Dog Politics

Boston To Beijing - Dog Lovers Unite to Light A Candle, Save A Life in 2nd Annual My Dog Votes Worldwide Candlelight Vigils

Angels and Dog Lovers Unite to Light A Candle, Save A Life, in 2nd Annual My Dog Votes Worldwide Candlelight Vigils

A Personal Letter To All You Angels and Dog Lovers -

Thank you all so very much for standing up for innocent dogs in the 2nd Annual My Dog Votes Candlelight Vigil Against Breed Bans.   Thank you all so very much for taking time to make a stand to wipe out fear, ignorance, and even hatred that kills innocent dogs.

Fear and ignorance are driving breed bans, and as they sweep North America and the world, thousands of innocent dogs are being put to death at the hands of ignorant politicians, even taken from the arms of loving owners in places like Denver, Colorado and the Province of Ontario.

These laws and policies defy the experts in the medical, veterinary and public health sectors, they also defy logic, the numbers, and deny property rights.

Fear and ignorance are also running rampant in some provinces of China, where  in response to a limited rabies outbreak, thousands of dogs have been snatched away from their owners and literally clubbed to death in the streets.

Sadness has overtaken Chinese dog lovers, many of whom  have emailed us here - wanting to participate My Dog Votes Candlelight Vigils as a means to express their grief, to mourn the loss of the innocent dogs in their country. Everyone who feels this is welcome.

Do you wonder, as I do, if breed bans really about banning dogs, or are breed bans really about banning the people who own them?  Do you wonder, as I do, if killing 50,000 dogs a brutal way to manage rabies or a brutal way to manage something - or someone else ?

We must stop this madness, this fear, this ignorance.  We must stop killing innocent dogs!

So on Sunday, August 20th, dog owners from the world over will gather - literally from Boston to Beijing -- and they will remember the innocent dogs that have banned, confiscated, euthanized simply for being the "wrong" breed, or as in Yunnan, China,  completely exterminated.

On Sunday, August 20th, we stand together to commemorate the loss of thousands of innocent dogs, to stamp out fear and ignorance, together we will illuminate the darkness.

Light A Special Candle For Judy, A Keeper Of The Flame

Light A Special Candle For Judy, Keeper Of The Flame

For many DogPolitics readers out there, you know Judy Schreiber as a household name.  And in case you don't know her name, Judy Schreiber is a legend - a warrior woman on a mission to stamp out fear and ignorance - to defeat BSL - breed specific legislation.

Keeper Of The Flame

Judy is one of the special people on this earth. She is one of the driving forces of the dog community, the legislative liaison for the Bull Terrier Club of America, and a tireless champion of saving innocent dogs, of breed-neutral dog legislation, and creating dog-friendly, dog-safe communities.

Wherever and whenever BSL rears its ugly head - as the co-organizer of BSL Workshop, each day Judy kept watch to keep us informed.  She is a keeper of the flame.

A Terrible Crash

On Monday, August 14th, Judy was in a terrible car crash, another driver broadsided her car. Judy's injuries were so serious that she was transported from South Carolina to a hospital in Savannah, where she could receive more advanced medical treatment.

Judy is in a coma, on life support.

Calling All You Angels

Calling all you angels out there - Judy has been the angel on your shoulder - now please be hers.

(btw the way - in the photo to the left there is literally an angel on the shoulders of Judy's pets - a mere coincidence?).

Judy's friend, Jenn Hindt, has set up a blog to keep friends and well wishers informed of Judy's condition.  Your can visit the blog here: http://bslbroadcasts.blogspot.com/   

Co-organizer of BSL Workshop, Leisa Boysen, asks if you'd like to wish Judy a speedy recovery, please leave comments on the blog as her family is reading those to her each day.

If you wish to help financially, to help defray mounting medical expenses or even to cover gas for Judy's loved ones - it's a 2oo mile round trip drive - you can donate via PayPal to: Doglegislation1@yahoo.com

Love & Prayers For Judy

Send Judy your love and prayers.  Whether you are participating in the 2nd Annual My Dog Votes Candlelight Vigil Against Breed Bans, or whether you're sitting in your living room with your dog, know that somewhere, somehow, Judy has helped light the way.

Light a special candle for a special person, Judy Schreiber, and please ask God to save her life.

My Dog Votes Candlelight Vigils Reach All The Way To China

My Dog Votes Candlelight Vigils Reach All The Way To China

Last year they were held on the eve of the implementation of  Ontario's infamous breed ban - Bill 132, and on the heels of Denver's breed ban.

I could not, in good conscience , let Ontario's Bill 132 just happen without most of the U.S. knowing about it, without marking the passage a law that called for the extermination of innocent dogs because of their breed.

Dog owners in Canada were planning a several vigils, and I thought we in the US  should stand in solidarity with our fellow dog owners in Canada against breed bans.  We needed to DO SOMETHING to stop the insidious spread of fear and hate - and let our elected officials know that dog lovers would be united against BSL - or breed-specific legislation.

Think Globally, Act Locally

Last year, the first My Dog Votes Worldwide Candlelight Solidarity Vigils (in 2005) were announced, and to my surprise - response came in from all over the world.  Twenty-five vigils sprung up last year, from Washington State to Melbourne, Australia.  Dog lovers everywhere could relate  and sent heartfelt emails in support, signing up  for the vigil  - in languages I didn't even know - to bring light to the issue.

Now -for the 2006, the 2nd Annual My Dog Votes Worldwide Candlelight Vigil Against Breed Bans, we have an even bigger goal  - to DOUBLE the number of locations around the world bringing more awareness to breed bans, and the killing of innocent dogs.

All The Way To China

So last weekend, when I woke up to a bunch of emails all the way from China ........................

