Hey, everyone! It’s me, your attention-loving and tail-wagging JournoDog!
You may remember my call of duty is to sniff out the news and unbury scoops (of food), digging up leads as much as my leash and doggo journo-training will allow.
Sad news came at the very end of 2021, with the passing of a beloved figure known as Betty White. Now, I’m just a baby (a good boi!) who isn’t yet 2 years old, so I’ve not been exposed much to this amazing actress nor the Golden Girls show that so many hold so dear. It has been on my TV more often recently, but this is my initial exposure to her brilliance.
May I just say up front: Betty White makes my tail wag. I love her so much, and even though she’s crossed the Rainbow Bridge at 99 years young, I am thankful she can still be seen on streaming and TV programs.
Of course, Betty White was a well-known philanthropist and had a special place in her heart for the animal community. The iconic actress was a trailblazing animal rights activist who adored the furry ones, and gave so much of herself to groups like the American Humane Society and Guide Dogs for the Blind. Not to mention zoos, animal welfare orgs, and other efforts worldwide.
In remembering and honoring her legacy, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has paid tribute to her and its president said this: “Betty White demonstrated a lifelong commitment to helping animals in need, including dedicated support for local shelters and animal welfare endeavors, fiercely promoting and protecting animal interests in her entertainment projects and personally adopting many rescued animals.”
One of my fave pet-news sites, The Woof Republic, has this great piece on Betty White’s long history of devotion to animals and it’s worth a read.
Some may not know that way back in in the early 1970s (long before I was born), Betty White wrote, produced, and hosted a syndicated TV show called “The Pet Set,” where celebrities brought their dogs and cats along with them. She also wrote a 1983 book titled “Betty White’s Pet Love: How Pets Take Care of Us,” and then “Betty & Friends: My Life at the Zoo” in 2011 focused on her passion for animals in the zoo.
Many rescue shelters and animal rights groups are seeing a surge in donations made in tribute to the iconic actress, and there’s a new #BettyWhiteChallenge sweeping social media that asks people to donate $5 to animal rescues or shelters in her name on Jan. 17, 2022 — the day she would’ve celebrated her 100th birthday. There’s even this Betty White portrait painting that snagged $50,000 at a charity event, following her passing.
Later this year, the Guide Dogs for the Blind is naming a puppy after her given her 35-year connection to the org and how Betty White was a long-time puppy raiser who herself had adopted and raised a Golden Retriever named “Pontiac.” This new puppy will be a Golden Retreiver puppy named “Betty Rose,” honoring Golden Girls actresses’ real name and her show character name, and the puppy will go to a puppy raiser at 6 weeks old.
Truly, this all shows how wonderful humans can be to animal kind. We’ve lost a good one n the world, and honoring her legacy and making sure it continues on is a new goal for all of us.
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. Be kind to each other no matter what. And even when scared or stressed, try to smile and find a little happiness for your heart every day.
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JournoDog Chronicles 