Takoda Announces Run for Presidency

Takoda lays out plans for U.S. and how to achieve them

WASHINGTON - Addressing the countless problems the United States faces today, Takoda announced on Saturday Aug. 23 that she would run for president. In front of the Iowa State Capital building, Takoda carefully laid out the goals she has for the U.S. and how those can be achieved.

"All of us know what those challenges are today - breed specific legislation, dog fighting, a dependence on oil that threatens to end car rides to the dog park, doggy daycares where too many puppies aren't learning anything, canines tied out in backyards for hours on end, and human families struggling paycheck to paycheck despite working as hard as they can, with no money left in the budget for vet expenses and dog food," Takoda said.

Takoda spent a good portion of her speech relating to the "common" dog. She explained that she understands that it is not fair for people to work long hours and dogs to sit at home with nothing to chew. This is one issue she hopes to address.

Referring to herself as a, "short, stocky, Des Moines mutt who once did time in a city dog pound," Takoda explained that a change for the future is not only possible, but completely necessary.

Among the thousands of supporters, there were many protesters as well. Lining the streets surrounding the Iowa State Capital, Pro-Breeding groups held giant signs depicting neutered male canines, claiming that Takoda is not a worthy candidate because she supports such things.

"I don't really know what she plans to do, but I know that she is pro Spay and Neutering," Spike McBarky, a member of the Pro-Breeding Action League, said. "It has nothing to do with her breed either. I just want to see bitches in heat and lots of puppies."

While many pro-breeding activists were present, there were also a few that were outwardly supporting Takoda. Several dogs could be seen holding signs that said, "Pro-Breeding and Pro-Takoda."

While the masses braved the August humidity, others crowded into nearby East Village pubs and coffee shops to cool off and listen to Takoda via radio.

"Let's be the generation that ends canine homelessness in America…Let's be the generation that finally tackles our vet care crisis…Let's be the generation that finally frees American dogs from the tyranny of homelessness and needless euthanization," Takoda said.

She spoke of ending high-kill animal shelters and providing puppy kindergarten opportunities and shots for every young dog.

Takoda addressed the issue of widespread parvo outbreaks and what must be done to protect our young from it.

Takoda also discussed her support for pit bulls, and the issues revolving around the increase of veterinary care costs.

"We can stop pet overpopulation and homelessness. We can make sure that no more wooded areas are removed needlessly and that our rivers and lakes remain for generations after us to swim in and drink from. Global warming is a real issue and if we don't address it now, the number of squirrels and rabbits available to chase could soon be virtually non-existent." she said.

Emphasizing the fact that she cannot achieve these things alone, Takoda called for support from the audience.

"I definitely think we need some change in this country," Spencer Eatsalot, an English Bulldog attendee and political enthusiast, said, "While I'm still on the fence withTakoda, I definitely agree with a lot of her ideas."

Not available at the time for personal interviews, a personal human friend and colleague of Takoda's was able to offer a few words.

"Takoda is not only a very personal pup pal of mine, but a very down-to-earth girl," Steve Fitzpoochie, political director for the Iowa Federation of Dog Trainers, said. "When speaking one-on-one with her, you feel as though she really values your opinions, and that she takes them to heart."

Fitzpoochie went on to share that the Iowa Federation of Dog Trainers was the first major group to support Takoda in her election as State Dog Representative. Now that Takoda has moved onto bigger and better positions, Fitzpoochie still expressed a great deal of loyalty and friendship with Takoda.

Humans from the American Kennel Club had comments also. "While the AKC has not made a [public] decision on who we will vote for, we fund and support Takoda and we have always had a good relationship with her," DeAnne Bowwow, head of the AKC said.

Drawing particularly on the pups of the nation, Takoda called for "our generation" to be the ones to step forward and make a change.

"For that is our unyielding faith - that in the face of impossible odds, dogs who love their country can change it," she said.

Below: Takoda stands in front of City Hall where she has fought for animal rights & welfare

Below: Takoda passed the Bar Exam in 2007 at just 5 years old
Below: Takoda knows a good leader must stand tall, even if that means standing on something

Where Does Takoda stand on the Issues ?

1. Animal and Canine Rights
There is no more fundamental animal right than the right to be afforded the same consideration as the interest of human beings. Takoda is working to abolish the idea that animals are inferior or worthy of less or no consideration than a human. Nearly 400 years since the first known legislation against animal cruelty in the English-speaking world was passed in Ireland in 1635, still numerous obstacles to ensuring that every animal has the ability to live without the fear of mistreatment, cruelty, and possible death solely due to his low-ranking species.

Takoda's plan:

• Combat Species Discrimination, with special attention to canines
• End Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) and Breed Profiling
  
• Reduce Dog Crimes by Providing ongoing ex-shelter dog support as well as classes and puppy kindergarten for every young canine
• Strengthen Animal Rights Enforcement
  

2. Animal and Canine Rights

With proper training, socialization, and a level of respect, a dog can be an enjoyable family pet and a respectable canine citizen. Our dog schools must train canine students to take their place as good citizens. Takoda believes that we must equip both city and farm dogs with the support and resources they need to provided disadvantaged pups with an opportunity to reach their full potential. We must ensure that all canine students have a quality education regardless of breed, breed group, breed mix, and background.

Takoda's plan:

• America has one of the highest dropout rates in the industrialized dog world. Only 70 percent of U.S. dog school students graduate with a diploma, and 90 percent never attend school at all. American Pit Bull Terrier students are significantly less likely to graduate than Labradors and Golden Retrievers. Takoda will address the dropout crisis by passing her legislation to provide funding to school districts to invest in intervention strategies in puppy kindergarten, which she will make mandatory and accessible to all dogs.
  
• Recruit & Reward Trainers: Takoda will create new Trainer Service Scholarships to help humans train to be Certified Master Trainers using positive techniques. Takoda will increase salaries of trainers who work in unserved places like rural areas and inner-cities, where the death rate of dogs before 1 year of age is currently 70%, with 90% of those deaths due to shootings and hit-and-run accidents. Takoda believes farm and city dogs deserve better.

2. Energy

Takoda understands that America's oil crisis is leading to less car rides for our dogs. The effects of this crisis are appalling. More humans are choosing to ride bicycles and omit excessive trips and errands, which means less socialization and exercise for dogs.

Takoda's plan:

• Make daily dog walks mandatory
• Institute short-term dog daycares and dog stations on every street corner, allowing humans to shop and bring their dog along
• Increase production of dog carts and baskets to allow more dogs to safely accompany owners on bicycle rides

3. End Pet Overpopulation and Homelessness

Takoda knows that pet overpopulation and homelessness go paw in paw. Takoda also knows that until it touches the human population's collective heart and consciousness, it will continue spreading its insidious disease: Euthanasia.

Takoda is aware of the shocking statistics:
Over $2 billion is spent annually by local governments to shelter and ultimately destroy 8-10 million adoptable dogs and cats due of shortage of homes. Source: Business Wire Features

Less than 3% of dog guardians are responsible for surplus births. Source: Save Our Strays

An estimated 6 to 8 million dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters each year. Millions more are abandoned, only to suffer from illness or injury before dying. Source: Doris Day Animal League

Takoda's plan:

• Provide low-cost surgical intervention for all dogs (female ovariohysterectomy; male orchiectomy) to prevent animals from reproducing.
• Provide education on the benefits of altering.
• Combat "human owner ignorance" which populates shelters with abandoned dogs and cats.
• Stop discrimination against mixed breeds and breeds and mixes commonly targeted by breed specific legislation

MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Vote for Takoda in 2008!

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. -Mahatama Gandhi