Wednesday, April 22, 1998 | 10:51 a.m.
The Humane Society of the United States thinks Safire may need to go to language school to better understand canines and felines, because our translation of Buddy's appeal is quite different.
We think what Buddy really said was, "My owner, Bill Clinton, has a valuable opportunity to send the message of responsible pet ownership to a country that loves its dogs. The prez's stated intention to have me neutered is admirable. And, although I have an impressive pedigree, the 2 million dogs who will be euthanized in the coming year due to a lack of loving homes might wish that their dads had been neutered -- especially the 25 to 30 percent of dogs who are also purebred and well pedigreed."
We say that Safire's translation also lacks the understanding that veterinarians recommend their patients be spayed or neutered before six months, because they are all too familiar with diseases of those companion animals who have not received this important surgery: Mammary cancer (the No. 1 cancer of dogs), testicular cancer, painful prostatic disease of male dogs and cats, and life-threatening uterine infections of female dogs and cats.
No dog, especially the president's dog, should run the risk of a preventable disease. Neuter surgery is an essential component of any pup's preventive health care program.
Studies also show that neutered dogs are less likely to bite (it has been reported that President Roosevelt's dog, Major, once ripped the pants off the British prime minister. We're sure President Clinton wouldn't want to risk that with Prime Minister Tony Blair), and are more likely to strongly bond with their owners. Surely, Safire, this is what the first pup was trying to communicate.
Paul G. Irwin president, Humane Society of the United States
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