In the spirit of full disclosure, I’m not a huge Ellen fan and I think I’ve stated once or twice my feelings on dogs (see my posts on the Michael Vick case) and how we must demand humane treatment of them.  So, I don’t want any PETA people complaining that I’m some kind of animal hater or celebrity lover. 

Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, when did dogs stop being property?  Apparently Ellen DeGeneres adopted a dog from a dog rescue agency. Kudos to Ellen for adopting a dog that needed a home.  Too bad more people aren’t able/willing to do that.  But, at that point I would think the dog became her property. At that point — with the exception of inhumane treatment — she can pretty much do whatever she wants to with the dog can’t she?

She attempted to train the dog to get along with her cats. It didn’t work so she gave the dog to her nieces. She was the owner, I would think that’s her right.  In so doing, she relinquished her ownership rights to them.  Yet this rescue agency “removed Iggy” (the dog) from their home?  If dogs are property, isn’t that stealing?

Seems to me the rescue agency made a mistake in judging the dog’s temperament relating to cats.  Seems to me a rescue agency’s mission would be to rescue and find good homes for dogs.  Seems to me, like that is exactly what happened for this dog.  Seems to me its probably better off spending time playing with an 11 year old and 12 year old, than sitting at some TV studio all day or being home by itself all day.  Seems to me the agency should leave well enough alone instead of trying to find another home willing to adopt this dog.  Seems to me, dogs are property, or at least they used to be.