Light A Candle, Save A Life - Join The Annual My Dog Votes Worldwide Candlelight Vigil Against Breed Bans

• CALLING ALL YOU ANGELS
• LIGHT A CANDLE, SAVE A LIFE 

The 2nd Annual My Dog Votes Worldwide Candlelight Vigil Against Breed Bans

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20th, 8 PM - SAVE THE DATE!

If you've thought of doing something about breed bans - the time is now.  If you thought breed bans are senseless, cruel and just plain wrong, the time is now. If you are dog owner, a dog lover or love someone with dogs, the time is now.

Breed bans are sweeping North America and the world, and thousands of innocent dogs are being put to death at the hands of ignorant politicians, even taken from the arms of loving owners.

Please join thousands of dog owners worldwide on Sunday, August 20th, 2006 at 8 PM EST, to remember the victims of breed bans in the 2nd Annual My Dog Votes Worldwide Candlelight Vigil Against Breed Bans.

You can help put a stop to this senseless cruelty.

Thank God For Pit Bull Owners - The Few, The Proud, The Brave

Thank God For Pit Bull Owners

There is a battle being waged against dog ownership in North America.  It comes to us in many forms.  Insurance discrimination, breed bans, limit laws, weight or size restrictions, and public space bans.

Small Minds Think Alike

Front and center in this battle is the issue of breed bans.  Breed ban fever is sweeping the land, reminding us of the days when book burnings were popularized by unethical opportunists who manipulate the public - greedy for the spotlight and political power. 

Small-minded town councils and big city bullies are now employing those same ugly tactics to the point where breed ban fever promises to threaten our ability - and our rights - to own the dog of our choice. 

Worldwide SOS Call - My Dog Votes Asks Dog Owners For Help From The Heart For Hurricane Katrina Victims

Worldwide SOS Call For Dog Owners - Give Help From The Heart For Hurricane Victims

SOS To Dog Owners - Make A Donation And Make A Difference!

People and animals have been devastated by this disaster of epic proportions - -surrounded by destruction and death.  Survivors have been left with no water, food or housing. Relief to the area has been painfully slow - help is needed right now.

My Dog Votes is asking dog owners across the globe for help from the heart for the victims of Hurricane Katrine.  Refugees in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama desperately need your help right away.

Make A Donation And Make A Difference - Right Away

You can help by donating to these agencies that are providing DIRECT RELIEF.

Relief Organizations

• Red Cross - Donate By Phone - Call: 1-800-HELP NOW
• Salvation Army - Donate By Phone -Call: 1-800-SAL-ARMY
• America's Second Harvest - Donate By Phone: 1-800-344-8070

Animal Relief

• American Dog Owners Association - Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fund For Animals - Credit Card Donations - Call:  800 226 6233 Donations to the ADOA DIRECTLY benefit those doing animal transport, shuttles for animals out of the Gulf Region to Spindletop Refuge, The LaMar Dixon Donation Center and Noah's Ark.
• LVMA - Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association - Make check payable to: LVMA Disaster Relief Fund, 8550 United Plaza Blvd, Suite 1001, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
• Regional Donation Center At Lamar Dixon Shelter - 9039 St. Landry Rd.,    Gonzalez, LA70737   They need these supplies:
• NEW large air kennels & metal cages
• Leashes
• Disposable Bowls
• Bottled Water
• Canned Cat & Dog Food
• Cat Litter
• Disposable Litter Pans
• Spray Bleach
• Paper Towels
• Sheets & Towels
• Locks
• Hoses, Extension Cords, Fans

My Dog Votes thanks all of you for your help from the heart and generous donations to the organizations providing disaster relief to the thousands of victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Godspeed and God Bless.

John Glenn Is My Hero - Dog Owner Takes On Entire Legislature - Lessons From A California Constituent On SB 861

John Glenn Is My Hero.   Single Dog Owner Takes On Entire California State Legislature                  

John Glenn has guts and he's driven by his passion for his dogs. He is also a man willing to do things that most of us aren't capable of, or even willing to do.

We're not talking about going to the moon ( yes, the same name) - we're talking about going to Sacramento.

California Constituents John Glenn, Doc & Puppy, on the My Dog Votes Campaign Trail

That's John with his dogs, pictured at left.  Doc, the reigning male American Staffordshire Terrier champion, is sporting a My Dog Votes bumper sticker.  That's because Doc is a registered voter who never misses a local election.

For John Glenn, and a whole lot of other dog owners,  California SB 861 is personal.  And no matter where you may stand on that thin blue line - as a breeder, a rescuer, or just an average American dog owner - you are standing together with people who understand the real and immediate threat to dog ownership and property rights.

But what makes John different? He got off his butt, got into his car and WENT TO SACRAMENTO.

John showed up to be counted.  Not only that - he was a CONSTITUENT that showed up to be counted.

Single Dog Owner Takes On Cal State Legislature

My Dog Votes .  John has made it his personal mission to take that message to Sacramento, and hand deliver that message into the offices of each and every elected official in the California state legislature. John visited every single assemblymember.  Every single senator.

When SB 861 was up for a vote in the Assembly, John got up early and drove to the the state capital.  He walked the halls alongside professional lobbyists wearing his My Dog Votes campaign button (and boy is that a conversation-starter) and delivered the opposition letters to each assemblymember's office.

John called me just after the vote went down to tell me the news that SB 861 cleared the assembly, and shared some of the lessons he learned about how government works.

Days later, John was back in Sacramento - this time visiting each member of the Local Government Committee, with another opposition letter from My Dog Votes -  to see just how dog owners stacked up. 

And that's where John learned his first civics lesson of the day..........................