This is not a place for moralizing. It's a show, it didn't actually happen. But duh, dogs are abused and abandoned all the time, hence the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Give money to them so they can find the Chauncies of the world and give them good homes.

Meanwhile, please let the writers write the show. Next thing it will be the pro-lifers and the family values crowd trying to tell us that the show is "sinful."

.

BTW--I cried too. But I cry anytime they put a sad dog or cat on the screen.

"No animals were injured during the production of this show."

Yes, Betty Crocker, it's a show and I'm not moralizing here, but when I watched episode 6 the second time, I had to switch to something else when it came to the part where Duck was going to let the dog out. All I could envision was the snarling traffic, bright lights and confusion that Chauncy would encounter. Duck is NOT a nice man!

It was another heart tugging moment like the scene where little Bobby says they need to find Don a new daddy.

If I were Chauncy and were ever reunited with Duck, I'd bite him in a very tender place!

Grow up, rooky.
This is a "fictional" show.
I'll tell you a secret, Ol' Yeller wasn't shot in real life, either.
Duck had to get rid of the dog, which was the last vestige from his old life.
The dog also served as Duck's conscience, as when Duck was about to drink, Chauncey gave him the look.
A truly powerful scene depicting a man whose life is crumbling around him, as he desperately tries to exert some sort of control over it.

That's right--some network show would have had an old drunk on the street find the dog and when Duck goes into the liquor store a few days later in the middle of his binge, he sees Chauncey on the street lying next to the sleeping drunk. And when Chauncey won't come to him, he learns a valuable lesson about how our animal companions can be a mirror into our souls and teach us so much about ourselves....He decides not to go into the liquor store, turns around and ends his binge, and in the process, the drunk wakes up, has his own moment of clarity and tells his new dog friend that it's time to go home.

Chauncey leaps up and chases Duck down the street and the next scene shows the old drunk walking into a church shelter, sitting down and listening to the word of god...

Fooksie, I agree with you about the power of Duck's mini breakdown. I saw him as someone struggling with drink, unable to succumb under the caring gaze of his dog.

I think part of our gut responses to Chauncey comes from the way we feel about animals, esp. dogs today.
From listening to people who would have been adults in the early 60's, I get the idea that animals were not considered a part of the family as much as they are today.

What was the deal with Pete and Duck's exchange in the office before Pete met his one night stand?
Pete was admiring Chauncey, and said "maybe I'll get a dog for the office." And Duck responded "I don't think that would be a good idea." Pete had that "Pete look" on his face, walked away in a huff, and then consoles himself with the blonde who auditioned for the bra ad.

Which, as I said in another thread was totally bizzare! Pete meets this girl, goes home with her, meets her mother, who is on the other side of a curtain in the same room, and has sex with the girl!
OK...that's not too weird

some of you are missing the whole point about why writers should never show animals in a situation like this and that is because there are abusive morons out there who will think it's funny and try the same thing. Just like the Jack Nicholson movie where they put a dog in an incerator, people try it because they are losers. I do a lot of rescue work so I know what goes on. Betty Crocker, sorry to inform you but just sending money to the ASPCA is not going to do it. Go walk the shelters and see how many animals are there. You can argue that people are cruel to their children, have abortions and all of that. The people involved in those causes have a right to voice distaste for seeing that just as we animals lovers have a right to say it is not a good idea to show anything that someone might copy and put an animal in harms way. It is not just wriitng. Look around. People are stupid, thoughtless and selfish and I don't think it's good to put ideas in anyone's head. If you don't like it, that's too bad but animal lovers have a right to their feelings and opinions just like you do. I don't agree that Chauncey is Duck's concscience. Duck is just a selfih, arrogant moron.

And there are CHILDREN that will think it's okay to smoke and drink from daddy's glass! And there are husbands who will think it's okay to cheat on your wife! And there are employees who will think it's okay to drink in the morning! And there are young secretaries who will think it's okay to be your bosses target for mauling! And there are riders who think it's okay to crop your horse when it eats the grass!! And there are drivers who will think it's okay to drive without seatbelts!!!

OH MY GOD...we better have the writers issue an APOLOGY!!!! To EVERYONE!! Or at minimum, a detailed explanation of the difference between life and art and pay for a public service announcement about animal cruelty and a banner running across the bottom of the page saying, "Kids, don't try this at home!"

It's not like when Don pushed Betty and some neanderthals here were saying she deserved it. It's a show. The dog was not abandoned, and most people know it's BAD to abandon your dog.

The people who are too stupid to realize this dont' watch this show. They are watching the 700 Club or American Idol.

Why does timezuchangin's post stay at the bottom--my post about the drunk and the dog was in response to that and my last one was definitely way after his???

I laughed when Pete said he wanted to get a dog for the office. WTF?! Where is your head, Pete?

