Sheila Nevins | 02/05/2009 9:10 am

Let's Hear It for Mutts

By Foxy and Cornwallis
Translated from Arf by Sheila Nevins

I am writing this on behalf of my two mutt dogs, Cornwallis (Humane Society) and Foxy (ASPCA). They have been quite agitated since the new Inauguration, and although both vocal howlers and Obama supporters, they are troubled about the kinds of dogs that will enter the new White House – and already occupy the vice-presidential home in DC.

It goes like this, barks Foxy: "If you find a dog in a pound, that is Democracy, and true to the spirit of the Founding Fathers." She goes on: "If, however, you go to this pound (or reasonable shelter) to seek out a breed of a distinct nature, one with thoroughbred trappings, and blue-blood lineage, well, then, who are you kidding?" Cornwallis (Corny for short) growls (having been abused prior to his adoption and still somewhat easily agitated): "These breed-seekers are just hypocrites, slumming for designer dogs and artificially appearing egalitarian. They are simply aristocrats masquerading in torn jeans."

Now, both dogs do not mind me speaking for them when I say they have the utmost respect for Cockers, Labradors, Water Dogs, Poodles (all sizes), Shih Tzus, Lhasas, Daschunds, etc. And both have heard the dog lore of Fala and certainly forgive Checkers – his paws are clean. But Cornwallis and Foxy want those in power to know that MIXED BREEDS OR MUTTS ARE THE STRONGEST, LIVE THE LONGEST AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, ARE DESPARATELY IN NEED OF ADOPTION. These mutts behind cages also have history – it’s just not royal.

Take Cornwallis. His vet declares his street smarts the result of a late-night front-lawn liaison between a German Shepherd and a Labrador, possibly with a touch of Spaniel somewhere along the mount. Foxy, on the other hand, weighing in at 35 pounds, is deemed a German Shepherd oddly mixed with some small Poodle – owing to her authentic tight-curl and petite figure (and obviously a difficult maneuver for his mutter.)

So, avid devotees of wOw, please comment on these canine views, and give your opinions on the possibilities of a true heterogeneous muttocracy of the future.

68 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Carmel: …standard Schnauzer, I loved my two Schnauzer girls, but they were territorial to the limit. No living thing was allowed in my yard. They did a wonderful job of keeping groundhogs and rabbits out of the garden — nothing got by these sleeping dogs. I was heartbroken when my last Cleo died, and I just hit the shelters one after the other until I could put a down payment on a dog I could live with. Unless you know of a reliable breeder, shelter animals are the way to go. I hate the thought of puppy mills.

By Marjorie C. on 02/05/2009 1:50 pm

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Marjorie, “I loved my two Schnauzer girls, but they were territorial to the limit” My sister’s too. She has had girl minis her entire adulthood…so I think on her second or third set of girls. Very cute by territorial. They have a three story house and no children except the dogs. One is notorious for getting ‘even’ if my sister takes off with company and not the dogs. She will grab TP by the end and run it out through the house, ditto with trash, and if guest forgets to close their door…..bye-bye shoes….something gets destroyed. My sister just laughs so the dog does not ammend it’s ways. They live inthe Rocky mountains high in the woods and the dogs will chase bear and moutain lions awy in their neighborhood….they really are something. I already had that high energy and mischief level in Shelties…am looking forward to Golden…love…will probably get an older one…And i think it may be a Carmel beach ordinance that not allowed on the beach without …given the look of the place. This is a dog loving community. that’s for me. Good luck with Milo’s GF. lol

By %$#@* !@&*^!! on 02/05/2009 2:57 pm

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Carmel: …something gets destroyed. That is so Schnauzer-like. I always enjoyed their spunk and devil-be-damned attitude, but I am lucky to live on a cul-de-sac where everyone tolerates dogs, because I would have been living on the scary side of the law. Here in Massachusetts, one bite and your homeowner’s insurance is cancelled. Milo is more of a wimp, and at my age, wimp is good.

