The American Dog at Home Quotes

“It’s how I relax. Meditate. Rejuvenate. Being with my dogs is putting spirituality into practice. I am fully ‘Present’ with them. And will never have a life without one or two or five or seven roaming ‘INSIDE this house’.” - Oprah Winfrey in the essay A Dog Like Lassie”
― William Secord, The American Dog at Home: The Dog Portraits of Christine Merrill

“Her love of dogs goes back to her childhood growing up watching black and white television. As Oprah remembers, “I grew up in the days of Lassie – the TV show about a boy [Timmy] and his dog. On the episodes when Lassie would go missing, I would actually get on my knees and pray for Lassie’s return. Not until several years ago – while visiting the set of Desperate Housewives and seeing the house where Timmy and Lassie lived, which is the same neighborhood – did it hit me. Lassie was never lost. It was the scriptwriters and producers’ ode to May sweeps. - Oprah Winfrey in the essay A Dog Like Lassie”
― William Secord, The American Dog at Home: The Dog Portraits of Christine Merrill

“Mary, however in typical matter of fact fashion, does not see any conflict in her multiple roles. “You know, rescue people often ask why breeders keep breeding dogs when there are so many unwanted dogs that have to be put down every year. My answer is that responsible breeders produce the best puppies for a long and healthy life, creating an opportunity for a fabulous human/canine bond that is based on a breeds particular attributes.” Mary loves the breed and enjoys all the time she spends with them, but she also takes her role as a breeder very seriously. “Do not over produce, do health testing and breed to improve the overall quality of the dog,” she implores. “And educate a potential dog owner about your breed so that you and they can be sure the dog is right for them.” Mary Remer, in the essay 'What a Good Dog!”
― William Secord, The American Dog at Home: The Dog Portraits of Christine Merrill