if ther is anyone we need to be on for puppy cruelty is paris hilton!

Posted by: taylor younker | October 19, 2007 04:05 PM

Very well said, people tend to never think outside the box and get too wrapped up in their own little world. There is almost always a legit other side to the story, just open your mind and allow a little bit of abstract thought to happen. Kudos to you and PETA for tackling this issue that evolved from your previous Ellen post. If more animal rights/vegan people could think like this our efforts to enlighten the world wouldn't move so slowly

Posted by: OGonZoO | October 19, 2007 05:00 PM

Yes, you're right. We need to let it go.

Ellen has had her Michael "I've Found Jesus" Vick television moment(s) and now all is well.

Please tell me where are all of Ellen's other "adopted" animals? Please. I'm serious. I'll stop "ranting", as you call it, if you can tell me.

If not ... well, sorry. I don't feel sorry for her.

I feel sorry for the all of the animals that the rescue will not be able to help now that they've been shut down by Ellen and her lunatic fans.

Not for poor Ellen, boo-hoo-hoo'ing on tv, dragging along her TMZ friends where-ever she goes.

Ah the power of celebrity if they say they "LOVE" animals. She can talk the talk, but walk the walk... hardly.

Posted by: VestaGirl | October 19, 2007 05:53 PM

Can I get an "Amen"!?!?

Let's put it to rest...

Posted by: Tamara | October 19, 2007 06:31 PM

I couldn't agree more! Thanks for that very balanced viewpoint!

Posted by: Susannah S | October 19, 2007 06:45 PM

peta seems cruel i guess peta does not like ellen degeneres and is out to make a statement.

Posted by: jennifer whitson | October 19, 2007 09:01 PM

My thoughts exactly, Jack. There's really no "bad guy" in this whole situation.
I'm just glad Iggy has a loving home. Yes, Ellen made a mistake, but she is not a bad person. I just hope that Mutts & Moms can function again like it did before this whole media explosion happened.

Posted by: Jeff | October 19, 2007 11:04 PM

Just because she failed to read the contract does not make it "fine print".I'm sure she was told of that rule and shown it in the contract where it was normal print and in a prominate position as it is on the shelter contracts that I and others have signed.

Posted by: Mars | October 20, 2007 08:44 AM

I don't know if anyone watched Bill Maher last night, but he blasted Ellen for her emotional plea on TV.

Posted by: Susannah S | October 20, 2007 09:27 AM

Very small dogs should not be adopted by families with small children. That's the shelter's point here. Ellen and her fans have clearly made this about Ellen instead of about the dog.

Posted by: Martin Whitman | October 20, 2007 12:28 PM

I liked Ellen.. she is good fun more often than she is annoying. When I first heard about the story - I felt like Jack describes it: Now as far as Ellen is concerned, she screwed up by not reading what happened to be some really important fine print, but that doesn’t make her a bad person.

BUT THEN I WATCHED HER VIDEO TESTIMONY... what a BITCH!

Ellen is indeed a fake heart. She NEVER made it clear that she screwed up. Instead - like a spoiled girl - she cries and explains herself over and over... I had the dog trained and spend money on him - see how good a person I am. I spayed/neuter the dog - see how good I am.

The shelter took the dog away from children .. please return the dog to the children..

WTF... Ellen must have been informed by the shelter that the hairdresser family can apply for adopting the dog via them. Ellen fails to mention that - although she must know that.

Ellen - please adopt a backbone and not an animal!!!! Imagine you were Ellen's girl friend and she screws up somehow.. she will not say "sorry, I fucked up".. she will go public crying and explaining herself.. YUCK...

Don't get me wrong but Vick had a better turnaround???

I understand that this pet story is not worth fighting over. Especially as Ellen will turn away from any rational discussion to make it emotional and she will always portrait herself and "the children" as the victims.

Seriously - eating poo sounds more appetizing than watching this Video (that Jack linked to) again. After this clip - I am so embarrassed for Ellen that..

Do you think she knows or realizes those features about her character - why show it to the world?

