Toto Official State Dog of Kansas
A state dog?
While it is appropriate that Kansas has its official bird, animal, flower and so forth, there has to be a limit. The newest proposal is to name a state dog, and not surprisingly that breed would be the cairn terrier, a dog most widely recognized as Toto from "The Wizard of Oz."
Hopefully, this will go nowhere. Kansas doesn't need a state dog, and it especially doesn't need one that is so controversially associated with the state.
"The Wizard of Oz" has been both a blessing and a curse for Kansans. A fascinating story that takes the reader/viewer through a girl's dreams as she is tossed about by a tornado, the tale is a wonderful story of love, smarts and courage. Filmed in 1939, the special effects were particularly enchanting, if not downright awesome for the time.
But few Kansans have ventured outside the state without being asked how Dorothy is or if their dog's name is Toto. And Kansans who relocate are probably hit by this the most.
It may be smart for Kansans to try to capitalize on the red sequin shoes and the little blue and white pinafore of Dorothy, but that's a marketing option and not something that should beg for the time of elected officials in the Kansas Legislature.
Annette McDonald of Wichita thinks differently, though. Of course it helps to know that she has owned the breed for 25 years, showing it in national dog shows. And naturally the Wizard of Oz attractions in Liberal and Wamego are on board with the idea, with many visitors readily signing the petition she has circulated.
But this is too much.
By geographic area, if Kansas did have a dog that truly represented the state, it would be an old mixed-breed farm dog. If it had one from a special interest group, it would likely be some kind of hunting dog. But for it to have an official dog based on a character from a movie that is as much despised as loved is not good.
Anything that carries the state's official endorsement should be something widely supported by residents. Decades ago the meadowlark beat out the cardinal in a statewide vote by students for an official bird. If the Legislature determines that an official dog is absolutely necessary, at the very least it should open the nomination process to others so there can be a debate and a choice.
Rubber-stamping an idea just because it was tossed out is not acceptable.
- Ann Charles
Editor and publisher
http://www.parsonssun.com/news/articles/edit081006.shtml
While it is appropriate that Kansas has its official bird, animal, flower and so forth, there has to be a limit. The newest proposal is to name a state dog, and not surprisingly that breed would be the cairn terrier, a dog most widely recognized as Toto from "The Wizard of Oz."
Hopefully, this will go nowhere. Kansas doesn't need a state dog, and it especially doesn't need one that is so controversially associated with the state.
"The Wizard of Oz" has been both a blessing and a curse for Kansans. A fascinating story that takes the reader/viewer through a girl's dreams as she is tossed about by a tornado, the tale is a wonderful story of love, smarts and courage. Filmed in 1939, the special effects were particularly enchanting, if not downright awesome for the time.
But few Kansans have ventured outside the state without being asked how Dorothy is or if their dog's name is Toto. And Kansans who relocate are probably hit by this the most.
It may be smart for Kansans to try to capitalize on the red sequin shoes and the little blue and white pinafore of Dorothy, but that's a marketing option and not something that should beg for the time of elected officials in the Kansas Legislature.
Annette McDonald of Wichita thinks differently, though. Of course it helps to know that she has owned the breed for 25 years, showing it in national dog shows. And naturally the Wizard of Oz attractions in Liberal and Wamego are on board with the idea, with many visitors readily signing the petition she has circulated.
But this is too much.
By geographic area, if Kansas did have a dog that truly represented the state, it would be an old mixed-breed farm dog. If it had one from a special interest group, it would likely be some kind of hunting dog. But for it to have an official dog based on a character from a movie that is as much despised as loved is not good.
Anything that carries the state's official endorsement should be something widely supported by residents. Decades ago the meadowlark beat out the cardinal in a statewide vote by students for an official bird. If the Legislature determines that an official dog is absolutely necessary, at the very least it should open the nomination process to others so there can be a debate and a choice.
Rubber-stamping an idea just because it was tossed out is not acceptable.
- Ann Charles
Editor and publisher
http://www.parsonssun.com/news/articles/edit081006.shtml
