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Tuesday, October 16, 2007 | 6:44 PM

Iggy


People say to me a lot how do you do this show if you’re in a bad mood? How do you do your show if you’re sad or, don’t you have bad days? I’m a human being and I have bad days and I have sad days. But when I walk out here and you all cheer and when you’re here to dance, you’re here to laugh and I know I make people happy. It changes my mood. I come out here and I can do anything because of the energy I get.

But today is a hard day for me. Today is bad. I am not capable of coming out and pretending to be funny and on when things are going so terribly wrong right now.

I’m so sorry; I’m just not able to pretend. So I’m going to tell you the story. I’m going to get over it and we’re going to have a good show and we have a great show. So it’s going to be funny and it’s going to be everything that you turn the show on for.

Here’s what happened. I love animals. I love animals. I rescue them and I’ve adopted so many animals and found so many animals homes over the years. On September 20, I adopted a dog from a rescue organization here in the area. I got it neutered, I got it trained and I paid my vet extra money to take it home to sleep in the bed with him at night instead of a cage. I spent $3000 on this puppy to acclimate it, to train it to be with our cats. It was just too much energy and too rambunctious.

My hairdresser who I see every single day, she and her husband have two little girls, eleven and twelve-years-old. They were just looking for a puppy. They have a dog. They said, “We love Iggy can we have Iggy?”

Iggy has been with them for two weeks. I get updates every single day and pictures every day of how happy Iggy is and how much their daughters love Iggy. The organization contacted me yesterday and said, “How’s Iggy?” And I told them the truth. I didn’t lie. I said, “Iggy has a great home.”

Well, I guess I signed a piece of paper that says if I can’t keep Iggy, it goes back to the rescue organization. Which is not someone’s home, which is not a family. These two little girls had bonded to the dog. I thought I did a good thing. I tried to find a loving home for the dog because I couldn’t keep it. I was trying to do a good thing.

Because I did it wrong, those people went and took that dog out of their home, and took it away from those kids. (Wells up with tears). I feel totally responsible for it and I’m so sorry (sobbing) I’m begging them to give that dog back to that family. I just want the family to have their dog. It’s not their fault. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have given the dog away. Just please give the dog back to those little girls.

I’m sorry I didn’t call you. I’m sorry I did the wrong thing. Just give it back to the family. Please please please.

That’s the story and that’s why I’m feeling like I am responsible for trying to do something and I did it without reading all the things I should have read. So I’m sorry.

(Changing the mood, takes a breath) What a great show we have for you today.

next: 30 Seconds To Air

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why does everybody keep saying Iggy was in a good home? Nobody knows this person and automatically says they are good just because they know someone famous. If they were such good people, why didnt they just apply to keep Iggy insted of giving the rescue a hard time? The reason is that they thought they could use Ellen's celebrity status to break the rules. wake up people and see this for what it is.

Posted by Anonymous | April 24, 2008 5:30 PM

Ellen,
Please do not blame yourself. I know you feel bad for the family, but everyone does not always read the fine print. You did what you felt was best and I think it is absolutely ridiculous what they did with Iggy. As long as Iggy was in a good home which is what these pounds what for all of their animals then there shouldn't have been any issues or removal of the dog from its owners. As much good as you do for shelters, rescue centers and care for animals, please just mark this done as a learned mistake and do not blame yourself Ellen. Rescue another dog or purchase another one like Iggy for this wonderful family. Time will heal. Have a great day!! We still love you Ellen. In fact, I rescued/adopted a dog from a shelter and it nipped at my then 3 yr. old. I was ready to turn him over to another family w/o children. I was not aware of this policy either. Thanks for sharing your story and making others aware.

Betsy

Posted by Betsy Farley | April 24, 2008 1:37 PM

Get that funding I spoke about, fending off animals isn't enough findings homes for dogs isn't enough you need a qualified vet to back up yourplacements and yes, if the shelter was in your name then your licensed to place strays into loving homes for them to keep, sorry, about the Iggy-thing, but it happens every day back-up your speach do something about it. find someone to help you signify what your trying to do, and never give up hope on your dreams. someone who knows about dreams never coming to lite if you give up on the dreams then you become like everyone else,a composit of flesh with no feelings to campare to them that keep and do something with their dreamsThere are women today, that have businesses in their name, you want to know how they do this they file for Government Grants, it takes time but, eventually, you will come out ahead, plus,You have established a name and that in itself is a plus, help the vetranarians around you by, completing the circle involve them in your name and add their businesses into the same, and see what happens for you, what could it hurt.

Posted by Patricia Hedgepath | April 17, 2008 7:28 AM

Anthony, You asked what would someone else do if we were in her place. What was wrong with honoring the contract she signed? Certainly was a consideration now wasnt it???

Posted by Anonymous | April 16, 2008 4:10 PM

WOW! Every person who posted a comment saying Ellen did the wrong thing is really mean. I think Ellen did a really nice thing, she couldnt keep Iggy because he didnt get along with her cats. So she gave him to a nice family that she knows well, and KNOWS he will be taken care of properly. If you were in her place, what would you do? ELLEN is a caring and great person!

Posted by Anthony | April 15, 2008 6:30 PM

Carmen... Kick someone when they are down? You have got to be kidding. Ellen used her celebrity to take advantage of the system and then when it blew up in her face she dropped it like a flea infested mutt. Dont kid yourself, she was over it a long time ago.