Posted by: hugo pottisch | October 20, 2007 01:02 PM

Ok - I am sorry for my previous post as it only adds to the polarization that Ellen herself is causing (nobody else as far as I can see).

It is true that she did well adopting from a shelter and not buying from a breeder.

But she spends 90% of the time defending herself by mentioning the most basic necessities like spay/neutering and training. As if a mother would ever show off and boast that she actually feeds her children etc?

And I wonder how Ellen trained her cats? Cat's are more territorial than dogs who bond more with the humans and not the geography. When introducing a new animal to an old cat - all the attention must be on the resident cat as she experiences intense stress accepting the intruder.

Puppy training - for those who do not know anything about it - is in itself stressful. It is usually NOT the puppy or the resident cat that needs training but the OWNER.

I have met many people who add a 2nd animal to their cat household and are surprised that their angel turns into a devil.. Obviously they never cared to discover what animals they live with and who they are.

Posted by: hugo pottisch | October 20, 2007 01:25 PM

I tried to adopt a dog from a similar organization. They wanted to come to my home to vet it, interview me, etc. I went to a no-kill shelter and adopted two dogs with just a check.

Sometimes these well-meaning shelter people shoot themselves in the foot. 4 milion dogs are put down every year because they're not adopted.

Posted by: Hell's Kitchen guy | October 20, 2007 02:17 PM

VestaGirl has the most important question...where are all the other animals Ellen "Adopted/Rescued/Purchased"?
Where are the animals from the ranch in Santa Barbara?
From what I can glean, Ellen does not have a good track record with commitments to either two or four legged things.
Animals require adult behavior and sacrifices. 10 days and a crying tantrum constitute neither .
The Rescue was painted as the villains and Ellen seems to be skating by on Celebrity alone...no actual accounting.
I'm so sorry for the innocents involved...Ellen does not happen to be one of them.
This puppy was acquired on a whim and discarded with the same amount of regard.
Boo Hoo

Posted by: Lawrence | October 20, 2007 03:25 PM

Every bit of trauma in this event is Ellen and Portia's fault. Not only did they impulsively adopt, they impulsively bestowed to dog on a family they did not know well. It seems that they were too busy to allow a reasonable adjustment period for the dog and cats to sort things out. I'm sure they felt guilty about getting rid of him, and did not want to face the agency with their failure. That would have been embarassing for an avowed animal lover. So the Iggygate frenzy is due only to their failure to act in good faith with the agency.

Posted by: fiona | October 20, 2007 04:22 PM

Hmm. Another side to this story (not altogether Ellen's)

Ellen DeGeneres' Misuse Of The Media and A Challenge To Right That Wrong

by Linda Milazzo

www DOT opednews DOT com

For the past two days I've been immersed in conversations with several principals in the Ellen DeGeneres-Mutts & Moms-Iggy the Pup fiasco. And fiasco it is. I've spoken with Ellen's publicist, Ellen's dog trainer, the Vice President of Publicity for Telepictures (which produces Ellen's show), the attorney for Marina Baktis and Vanessa Chekroun (owners of Mutts & Moms in Pasadena, CA), and several respected animal rescue experts in the Los Angeles area - many who have worked with Mutts & Moms.

For readers who are unaware of the Ellen DeGeneres/Mutts & Moms fiasco, here is a video synopsis: [video link]

This past Monday, on her popular daytime talk show, Ellen DeGeneres dissolved into tears as she recounted her experience of adopting a puppy (Iggy) from a pet adoption agency (Mutts & Moms in Pasadena, CA - which to her credit, DeGeneres didn't name). After two weeks, Ellen and her partner, Portia de Rossi, decided Iggy was incompatible with their household and gave Iggy to Ellen's hairdresser (Cheryl Marks) and the hairdresser's eleven and twelve year old daughters. But the legal contract Ellen signed with Mutts & Moms forbade Ellen from giving Iggy away, and required Iggy to be returned to the Agency should Ellen decide not to keep him. By giving 7 lb. Iggy to her hairdresser and not returning him to Mutts & Moms as stipulated, Ellen broke her contract. As a result, Mutts & Moms went to the hairdresser's home, where, in the presence of the police, they confiscated Iggy, returned him to their agency, and found him another home.

