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So when I read about a Sri Lankan police department that decided a good use of public money was to throw an elaborate wedding for their 18 sniffer dogs [link], followed by a honeymoon for each doggy couple, I simultaneously giggled and cringed.
I giggled because, come on, puppies in formal wear! Puppies getting married to each other like they think they're real people! I'm not made of stone, you know!
But on the other hand, the civil servant in me immediately though "Oh crap, someone's going to cop it in the neck for this one". You don't go spending government money without a damned good reason, and quite rightly so. Somehow, I think they'll have a hard time justifying a puppy wedding on their financial statements.
To be fair though, it's not like a bunch of Sri Lankan police officers got drunk and decided it would be hilarious to pair up all their sniffer dogs and have a Seven Brides For Seven Brothers style wedding. There was a method behind their madness. Apparently it was a bit of a publicity stunt to advertise the fact that they were going to attempt to breed the dogs there rather than keep on buy them from the Netherlands.
That makes sense, I suppose. Dogs born in the location would be better acclimated and more used to the local food and water. And while I don't know how much money it costs to raise a sniffer dog, I have to assume it's cheaper than buying one, so that's got to be a good thing.
But seriously guys, it might have been better if you'd just rented the dogs a hotel room and set them up with some Barry White.
Just saying.
There is just too many things to be annoyed at these days when it comes to government. It tires me. I wish the dogs long and healthy lives with lots of puppies.
ReplyDeleteLOL! May their unions be both long and fruitful.
DeleteBest blog post title ever!!
ReplyDeleteOh, great post as well, but loved the title!
Aww shucks!
DeleteYou're obviously not an American civil servant as they would think nothing about blowing $1M for a "conference", complete with salsa dancing instructions and later a luau. I mean it isn't like it's REAL money...it's just taxpayer money.
ReplyDeleteThe doggie wedding might be a bit over the top, but raising their own sniffer dogs is a great idea. Wonder where their gift registry was? ;)
S
I bet there was lot of puppy chow on that registry!
DeleteIf it is not on a dog's wedding, it will on something else. At least, this way they are doing a humane service.
ReplyDeleteTrue. I'd guess it probably didn't cost that much either, it's just because it was so out there that it drew everyone's attention.
DeletePeople will always find something interesting to do with money that doesn't belong to them. You should see what our government is doing!
ReplyDeleteLOL! It's always the way, isn't it.
DeleteDo you really have to justify it or any government spending? I just thought they threw those type of expenditures under some blanket like "military" and since no one audits the auditors, they're in the clear. Why is dog breeding an issue for the police or Sri Lanka in general? I guarantee the ledger says "animal control" for the doggie wedding.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I'm sure it does.
DeleteGlad to see that someone cares about the excesses of public spending.
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of part of my job ;D
DeleteI admire that the civil servants in your area think about the prudent way to spend money. I don't think a lot of governments give a thought to prudent spending. As far as the dog weddings go, I can appreciate they wanted to make a point but that seems a bit lavish as far as the doggy wedding goes.
ReplyDeleteOn one hand it makes sense that they want to breed dogs locally, wouldn't they be better served to tell the public how they plan to train the dogs. Service dogs coming out of the Netherlands are the best trained dogs in the world. That's why most countries buy them. It's one thing to breed a dog but it's a whole other things to teach it to sniff out drugs and bombs.
Part of me can appreciate the marketing angle of it all, but I can also understand why people got upset.
DeleteSometimes I just love reading the news in other countries. What is acceptable there that would never fly here (and New Zealand is pretty liberal). Thank for the doggie laugh, and I am rolling my eyes too.
ReplyDeleteRhonda @Laugh-Quotes
Hmm, i'm not sure it would occur to anyone here either to throw their sniffer dogs a wedding.
DeleteYou wouldn't want those dogs to live in sin, would you?
ReplyDeleteI suppose that's a good point. All those poor puppies born out of wedlock.
Deleteha ha - M is laughing her fool head off here. So funny.
ReplyDeleteEveryone loves a puppy wedding :D
DeleteWell now I feel less like an idiot from reading the title because I was feeling like a four year old, or a really unattractive 58 year old saying I do for the first time. Poor doggies, outfits can't be comfy and who wants people watching you do it. Plus what if they aren't attracted to their doggie significant others?
ReplyDeleteToo late now, they're legally married!
DeleteIf you want advice how to fritter away taxpayer dollars, just ask us. We've made it an art.
ReplyDeleteLOL!
DeleteYour blog is how I get my news of what's going on in the world. True story.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Valerie
And it's the only reputable news source. Don't trust the others, Val! They'll just lie to you!
DeleteVery funny! I sometimes scratch my head at what people choose to spend money on ~ public and private.
ReplyDeleteIt does make you wonder where their heads were when they decided on it.
DeletePretty good publicity stunt tho, definitely gets people talking about it. I guess it is also greener to uh breed the dogs there, if they come from the Netherlands they must have already a big carbon foot print...I should be in the PR team.
ReplyDeleteLOL! It sounds like you're getting a commission or something!
DeleteWell that's certainly a new one. grin.
ReplyDelete:D
DeleteAw, the cuteness! Of course, if I did that, people would just think I was nuts...but if a police department does it, it's considered publicity.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Double standards, no doubt about it.
Delete