Tune In
We Americans love dog stories. On the May 17th
CBS Evening News, its end-of-broadcast segment--typically reserved for
feel-good stories--detailed the story of Blue Dozer the pit bull and O.J. the dachshund. These
two pals, always inseparable with Blue in the lead and O.J. (blind!)
faithfully trailing behind, were dumped in a shelter by their desperate
homeless owner. The adoption call went out with a stipulation: it had to be a package deal. No separation of the dogs allowed. After
an initial home placement somehow left O.J. wandering neighborhoods
alone, a fine family was found, and both dogs were reunited to spend the
rest of their carefree lives together. No doubt, millions of happy tears were shed as the broadcast closed.
The saga of Blue Dozer and O.J. merged with another news story of the past week. White
House Chief of Staff John Kelly was interviewed on NPR about a newly
announced US policy of separating undocumented parents from their
children when they are apprehended at the border. Asked if it is “cruel and heartless” to separate a mother from her children, he replied, “I wouldn’t put it quite that way. The children will be taken care of — put into foster care or whatever.” He hoped this “technique” of deterrence would not be used “for very long.”
Americans
must demand that our immigration officials carve out a “family
unification” exception for the dogs of these families, especially in
light of Trump’s characterizations of some immigrants as “animals.” Imagine the uproar over televised images of puppies being torn from the arms of their owners. If we Americans can’t stand up for our best friends, what kind of people are we, anyway? Cruel, or whatever.
Publishing history
Sullivan Democrat 5/26
Shawangunk Journal 6/1
Poughkeepsie Journal 5/31
New Paltz Times 6/7
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