Germane to this synopsis is the resultant vitriol that drove the HUMANS involved to such an impasse that rational negotiation on Iggy's behalf became impossible. Mutts & Moms failed to give the hairdresser's family its fullest consideration as legitimate adopters, and used its legal leverage to remove Iggy from a home where he was wanted. [Turns out they did, they just wanted the family to formally fill out the papers and adopt him, which they refused to do] DeGeneres used the full extent of her celebrity to ignite a fan-based frenzy that resulted in death threats to the impoverished owners of Mutts & Moms. In addition, Baktis and Chekroun have likely lost their animal rescue business and small store. An online petition to Free Iggy has been launched by Ellen's supporters:
(link), while an earlier online petition, which asked petitioners not to adopt from animal rescue organizations until Iggy is returned, has rightfully been taken down.
(link)

Still the saddest repercussion of all is the potential for tens of thousands of dogs and cats to go unadopted, and to be euthanized, due to the anger engendered toward rescue groups as a result of this debacle.

Below are are few clarifications of inaccuracies reported by the media on this story:

1. Iggy did not live with DeGeneres and De Rossi for the full two weeks before he was given to hairdresser Cheryl Marks. Iggy was left in the care of Los Angeles dog trainer, Zach Grey (UrbanTails dot net), who reunited Iggy with DeGeneres and De Rossi after 9 days of individual and group training - at which time Degeneres and De Rossi concluded that they didn't want a young puppy - UNDERSCORING THE NEED FOR THE CONTRACTUAL REQUIREMENT TO RETURN ANIMALS TO THEIR AGENCIES IF THE ANIMAL IS UNWANTED. The fact is, DeGeneres and De Rossi did what thousands of adopters do. They wanted a puppy, but realizing the amount of work a puppy takes, they couldn't make that commitment. Can one honestly fault Mutts & Moms for enforcing a provision that protects rejected animals? If Mutts & Moms were to PUBLICLY disregard this requirement, it would pave the way for anyone to overrule this safeguard and recklessly dispose of an animal.

2. Contrary to the negativity generated toward Mutts & Moms by the powerful DeGeneres camp and biased media pundits, the animal rescue experts with whom I've spoken were complimentary toward the organization. Ricky Whitman, Vice President of Community Resources for the Pasadena Humane Society (PHS), told me she was not clearly represented in the press when quoted as saying "her group would've handled this [Iggy situation] very differently."
[Pasadena news citation]

What Whitman actually meant is that since PHS has contracts to provide animal control services to different cities, they would have been required to remove Iggy in the presence of animal control officers and under much more stringent conditions - hence "differently." Whitman lauded the owners of Mutts & Moms for their rescue accomplishments, stating, "We have worked closely and well with Mutts & Moms in the past. We have honored them for their work." Whitman recounted the story of a pit bull puppy who'd been raised in a small bunny hutch. According to Whitman, Mutts & Moms was the only organization willing to accept the difficult task of rehabilitating this unfortunate animal - an accomplishment Whitman praised highly.

3. The DeGeneres camp's contention that Mutts & Moms went to the media FIRST does not square with the timeline of events. On the evening Mutts & Moms confiscated Iggy from the hairdresser's house, TMZ (also a Telepictures product) had been called to video the visit. According to Keith A. Fink, attorney for Mutts & Moms, it was the DeGeneres camp who contacted TMZ - NOT the media shy, show-biz naive owners of Mutts & Moms. Indeed, my own experience with the owners of Mutts & Moms bears witness to their abject fear of media, since their own attorney was unable to goad them into speaking with me or with the other media attempting to make contact.

4. The "Moms" in the name Mutts & Moms doesn't identify Marina and Vanessa as "moms" who rescue animals. The "Moms" in Mutts & Moms denotes the organization's inspired mission to adopt mother dogs from shelters once they have given birth and nursed their puppies - an arduous undertaking, since mother dogs are often euthanized after nursing their litter.

