'How much is that doggy in the window?' Appropriate today?
If you're a fan of popular music from the "fifties", of course you will remember one of the most celebrated songs, recorded in 1952 by Patti Page. "How Much is that Doggie in the Window?" hit the top of the charts, taking the number one spot in 1953.
To refresh your memories, the song was about an adorable little dog on display for sale in a pet store window. The first lines of the song are, "How much is that doggy in the window? The one with the waggily tail. How much is that doggie in the window? I do hope that doggy's for sale."
Photo credit: China Daily
I will bet my bottom dollar that just the opening verse more than likely inspired lots of folks to quickly visit their local pet store to purchase a perky pooch. No one really wondered from where these puppies originated, nor gave it a second thought. But as I gave it more consideration, I began to wonder what the public's reaction would be today.
What inspired me to write this item was promoted by an email I received the other day from a popular music website. It invited readers to "take a trip down memory lane" and rate the song and give feedback. The site additionally shared with their readers that the song is one of the staff's favorite "golden oldies". But as I watched the video, listening to Patti Page extolling the virtues of the cute little doggy, I started feeling that their high praises for the song was really not "politically correct".
It is not necessary to dwell upon how countless pet lovers have already become increasingly aware and sensitized to the inhumane methods employed to produce the countless number of puppies and kittens for sale whose final journey ends them up prominently showcased in pet stores. These pets for sale are often confined in a tiny wire cages or on exhibit as window attractions unprotected in the hot sun.
But fortunately, puppy and kitten mills, including back yard breeders, are under the gun thanks to the innumerable animal protection organizations whose primary mission is to raise public awareness about the deplorable and cruel conditions to which these animals are subjected. These institutions work tirelessly and passionately to get these mills shut down, with many of these breeders brought up on charges of cruelty to animals.
After you watch the video uploaded to YouTube by Rwlf and listen to the song with an "educated" ear, you may share some of the same feelings and thoughts that I had.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AkLE4X-bbU
If this Patti Page smash best seller was first introduced today on the airwaves, would it quickly soar to number one on the "hit parade?" Leave a comment and share your opinions.
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Comments (7)
Diana September 23, 2009 3:05 PM
I understand your feeling, Jo, but we can take political correctness too far. It's more important that I don't buy dogs and cats from pet stores than whether I listen to or like a particular song.
Barb September 23, 2009 4:05 PM
I agree that song's message wouldn't fly today but it does have a few good points. The song states that the dog would be a companion to help combat lonliness and goes on to state that he/she would have a good home.
jock4hire September 23, 2009 4:06 PM
had our dog trained to bark whenever the records doggie barked. Do I think it'd soar to the #1 spot? Grrrrrrrrrr! NO WAY! Wasn't Patti Page a bit of an animal activist? I'd heard that somewhere. I'm sure back in the 50's, she may have thought that song and those lyrics would help! Those were very different times than they are now Jo. But understand your feelings about it too! Smiles,.... lj
Vicki September 23, 2009 4:39 PM
Funny, I was singing that song to two of my dogs last night. The song was cute and entertaining for the time when it was recorded, but today, Peta and other groups would be protesting it because of puppy mills etc. Nowadays we are in tune to how inhumane puppy mills are and are encouraged to not buy puppies from pet stores. It is kind of a shame becuasxe the poor little dogs can't help where they came from.
jmuhj September 23, 2009 5:38 PM
Well, everyone here probably knows by now that I don't like dogs, so I won't labor the point; but as for the song, yes, I've heard it's contributed to puppymillling being a big industry, and to someone who would prefer there weren't any dogs at all, that's bad news!
Amy September 24, 2009 9:17 AM
Being 68 I remember that song well. Way back when it was just a cute little tune almost everyone knew. Now with the awareness people have about animal abuse it doesn't have the "cute" attached to it anymore. But it is unlikely that some people will stop and think before they purchase a pet from a pet store.
annacolleen September 25, 2009 10:17 AM
Did this song contribute to 'Puppy Mills', or to people wanting dogs? Pet stores are much different today, than they were way back then. I can remember people who bred their own small litters for the local pet store. More recently my cousin,(now deceased)had her own pet store, in rural Alabama. She sold puppies, and kittens that were bred by people she knew. Our now closed local pet shop took in kittens and puppies from people like me, who were stubborn about spaying and neutering, that is until our pets went missing for a few days, and ended up pregnant! So, they did us a service, by taking in the results of our stupidity, giving the necessary shots, and wormers, then selling them to people who agreed to spaying, and neutering. In both my cousin's and our local pet stores, the new pet-parents would bring in a certificate from the vet,and would receive a portion of the purchase price, or a nifty toy for the newly aquired little darling. My cousin offered a months worth of kibble as well.
If pet stores were run like this, I'm sure they would not be looked at the way they are, today.
We also would not be worried about whether songs like Patti's were politically correct or not. We could just enjoy them.
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