You are a true animal lover and have done such a great thing with Tails of Joy, what was your inspiration to venture on this journey? I’ve been a touring standup comedian for forty two years (I know, I started when I was fifive). I noticed in every city, three old ladies, or two young people, were saving more cats and dogs each year than the entire bloated Humane Society of the United States (HSUS, which by the way, does not rescue companion animals). There are fantastically great independent rescue groups all across America, who receive no funding, are run by volunteers using their own money, and do the actual down and dirty hands on work of making life better for desperate animals. I decided I would fifind a way to lend them fifinancial support, and that’s what we do. We launder money as I like to say. Every dollar that comes in goes right out again to the next needy case or organization in cities all over the country. Our “Little Guy Grants” page lists all of the rescue groups we have helped, and continue to help as we can. Can you give us some “Elayne Boosler” advice for anyone looking to get a pet? It’s incredible that we learn to drive before we buy a car, we read all about babies when we’re having one, but people just bring a dog, cat, bunny, snake, rabbit, etc., home, often with no clue as to what to do with one. Just like marriage, you’re bound to have a much better life together if you know your “type” (and if you marry a Democrat). So, read some books on the personalities of different breeds of animal. Choose a breed or mix (mixed breeds are so smart and often healthier) that matches your lifestyle; couch potato, daily jogger, car trip lover, high energy, soap opera watcher, chick magnet, etc. etc. Then read some books on how to train your dog (if you’re getting a dog). Knowing how dogs think and what they need from you in order to please you is the key to a great life together. Books will help you be a better caregiver and help your dog be the dog for you. Then, after all that, forget everything I just said, go to the pound or a rescue organization, fall in love instantly because she’s adorable, bring her home, give her your whole bed, let her walk all over you, never say “no” again, and fifind bliss. Since we are both animal lovers and both have experienced the awkward comment moment, “It seems you like animals more than people”, what’s your comeback answer to that?
I proudly stand behind the fact that I do indeed like animals better than people. I currently have no outstanding large sums of money owed to me by dogs or cats. No labrador ever crashed my car, no pittie every flflirted with my husband (wait, that’s not true), no person I ever took on the road waited patiently in the room for me while I went to work (without running up a $3000 bill from the mini bar). Animals are the Zen we all want to be; they just “are”. Pure. Honest. Open. Eager. Loving. Even the Dalai Lama maybe has a day being that perfect once every fourteen years or so. And I will add that I do love people who love animals. Especially people like the Barbi Twins, Linda Blair, and you too, Daniel .] Loving animals makes us all even better friends. We know all animals are beautiful but do you have any favorite breed of dog or cat? I seem to notice we tend to love the breed we first had as children. When I was four my father brought home a fawn and white boxer puppy, who soon towered over me and scared me to death. That’s been my thing ever since, boxers. And being scared to death by things men bring home. But I have had every kind of dog and mix and I truly love them all. And cats. And white rats, and ferrets, and I’d love some goats and a pig. And my favorites of all are the senior animals. I love the seniors. You can’t do better than bringing home a grown up, grateful, totally trained, move-in ready
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