In the final analysis, this Ellen DeGeneres-Mutts & Moms-Iggy saga is a private issue between private individuals that landed on the national stage. If Ellen intended to use her show as the platform to manipulate this matter, she has made a dangerous error in judgement. She has crossed the regrettable line from comedy pulpit to bully pulpit and used her mega platform to attack "the little guy" - or in this case - "the little gals." And it's caused significant harm.

Yesterday on the phone, Laura Mandel, Vice President of Publicity for Telepictures, described Ellen as "a real person with real emotion." On this there is no doubt. But Ellen is also an incredibly powerful woman able to influence legions of fans. Beyond her cameras are millions of viewers she knows nothing about, capable of acts she can't control. They worship Ellen and protect her with a vengeance - and right now their vengeance is centered on two frightened rescuers who don't deserve their wrath. I've read some fan comments. Their hatred for Marina and Vanessa is shocking.

In the entertainment business, there is the long-standing concept of "a pro." "A pro" is an entertainer who, regardless of personal travails, faces the audience and does the job. In my opinion, Ellen is teetering between a "pro" and a woman who's unclear about her "job." She's abused her power by publicly challenging those less powerful. Rosie O'Donnell took on the President. Rosie also took on Trump. Others take on corporations, like Exxon and the airlines. But Ellen has challenged two defenseless woman with no resources - no fame, no fortune, no accolades and no ovations. Only attorney Keith Fink has come forth to champion their cause.

Across the nation, because of this fiasco, animal rescue organizations have taken an enormous hit - for which helpless animals will bear the brunt. To help revitalize this noble profession, I'm calling on Ellen DeGeneres to step up and intercede. I'm asking her to use her brilliance, her compassion, and her enormous reach to convene a panel of rescue professionals on her own show as quickly as possible to discuss what these organizations do and how they do it. There are lessons that need to be learned and rules that must be understood. My hope (though far-fetched) is that if Ellen does choose to do this, Mutts & Moms will participate - without the caviat that Iggy be returned to Cheryl and her daughters. There's an important lesson for Cheryl's daughters in all of this that has somehow been forgotten. The fact is, a contractual rule was broken. Sometimes the greater lesson is understanding the need to honor the rule - rather than the need to circumvent it.

Posted by The real story | October 20, 2007 7:43 PM

Posted by: VestaGirl | October 21, 2007 12:32 AM

Ellen said many, many times that she made a mistake and did things wrong, that it wasn't the new family's fault, but all hers.

I thought Peta's response was very good, calm and thoughtful. They explained the importance of checking out the home and why rescuers have rules. Then, they went on to explain that the rescue group should have made more of an effort to see if the hairstylist's family was a suitable home.

There was nothing in the contract that mentioned children. Twelve year olds can be very sensitive and responsible as Ruby seems to be.

Portia de Rossi signed the contract and of course they should have abided by it. They weren't asked to fill out an application. The new family DID fill out an application and the "visit" was ostensibly to check out the new home, but instead she just took the dog away.

What bothered me the most is the the rescue group said the dog wasn't going back to the family because of ELLEN. They didn't want to be "bossed around by the Ellen DeGenereses of the world." OK, this is supposed to be about the DOG, not about the rescuers' stubborness or opinion of anyone else.

I don't think we should alienate Ellen because she really is an animal lover and tries to do right by companion animals. Peta uses people in ads who have worn fur or wear leather. Ellen is known to be compassionate toward animals.

The rescue group told ELLEN they were going to the media! That's why Ellen talked about it on her show.

I have rescued a lot of animals and I also make it clear that the dog must come back to ME. However, if someone has another home in mind or even sent the dog somewhere else (and it DOES make you go ARRGGGHHHHHH!), I check out the new home and virtually all the time it's suitable. The fact that the DOG has bonded to the FAMILY is the important part, because rescuers should be all about the dog's welfare.

