Dog Politics

Election Day Is My Dog Votes Day

Yesterday came the thrilling news that the Canadian Kennel Club actually declared Election Day as My Dog Votes Day.

And today, all eyes are upon the Province of Ontario, awaiting the outcome of the provincial elections.

Will Dalton McGuinty and the Liberal Party - the political party that banned pitbull type dogs from the province and condemned new puppies to death - stay in office?  Unlike the U.S>, Canada has a MULTIPLE party system  - and there could be a vote that splits in unforseen ways.

For many dog owners and dogs in Canada, this will be a life and death decision.

For many dog owners it will be the difference between being a law-abiding citizen or becoming a criminal.

To help you understand why this is such a critical issue - Here are some photos of the people who are or could become criminals in the Provice of Ontario, thanks to Dalton McGuinty..........

Canadian Kennel Club Sends My Dog Votes Message To Candidates

In an unprecedented move, the prestigeous Canadian Kennel Club has issued a message to dog owners, club members and political candidates that My Dog Votes!

They've declared tomorrow, Election Day in Ontario Canada, as MY DOG VOTES Day. (We couldn't be more thrilled).

And Ontario's province-wide breed ban against "pitbull-type" dogs - known as Bill 132 -has become a huge election issue.

The Ontario Breed Ban - Bill 132 - was sponsored by Ontario's Liberal Party, led by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and enforced by Ontario's Attorney General, Michael Bryant.

The issue has galvanized dog owners from across the social and political spectrum to get out the vote for dog-friendly candidates.  Dog owners in Ontario are actively working to defeat

Light A Candle, Save A Life On August 19th - Join The Vigil

A Special Invitation..................

On August 19th at 8 PM, please join dog owners all over the world to Light A Candle, Save A Life in the My Dog Votes 3rd Annual Worldwide Candlelight Vigil Against Breed Bans.

Help take a stand against breed bans and tell the world to stop killing innocent dogs. This is a peaceful way to send a very powerful message to legislators and other organizations that we have a voice and a vote, and that we need laws based on Deed, Not Breed.

LIGHT A CANDLE, SAVE A LIFE

In the spirit of Deed, Not Breed, we'd like to announce the launch of a new website as the official site of the vigil: http://www.lightacandlesavealife.com

LightACandleSave A Life.com has news, information and tools to help people connect, get organized or ................

List Of 75 Banned Or Restricted Breeds - Is Your Dog On The List?

The information here comes from the Responsible Dog Owners Of The Western States (RDOWS) , which has just updated the list of breeds that have been banned or restricted in the U.S.

All you dog lovers out there may just be in for a shock. BSL  - or breed-specific legislation and breed discrimination- isn't just for pitbulls or Rottweilers anymore.

The RDOWS has tracked a list of 75 breeds of dogs that have been banned or restricted - yep - that's Seventy-five. That's 75! 

Just who or what is behind this breed ban frenzy?

Is your dog on the list of banned or restricted breeds?

Here's the deal...............

SAVE THE DATE! SUN 8/19 - 2007 My Dog Votes Worldwide Candlelight Vigil Against Breed Bans

Mary, a Dog Politics reader, out in Kansas City, MO wrote this evening:

"Just wanted to let you know that I’ll be lighting a candle on August 19, 8PM to support the ongoing fight with breed bans"..........

Mary - you rock!  What better timing to share that SAVE THE DATE reminder, than right now.

While we all anxiously await word on just how deep a crack responsible dog owners in the Province of Ontario, Canada, were able to pry open in the DOLA -one of the most oppressive breed bans in the world  - one thing is exceedingly clear.......................

There is an all-out war against innocent dogs going on around the the world. 

Or would it be more fitting to say there is an all-out war on the PEOPLE who own these innocent dogs of a certain breed.

Over the weekend, Michael Bryant, the Attorney General in Ontario, promised to export his breed ban - his dog hate  - his not-so-thinly-veiled racism - throughout the rest of North America.

Well, Michael, not so fast.  Last time I checked - this is still a democracy.  And here in the States - unlike Canada - my dog is still my property. 

There's something standing in the way of your anti-pitbull, anti-dog agenda .....................

A Thanksgiving Blessing For Dogs And Their Owners

A Thanksgiving Blessing For Dogs & Their Owners

This is a piece I wrote last Thanksgiving.  And today - in 2006, it's still appropriate.

It's Thanksgiving, our national holiday, this day of turkey, parades and football.  On Thanksgiving, we celebrate a feast and we give thanks for our food, our friends and family.

We rush to shop, to catch a plane home or drive to be with friends.  Some share their day in nursing homes or shelters, giving thanks with strangers, those in need, and giving of themselves.

And whether in a quiet moment while chopping the celery, or if we bow our heads at the table, we reflect on the year and give thanks for the blessings bestowed upon us.

The First Thanksgiving

In this 1915 painting by Jean Louis Gerome Ferris (1863–1930),  entitled "The First Thanksgiving", the artist makes clear his viewpoint that dogs were central to the Thanksgiving celebration. 

In a time when painters were literal in their work, Ferris places this dog in the center of the painting - as a companion to the Pilgrims, and sharing in the celebration, an integral part of life.

