Time Out For Ellen, Worn Out By Dog Drama

(AP)  Ellen DeGeneres' talk show was put on hold for a day because of her emotionally wrenching dog-adoption drama.

"It's been a long week and a tough week and we decided to take a long weekend and be back on Tuesday," said Laura Mandel, a spokeswoman for Telepictures Productions, which produces "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

DeGeneres was scheduled Thursday to tape shows to air Friday and Monday. Instead, the tapings were canceled and reruns featuring Jessica Alba and Queen Latifah will air on those days. A new show is planned Tuesday.

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Photos: Ellen DeGeneres

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The battle over Iggy, a Brussels Griffon mix terrier, pitted DeGeneres against an animal rescue agency and, at one point, had her in tears on her show. The agency's owners complained of receiving death threats over the dispute.

Iggy had been adopted by DeGeneres and then given to her hairstylist's family after the dog, despite training, couldn't get along with the comedian's cats, her publicist has said.

Marina Batkis and Vanessa Chekroun, owners of the nonprofit Mutts and Moms agency, claimed that DeGeneres violated the adoption agreement by not informing them that she was giving the dog away and removed Iggy from the hairstylist's home Sunday.

DeGeneres' partner, actress Portia de Rossi, signed the agreement that also listed DeGeneres' name.

DeGeneres pleaded for Iggy's return to the hairstylist on Tuesday's show. She said her hairdresser's daughters, ages 11 and 12, were heartbroken when the dog was taken away.

But Mutts and Moms were adamant about their decision, and a spokesman for Batkis said she wouldn't be "bullied around by the Ellen DeGenereses of the world."

At a taping of the show Wednesday, DeGeneres told the audience she wouldn't talk about the matter again unless Iggy was returned to her hairdresser.

[erasmus6]

I really liked Ellen but I think after seeing that pitiful performance my opinion of her has changed.

[erasmus6]

This WAS Ellens fault. Where I live when we adopt an animal from the SPCA, we also have to sign a paper saying we are not going to give the animal away for at least a year, I think.

If Ellen hadn''t made such a big production out of it on T.V. maybe the agency would have returned the dog but after that spectacle they probably figured she should be taught a lesson.

Of course the reason why she made such a big deal out of it was because she figured it would pressure them into doing it. I guess it backfired, eh?

[anaytecua1]

I have a similar dog to the hairstylist. I would like to give it to them. His name is Orestes. He is black color and small. My email is [e-mail]

[keithle1]

What about Darfur, global warming, the war in Iraq, teenage pregnancy, AIDS, cancer, drug trade, crime, high school dropouts, starvation,
toys made in China, the high divorce rate, alcoholism, etc, etc, etc??????

DOESN''T ELLEN CARE ABOUT THOSE???????????

[previn2]

Too bad such an uproar isn''t had over a child being misplaced...

[ralan40]

Compromise at some point is mandatory for almost everything--especially in an industry hallmarked by compassion.
Posted by toldyouso21

exactly! very well put.

[ralan40]

As an Animal rescuer, I''ve seen those type clauses required when people adopt animals. These clauses are to prevent the animal from going back to the original owner or to another shelter. No legitimate agency would have had a problem with this as long as they knew the animal was not in another abusive situation.

What is interesting is that the Law appears to favor the shelter regarding ownership rights of this animal. That being said, calling the initial placement an ''adoption'' would be considered false since the shelter had the right to take the animal back.

This is not a true rescue shelter or adoption agency since the organization still controls this animal. This shelter should not be leagally allowed to use the term ''Adoption'' as use of this word clearly constitutes fraud in the eyes of the Law.

By the way...Ellen did not sign the contract, her partner did. There are many posters who only know how to spout off but reading comprehension seems to be lacking.

[misssuzq]

"It is all about the dog! The rescue is required to make sure that the dog goes to a safe, secure and loving home. They have rules for a reason. Posted by thmbltch"

The rescue should offer the same conditions!

If you could have seen the place that she calls a kennel, you may rescue a dog from there, but you would never take one there to get adopted.

It looked really bad.

[dogband]

Here is a novel idea America. ADULTS [note the word adults, not children, age not withstanding] PLEASE BEGIN TO VISUALIZE TAKING RESPONSIBLITY FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS. READ THE *** CONTRACT BEFORE SIGNING IT. ABIDE BY ITS RULES OR DO NOT SIGN IT.

Holy ***.

Hey Ellen, I''ll pay you $10 million with a written contract to do a private birthday party for me. After its over, I''ll give you $10 and say [1] I did not read the contract, and [2] even if I had read it, I believe its contents can now be amended by me.

ARE YOU OK with this? I did not think so.

Visualize all adults taking responsibilty for thier actions, reading to their kids, knowing where their kids are, keeping them from having *** at 12 years old, no housing credit crunches.

Where would this end?

[cricketmk3]

nikosk1, It must be news. You are reading it and commenting on it.