And . . . who are WE to cast aspersions on someone for being PASSIONATE about an animal? I think if I had a large forum I would use it. Not quite in that way, but I would use it.

I most recently rescued a gorgeous little Belgian mix from a kill shelter. Someone sent me her photo and on her last day, I just had to go and get her. Her owners of 8 years were having a baby. She was so sweet but very scared. After a few days in my house, she settled in and decided I was her "person." I knew I had to keep her. I did work with her a lot to live with the cats, but I am a dog trainer and with patience it worked out.

Ellen did put the dog with a trainer and the trainer said that she and Portia did everything he recommended and worked with Iggy every day. There ARE some dogs who are simply not compatible with cats. GENERALLY, we cat-test them and decide whether or not they can be placed with cats. Now, children are another matter. I assess the animals carefully and decide what age of child would be appropriate. However, some children are a lot more sensitive than others and make great caretakers.

I also care about how families care for the pets they have and check with their vet.

When I adopted a Premarin filly, they wanted letters of recommendations from farriers, vets, and a trainer willing to work with you and the horse. They inspected the facilities if close enough. You must agree NEVER to breed the horse (OF COURSE) and you have to check in with reports for up to two years before the horse is officially transferred to you.

Anyway, my opinion. I don't think we should castigate Ellen, and I also don't think the rescue should be faulted for having strict requirements. It's heartbreaking when they end up on the street, back in a shelter, or sold for experiments.

I hope the exposure causes MORE people to be aware of rescuers. We NEVER make money. I spent everything I had if an animal needed care. I was thrilled if the adoption fee covered HALF of what I had spent. It's thankless and sometimes heartbreaking but it can be incredibly rewarding as well. Most people would never do it except for wanting to make a difference. I have known some, however, who become VERY superior and controlling, like nobody on earth could possibly care for an animal properly except them.

Posted by: Karen | October 21, 2007 01:38 AM

Ellen said many, many times that she made a mistake and did things wrong, that it wasn't the new family's fault, but all hers.

I thought Peta's response was very good, calm and thoughtful. They explained the importance of checking out the home and why rescuers have rules. Then, they went on to explain that the rescue group should have made more of an effort to see if the hairstylist's family was a suitable home.

There was nothing in the contract that mentioned children. Twelve year olds can be very sensitive and responsible as Ruby seems to be.

Portia de Rossi signed the contract and of course they should have abided by it. They weren't asked to fill out an application. The new family DID fill out an application and the "visit" was ostensibly to check out the new home, but instead she just took the dog away.

What bothered me the most is the the rescue group said the dog wasn't going back to the family because of ELLEN. They didn't want to be "bossed around by the Ellen DeGenereses of the world." OK, this is supposed to be about the DOG, not about the rescuers' stubborness or opinion of anyone else.

I don't think we should alienate Ellen because she really is an animal lover and tries to do right by companion animals. Peta uses people in ads who have worn fur or wear leather. Ellen is known to be compassionate toward animals.

The rescue group told ELLEN they were going to the media! That's why Ellen talked about it on her show.

I have rescued a lot of animals and I also make it clear that the dog must come back to ME. However, if someone has another home in mind or even sent the dog somewhere else (and it DOES make you go ARRGGGHHHHHH!), I check out the new home and virtually all the time it's suitable. The fact that the DOG has bonded to the FAMILY is the important part, because rescuers should be all about the dog's welfare.

And . . . who are WE to cast aspersions on someone for being PASSIONATE about an animal? I think if I had a large forum I would use it. Not quite in that way, but I would use it.

I most recently rescued a gorgeous little Belgian mix from a kill shelter. Someone sent me her photo and on her last day, I just had to go and get her. Her owners of 8 years were having a baby. She was so sweet but very scared. After a few days in my house, she settled in and decided I was her "person." I knew I had to keep her. I did work with her a lot to live with the cats, but I am a dog trainer and with patience it worked out.

