Run those dogs out. Now.

Their teeth are brushed. Breath minty fresh.

Their nails neatly clipped and smooth.

Hair shampooed and brushed to perfection.

Bring the car around now, dahling.
(Gulliver and Diana, 1973 TV/US PD:pub date/no cr/Commons.wikimedia.org)

They do not understand why the leash still hangs on the hook.

It’s time. Children are waiting.

They know.

What they do not know is that the Clinical Center at the National Institutes for Health have halted dog therapy program at hospitals such as UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.

The dogs are owned and brought in by volunteers like those in our area’s program.

John Burklow, spokesman, acknowledges the volunteers operate the program, but insists veterinarians must see the dogs and a “team” on the staff decided to suspend the program since the vets are on NIH payroll.

So project kenneled.

Elle. Finalist in the Therapy Dog Category of the American Hero Dog Awards. (herodogawards.org)

From experience with the program locally, I can tell you these visits are important to the children and adults who look forward to them. Research proves the visits aid in emotional and physical healing.

One mom, Abbey Whetzel, recently talked with NPR about her son who is dying from leukemia and how the visiting dogs bring him joy.

Dogs, bunnies, cats, and guinea pigs in these programs are NOT checked by vets every single visit.

Each animal’s health is closely monitored and they have scheduled vet visits at their owners’ expense.

Owners carefully groom pets according to requirements before each visit – at their own expense.

Locally, vets volunteer their time to check/clear hospital therapy animals if needed. I’m sure that is true in almost any community.

Who could say no to something for kids?

Children – especially sick children – are not marketing tools or pawns for political games.

Except for some, apparently.

Dawg! Woofs in the hen house?
(Jean de La Fontaine.US PD:exp.cr/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Personally, I Never want to hear ANYONE in D.C. cry “It’s for the children!” EVER AGAIN.

Enough. Disingenuous.

Especially if the following considered:

• National Amber Alert site closed. (Oct 6-7 I have screen shots showing it closed due to “lapse in federal funding” the Office of Justice Programs.) I didn’t post those as the site went back on-line Oct 8 after some noticed and bloggers started posting. Even NBC Los Angeles pointed out how vital the site was…if you cared about kids…
• Harry Reid “Why would we want to help one kid with cancer?” blunder. (You’ve seen this, right…if that was the only thing, maybe let it pass – but with everything else?….Shame.)

K9 Lakota. Finalist for Law Enforcement/Arson Dog Category American Hero Dog Awards.(herodogawards.org)

More important than children? (Could anyone would put these ahead of kids in the family budget?)

• $47,174.00 Mechanical Bull bought (by Army/Utah National Guard Oct 7) to be used for recruitment at fairs and events)
• $5 million for custom handcrafted crystal stemware and barware for Embassies by the State Dept.
• $98,670.00 for a single person outhouse for a trailhead in Alaska purchased by Federal Bureau of Land Management
• there’s plenty more…..(Won’t mention the cavalierly giving money to any one in any other country who has their hands out. What kind of provider would do that with their own struggling and in need?)

John D. Finalist Search and Rescue Dog Category American Hero Dog Awards (herodogawards.org)

Oh, wait. Priorities guided by the Executive Branch:

• A man trying to follow Michelle Obama’s instructions to “Let’s Move”(Her website NEVER closed down – not like the National Amber Alert website) was fined $100 for jogging at Valley Forge.
• States want to pay for National Parks to open (Feds say “NO!” Odd. Usually if someone offers assistance or free money, it’s accepted quickly. Commonsense.)
• Park Service Rangers report they have been told  “to make life as difficult for people as we can.” “Gestapo” (Local news. Newport) Nice way to treat foreign guests and the elderly.
• National park rangers have been ordered to keep visitors out of some privately run businesses – yet certain high-profile ones /certain national park locations/districts are kept open?. (Washington Times)
• People are being forced out of their homes? (Some have state laws that access must be granted at all times across lands, maybe Nevada should consider one?)
• The Claud Moore Colonial Farm that never uses any NPS funds or employees and is operated by volunteers has been ordered shut. NPS sent law enforcement to make sure everyone left and it’s locked up.
• National Parks Service approves big rally on closed National Mall. (What? mixed messages here. “Closed” means closed just for some? Wondering if on Nov 5 the same courtesy will be given for the Million Mask March.)

SD Bronx. Finalist Service Dog Category American Hero Dog Awards (herodogawards.org)

How’s this for total ego and bullying? (And some wonder where children learn such behavior?)

• The ocean is closed in Florida  Water, water everywhere, but not a spot to fish…(and boats and employees are burning fuel and salaries patrolling that)
• You are not allowed to look – even from a public highway. Scenic overlooks are closed. Forget getting a picture at Mount Rushmore. (Everyone knows about the War Memorials built mostly by donations that are usually open 24/7 and not staffed by NPS – and the parking lot at Mount Vernon)
• The House passed a bill to reopen the parks and fund the VA, but Harry and the Senate said “No. Can’t look.”
• The House voted over 26 times since the last Senate vote. Bills have been passed to fund and re-open many agencies including National Parks Service, disaster relief, food for the poor, National Institute of Health, and more. The Senate/ Harry Reid will not even look at them: it’s all or nothing. SO not the way real budgets are done by responsible families who have to look at every little expense and item. Commonsense.
• The only thing both houses agreed on is to give back pay to furloughed employees (So they are now on paid holiday – unlike an average person in an ordinary workplace. So why can’t employees show up and work if they are going to get the money? And be sure they cancel their unemployment benefits: 26,000 in DC and Maryland. Taking both would be like being paid twice. They do take care of their own.)

Lola. Finalist Hearing Dog Category American Hero Dog Awards. (herodogawards.org)

But the President has time to pose for his portrait by Tony Powell despite all that needs to be done.

I’m getting the picture. (and paying for it)

Don’t even think about praying for guidance

There’s a sign on chapel doors at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia:

“Shutdown: No Catholic service til further notice”.

What sort would prey on grieving military families (many with small children) who just lost a soldier family member?

What about taking care of Our Own?

Somehow the “Suffer the little children” message got confused in translation.

CWD Carlos EDD. Finalist Military Dog Category American Hero Dog Awards (herordogawards.org)

No “a little child shall lead you” here.

Cover their ears.

Redirect their attention.

They don’t need to see adults having tantrums with all the name calling and demonizing of opponents.

A man’s character can be learned by the adjectives he habitually uses in conversation. (Twain)

A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes others (Jean Paul)

Jingle. Finalist Guide Dog Category American Hero Dog Awards. (herodogawards.org)

Better to witness true compromise: where both sides give up a little to find common ground.

Think of it like “Lose. Lose. WIN. (for us, the little people.)

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” (Churchill)

Cassidy. Thrown away in the trash, Lost a leg. Now works with disabled children. Finalist Emerging Hero Dog Category American Hero Dog Awards (herodogawards.org)

It’s time.

Run the dogs out.

Maybe they can teach humans what’s important.

Doggone tired of all the growling and baring of teeth.

(and the smell isn’t so minty or fresh)

Sit. Stay. Speak.

Learn to play nice or go home.

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

Read all the dog finalists’ stories.

Watch the 2013 Hero Dog Award show Oct 30 on the Hallmark Channel.

More positive messages than what is coming out of Washington DC right now.

Listen kid. It’s easy. Remember your manners and be polite with friends and strangers. Play hard. Take naps when tired. Alway be steadfast, loyal and true to those who feed you.
(1976 NBC TV/US PD:pub.date/no cr notice/author’s life/Commons/wikimedia.org)

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