Duck nixed the idea probably because having a dog signifies that you have a grounded home life; a house filled with family and a yard the dog can run around in. Its something he can no longer have.

I have Animal Control on my speed dial, so that when I'm driving around, I call them up to go rescue the dog.

Chauncey's ok,
As has been said..don't tell the writers how to write the show...we don't need to have this showed PC'd. What made that scene so sad and poignant was what happened, and it made for a terrific and powerful scene instead of the maudlin, oatmeal, obvious scene a regular network or cliche program would have done..which is why I watch Mad Men. Have a good cry and help a real pet lost in your city's streets and get over it.

I have to admit that Duck abandoning Chauncey made me sick to my stomach. I knew it was just fiction ... but it still hurt.

A lot of desperation in this episode. Duck putting Chauncey out took the cake. It was rock bottom sad and a powerful scene. He's going to regret it if and when he emerges from his pity party.

It breaks my heart to think of Chauncey. If animal cruelty should become a theme of this series, I will have to sign off. It is just too unbearable.

well, i sure can tell which of you are dog lovers and those who could care less. we KNOW it's just a story, but it was sad and even though many, many things happened in the show, when it was all over, my number one concern was, "What will happen to Chauncey?" Several of you just don't have a heart.

I can't get that dog out of my mind and was greatly affected, however, I remind myself this is a TV show. Yes, animals are abandoned/abused all the time and I'm highly sensitive to the issue. That's why I keep coming back to the fact this was a scene in a show, obviously a very effective one, conveying just how desperate and hopeless Duck is as a character.

Yes trickledown, I think you're right--that's the theme of this show...promotion of animal cruelty! Those people have no morals! I'm so appalled I can't even think straight and the entire show's premise is now suspect!

And according to Rick Santorum, it promotes BESTIALITY!! Time to call Focus on the Family and organize a BOYCOTT of their advertisers...

well Betty Crocker aren't you just too smug for words here. You sound like a very angry person to me and by the way you would be surprised how many people abandon their dogs and cats, leave them to die, beat them, starve them and stick them in the shelters when they are too old. What dream world are you living in. You think sending a check to ASPCA is going to keep thousands of dogs from being killed every week? You think when animal control picks up a dog it goes to a wonderful home? Maybe but now without a lot of work from networkers and rescuers and many more are killed than saved. If I want to voice an opinion about something I care about I'll do it and who are you to set the rules about what can be commented on. After Disney put out the 1000 dalmation moves, and every one ran out to get one thousands ended up in the shelters and rescue groups, some never finding homes. If you care about the smoking and the children and the affairs then have an opinion. Don't sit on your high horse being ever so cynical criticizing others for taking a stand.

Speaking of dogs, what's the story on the Drapers' seldom-seen dog, Polly? Remember when a drunken Don, who failed to pick up Sally's birthday cake, showed up with a dog instead? We don't see too much of Polly, I think only once so far this season in Episode 1 when Don stopped to mail something to someone (still don't know who).

Taking a STAND about a scene from Mad Men?!?!?! Are you kidding? Every scene is a "teachable" moment then--smoking, drinking, patting Peggy's behind, adultery...are you going to go to Congress and testify about how bad the values of this show are?

Again, it's not like people are saying, "good, I"m glad that mangy animal was set out into the streets to die." Like some people did when Don grobed Bobbie or pushed Betty. I don't think Matt Weiner was making a pro-molesting/abuse statement then. And I certainly don't think he's making a statement about the disposbility of animals.

Can you just feel bad for Chauncey and enjoy the show????

I guess it's just too hard for some people to take the time to understand someone else's comment. Again, I don't like the idea of seeing a dog turned out in the streets. Period. I am not making any other comments about anything else. My comment is about the dog. Can you hear that? You sound more like Martha Stewart than Betty Crocker. But you know what Betty, I am done with this chat. You just don't get it. It's not about Matt Weiner being pro abuse or not. I don't like it and I have the right. By the way, except for that pointless glitch I do enjoy the show

I love Martha Stewart! Thanks!

Of course you have the right--It's the United States...and those that think opinions are not so...cogent...have the right to point that out.

God Bless the Constitution.

Duck ditched Chauncey and Don dismissed Sally because they both have guilt issues when being observed by their biggest fans: an adoring daughter and a faithful dog. Why? Because neither man really feels he "deserves" this kind of unconditional love (ya think??). The script called for Chauncey, sadly, to hit the streets. That made me sad, too.
Although, I don't feel the writers are influencing social behavior. People don't need to watch a TV show to get bad ideas, IMHO.

