This Just In ...
Kevin Fischer is a veteran broadcaster, the recipient of over 150 major journalism awards from the Milwaukee Press Club, the Wisconsin Associated Press, the Northwest Broadcast News Association, the Wisconsin Bar Association, and others. He has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for over three decades. A longtime aide to state Senate Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, Kevin can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, "InterCHANGE," on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10, and heard filling in on Newstalk 1130 WISN. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their lovely baby daughter, Kyla Audrey, in Franklin.
The Barking Lot
TO NEW READERS: The Barking Lot is a regular weekly feature of This Just In...co-written by my wife and yours truly. Jennifer provides the opening blog and then I bring you DOGS IN THE NEWS.
THE WEEKEND DOG-WALKING FORECAST: We grade the weather outlook for taking your pet outdoors.
TODAY: “A” all day and this evening.
SUNDAY: Ditto. A picture perfect dog-walking weekend is in store.
Everyone plays the dreaming game “If I ever won the lottery…” For me the list includes charitable donations, paying off our home, a European cruise, and purchasing a second home in Arizona to escape the terrible Wisconsin winters. After those are accomplished I have only half-jokingly said that I would seek out the best Hollywood plastic surgeon and come home with a new body. Then common sense takes over and I nix the nip-and-tuck plan.
In recent research for The Barking Lot I noticed topics on animal welfare websites discussing cosmetic surgery for dogs. I must admit it isn’t something I’ve given too much thought to in the past. As I have mentioned before I am NOT a card-carrying member of PETA. I am proud to be a carnivore and feel we are at the top of the food chain for a reason.
I have always said that I would never choose to crop my dog’s ears or dock its tail. I feel that nature made the dog a certain way and I would not want to alter that. I do understand that show dogs have this done quite often to conform to breed standards. And for as many dog shows as I watch I really don’t sit there and think, “They never should have docked that Soft Coated Wheaton’s tail!”
Since my dog Sugar was half Basenji hound, she displayed every Basenji physical characteristic including curly “pig tail” and perky ears. She also did not bark. She could, but only on occasion would she let out a soft chortle. Skippy, on the other hand, was a rambunctious Springer Spaniel who would, literally, bark at leaves blowing down the street in the fall. Were there times we all wished she would suffer a bout of extended laryngitis? Of course. Would we ever consider having her surgically “debarked?” Never.
Most people are familiar with tail docking and ear cropping, and some are familiar with debarking. But how VAIN are you if you need cosmetic surgery for your DOG???
May I suggest any money you would spend on this surgery, you put towards some psychotherapy for yourself?
---Jennifer Fischer
Thanks again, Jennifer. My turn. Time now for DOGS IN THE NEWS, canines that made headlines the past week.
We've had some pretty serious weather the past few weeks. Federal law requires that state and local governments help animals during an emergency or natural disaster.
No muskrat love in Kaukauna.
It works for Superman and Batman. Can a cape turn your dog into a superhero?
In today's Journal Sentinel Cue section, kids and pets.
A star is born......in a shelter.
And here's a great story about the heroics of Buddy, including video.
Finally, let’s dip into the e-mailbag and see what’s on the minds of Barking Lot readers, shall we?
Dear Kevin:
You seem to collaborate well with Jennifer every week on your dog blog. I find that amazing. My wife and I could never do anything like that. We’d be at each other's throats into the first paragraph. What’s your secret?
Frying pan head
Dear Frying pan head:
There’s really no secret. It was either let Jennifer write a dog blog or have her mother over every weekend.
Dear Kevin:
We have to be totally honest. We can’t stand The Barking Lot. Frankly, it gives us the creeps. How about a blog about cats?
Felix and Sylvester
Dear Felix and Sylvester:
Sorry you feel that way. To answer your question, no way. Dogs are much cooler than cats.
Kevin:
Let me get right to the point. What is your problem?
Your wife seems so nice. And you won’t get her a dog! What is wrong with you? Do you hate dogs or something?
Have a heart
Dear Have a heart:
It’s not that I hate dogs. It’s that my wife loves them more than she loves me.
Mr. Fischer:
I have another bone to pick with you. You may recall I wrote some time ago when you had a video of Rowlf from the Muppets on your blog, singing “Egg Suckin’ Dog” in a barn with Johnny Cash. I found that to be very unfair because Rowlf has such awesome talent.
You responded with another Rowlf video, this time butchering a Gilbert and Sullivan opera.
How dare you portray Rowlf in this manner. He is a caring, kind, deeply sensitive and sentimental animal. You’re just plain mean.
Rowlf fan
Dear Rowlf fan:
After conducting some research, I indeed owe you an apology. Rowlf is, in fact, quite sentimental. I am very sorry.
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