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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Thanks, Sandi, for the clarification on
the story line! Being without kids or grandkids, I have only the vaguest notion
of “American Girl” – I remember seeing the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">American</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Girl</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Plaza</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> and hearing from
someone I was visiting with that it was a big draw for girls of a certain age,
but that’s it...it’s great to hear that the story line features a
rescued Basset!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I feel much more at ease! Thanks!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>Sylvie McGee<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>HeavenScent Bassets<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
dailydrool-bounces@dailydrool.org [mailto:dailydrool-bounces@dailydrool.org] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Sandi Wittenberg<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Monday, June 30, 2008 8:08
PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Daily Drool<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Dailydrool]
"Gracie" concerns</span></font><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Sylvie,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>While
I understand your concerns, I don’t think that this particular movie will
generate that kind of mania. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>There
are several reasons for my feelings: First, the movie is based on an
American Girl doll character (Kit Kittridge). As a grandmother of 14 year
old twins who were BIG into American Girl dolls, particularly Kit, I know they
and their clothing are expensive. (Side note: on an 8<sup>th</sup>
birthday present trip to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">American</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Girl</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Plaza</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>,
the twins were actually called “Kit” because they resembled
her. My credit card took a BIG hit on that trip: two Kit dolls, 6 Kit
outfits, etc.). This, in and of itself, limits the sphere of influence on
young girls. There may be lots of little girls who see the movie, but
those who are likely to be most “into it” are those who have the
doll and have read the books. Secondly, in the books and in the
movie (at least to my understanding) Gracie is a rescued adult basset. I
think this is remarkable since the era of this character/book/movie is 1940-ish
and well before the time of organized rescue efforts. Finally, the movie
is really about the adventures, trials and tribulations of Kit during a
difficult financial time for her family and country. Gracie is definitely
a part of the family but the focus of the movie is not on Gracie. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I
certainly hope that the movie doesn’t generate puppies that are placed in
untenable situations and more work for rescues. We will keep our fingers
(and paws) crossed, but I think the risk is much less than that posed by the
“cutesy” movies you mentioned. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Sandi
Wittenberg<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on"><font size=2
face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Red</span></font></st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Bay</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> Bassets<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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