We're so excited - Guinness is starting to get some attention in the press! For those of you not familiar with Guinness, he's the presidential candidate Great Dane Rescue of North Texas has chosen to support in this year's election. You can read more about this candidate in links at the bottom of this page. Also, Guinness '08 bumper stickers and t-shirts are coming - just keep checking back with us because we'll update the website as soon as all the fun stuff is ready!

The New Dog Times
By Bob Woodhound and Carl Poochstein

Denton, TX - Guinness Murphy, the presidential candidate endorsed by the politically influential group Great Dane Rescue of North Texas, is an enigma in this year's election.  Who is he and what are his beliefs? Guinness recently sat down to answer these, and many more, questions.

New Dog Times: Meeting you face to face, it is clear that you are Canis lupus familiaris, not Homo sapien. How does this affect your campaign?
Guinness: Well, if you think about it, dogs are man's best friend. We're loyal and supportive and we often know what our owners need before they realize it themselves. I believe these are all great traits for a future president.

What are your hot-button topics?
I believe that every domesticated animal deserves to live inside a home - preferably on the couch. I support spaying and neutering and oppose unnecessary and painful procedures like ear cropping. Ultimately, I would like to see groups like Great Dane Rescue of North Texas put out of business. Don't get me wrong, I love those people, but the day GDRNT is no longer needed is the day that no Great Danes sit on death row in area kill shelters.

Health care ranks toward the top of voters concerns this year. What are your thoughts on this issue?
It's so important for humans to keep themselves healthy! Domesticated animals rely on humankind for so many things: preparing our food; opening the door to let us in and out; making sure our water bowls are full of clean, fresh water; walks, playtime and so much more. It makes life very hard and very stressful for us if our owners are sick or - heaven forbid - in the hospital.

As for health care for animals, it's important for this campaign to educate the public about the importance of spaying, neutering and regular check ups for all family pets with a veterinarian. Spaying and neutering drastically reduces the chance of mammary, uterine, testicular and prostate cancers. As a breed, Great Danes used to be considered senior citizens at about six years old. But today our life expectancy is easily doubled if we live indoors (extreme temperatures are hard on our internal organs), eat a healthy diet and get regular check ups.

A lot of focus is being placed on gender and race in this year's election. What is your stance on this?
I believe a brindle female has just as much right to find a forever family as a fawn male.

What political party are you associated with?
Honestly, we don't have a name. I've heard people refer to us as "Big Dog Reformists", the "GDP (Great Dane Party)", "Driberals" and "Plutocrats". I don't care what people call us - just as long as they support us in our effort to make the world a better place for humans and canines.

Pardon the pun, but it is clear that you are the underdog in this election. How will your campaign raise money?
You might call me an underdog, but I consider myself a lucky dog. My entire campaign staff is volunteer, which means I'm able to donate 100% of the money raised through the sale of bumper stickers, t-shirts and fundraising dinners to the veterinary bills of the sickest dogs being cared for by Great Dane Rescue of North Texas. I might not have been a POW in a foreign war, but I did live in a cage in a local animal control facility and just like all the dogs on GDRNT's Danes Available page, I was only hours away from death before rescue saved me. I'm proud and I'm honored to be able to help others just like me.