Ellen did put the dog with a trainer and the trainer said that she and Portia did everything he recommended and worked with Iggy every day. There ARE some dogs who are simply not compatible with cats. GENERALLY, we cat-test them and decide whether or not they can be placed with cats. Now, children are another matter. I assess the animals carefully and decide what age of child would be appropriate. However, some children are a lot more sensitive than others and make great caretakers.

I also care about how families care for the pets they have and check with their vet.

When I adopted a Premarin filly, they wanted letters of recommendations from farriers, vets, and a trainer willing to work with you and the horse. They inspected the facilities if close enough. You must agree NEVER to breed the horse (OF COURSE) and you have to check in with reports for up to two years before the horse is officially transferred to you.

Anyway, my opinion. I don't think we should castigate Ellen, and I also don't think the rescue should be faulted for having strict requirements. It's heartbreaking when they end up on the street, back in a shelter, or sold for experiments.

I hope the exposure causes MORE people to be aware of rescuers. We NEVER make money. I spent everything I had if an animal needed care. I was thrilled if the adoption fee covered HALF of what I had spent. It's thankless and sometimes heartbreaking but it can be incredibly rewarding as well. Most people would never do it except for wanting to make a difference. I have known some, however, who become VERY superior and controlling, like nobody on earth could possibly care for an animal properly except them.

Posted by: Karen | October 21, 2007 02:26 AM

I can't leave it yet...

Imagine you adopt a human child and realize that your other two kids do not get along well with her/him?

What do you do? Do you pass the child on to the neighbor or your hair-dresser? Or do you contact the adoption agency first?

Say you pass the child on to you hairdresser and are afterwards confronted by the adoption agency - how do you react?

Do you cry that you have been a good mother cause you spend $3000 on the child? Do you put the adoption agency under public pressure - claiming that they do not have the interest of the child in mind as the new hairdresser's family loves the their newly adopted child...

Do you avoid a public apology to the child and the agency (nobody else is a victim..)

If I had not experienced those things myself and if I had not watched Ellen's pathetic video - I would not be as mad.

How come that nothing that Britney and Paris have done - gets me as mad as Ellen's video? No - seriously - I cannot recall having witnessed something so self-diluted and self-centered as this Ellen clip... It hunts me during my wakening hours and hope it will fade away. My Dog - how needy must she be in private if she has no problem to show this side of her in public?

It took me years to learn my lessons - avoiding "humans" like Ellen at all costs on a private but also professional level. And I thought she was vegetarian - well after the puppy story it does not surprise me to hear what kind of pork vegetarian she is? Jelly fish have more backbone? Why is she still in Hollywood? She looks like Martina Navratilova but needs to crack 10 jokes to get 1 laugh? Finally I understand why she makes fun of herself while giving this annoying look of self-pity..

If she were at least beautiful or sexy or something to balance her other traits..?

I also understand why Malcolm X preferred racists to so called Negro lovers.. The racists showed their teeth in earnest like wolves - the "liberals" smiled like a fox - but their appetite is the same. I prefer Vick and his turnaround and the PR effects for animals to that Ellen story which does not help anybody.

Is Ellen herself spayed/neutered and trained - I doubt it? But I am certain that she is on some medication (given the video). I would increase the dosage - drastically?

Posted by: hugo pottisch | October 21, 2007 10:48 AM

I blame the media for putting more emphasis on Ellen than they do on dying soldiers in Iraq and tortured animals on factory farms and in labs. It is just another ruse by the government and the media to keep our minds off what is really going on in the world. Are we all just stupid?

Posted by: Maggy Katz | October 21, 2007 11:14 AM

I agree that there really was no "villian" in this issue. I certainly do hope though before she adopts another animal she thinks it through a bit more.
Adopting a pet is a commitment, and I don't think she took her commitment seriously. I had to sign a contract when I adopted my dog, just like Every one else, it's the rule and that can't be broken even for celebrities.
This is unfortunate and sadly this sometimes happens. I understand the little girl, Ruby I think her name is, doesn't want another dog she just wants Iggy back but she's going to have to learn that we don't always get what we want.
I do give Ellen credit for adopting rather than buying from a dog, however, announcing the seizure of Iggy on her show was a cheap shot.
Read your contract next time Ellen.
Of course the big loser is Iggy, My only hope is that the home he's in now is his forever home.