By Marjorie C. on 02/06/2009 5:52 am

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I agree. All my dogs for decades have been rescues. I think the beauty of the find is just going to the shelter and see who is looking, or been waiting for you to come. A few years ago, my old cat died at 12 years old suddenly. About a month later, my daughter dragged me to the shelter, I did not even want to look at animals. I was walking down the cat aisle, and felt something reach out and touch my right shoulder. I turned aroun, the cat in an upper cage was still reaching towards me. I had to take a second look, she was identical to the old cat who had died. I still did not want to touch her yet. Then she started crying, so I agreed to have the cage opened. She came flying out and wrappped her paws around my neck, I knew I couldn’t let her go. The old cat was a calico mix, with a patch on the back leg, in the shape of a triangle with the colors of a tiger cat. This cat had the same markings. Come to find out, the shelter had picked her up off the street the day my old cat had died, and since even had her on TV, trying to find her a home. They had ignored the kill date twice with her. Brought her home, and for eight months, she would not allow me to touch her, after all her begging at the shelter. My grandson named her Phoenix, after the bird. I am glad my daughter was so insistent that day on making a trip to the shelter. The old cat was a surrougate mom to the younger cats since they were tiny, and when they seen thier new companion both of them just stared, and then got in the chair the old cat use to corral them in when they were out of line. Pheonix and Draco became instant friends, while Chela held back. Just as they had been with the Old Cat. The real name for the old cat, was Ghost. Go figure. lol

By Linda Myers on 02/05/2009 10:56 am

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What a heartwarming story, I’ll carry the picture of phoenix reaching through the cage in my mind all day. Meant to be !

By EKA - on 02/05/2009 11:23 am

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What an amazing story Linda, my BB came from a shelter, he had been abused and we didn’t get to see him for the first month after we got him, he hid all day. I have always said if something happens to him I do not want another cat. I love him dearly but just don’t feel like he can be replaced. After reading your story I see that I better not make any trips to a shelter if I want to stand by that statement.

By Sandbee (FB) 54 on 02/05/2009 2:14 pm

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Ah, none of them can be replaced, and with most of mine, I have grieved for years. But I see the adoption of a homeless cat or dog as a tribute to one who has died. A beloved life lost, another life saved in tribute.

By Marina B. on 02/05/2009 4:10 pm

I can understand your feelings ! I had no intention of bringing home another cat. My daughter that day just would not let go of the trip to the shelter, and sometimes we just need to follow the intuition of others when our minds are not open to new prospects. I hope that day is a long way away for you to be in the same place, but if it comes, just keep your heart open to maybe what an old cat is putting on your path. There is so much love waiting at the shelters!

By Linda Myers on 02/05/2009 4:22 pm

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Love the story Linda. I love cats, too, there is a cat adoption place on my regular daily walk so I stop in and pet the cats…..really hard not to take them all. This is the rescue group I found for Goldens: http://www.golden-rescue.org/

By %$#@* !@&*^!! on 02/05/2009 4:43 pm

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When I was young, cats were one of my biggest fears. A cat when I was eight, crossed the street, ran towards me and jumped on the back of my shoulders and dug it’s front claws into my head. My mom came outside when she heard me scream, and had to pull the cat and claws out of my head. It was ten years before I got close to one again. But I do love my cats. My kids adopted a Pyrneese/Retriever mix after my two dogs died a couple of years ago. I was just not ready, my grandson was so I passed him to where he really belongs. :-)

By Linda Myers on 02/05/2009 6:55 pm

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my little terrier mutt lucy would like to add, “do not fear the baldies with mange as you walk through a shelter. their coat may be a surprise later, but mange is usually highly treatable. so take a chance on the most pathetic looking one you see!” we’re so glad we looked past it when she adopted us at our local SPCA! believe me, it was she who adopted us - one look in those eyes….

By cath c on 02/05/2009 11:17 am

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cath: …mange is usually highly treatable… Yes it is. Stress and bad diet weakens the animal so it catches anything that happens to be around. Once life settles down for these guys, they recover. The vet has to give them a series of baths, though to kill the mites (or whatever it is that causes mange).

By Marjorie C. on 02/05/2009 2:04 pm

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I want a dog so bad…..I can’t wait until I am able to adopt one. :-)

By Belinda Joy on 02/05/2009 11:43 am

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That’s one decision you will not regret!

By Tee Zee on 02/05/2009 3:07 pm

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I love dogs. Thanks for an article about them. I’ll be getting my next pup(s) from a pound or rescue association - mutt or purebred whatever makes the most sense at the time. Some breeds have inherent characteristics that are better suited to me while others would present a problem. When it comes to purebred pups there are simply those that I would prefer and others I would not take ownership of because it would be unfair to the dog. With mutts personality, temperament and intelligence is more of a crapshoot and so I’ll have to be “shop” more carefully. I live near an urban center and most dogs available for adoption in this area are pitbulls or similar breed mixtures and, as much as I’d love to make room for them, I’d prefer not to bring a dog with such strength and potential for problems into my home. It is a tough situation.

By E . on 02/05/2009 11:43 am