* Ugly Dogs Need Love Too!

Behold the Roo!

I decided to take over the keyboard today to talk to you about the plight of ugly dogs everywhere. I am fully qualified to speak on this topic because upon meeting me, most people exclaim, "That is the ugliest dog I've ever seen!" I'm getting used to it, but I still make ugly faces and growl.

When people talk about getting a dog, they talk about breeding, they talk about puppies, they talk about cute. I live with a purebred Rottweiler, and I'm not that impressed.

What I really want to know is what is wrong with an ugly dog? We need love too!

My full name is WannaBe A. Rottweiler, (The A stands for Annabella.) Most people just call me Roo though, and sometimes Beast. Before I found my family, I was homeless and wandering the streets because my previous owner didn't want me.

I came into my family's life with no papers, no known breed, and an attitude the size of Los Angeles. From my very first day in this home I made sure the Rottie know who was boss.

Since they haven't been able to fully determine my doggie origins (possible cat, rat, bat, and a little kangaroo thrown in), they decided I must be a purebred Roolian, originating from the planet Roo, or possibly the Mexican sewer rat of urban legend fame.

Beware the Ugly Face!

Bear with me here, because I have a case to make. If you are considering adopting some cute little purebred puppy, I have a thing or two to share with you. They aren't really all that special. Anyone can have a dog just like millions of other dogs around the world.

Dogs like me are a one-of-a-kind creation.

You are unique, so why not make sure the pet who runs your home is unique as well?

Pounds and shelters are full of ugly dogs just like me, just waiting to take over your heart and your home. When you choose one of us, you get a dog unlike any other in the world.

Generally we don't have as many health problems as purebreds do, because genetic problems persist through breeds. They don't live as long as we do either. If you are going to have a companion, shouldn't it be one you can depend on to stick around a little longer? I'd also like to think we are far smarter as well, and have very unique personalities.

Best of all, we are usually free, or available for a small adoption fee. We will run your home, we will take over your life, so choose wisely.

I Love Mutts: Mixed-Breed Dogs are Better Than a Purebreds

A Roo has to have her priorities in life...

1. Sunning: Sunning is very, very important. So important that I usually do it before potty unless I really have to go. It isn't easy to sun properly, your position must constantly be adjusted. So sunning, then potty. Remember that.

2. Chicken: Chicken is an all-purpose word for food. Something totally unhealthy and delightfully yummy. Whisper the word three blocks away and I will hear you. Give me some and I'll be your best friend for life.

3. Uncle Derick:Uncle Derick is the bestest person ever. He always shares his chicken with me and he hides me when I'm in trouble with Mom. I get so excited when he visits that I actually cry.

4. Mom:There's no doubt about it. I am a momma's girl... see above exceptions. Foods and Derick aside... nothing is going to take me away from my mom.

5. Night-night:The life of a Roo isn't an easy one, and Roos really need their boo-ty sleep. 22 hours per day is preferable. If I am missing, check under the blanket.

6. Dad: Things to do with Dad: Wrestling every night before bed followed by snuggling into his armpit and watching TV, sitting like a human of course.

7. Grandma: My favorite place in the world is Grandma's house. She has foods. And Jeds. And Dericks. And foods.

8. My kids: The question "Where's your kids?" is followed by a thorough search of the house and/or property until all of the kids are located. If the kids have friends visiting, she will find them too.

9. Skit the Mousie: There is a mousie in the bed with us. I can't find it, but I know it's there. Mom says it's just Dad's hand but I don't believe her.

10. Cellophane: Not the word in this case, but the sound of plastic in general. Almost anything that comes out of plastic is for humans, therefore nummy, therefore for me. The crackle of cellophane can wake me from a dead sleep no matter how quiet they try to be.

Dog Foods: Dog is not my favorite word. Add that to foods and it means sad times for a Roo. If I am forced to eat dog food I only do so in the same room as Mom so she can share my pain. Even if she is in the bathroom. I also chew it as loudly as possible.

Dog food BAD.

Don't mess with the Roo when she is trying to sleep. You have been warned.

Okay, so I just gotta ask... Am I pretty or what?

Diary of a Disfranchised Dog

If you don't have good looks on your side, at least have a great personality.

Personality is something I have a lot of.

I try to talk but the only word I can really come up with is Roo. However, I understand "Grandma's house," "night-night," "go to your room," "get dad," and my favorite word of all, "chicken." I can hear someone whisper the word chicken from three rooms away.

I spend most of my days resting up for the big mouse hunt every night. I fancy myself the great white mouse hunter, which my family can't quite explain. Sometimes they find me staring at cupboards, and now and then they find me IN the cupboards.

I know he is in there, but I can't quite figure out how to get to him. I did finally catch one all by myself a few weeks ago... well it was in a glue trap but still. I was so proud of myself that I brought the trap to mom and laid it at her feet so she could congratulate me.

