Black Dog Democrats

I'm building a new political coalition -- the Black Dog Democrats.

Our first policy initiative: universal health care for humans . . . and universal vet care for pets.

Animals are suffering and dying for lack of affordable vet care. A single well-pet trip to the vet can easily set you back $300, what with the poking, prodding, rabies shots, kennel cough meds, heartworm pills and that noxious stuff for ticks and fleas.

I recently attended the funeral of my old friend Elvis, a cockatiel who died prematurely at the tender age of 14, simply because he couldn't justify the $1,500 vet bill for cancer surgery (with a very iffy prognosis of success). Sadly, he passed away quietly at home and had to settle for a simple, do-it-yourself funeral at the foot of a NYC street tree . . . but the outrageous expense of burials is topic for a future post.

So the Black Dog Dems are organizing!

To date, we've galvanized many members in my immediate neighborhood alone (although it helps that I live in downtown Manhattan, were liberals are plentiful and all the dogs wear black).

Of course -- pets of every species, colors, stripes and spots are welcome to join us.

Stay tuned. I will keep you posted as our cause progresses!