Transgender Dog: Is It Possible?

Congratulations and Thank You's are in order for those involved who saved this dog's life. Without the surgery outlined in the article the dog didn't stand much of a chance for a healthy life. I would like to correct the author of this story on several accounts. As far as we know, a dog cannot be Transgender. Does a dog fall into any of the following categories? The precise definition for Transgender remains in flux, but includes: "Of, relating to, or designating a person whose identity does not conform unambiguously to conventional notions of male or female gender roles, but combines or moves between these." "People who were assigned a sex, usually at birth and based on their genitals, but who feel that this is a false or incomplete description of themselves." "Non-identification with, or non-presentation as, the sex (and assumed gender) one was assigned at birth." Nope! A dog is not a person. Some of us think of our pets as people but REALLY, they are not. Sexual orientation and gender identity are two different things. In explaining this people during Trans 101 courses, we commonly say gender is between your ears and sex is between your legs. The pup isn't Intersex either. This is another term chosen by and applied to people. Intersex in humans refers to intermediate or atypical combinations of physical features that usually distinguish female from male. This is usually understood to be congenital, involving chromosomal, morphologic, genital and/or gonadal anomalies, such as diversion from typical XX-female or XY-male presentations, e.g., sex reversal (XY-female, XX-male), genital ambiguity, sex developmental differences. An intersex individual may have biological characteristics of both the male and female sexes.[1] Intersexuality as a term was adopted by medicine during the 20th century, and applied to human beings whose biological sex cannot be classified as clearly male or female. Intersex was initially adopted by intersex activists who criticize traditional medical approaches to sex assignment and seek to be heard in the construction of new approaches. This pup is a pseudo-male hermaphrodite meaning he has testicular tissue, but either female or ambiguous sexual anatomy as the article explains. He was given surgery to prevent possible infections. The surgery could not have been sexual reassignment surgery either as the author indicates. I suspect the 90 minute procedure indicated in the story would have been to neuter the doggy. Thus avoiding health complications for the dog. Why am I saying all of this? I mean the author was simply writing about the good Samaritans who are helping the puppy and possibly helping to find him a home. I thank the author for these efforts. They are appreciated. What is not appreciated is the possibility of confusing the general public about Transgender people, Intersex people and the different, difficult and dangerous surgical procedures many in both populations must endure at staggering expense. Transgender and Intersex activists and advocates work too hard at educating the general public about their issues. One innocent news article using incorrect terminology can destroy what has been accomplished. As a suggestion, the author might find different means to add fluff to his articles but please, not at the expense of any group of people by using erroneous statements of fact. Transgender dog saved by surgery 11:06 PM PDT on Thursday, August 5, 2010 By DARRELL R. SANTSCHI The Press-Enterprise A Pomeranian puppy found wandering San Bernardino streets and born with partially formed male and female reproductive organs has been saved from possible euthanasia after one woman's donation allowed for a $1,165 gender reassignment surgery. Red, as the dog is being called until it is adopted, needed the surgery to prevent infection and reduce the risk of developing cancer. Now -- thanks to the surgery performed by a veterinary specialist from Orange County -- Red is without any reproductive organs, healthy and ready for adoption. The condition is so rare that published data do not include an estimated percentage of the pet population with the condition. Veterinarians see it once in a 30-year-old career, if at all, said San Bernardino veterinarian Marc DiCarlo. In humans, it occurs in three out of 100,000 people. "I just felt he was a very adoptable dog," said Sharon Blechinger, director of the Helping Every Animal League, a nonprofit support group that helps pay for vaccinations at the San Bernardino shelter. Blechinger paid for Red's surgery out of her own pocket, because the organization couldn't afford it and because the dog "is in this position through no fault of its own. I didn't want them to put the dog to sleep." Red was brought to the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter about a month ago by someone who found him wandering the streets. No one has claimed him. Ryan Long, a kennel supervisor at the shelter, described the dog as bright, alert and responsive when he first examined him. But he said upon examination, Red did not look anatomically correct. Di Carlo diagnosed the dog as a pseudo-male hermaphrodite. Genetically male, the pooch was born with partially formed male and female parts. Shelter workers then contacted Blechinger, who arranged for a foster home for Red and paid for his surgery. Patti Harris, a scheduling coordinator whose own Pomeranian died in June, was contacted by Blechinger, and allowed Red to move in with her temporarily about a week and a half ago. Last Friday, James Felts, a veterinary specialist from Orange County who was told about Red by DiCarlo, performed the 90-minute surgical procedure. And now he's recovering in his temporary home. Harris bought him an inflatable collar to keep him from chewing on his stitches, which come out a week from Monday. "I think he sleeps most of the day while I'm away," she said. When she comes home, she lets him out into a small backyard to play. They go on short walks together. They sit side-by-side on a sofa in the evening watching television. "He likes to watch 'Animal Planet,' " Harris said, giggling. Red is less than a year old and Harris wants to get an older Pomeranian. Meanwhile, "He's my transition dog. It will be hard to part with him, but I'm gone all day and him being so young, it doesn't seem fair to him to keep him." To inquire about helping with the cost of his surgery or adopting Red, contact HEAL at 909-436-8065. Reach Darrell R. Santschi at 951-368-9484 or dsantschi@PE.com ABOUT HEAL The Helping Every Animal League is a nonprofit support group for the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter. It raises money to pay for vaccinations of stray animals not funded by the city. Web site: http://friendsofheal.org Phone: 909-436-8065 Contact HEAL director: heal36@gmail.com Original Article