Mutts and Moms vs. Ellen Degeneres: Why This Has Hit a Nerve

Submitted by stephanie on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 9:29pm.

I can't help but comment on the situation where Mutts and Moms, the animal rescue "agency" that gave Ellen her dog, snatched the dog back when Ellen gave it to her hairdresser.

The reason? They supposedly have a rule of not placing small dogs with children under 14 years old. Ahh, so they'd rather place those small dogs in the arms of celebrities? I'm not putting Ellen down, but I get suspicious when a non-profit animal "shelter" is being conveniently run out of an upscale doggie outfitter called the "Paws Boutique."

I grew up with a small dog in the house - a miniature sheltie. We got him when I was 7. The dog was extremely happy and well cared for. But I guess 7-year-olds and hairdressers don't have the kind of money someone like Ellen has to spend on expensive dog collars, plush canine bedding, and gourmet dog food.

The Bigger Picture
I think this whole Mutts and Moms mess has hit a nerve with so many because we are sick and tired of being run around by rules and mindless bureaucracy.

We as a society are getting overly burdened by rules and regulations. We set up these arbitrary limits (no small dogs for children under 14) and then act as if they were handed down from God. (If God handed down any rules at all, they were in the Ten Commandments, and those are generally common sense anyway.)

Consider the concept of mandatory sentencing. A young man who makes a mistake and has extenuating circumstances has no chance because the judge has her hands tied. Addicts and others who need help are now thrown in jail over "rules." People who need medical marijuana can't get it in California when the Feds come in and supersede state law with their own "rules."

I believe we need to shift to a more heart-centered society where rules can be bent. Especially the silly, ridiculous arbitrary rules that take a dog out of a loving home and put it back into a shelter instead.

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