Hey everyone! It’s me again, your friendly furry #JournoDog who is all about sniffing out the news and digging up quality journalism – from a dog’s tail-wagging POV.
These are strange and scary times we’re living in. You see the news headlines about wildfires in California, and freaky-weird dog robots becoming more of a reality, and it makes me want to put my tail between my legs and bow my head in fear.
Here’s what is on my doggy news radar lately:
Robot Dog: OK, this makes the fur on my back and tail go up. TIME ran a video recently about weird robot dogs that look eerily similar to those shown on the fictional show Black Mirror in the past. Here, these yellow-and-black robot dogs (too much like stingy bee colors!) are grabbing door handles and opening doors. It reminds me of the door-opening Raptors in Jurassic Park, btw. Why? Please. We’re just setting the stage for these non-pettable creatures to take over the world. They don’t have fur and aren’t lovable with wet noses or wagging tails… so clearly, this is mis-guided technology. Beware and Say No to Robot Pets, friends!
Fires and Smoke: This is just horrible, too. The devastating fires in California that are spreading, wiping out towns and killing people and pets and leaving them with lives destroyed. There are stories about pets being displaced by all of this disaster, with many are running lose and being lost because they’re left outside in these times — not to mention just being exposed to the hazardous air quality as a result of these fires around CA. And how are people leaving their homes without their pets in tow? That just boggles my dog-brain. But yes, there are stories about dogs staying close to their people, hiding in ditches or being carried in backpacks as humans flee. Some of it warms the heart, even in the face of disastrous stories. Hundreds of animals are being saved after the fact. Organizations, vets, and humane societies are working to reunite pets and people as much as possible all across California. If you can, PLEASE HELP the pets!!!
Joe Biden’s New Dog: For a happy story related to rescuing dogs, former VP Joe Biden has adopted a new shelter dog! The Biden family has brought home a German Shepard named Major from the Delaware Humane Association. They’d already been fostering Major, but now decided to make it permanent and he joins with their other German Shepard named Champ, adopted a decade ago. Remember, as VP, Biden would hand out stuffed-animal versions of Champ to kids and bring him into his Washington D.C. office from time to time. Of course, putting on my puppy political hat, I’ll remind everyone that the White House continues to not have a dog there… so we should think even more seriously about Biden 2020 in the hopes of bringing us a respected leader with a dog in the White House!
Press Freedom: May I also put in a plug for Free Press and the Fourth Estate? Journalists got a victory in court this week after the Orange Pumpkin President and Team banned press credentials from a CNN reporter trying to do his job by asking serious questions… you know, and wanting actual adult-answers from the commander-in-chief. Here’s to journalism and the free press in America and across the world, where it’s often attacked and in danger.
Ok, that’s all for this week. Until the next time, whenever the news beckons like a barking dog you can’t help but pay attention to, #JournoDog out.
As always, remember: Love your pets. Read a newspaper. Support local journalism. Help pets in need. And try to smile and find a little happiness for your heart every day.
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JournoDog Chronicles 