Posted by Anonymous | April 15, 2008 12:39 PM

Im sorry you went through this. Hope that everything is cleared up now :)

And to everyone who is bad talking about Ellen, how could you kick someone when they're already down? Shame on you. Thats just cold hearted. Everyone makes mistakes, so what. Get over yourselves. Ellen is a kind loving person and does not deserve all this bad talking.

:)

Posted by Carmen | April 12, 2008 7:11 AM

Dear Ellen,

I love your show and I watch it regulary. However I can't believe you... wouldn't you read what you signed before signing it if you loved Iggy soo much? And just adopt it back from the agentcy or get a friend to if you can't... and bring it back to the family.

From, Paige

Posted by Paige | April 11, 2008 7:21 PM

It was really disappointing that such a heart warming story about the marine(Brian Dennis) and his dog(Nubs) had to be shortened on your show(4/8/08) to accomodate a political candidate. There was so much more to this story that deserved telling as witnessed on the internet.

Posted by Roberta Strother | April 8, 2008 9:20 AM

I commend Ellen. I have been rescuing dogs for over 20 years and became engulfed in several simmilar problems. My plea is to the adoption agencies. My parents were not this well "screened" to adopt me.

Posted by sally a ward | April 3, 2008 2:14 PM

Regina, In the time I have been coming to this site, what you just said has been argued before. I have to agree with you but some people have said it is her show to do with as she wants. What happened was like yelling FIRE in a crowded theater. Had she not gone public and said the things she did, most of us would never have known about this and the rescue would still be in business. It was indeed very irresponsible of her and whether or not she meant to, she ruined another persons lfe over a dog.

Posted by Anonymous | April 1, 2008 4:17 PM

What bothered me about this was that Ellen used her national forum to talk badly about the animal rescue lady. That was a misuse of her show and her fame in a personal issue. Very very irresponsible to create public outrage towards another human ..kind of like a high school girl getting even when you do her wrong by telling people you stole her boyfriend and all the other girls then hate you. She meant well I guess but you have to think before you do things about what may happen and this was a no brainer ..she wanted to put pressure on that lady and she basically did it wrong.

Posted by Regina | April 1, 2008 2:44 PM

Ok, what does sexual molestation have to do with the dog? She couldn't keep the dog and because she cared about it, she gave it to a loving family who could care for it. Why in the world are you trying to say that's wrong? You're stupid.

Posted by Not understanding rude comments | March 28, 2008 8:07 PM

Ellen,
I have some pics from a forward on the new roller coaster at Kings Island but can't copy and paste to this. If you want the email you may email me at my addy listed. I love your show and hated when they cut your show you had before. Why is it guys can have gay shows but women can't when most people accept 2 girls over 2 guys? Crazy world we live in. I wish I could watch more but my schedule doesn't let me. Keep on being you and have a great day.
God Bless!
Linda

Posted by Linda T | March 28, 2008 8:11 AM

There is so much controversy about Ellen giving the dog away. Let me tell you a litle story. I am involved in the rescue of a dog right now that was adopted by one person and then given to another despite the adopter having signed a contract. The contract is in place to protect the dog because each person who applies to adopt is carefully screened. This poor girl was sexually molested by the man in that house. He bragged about it when he was being investigated for the sexual molestation of his young step daughter as well! You people just dont get it. If people want a dog they should go to the pound and adopt an animal at risk instead of begging for a cute little puppy someone they know owns OR apply to a rescue for one of their own. We rescuers take the lives of these animals very seriously, its a shame the rest of you dont see the deeper issues we try to work with.

Posted by Anonymous | March 27, 2008 4:42 PM

if someone came in to my house and took my pets, I would be devestated. They should absolutley give the dog back. Animals need a loving home to live in and if this orginisation that tries to give animals homes, puts it back into a cage, its horrible.

Posted by Anonymous | March 27, 2008 2:12 PM

Hi Ellen
On April 4th, myself and twin sister Sally will be turning 50 years old. I've met a wonderful man whose taking me to Mexico for my birthday. The problem is that I'm feeling very guilty about not being with Sally for our landmark birthday. The guilt is awful. I want so bad for her to have a wonderful time but no plans have been made for her. This makes me very sad. I would love it if you could call her and wish her a Happy Birthday. It would mean the world to her. We both huge fans.
If this is possible, I will hopefully hear from via e-mail and supply you with her phone number.

Thank you in advance.

Suzi

Posted by Suzi Schumacher | March 27, 2008 1:47 PM

hi ellen
i am 12 years old too and have a great bond with my dog roxy i would be devisted if the fram we got her from took her back. so i think they should give the dog back if they are willing to love him and take care of him it should not matter who has him. the people who took him are curle meanie bums and it is not your fault

Posted by bethany | March 24, 2008 9:56 AM

pie and monkeys

Posted by Taylor | March 23, 2008 2:43 PM

Thanks for the reply Jessica. Some people are so fanatical about their favorite stars that they forget that they are just human like the rest of us. It was be so cool to actually correspond with Ellen and talk about all that normal stuff. I wish things could have turned out differently with the Iggy situation, but there are thousands of animals looking for homes every single day. Hopefully the hairdresser's family has decided to adopt another abandoned animal in need.

Posted by just a thought | March 17, 2008 6:49 PM

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