The dog is not positioned in the background nor partially hidden next to another, lesser figure in this work. The viewpoint of the painter is that this dog is central to the social structure - the dog is worthy companion and friend.

I couldn't agree more with Mr. Ferris' interpretation.

So on this Thanksgiving, I wish to give thanks for my dog, and thank her for the blessings she has bestowed upon us. And I'd like to encourage you to do the same, with a Thanksgiving Blessing for Dogs.

Rudy Giuliani Declares Candidacy - Will America Tolerate A Pooch-Hating President?

Rudy Giuliani Declares Candidacy - Will America Tolerate A Pooch-Hating President?

Rudy Giuliani has set his sights on the White House and has declared his candidacy for President.

There's talk that Rudy, a moderate Republican with appeal to moderate Dems for his support on certain liberal issues, could even edge out the popular John McCain.

But certain groups are saying - not so fast, Rudy.   Rudy, it seems, has a few skeletons in his closet.

The buzz about Rudy on My Space and Yahoo Groups is that Rudy's bid for the Presidency is already being dissed by that critically important group of voters - dog owners.

Dog owners have dug up the dirt on Rudy Giuliani are sounding the alarm.  Already, messages are running rampant across the web urging dog lovers NOT TO VOTE FOR RUDY because ...................

Want My Vote? Kiss My Pitbull!

Want My Vote? Kiss My Pitbull!

It's almost election day, and we've been pushing hard for dog-friendly candidates.

And just so it's clear - my definition of dog-friendly means that political candidates who want my vote better be just as willing to kiss my dog as they are a little white Westie.

In other words - you're running for town council?  Then pucker up, baby, and kiss my pitbull.

Now candidates - hear this.........  if you ain't willing to kiss the Princess Zsa Zsa, glare at me, or dis her in any way, then I will kick you to the curb like a dead rat faster than you can say Kory Nelson.

That being said - it will be up to you to find out which local candidates are dog-friendly and what they mean by dog-friendly. 

For all you registered voters in Eden, North Carolina and Kansas City, MO and Aurora, Denver and Parker Colorado, and any other place where breed-specific laws and measures have passed or are on the table, or any other anti-dog laws, then make sure they know that your family values include your dogs.

And like Kinky Friendman says, they'd better be willing to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

And, btw - since some dog orgs now see breed bans and BSL as a means to advance their own agendas, not to mention fundraising using breed discrimination, let me just say this.

WAKE UP! 

If you own Pitbulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans or other targeted breed, pay attention. 

There has been a shift in the strategy to pass BSL, it's the kinder, gentler, BSL,  - and it's called mandatory spay/neuter and mandatory microchipping.

Check out this video, and then close you eyes and imagine this is you - and your dog, on microchips:

Now - imagine youself in the voting booth on election day.Would you vote for politicians who want to mandate the microchipping and forced sterilization of  specific breeds?

Will Pitbulls and Rottweilers and Dobermans survive? Is is still BSL - breed-specific legislation, even if they don't call it BSL?   

What if they decide on mandatory spay/neuter laws for all animals - all in the name of kindness?

Will that solve the pet overpopulation problem, or will it just consolidate breeding down to the people who donate most generously to political campaigns?

Kindness, my ass.

My Dog Votes™ Launches Zazzle Stamp!

Dog Votes™ Launches Zazzle Stamp!

We're so excited - we just had to share!  My Dog Votes™, the tshirt company dedicated to Saving Dogs & Democracy™,  now has its own stamp on Zazzle!

We couldn't wait to tell you, because you'll certainly want to share the good news (and our new stamp) with all of your friends, family and your favorite local elected officials!

Share it with the world!  Use the My Dog Votes™ Zazzle Stamp on every piece of written correspondence (and all your bills) that you send.  Now you can send them some fresh inspiration with every stamp you lick!

My Dog Votes In The USA Stamp by MyDogVotes
Get this custom postage at Zazzle

OK, all you dog lovers!  Lick a stamp and help lick voter apathy!  And remember - Please vote in your next local election!

We LOVE Zazzle!  Zazzle ROCKS!

:-)))

Is Your Candidate Dog Friendly?

Is Your Candidate Dog Friendly?

Dog owners across the country are facing a full frontal assault on dog ownership - and mainly from the very people they elected to represent them.

That assault includes breed bans (and that kinder, gentler method of breed extermination by forced sterilzation through mandatory spay/neuter), insurance discrimination, weight & size restrictions, pet limit laws, forced microchipping and mandatory registration for owners of specific breeds.

And no, Virgina - it is not OK if it even applies to all dog breeds. 

Local lawmakers have taken to revising dog ordinances with zeal, leaving behind a trail of broken-hearted responsible dog owners all without lifitng a finger to address the real issues, but boy -it looks good on paper.

Good people and good dogs -  whose lives have been twisted and torn apart by uninformed, ignorant and opportunistic city councils who say they're interested in promoting responsible dog ownership, but their deeds say otherwise.

Now that it's election time  - those same city council people will be knocking on doors - asking you to vote for them.  Oh, yeah?