Kansas to Name 'Toto' Breed Official State Dog
A lawmaker in Kansas has proposed legislation that would make Toto, the breed of dog made famous in "The Wizard of Oz," the official state dog.
Rep. Ed Trimmer's bill would designate the Cairn Terrier the official dog of the state in addition to the official state tree and grass, according to The Wichita Eagle.
"Kansas has a state reptile, for goodness' sakes," said Brenda Moore of Augusta, obedience chairwoman with the South Central Kansas Kennel Club.
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Moore is the individual who contacted her local representative and asked if he would move the bill forward.
She compared Kansans with the dog by claiming that "Cairn terriers have a gusto for life. They are very smart and very loyal, although they can be a little bit of a digger like all terriers can."
Moore explains that she has always been in Kansas and this would be one thing that she could do for her state.
"I've lived in Kansas all my life. I am a middle-aged woman and would like to say I've done something great for my state before I am dead and gone. I'm hoping this will go through."
They just thought we needed a state dog," Trimmer told The Wichita Eagle on Thursday. "It is one of those things that when a constituent asks you, you do."
While Rep. Trimmer understands that there are more pressing matters facing the state, some things you just can't overlook.
"I realize we have very critical, critical issues at the state level. But our constituents and their issues are very important to them and that's why I introduced it for them."
Trimmer is expecting that the bill will not need a great deal of time and is optimistic the bill will pass quickly.
"We certainly have a lot of very important issues to deal with, especially in terms of economy," he said. "I hope we can do this quickly, and I don't mean for it to be a time waster."
The last time Kansas passed legislation highlighting an official state symbol was in 2010 when it made little bluestem the official state grass.
