a coffee mug at the office “Dogs aren’t luggage”
So, who would your dog vote for? Romney or Obama?
I leave you with the words of Mahatma Gandhi:
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way in which its animals are treated.”
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened”
– Anatole France
Every dog must have a soul, somewhere deep inside
Where all his hurts and grievances are buried with his pride.
Where he decides the good and bad, the wrong way from the right,
And where his judgment carefully is hidden from our sight.
A dog must have a secret place, where every thought abides,
A sort of close acquaintance that he trusts in and confides.
And when accused unjustly for himself. He cannot speak,
Rebuked. He finds within his soul, the comfort he must seek.
He’ll love, tho’ he is unloved, and he’ll serve tho’ badly used,
And one kind word will wipe away the times he’s been abused.
Altho’ his heart may break in two, his love will still be whole,
Because God gave to every dog an understanding Soul!
– Author Unknown
“I like animals. If you talk to a dog or a cat it doesn’t tell you to shut up.”
– Marilyn Monroe
Over the course of her life, Marilyn Monroe owned a number of dogs.
A black and white mixed breed by the name of Tippy was given to then Normal Jean by her foster father.
A spaniel named Ruffles was an early companion around 1940-1942.
Her husband Jim Dougherty bought her a collie named Muggsie.
Around about the time that she was signed by Columbia Pictures in 1948, Marilyn reportedly owned a chihuahua but I can’t find a record of the name.
During her marriage to Arthur Miller, a basset hound named Hugo was their companion. Miller retained ownership of Hugo when the couple divorced.
Marilyn Monroe and Maf, photo attributed to Eric Skipsey
Maf was a maltese given to Marilyn by Frank Sinatra. The dog’s full name was Mafia Honey in honour of Sinatra’s alleged mafia connections. When Marilyn died, the dog was given to Sinatra’s secretary.
In 2010, author Andrew O’Hagan documented Maf’s story in a book The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog, and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe. Written from Maf’s point of view, we read about Marilyn’s last two years (she took the dog to Hollywood, New York and to Mexico).
One of Maf’s comments: “I mean, if you have to pee you have to pee and why not next to the swimming pool at the Chateau Marmont, right?”
A lot has been written about Marilyn and her all-too-short life. What a nicer way to picture the actress than through her dog? (Dogs don’t lie and they don’t tell tails – oops I mean tales)
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted in dog quotes, Dogs
Tagged Andrew O'Hagan, basset hound, book, chateau marmont, Chihuahua, dogs, MAF, Maltese, Marilyn Monroe, poodle, ruffles, spaniel
“Love of animals is a universal impulse, a common ground on which all of us may meet. By loving and understanding animals, perhaps we humans shall come to understand each other.”
– Dr Louis J Camuti
Beauty without Vanity,
Strength without Insolence,
Courage without Ferocity,
and all the Virtures of Man
without his Vices.
– Lord Byron in memory of his dog Boatswain (a Newfoundland)
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