Pet Monologues

The Arf Deco Dog Parade was a hoot. It caught us by surprise, hence so few pictures.

italian greyhounds

101 italian greyhounds

One thing for certain. 8 out of 10 dogs in South Beach wear clothes. Many wear hats. And SB could be the Italian greyhound capital of the world. Yes, you will find quite a few chihuahuas and bulldogs. But the greyhounds
are—everywhere.

friends of greyhounds

smart car limo

See more South Beach images.

Details announced their top fifty most influential people and called PM to comment on their @ 29th choice…….Iggy, the Brussels griffin mix terrier.

Power 50—December 2007

Meet the most influential men under 45. These would include the founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, OK. Sergey and Larry, rogerthat. Justin T, Yo. NBC Entertainment co-chair Ben Silverman, that’s a wrap. Harry Potter, alakazam! And #29 Iggy the Brussels griffin mix terrier, yip.

It was hard to say where public opinion was at the beginning but after a few days there were quotables. “We truly are learning so much as a nation. God bless that Iggy for all he has to say, and will continue to say.” “Just tell me the new mommy of Iggy isn’t Britney.” “This story REALLY needs to be put down and out of its misery.” “They saved his life, then cut off his balls. Maybe they’ll cover that on Wednesday’s show.” “They’re just using Iggy to try to drive Ellen DeGeneres crazy. Short trip…”

The story broke in early October. A month later it became “IggyGate: Iggy Ready to Talk” on ET. On 10 December the New York Post runs “Ellen Rebuilding Animal Shelters Nationwide to Rebuild Damaged Rep” which has former Meow Mix owner, Richard Thompson footing the bill. As recently as 15 December huffingtonpost.com posts the 13th Annual Top 10 PR Blunders List topping with “FEMA’s fake news conference” and “Iggy come home” at #4.

Details pats its write-up with “The winner in this drama? Iggy—who made Ellen, and all her millions of viewers, his bitch.”

See the complete Details Power 50.

Ellen DeGeneres’ former dog Iggy, a 5-month-old Affenpinscher mix is returning to the spotlight, shooting a new Public Service Announcement for pet adoption awareness—and appears to be very happy.

Iggy on Entertainment Tonight; John Spellman/Retna Ltd.

The dog first made headlines in October after DeGeneres, with the best of intentions, gave the adopted dog away to her hairdresser. Because the move was against the Mutts and Moms pet adoption agency’s policy, the dog was taken back.

Keith A. Fink, an attorney for Mutts and Moms, says Iggy is now “doing famously very well and in a loving home,”

Fink would not reveal the dog’s whereabouts “for the safety of the adoptive family,” but stressed that Iggy has been placed “with a family that is a loving and takes great care of him.”

Added Fink, “Iggy likes to play with overstuffed animals and has a special preference for a stuffed turtle.”

Editor’s note: more background? Noted, this does not seem to be a happy ending for many people. PM is glad for pet adoption awareness however.

Source: US Magazine

Ellen Degenres brought “rescue” and “shelter” to the media. A good thing because when people talk, issues are better understood. It’s been a week. Let’s review.

Public reaction
The public response was swift, polarized, and far reaching. There were few surprise reactions with the exception of Craig’s List pet forum. PM was somewhat surprised by how the pet forum responded. Because this pet forum is an experienced, emotional, pro-adoption group, we expected the forum to attack the shelter for taking dogs away from a home, from children. On the contrary, CL sentiment was that Ellen should have read the contract, called the shelter, and not take this public on her show. The shelter got death threats.

The skinny
The inevitable inaccuracies are identified. We learn that her new dog was at a dog trainer for most of the days under Ellen’s care. That the shelter, Mom’s & Mutts, didn’t go to the media first. That the dog was finally, and confidentially, placed. That taking this to the airwaves is not going Ellen’s way a week later. That the shelter has not budged telling Ellen “If Ellen wants to place dogs and decide what’s a good home, then she should start her own rescue group. But I’m the one doing this and I know what I’m doing.” We learn that Ellen has given away a pooch(es) before.

Rearview mirror
It could be concluded that this was a fight between a star and an animal rescue group. Both sides trying to do what they thought was best for the dog. That there are two sides to whether the animal should be returned to the shelter: The American Humane Association “recommends” a more open adoption process that does not require the animal be returned to the shelter. Mom’s & Mutts, among other shelters, are standing fast: return the dog to the shelter. Most everyone stresses that the shelter or adoption agency should be kept in the loop and made aware of the pet’s whereabouts. Read the rest of this entry »