Posted by: Megan | October 21, 2007 11:15 PM

I don't know anymore, what about this?:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10222007/gossip/pagesix/pagesix.htm

Posted by: Wil | October 22, 2007 09:20 AM

This is a tricky situation for me...I see both sides of this thing I see that Ellen did adopt a dog instead of buying one and that is great news...I do think that Ellen is a good person, and cares deeply for animals. I also think she had good intentions when finding a home for the dog. I also understand that on the other side there are rules through this adoption agency the same rules that I must follow with my own adopted dogs. I also see that the agency would be sending the wrong message if they let Ellen do things that regular people could not...but on that same side I don’t see where the hair dressers children’s age play a role in them not being able to keep the dog they are perfectly old enough to have this small dog. The dog did from what I have seen find a good and loving home, and is that not the mission of the shelter to make sure dogs find loving homes? I don’t think anyone would have known the first thing about this had they not come and seized the dog back so I am torn on the fact that the dog had a good home, but you took it any way, and in a bit of a deceitful way by telling the new owners you were only coming out to inspect the environment. I also find that it may be worse on the dog to have been switched into 3 different homes within a week!!! Now as for Ellen even though I am sure she was greatly upset at all of this using her show to bring this to the spotlight in my opinion was wrong I have to think she knew the attention it would get from her views or she would not have said anything about it in the first place, and that was wrong. For you always have to keep in mind no matter what happened Mutts & Moms is a shelter and there are dogs there that need homes, and the negative attention could harm helpless animals that had nothing to do with this at all. I see wrong on both sides!! No matter what though this agency is about helping animals maybe they did not handle this situation the way it should have been handled, but the dogs that are there awaiting adoption should not have to pay for the agencies mistakes or Ellen’s.

Posted by: Dana | October 22, 2007 09:37 AM

Funny how it turns out that Ellen has done this 9 times before. She gets a dog..then pawns it off over and over. And there is Peta standing up for her. She should be exposed for the troll that she is.

Posted by: Joe | October 22, 2007 09:46 AM

WHEN ELLEN STOPS HAVINGJACK HANNA AS A GUEST AND MAKING COMMERCIALS WITH PERFORMING ANIMALS THE I WILL BELIEVE THAT SHE ''GETS IT'.

Posted by: clara's friend | October 22, 2007 01:16 PM

Be careful clara's friend, caps lock can be a bitch.

Posted by: halo snipe | October 22, 2007 06:11 PM

I'm so sick of seeing the 'Ellen is a good person...' crap. I don't care what kind of a person she is. She broke a CONTRACT. So the agency in question did what they said they would do in such instances. I know for a fact that the 'return the animal to us' clause is always talked about in rescue adoption scenarios. But Ellen and Portia thought they were exempt from this clause. I sure wouldn't want to be in any kind of contract negotiations with Ellen after this because its clear that a) she can't read b) she breaks contracts.
And I do not care about the kid either and wish people would stop whining about her. The adults in her life should use this as a lesson on what happens when people don't come through on their promises. This child is hurting not because of Mutts and Moms but because Ellen and Portia are arrogant celebrities and should be ashamed of themselves.

Posted by: Anonymous | October 22, 2007 09:17 PM

I have a problem with Ellen. I hate how she has Jack Hanna on and the commercials with performing animals. The sick thing is, this isn't the first time she's gotten a dog and then given it to someone else! If it wasn't for this, I would like Ellen.

Posted by: Aleasha | October 24, 2007 01:15 AM

Yes, I was looking after my elderly father who was 97 with dementia and blindness runs in both sides of my family.