She took it away from me before she saw the mouse in it, and would you believe she screamed like a girl when it fell out? What a reaction!

To add insult to injury, she wouldn't let me keep my prize! So I'm off to find my next mouse, and this time mom can't have it.

It's a cruel world, I tell ya. Us ugly dogs just can't get a break!

Update: After four months of hunting, I finally caught my first mouse without the aid of a trap. Mom took it away from me of course, but I finally did it! I am the great white mouse hunter, so small creatures of the world beware.

The World's Ugliest Dog Competition is held annually at the Sonoma-Marin Fair.

The 2008 contest featured 11 of the ugliest dogs you will ever meet. Many of these pampered pooches were rescued from shelters all across the country. The 2008 winner was Gus, who passed away on Monday, November 10, 2008, after a long fight with skin cancer.

Gus's Mom had this to say: "I am a firm believer that far too many animals have their lives ended because they are elderly, disabled, or plain old ugly. I would challenge everyone to give these special guys the love and attention they deserve. They make require a little more care, but they certainly are deserving of it."

So adopt an ugly dog today. You never know, you both might be famous. My family says I am too cute to participate in the competition, but a dog can dream, can't she?

This broadcast has been interrupted!

It's bad enough that that little rat always gets to be on someone's lap stealing all of the attention, but her own lens? Not gonna happen!

I'm Kane, and I'm running the show now.

Roo is ten pounds of neurotic fluff. She thinks she is top-dog around here, but I'm ten times the dog (or whatever) she is. Besides, look at that face. I am one handsome dog! My interests include bye-bye, cleaning myself in the middle of the night, and trying to sneak onto visitors' laps.

A lot of people are afraid of me, but Roo is the one you have to watch out for. You just never know what she is going to do, and then she gives them that face and they say, "Oh, how cute." Pathetic! I am all Rottweiler, and proud of it. I even have the papers to prove it. My family insists I am actually a "Rotten-weiler" though, whatever that means.

There is nothing wrong with purebred dogs, I mean come on, look at Roo. We don't even know for sure she IS a dog.

Rottweilers may be big, but we have big hearts too. When we are well trained and socialized, we make excellent family pets. We are just like kids, we need constant attention and guidance. Same with any dog, really. If you take the time to teach us right from wrong, and how to act when visitors come, we can be a great addition to any family.

We are a very loyal breed, and personally, I am so mellow I am often mistaken for dead. I am also a pacifist. I don't allow arguing, fighting, or yelling in my home or I get very upset. I've trained my family well.

A dog doesn't want the same thing a human does. We don't care about fancy homes or cars. All we ask is for warm, safe shelter, plenty of food, fresh water, and someone to love.

Our ancestors were pack animals, and we still have those same instincts. We still need to belong to a pack, even if it is a pack of humans. We need a leader, but more than that we need companions.

A lot of purebred dogs like me end up in shelters too, not just mutts.

Getting a dog is a lifetime commitment, and a lot of people don't seem to realize that when they look into the big brown eyes of a puppy. If you have ever wanted a Rottie, or any other dog for that matter, there are many places you can go to to get an abandoned, neglected, or abused dog that has a lot of love left to give.

You won't be sorry!

Sayuri-San is the mutant dumpster kitty that came to us at three weeks old. The moment we saw her Siamese markings and big blue eyes we were under her spell.

Then we saw her feet. Each one of her dainty little feet has an additional thumb. A mutie as well! A match made in heaven.

It took less than an hour for the entire family to fall madly in love with her and a year later... we regret that decision hourly. There was no way of knowing how truly evil she was to become.

There is no place in our home that is sacred. She has ways of getting to the most inaccessible areas. We have a house full of antiques. It isn't pretty...

She also insists on being center of attention at all times. If she doesn't think you are paying enough attention to you she plays the biting game, in which she sneaks up on you and bites you when you least expect it. Especially when you are sleeping.

The worst part of all though is her superpower...

"But I's cute, so it's okay!"

As soon as she knows she has pushed you too far... cue the big blue eyes and innocent little meow. Beware... she is EVIL.

I dare you not to laugh at this video of her...

"Bad dog! Bad dog! Stole a biscuit, bad dog!"

The dog is saying, "Who are you to judge me? You human beings who've had genocide, war against people of different creeds, colors, religions, and I stole a biscuit?! Is that a crime? People of the world!"

"Well, if you put it that way, I think you've got a point. Have another biscuit, sorry."

Eddie Izzard

Socrates believed that the purpose of human life was growth, both personal and spiritual. When you take a close look at your life, you see patterns. When you look at the lives of others those patterns expand. Human nature becomes less of a mystery once you see and understand those patterns.

Life is beautiful, even the ugly parts of it carry a certain beauty. Join me as I explore life and the meaning behind the events we witness. On my blog, in my novels, and here at Squidoo I explore many of these patterns we find recurring throughout our lives.

I invite you to join me on that journey.