Friday, June 22, 2007

Mutts, Purebreds and Immigration

Personally, I prefer mutts over purebreds for a number of reasons, the first being the cost. One can pick up a mutt for next to nothing, sometimes even free. Why, there is no prestige in being a mutt. Our four dogs have a total cost of $150 because no one wanted them. They are cute, playful, loyal and overall great companions that have blessed our house hold in times of need. The oldest one ($25) has been with my wife for 13 years (longer then I have) and was found 2 or 3 day before she would have been put to sleep at a humane society. This is a dog that is fiercely loyal to my wife, and even saved my wife's life one time. The next on the list cost $50 and was found at a PetSmart. She had gone through several home and did have a destruction problem. She has since turned into the most trustworthy member of the pack at age 11. The final two entered the pack shortly after my wife and I married. One entered by plan and cost $75 from a safe animal shelter. The other was found at my place of work, so he was free.

Secondly mutts have what is referred to as hybrid rigor . They tend to live longer and have less health issues. This is an important aspect to me since I tend to get attached to each of our dogs. I want them around for as long as possible.

So what does any of this have to do with immigration? The U.S. has long been called a country of mutts and rightly so. We have taken purebreds from all around the world and made them into a mutt pack called the United States of America. By doings so, we have become quite powerful and successful pack. We are not the same as when the country started out, mainly Europeans. Over time, the rushes immigrants came from different countries. The Irish had their time as well as the Italians. Most came by choice, some did not. Those that cam by choice, came looking for a better opportunity because of economic, political and religious reasons. These immigrants became American mutts over time. Each immigrant kept a little of their purebred traits, but also took on the traits of something different. That something different is what America is all about. Any immigrant that does not become part of the American mutt pack, which insists on remaining a purebred, only hurts this country. They never should have come; they should have stayed in purebred.