I will repeat my oft repeated line regarding this topic.Its TV people.Can I see someone just once talk about how offensive it is to see how Black people are represented in this show? Any takers? Oh no... thats ok thats just history ..but a dog let loose during the early evening on Madison Avenue? OMG thats it I cant tolerate this show anymore.
Do you have even the slightest clue how much it "hurt" me to watch the scene with Pete and his floozy in the elevator.How they flirted as if the elevator operator wasn't even there..oh yeah he wasn't there..he is a black man.The camera doesn't even pan wide enough to get a visual of his whole face.
I am being facetious slightly because these glimpses of African Americans as invisible,disposable servants is being told in the context of a television show.I accept it for what it is and remember how much things have changed and how grateful I am for those who went before me in making those changes.
What offends me is the lack of offense to the subject I brought up and threats to boycott the show because an actor let an animal outside of an office set into the arms of his trainer.
Geeeeesh...Talk about priorities being screwy.

"Get Over it people..pour yourself a drink..light up a cigarette..warm up a TV dinner and enjoy the show"

I agree with you MadManiac--and that's when I have to laugh when other folks look back "longingly" for the Mad Men days...usually white men or white women who want a man to tell them what to do and who wish they could go back to smoking (I mean, who doesn't on the latter issue, but I want to live a long and healthy life).

Compared to REAL prejudice (that still exists today where a few yahoos still can't imagine a black president--our NEXT president btw!), as you so aptly put it, being offended by an actor who let an animal off the office set into the arms of his trainer, is totally WACKED.

This MUST be a joke...

As I reported on another thread, I just heard the GOOD NEWS!!

The dog is fine...he jumped on a tramp steamer in New York Harbor and went back to the Old Sod. He's herding sheep and chasing rabbits and is as happy as a leprechaun!

What cracks me up is that as soon as Chauncey was through with his "lines", he probably ran off-set and into his own trailer filled with doggie biscuits.

MadManiac: I was hoping someone would bring up the Black elevator operator. I have watched this episode about 3 times now "On Demand". The last time I tried to study the elevator operator's facial expressions as Pete was making his moves. The operator almost looked like "Oh here we go...AGAIN....I've heard too much doing this damn job!" He IS invisble to the jerks. You know he's seen the wives come in to visit the husbands, yet the husbands stand around talking about other booty and flirting with anyone in a skirt.
What happened to Paul's girlfriend, Sheila? Did Paul really choose her to make himself seem more "interesting", as Joan suggested?

The writers must show the safe return of Chauncey. Duk may not deserve him but a loyal dog would have sat there all weekend waiting for Monday morning for someone to let him back in the building.

This show is suppose to be entertaining but turning a loving dog out on the street like that sucked all of the entertainment out of that show for me. Like Janeohio, it made me sick to my stomach and it still haunts me. I probably won't watch the show anymore. TV and movie writers need to be aware that anything that shows children or animals in pain or distress is not entertaining. If that's fine with them, then it's fine with me not to watch what they write.

Are you for real? You're not just being a troll making fun of animal rights people? Because I think they can tell the difference between what people back in 1962 might do and how far we've come. And they can tell the difference between reality and a TV show illustrating inhumanity.

If you think you're helping the cause, you're not. You're actually cheapening it with this insane, childish inability to know reality from art. You are making animal rights groups look bad and I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate it.

I've had several dogs and could never imagine doing that. But I still can't grasp this silly inanity..Are you people repeatedly posting these rants for real? You're not just being troll making fun of animal rights people? Because I think they can tell the difference between what people back in 1962 might do and how far we've come. And they can tell the difference between reality and a TV show illustrating inhumanity.

If you think you're helping the cause, you're not. You're actually cheapening it with this insane, childish inability to know reality from art. You are making animal rights groups look bad and I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate it.

Please, writers, keep up the good work and don't let insane people steer your plot.

Sorry--that was for one of the other seventeen dog threads!!!

AN ODE TO CHAUNCEY (to the tune of "Born Free")

Chaun-cey!
Your master's a los-er...
He's a mess and a booz-er,
So you're better off free!

Chaun-cey!
Duck's not a kind man.
In fact, he's a Mad Man
Who needs a kick in the ass!!

(softer)
Chauncey...
Duck doesn't deserve you!
Let him drown out his sorrows
With his liquor and greed!

Disclaimer: Hoping that Chauncey returns to SC as a mascot (but don't expect Joan to be happy about it).

Mad Men _Maniac-- Yes, I back you up 100%. They treat Non-whites like crap on this show.. where are the boycotters???? This society is so messed up.. Betty Crocker, you did not sound crazy to me.. You are sooo right..
Yes, i felt bad for the dog.. I also felt bad about the black elevator operator that is treated like an INVISIBLE MAN.. if the bloggers stood up for HUMAN rights as much as they did for DOG rights, maybe we could end child abuse, or racism.. People, wake up, this is a fictional show..a dog named Chauncey did not get let out into big, bad, NYC by a man named Duck.. BUT, blacks and other non-whites, and Non-wasps were abused and mistreated.. All men are created equal.--not in 1962!!

