Hi Ellen,
Here is what I would do about getting Iggy back:

Iggy is YOUR dog! You still have right of ownership as long as you abide by the wording of the contract.
Tell Mutts and Moms that you and Porcia have had a change of heart and want Iggy back in your home per the original agreement.
Call the same law enforcement agency that took him and ask to speak to the watch commander--inform him/her of your decision to go get Iggy and say you want the same legal support in enforcing your ownership rights as they gave to Mutts and Moms. Then you, Porcia and the police head over and GET YOUR DOG!
After you get Iggy back, SUE them for making you sign an illegal agreement. Basically, they Leased Iggy to you, took your money and never really gave you ownership. They did not inform you of this. So this clause in your agreement is probably illegal---I think dogs are considered property under CA law--so all standard propery laws regarding tranfer of property should mostly apply. After you get the court to throw out the illegal wording in their contract then give Iggy to whomever you want!
Good Luck! Keep your chin up! You've done harder things than this and succeeded!

Dear Ellen;

I am writing to you from Tottenham, Ontario Canada and I would just like to say that what you did regarding Iggy was fantastic. I have a beautiful Terrier/Shephard mix that I received from a wonderful woman near me. She, also, could not keep her dog and only wanted a stable and loving home for her pet. She met with us and spoke with us for 3 hours so that she could find out if we were the perfect match and home for her dog. We have had our wonderful Aloysius (al o i shus) for almost 3 years now and she is one of our family. We love her to pieces.

I praise you for what you did, Ellen, and you are right in the fact that this organization should give that lovely little puppy back to your friends. You showed love and caring for that puppy and did no wrong in giving him to those children. Puppies need lots of love and time and these people sound perfect for your puppy.

Keep up the terrific work that you do Ellen and thank you for making me laugh everyday and for just being a real and down to earth caring person.

Julie Eagan

Hallo Ellen

THAT IS THE WAY I LIKE YOU,
KEEP THE REAL ELLEN,
THE ELLEN WHO I LOVE,WITH THE BIG SMILE,LAUGH,
TEAERS,YELLS,JOKES,THE GOOD AND BAD DAYS,THE WONDERFULL OUTFIT,THE BEAUTIFUL EYES,THE LOVELY FACES.

KEEP ON LADY,YOU CAN DO IT
WHE BELIEVE IN YOU
AND THAT SAL WHE ALWAYS DO

Dear Anonymous,
So you think Ellen looked marvelous yesturday and that everyone is talking about Izzy but that my point on abused children was preaching. I think that you are typical of people who are celebrity star struck. I bet you thought Brittany looked marvelous too during her custody battle. Maybe you need to be watching more Fox news and less Entertainment tonight

Whaaaaat? Looking HOT like always Ellen. Has there been a tiem were you don't look good in any of your outfits that you have worn, cuz ever since I've been watching your show you alawys look Damm good!

Ellen,

You did nothing wrong. If you ask me the organization is totally wrong. Who more than a little child can take care of a beautiful little creature. They are they ones that should hide under a rock. They say they know what's best for animals but they don't know the first thing about it. Hang in there Ellen you are the best. They should be coming to you on their hands and knees. After this there will be alot of people so upset with them. They will be on national Television asking for forgiveness.

People of Toronto, Canada love you.

Ellen-

I so appreciate your kind heart with all living things. Although you did violate the contract (and that contract does protect the dog), you accepted personal responsibility. I think, though, that the rescue agency should have been more diligent when placing that dog in your home with cats. Most terriers will not get along well with cats and at best they should have given your situation a trial period. Once I read that your mix was part terrier, I wondered how selective this group was placing it with multiple cats. I understand their policy regarding children but it is extreme to say the least. My ten year old would be much better with a small dog than my 13- year-old. And older children lack the time or focus to pay attention to little dogs and their where abouts. I think both you and the rescue agency erred. And the solution is to give your hairdresser's family a trial period. I hope the agency changes their smug attitude as it hurts this dog as much as it does the people involved.
Good Luck

I was very touched by the honesty and sincerity of your plea on behalf of Iggy and the family that so wants him.

Yes, it was a mistake not to do it the right way. Perhaps if people had not done crazy things in response to your plea and threatened the "rescue" people with violence then maybe they would have come around to your way of thinking in regard to the family. It sounds like the "rescue" people have no real experience with children or they would not be so determined to keep pets away from all children under 14.

It is time to get back to what is best for the pet. Children of 11 and 12 are certainly old enough to love and care for pets. There are two loving adults in the home to show them how. Why search for a new home when one has been found? Can't the "rescue" people be big enough to acknowledge their wrong attitude and do the right thing? Let it go and be more careful the next time.

They ( the "rescue" people) need to remember to stick to the mission of finding good homes for pets and let go of the legal mumbo jumbo.

ELLEN,
YOU HAVE INSPIRED ME IN SO MANY WAYS AND I KNOW THAT YOU WOULDN'T INTENTIONALLY DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD HURT ANYONE OR ANYTHING. MY DAUGHTER IS A VET TECH. AND I HAVE HEARD HORROR STORIES ABOUT ANIMAL ABUSE. SOMETIMES WE SHOULD LIGHTEN UP ON RULES AND DO WHAT'S BEST FOR THE ANIMALS, WHICH IS EXACTUALLY WHAT I FEEL YOU DID. I DO HOPE THAT THE DOG CAN REMAIN WITH THAT WONDERFUL FAMILY THAT YOU PLACED HIM WITH.

BETTY SCHON WISCONSIN

ELLEN........ SO SO SO SORRY to see your sorrow. You aer SPECIAL PERSON!!!!...I guess the old saying,"The Good Guys Always End Up Last!!!!
You WILL OVERCOME.AND CONTINUE TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE(....And have those Atty's. GO FOR THE "EYES")
LOVE YA ELLEN AND YOUR LOVING SOUL:
MICHELLE DeCARIO-MEREDITH... And.."MY MOMMA".."SISSY" DeCario
FROM THE "BURGH"..PITTSBURGH
p.s. How bout' a mug(SIGNED BY YOU!) for Your 2 BIGGEST FANS IN THE,"BURGH".....WE HAVE COFFEE WITH YOU AND YOUR SHOW EVERYDAY!!!(Broke as hell ;