What Should NY State's Official Dog (And Cat) Be?

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New York has 23 official state symbols: we have a butterfly (Red-spotted Purple/White Admiral), a bush (Lilac Bush), and freshwater and saltwater fishes (Brook Trout and Striped Bass, appropriately). We have a fossil (sea scorpion), beverage (milk) and muffin (Apple Muffin). But you know what we don't have? We don't have an official man's best friend to represent us...but that might not be for too much longer.

Assemblyman Micah Kellner, an Upper East Side Democrat, and State Senator Joseph E. Robach, a Republican who represents Rochester, are introducing legislation tomorrow to formally adopt a state dog. A spokesman for Kellner said he would choose a rescue dog, to symbolize the need for people to adopt pets from animal shelters and animal protection groups. They will make the formal announcement about the legislation tomorrow at City Hall, joined by therapy dog Sarge Wolf-Stringer.

But you know what else NY State doesn't have? An official state cat! Hell, even Massachusetts has an official state cat (tabby). Any suggestions? We are partial to Bodega Cats.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Ben Yakas in News on April 20, 2011 6:25 PM

Comments [rss]

Vet Barnes

The Rescue dogs that searched for victims through the rubble of the Twin Towers, through the smoke and fire who gave their lives to find the victims of that horrible explosion. Those are the dogs that should be honored not rescued dogs that are here due to just running wild.
The Real Rescue dogs are Border Collies, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Airdale Terrier, Beauceron, Bloodhound, Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, Belgian Tervurens and Belgian Malinois. You know the dogs you tried to ban from the great city of New York. These are the dogs that deserved to be the state dog of New York. How about Dorado a golden lab who led his blind master down from the 71st floor in time to get out of the building before it collapsed. These are the dogs that gave their lives for our loved ones on 911. Shame on you for ignoring those animals that truly work for the betterment of all dogs and human beings.

* "Anna" Atlas (1997-2002) - German Shepherd
* "Ellie" Barker (1996-2003) - German Shepherd
* "Dylan" Bobrosky (1994-2005) - German Shepherd
* "Kinsey" Deeds (1999-2007) - black lab mix
* "Git Ander" Gillespie (1994-2001) - German Shepherd
* "Pepe" Gilliland (1993-2006 - Border Collie
* "Ivey" Hachmeister (1995-2005) - German Shepherd
* "Metrodobe's Spicy's Sunnyboy" Hammond (1993-2004) Doberman Pinscher
* "Sheridan" Holleyman (1994-2004) - Border Collie
* "Socks" Lavoie (1991-2002) - German Shepherd
* "Ronnie" Lee (1996-2005) - German Shepherd
* "Sirius" Lim (1997-2001) - Yellow Lab
* "Cholo" Reitz (1994-2004) - German Shepherd
* "Louie" Rising (1994-2004 - Golden Retrevier
* "Riley" Roemer (1996-2005) - Golden Retrevier
"Kali" Peine Rottweiler May 4, 1999 to December 20, 2005
* "NiCad Batteries Rechargeable" Shane(1994-2003) Golden Retrevier
* "Bear" Shields (1990-2002)
* "Jenner" Wichmann (1992-2004)- Black lab
* "Jason" Wolff (1992-2004) - German Shepherd
* "Thor" Zintsmaster (1990-2004)- German Shepherd

SPIBB

It has to be the pitbull. Tough and intimidating from a distance but loving and beautiful when you know them.

Donot Friendme

Da fuck are they wasting my tax dollars working on this legislation? Get back to running the state fuckers.

Peanut_Butter

Stifler!

dollarmenu

Rat Terrier, obviously.

Sharktopus

"...but that might not be for too much long."
BEN! For chrissakes, get someone to read your stories before you post them!!

fosiacat

definitely pit bull. loyal, loving strong and resilient.

Kyle Petersen

Boston Terrier, just to piss off people from Boston

virgilstarkwell

jesusfuckingchrist - between these boneheads and the douche waging war on real estate brokers who like to come up with dumb acronyms to help them sell shitty apartments in shittier neighborhoods, i don't know who to kick in the nuts first.

the fact that these guys spend even one minute of their day on such nonsense is an insult to thousands upon thousands people across the state who are unemployed (or under-employed), uninsured, over-taxed, overcrowded, and underrepresented.