Like most of you, the scene with the dog left me in disbelief. No, I thought, he can't be letting the dog out on the STREET! I must be missing something - there must be someone there waiting for Chauncey...........no, no, no - Duck loves this animal and wouldn't ever let him go alone and out into the city traffic. It must be the parking garage and he is going to the car. It was a very powerful and upsetting scene.
Now, what I am trying to do is figure the state of mind - the motivation - the 'meaning' of this sick, depraved and weird act. Is the character so despondent about his ex remarrying and his children being bought off by a new 'dad' that he is about to commit suicide? Or is it that in spite of his letting the kids keep the dog so that they would have some continuity in their lives when the marriage broke up - a very selfless act when you consider how much he cared for the animal - that this ONE thing that he did right is now being rejected and he just cannot deal with it? Would he rather have a drink and dissolve into the abyss without witness - what is it? Interesting!

uh, I'm not sure if the scene with the dog warrants all this attention...Anyhow, I have it on good authority that Draper rescues the dog and brings him home for his son's birthday.

The only reason it warrants any attention is to show how cut off and alienated Duck is from his family, from any human contact, from his own emotions...he's alone with the bottle. At best a dry drunk, but probably not so dry after this episode.

I really feel sorry for him--he's getting a bit more complicated/sympathetic.

Hi jolie10! You have to get that song published!! What a classic!! Very clever!

Hi Mad Maniac! I have read your posts regarding the treatment of black people on Mad Men. I am white. For me to say that I understand the way you feel would be an insult to you. Unfortunately, the way blacks are portrayed in MM is part of our country's history. It sucks, but, it's there.

Personally, I enjoy watching the responses of black elevator operators and housekeeping staff in the office to the antics of the so called professional white employees at SC. The expressions on their faces, and their body language show how smart they are, and how stupid the employees of SC look to them.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your perspective!

Hi utzbox! Don takes Chauncey home, he and Polly have a zillion pups, and Betty turns the BB gun on Don!!

60'schild: Thanks, and who knew the Chaunster would get this much attention? Don, you suck! The dog is the REAL star and without humping everything in sight! LOL!!!

(Now there's a new thread called "The Dog"?? I better run along and compose something even more stimulating. Woof! Woof!)

People where have you been? Don't you remember the
cigaret smoking episode where Don asked a black waiter
why he smoked what he smoked and some white boss
asked Don if the black employee was bothering him?
That was so uncomfortable-where were you people?

Hi Mad Maniac,
You have made some valid points. I think this show is unflinching in the depiction of times back then.
People smoked everywhere, neighbors didn't think twice about smacking another neighbor's kid for acting up, and all minorities were strictly in the background, mixing drinks, etc.
The party scene where Joan was mocking the writer's black girlfriend was amazing. I cringed at that scene, seeing a part of Joan that wasn't pretty or sexy, just down right wrong.
America has made some real advances when a black man can get a major party's backing to run for president.
(Didn't mean to get this thread off the dog).
By the way, I love Pete's socially retarded character.
When he said the line about the office needing a dog, it was priceless.

Jolie10, love Chauncey's "Odes"!
Maybe Pete will stop in someplace close to SC after work (to delay the daily wrath of Trudy) and when he steps out onto the sidewalk, lo and behold, there will be Chauncey! He will loop the end of his belt around Chauncey's collar and take him home to try to ease the pain of Trudy's empty womb and will (of course!) get the Screaming Trudy treatment for thinking a dog could take the place of a baby! (it can't, of course, but Trudy generally likes to drive these points home with a screaming fit) Pete will keep the dog anyway like he did his gun to prove Trudy can't tell him what to do.

Hi Fooksie! I love your description of Pete...
That dog scene with Duck and Chauncey was hysterical! Pete walked away pouting, then he meets up with the model, as if to say "OK, fine, if I can't have an office dog...I'll have a model"!!!

Like I've posted before on some other forum loooong ago ( a month?--- I forget) I think it would be fun if Pete got doses of both the clap and the syph...that might teach him!!!

everyone commenting on this regardless of how they feel agrees that what the character on the show did was sick. disgusting. blaa blaa blaa. (if theres anyone out there who doesnt they need help. im looking at you Mike Vick.)

so... do you-who-shall-boycott really think that the negative feeling the scene caused is going to contribute to more dogs being treated poorly? i hope not. for your sake and the country's. youre probly going to be ignorant enough to vote mccain too.

with apologies to dogs, duck's, and dumbies...
(ps.. in reality the scene would be disgusting, i agree with 60s child, i thought it was so funny, just the way i find black, cracker, ethiopian, china man, women, newfie (im from newfoundland), etc etc jokes funny.

you people voted for george bush. and you killed jesus.(thankgod) i dont even know why i care that you're gonna stop watching. good riddance.