I am a nurse. I have worked at the Canadian Institute for the Blind...as a nurse for the people that used to live there...I have had blind family members...my vision is fine though...

and I wanted to adopt a blind Jack Russell from one such a saving shelter...They wanted to know my father's opinion on a possible adoption. I explained that my father was incapable of being involved in the situation...I am 55 and my husband 66 for heaven's sake and I have cats and a rabbit and a gentle 10 year old dog who loves all dogs and has roomed in with myself and others who had dogs. So...my point being. They lost a home for the dog by being huffy and rude...I went to a shelter and adopted an older dog with multiple health issues and I am dealing with them as they appear. The woman at the shelter even wrote me an abrasive email.
When my much loved bunny died of old age I went to a small animal rescue to adopt and I had to jump through hoops for 2 hours before I was even invited back for a second visit. She was also extremely abrasive.

I can see both sides of the issue. There is no doubt that the rescue orgs get attached to the animals but they have to learn to let go and to continue to be polite and inviting with potential adopters or it is the animals that lose.

All of my animals are spayed or neutered and I have cats with multiple health problems as well who were dumped on my door a number of years ago.

Hmmmm....

Posted by: withgoddess | October 25, 2007 10:57 PM

Go to thesmokinggun com

The email exchange has finally been released.

As predicted, Ellen was NOT telling the whole story.

Her "artistic interpretation" of what happened, I suppose.

Very convincing, indeed. Not.

Posted by: VestaGirl | October 25, 2007 11:01 PM

Pet rescues in this country are getting a bit ridiculous. Dogs are being euthanized left and right while the rescues refuse to adopt dogs to families for a myriad of silly reasons. My husband and I attempted to adopt a dog awhile back and rescue after rescue rejected us for not having a fenced-in yard, not being able to stay home with the dog all day, and because we live in an apartment. The rescue Ellen adopted from won't adopt pets to families with children under the age of 14. This is crazy! No wonder so many people turn to pet shops and breeders! Of course rescues shouldn't give the dogs to just anyone, but placing so many restrictions on loving families who truly want to adopt is causing even more pets to be euthanized.

Posted by: Julie | October 26, 2007 09:40 AM

A final note. The rescue society contacted iggy's new home and asked them to fill out an adoption paper for him. they refused saying this was Ellen's dog. Ellen made no attempt to compromise with the rescue and then went on tv with a sob story. this resulted in death threats etc to thses people who use their own time to better animals lives. Ellen knew what she was doing and tried to flex her muscles at the expense of people she says she tries to help.

Posted by: victor | October 26, 2007 09:55 AM

see the email exchange at www.thesmokinggun.com

Ellen is a jerk.

Posted by: VestaGirl | October 26, 2007 11:48 AM

I know mutts&moms have rules and that's great but there are so many homeless pets in this world, if that family can give that dog love and take good care of it, why not let them have it. Just my thoughts!

Posted by: sherry | October 26, 2007 01:27 PM

This is Ellen's lunch blog:

Sprouts: Nature's Veal
October 26, 2007 | Posted on 11:03 AM

Yes, she's a REAL joker. So funny.

I, too, just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE seeing calves caged up for months on end and then brutally slaughtered.

Ellen just LOVES, LOVES, LOVES animals, don't you know!

Thank you, PETA, for standing up for this wonder, animal-loving advocate. I can only hope to emulate her.

Posted by: Anonymous | October 26, 2007 09:44 PM

Ellen keeps making commercials with animals and it is very apparent she thinks animals are disposable. The animals Jack Hanna brings on the show are stressed out and I feel so bad for them. This should be illegal?

She has disgarded animals 9 times before - that is shamefull and criminal. I would like someone to press charges against her.

Posted by: Amy Scott | October 28, 2007 12:04 PM

Come on...at least she is attempting to rescue animals. I've had it with not only the celebrities but all people who insist on buying overpriced sick dogs at pet stores while thousands of animals sit on death row because no one wants them. Two of my current dogs were adopted from the animal shelter and my little one was abandoned, got him in my front yard. It was OUR lucky day!

Posted by: Cathy | October 31, 2007 10:17 PM

i think that peta does not like ellen degenres and is out to make some kind of point about her story

Posted by: jennifer whitson | November 1, 2007 11:32 PM