Losing Faith: Two-legged dog, part three
Did you hear the one -- or, actually, the two -- about the two-legged dog that got lost in the airport?
The first time it was in Orlando, where Faith and her owner, Jude Stringfellow, were on their way home from a national pet trade show. A video of that account can be found here.
On another trip a few months later she was misplaced and missed a flight to Oklahoma City. (You can find that account on Stringfellow's blog.)
Distressing as those instances might have been -- for Faith and Stringfellow -- they paled in comparison (at least as Stringfellow tells it on her blog) with a more recent trauma: A comedian poked fun at Faith.
Sebastian Maniscalco, in a comedy routine that was part of the "Vince Vaughn Wild West Show," a traveling comedy act (and soon to be documentary), apparently emulated the two-legged dog. It's hard to know for sure because the video -- under the threat of legal action by Stringfellow, we presume, who has announced her intention to sue -- has been removed fromYouTube and every other website it was on.
The best description of it, ironically, remains on Stringfellow's blog:
"Faith, being the World's Most Photographed Dog/Animal is not to be taken lightly - she earned that, she deserves to be lifted up in very very high esteem - NOT to be shot down by some one whose idea of humor is to pen his arms behind his back and flop around on stage in a pseudo act pretending to be something he could NEVER be - my dog ..." Stringfellow wrote. "... I will therefore be the one to bring about any and all legal actions ... My hope is that we can get this resolved quickly - but I'm already hearing people say that Faith's reputation may have been hurt for future film projects.
"Faith is defenseless against these types of attacks. She can't answer how it would make her feel to know someone has disgraced her - Oh, but I can." To read all of Stringellow's entries on Maniscalco -- and they can get a little sanctimonious -- click here.
However stupid Maniscalco's routine might have been, I'm going to have to side with him, rather than my fellow dogger-blogger, on this one. We still have free speech in this country and that includes the right to say tasteless and politically incorrect things. I doubt that the comedy bit hurt Faith's feelings, or the dog's earning power. We emailed Stringfellow, but got no response. As it turns out -- in yet another blow to free speech -- she charges for interviews, as her website attests:
"$1,500 per day for a venue is a standard price for a one day show or performance. It does not include expenses for travel and hotel. (3-Star hotels are required with pet acceptance) ...INTERVIEW FEE (home): $1,000 for a half-day interview / film crew or personal + expenses & hotel. (i.e. Oprah, Montel, Inside Ed. type footage for the filmed interview or sound bite) ...INTERNATIONAL DAY RATE: $7,500 - $10,000 per day. (Each day beginning from the day I leave America and return to America. This fee will be paid in full 10 days before I board the plane to come to your country."
This concludes our three days of Faith.
Comments
John, normally I agree with everything on your blog. In the case of "Losing Faith" however I must respectfully disagree. I no longer believe that the cruelty exhibited by public performers in the mis-named pursuit of comedy or "kidding" is tolerable. Though my own way of dealing with it might not be to sue, it is this dog owner's right to sue just as it is the misguided comedian's "right" to be abusive. After so many tiresome years of seeing abusive behavior disguised as "comedy" and realizing it is vicious bullying instead, I feel strongly that people need to focus less on nastiness for a laugh and more on traditional methods of the comedic art. If Faith had been a physically challenged child that comedian would be behind bars and/or facing a far bigger lawsuit than what is planned by Faith's guardian. I don't believe that I am unique in feeling that so-called comedians whose medium of exchange is viciousness, should be accorded any accolades, monetary or otherwise. Cruelty is cruelty and I do not believe that First Amendment "rights" protect vicious verbal abuse!
Posted by: Miss Jan | November 28, 2007 2:12 PM
I dunno, John. I think I may have lost Faith--er, faith. I visited the website and found it a bit of a travesty. Just how many sponsorships, spokes-canine-ships, and endorsements can one little two-legged dog be expected to handle? And since dogs don't give a hoot about money, I can only assume that a human bank account is growing. I keep thinking about your friends (human and critter) out there at the Rolling Dog Ranch, and Faith's humans don't hold up well in the comparison.
I hope for the humans' sake that Faith's little spine holds up, as it's being forced into such an unnatural position. They could invest a few dollars of those speakers' fees in a little two-wheeled cart, and train her in how to use it. That way she could move more naturally. I've seen a number of dogs missing either front or hind legs, and they can tootle along happily and normally with these contraptions. Of course, they don't look quite as pathetic.
Posted by: Anne | November 28, 2007 11:35 PM
Please don't say I charge for interviews on the phone. My publicist allows me to be interviewed for clarifications and for information bits that will appear on news reels. My contract prohibits me from giving interviews for entertainment purposes. Please don't say you e-mailed me and I didn't respond either. I always respond to my e-mail. I would appreciate it if you would make these corrections immediately, it isn't fair to me or my dog's reputation. I thank you in advance. Please call me if you want a telephone interview to clear this matter.
Posted by: Jude Stringfellow | November 30, 2007 1:02 AM
My comment is to Anne. Please, you don't know what you're saying with regards to the owner of Faith. She gave up her work, her job as a professer at a university to travel with Faith. They go to military bases, hospitals, schools, and such. The endorsements don't take up Faith's time, it's only through using her image like you'd use a high profile actor's name to push something. Faith works hard yes, but Jude always lets her rest, feeds her great food, always takes her to the vet to be checked and she WANTS to be in the public. I've known this family for years. The Stringfellows aren't living in a hilltop mansion driving limos, they work for their money and you should stop trying to make it sound otherwise. Thank you for posting this, it should be noted that Jude Stringfellow started at least one foundation to donate money to children and animals in need. She donates anything donated to her/Faith in terms of money as well. The money coming to her is earned for what she does. She is a very professional person.
Posted by: Karen Treadwell | November 30, 2007 1:18 AM
Jude,
We're always happy to set the record straight. It was your website, though, that the information about the fees for appearances and interviews came from. And my "sent email" box still contains the note I sent to you on Oct. 15.
Posted by: john | November 30, 2007 9:12 AM
After having a close relationship with Faith and her owner... You are absolutely correct. She will drag Faith everywhere she wants because she gets free air-fair after the AA incident. She also boasts about living in Chicago in a high-rise that costs over 2-million dollars. She said "I will attain this goal after my book is picked up by a publisher".
Has anyone taken into consideration that on FaithTheDog.net she has a photo of Faith with a vest that says "Million-Dollar" Mutt on it?
Come on people.... This lady is using this dog in any way possible to line her pocket with money.
Yes it was a good thing for her family to take care of Faith, but, it is very sad how she takes advantage of her too.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 8, 2009 3:55 PM