I would just like to stress that the origin of the poodle question is British. The New York Times was reporting on British debates of Blair's role in the Irak question in which the British press was portraying him in canine terms. I used the term because I thought it was common parlance in the U.K. As I stated, I meant no offense by it. I just found it a humorous way to ask a serious question.

I, too, regard this as case closed, unless others wish to engage my original observations or question.

Cheers,
Jamie